Making progress, but on hold for now

I think I've made pretty good progress on Winter Moonlight. But it's once again on hold. I've been asked to do a wedding piece for a family member. So, while the wedding date is a few months away, I like to get it completed before the wedding. I've heard too many tales of by the time the piece is finished, so is the marriage. While I'm not worried about that in this case, I think it's a good idea to have to wedding piece finished by the wedding date and birth pieces to be ready for personalization by the time the child is born, if it's at all possible.

So, so long Winter Moonlight. Be back soon!!!

Winter Moonlight

I can't remember when I started this. It has been an ongoing project for a while. I know I was working on it when I got the commission for Wanda's grandsons. But it may have been longer than that. It is a beautiful Christmas picture which I plan to keep for myself. I love Christmas trees and I love the beach and this has both. It may get sidetracked again before I finish it, but I am back onto this one. I know I have stockings to stitch, but this one will make me happy. I did a beaded copy opicture for Bonnie a few years ago.
Here is where I'm at today.

Angel Cats Stocking Finish

Today I put the final stitches into Madi's Christmas stocking. Still left to do is the making of the stocking itself. But, I am so glad to have this one finished. I think I get tired of everything that takes a lot of time and has a lot of mistakes that I have had to correct. This kit proved exceptionally challenging. But here she is. For my Madi Girl.

The Winner

I donated one of my recently stitched items to my local African Violet Society, as a prize for our recent show. Here is a picture of the winner, Barbara Odgers with her prize.

Finished-Framed-Delivered

I took the memorial to Lance Eakes parents on Memorial Day. I think they liked it. I hope to find time to do another one soon.

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.