Back Stitching Yuck!!!

I hate back stitching. It is so tedious. But as much as I hate it, I have to admit, that usually it makes a tremendous difference in the appearance of the piece. I am basically through with the stitching of Madi's Christmas stocking. I have a few places where I have missed a stitch as well as the metallic stitching. I started stitching with the gold braid at the top, but noticed that with all the handling it was getting, that stitching was coming out and/or becoming frayed. So, I decided to do that last. So, I'm backstitching, filling in and doing the braid now. Once that's done, I have to figure out how to make it into a stocking. I've never done that before, but I don't think it will be a problem. I don't intend to use the red fabric that came with the kit. It seems flimsy and cheap looking. I plan to put some sort of backing on the stitching to make sure the stitches don't get pulled out. Probably an iron on interfacing. Then, I'll probably use red felt for the back of the stocking.

Now to get it framed

Here is the completed project, minus laundering and framing. I'm pretty happy with it, but it would have looked better if his name were shorter. The family wanted his entire name, no initials. So,  that's what I did.

Next of Kin contacted

I finally talked with Lance's father yesterday. I will begin the personalization this weekend. Then find a mat and frame. I hope to get it to them within two weeks.

Memorial Project Update

I am now awaiting confirmation that my hero's family does want a memorial. I think this project took me less than three weeks from start to finish. Well, not completely finished. I'm waiting to do the personalizing until I get the confirmation.

Memorial Project

I think I am making good progress. A couple of hiccups here and there. I know I shouldn't stitch when I'm tired. It makes for stupid mistakes.

But I am back on track and once I get the stars in place inside the heart/flag, I will be able to just fill in the blue. that will give it a more complete look.

New Project

No pictures yet, but I have begun a new project. I've put Madi's stocking on hold for a while. It's months and months until Christmas anyway. I'm about eighty percent through with it.
But, for a breather, I've started a new project. I've begun to stitch a memorial for a fallen soldier from the Iraq war. He is a local fellow, but I didn't know him. The design seems to be working up fairly quickly. I've done a good amount of the navy blue, in the first direction only. I'm going to try to get as much of the design half done as possible, so that I can take it with me when I am in the car. This design only has four colors of floss, so that is going to make it much simpler to stitch.  More later......