End of August finishes

It's been a strange stitching week & had it not been for Alison I probably wouldn't have completed these projects. Thanks Ali for letting me join your finishing long weekend. It helped me through some tough moments when I probably would have just put the stitching to the side otherwise.

Here's our friend 'Boo' in the Halloween needle roll for Katrina's August SAL. Lili & Mirjam you were right that Boo really needed to be outlined. What was so difficult about this stitching project you ask? Actually there were a few new techniques to learn which is always pretty daunting. I had never removed threads before nor had I done a hemstitch, yet once I just got at it they were really no problem. What was the problem then? Now don't laugh because it's really too ridiculous for words. The SPIDERWEBS (of course barely visible on the image) which I left to the very last were a pain to do. I love to cross stitch because everything is so exact & symmetrical and this was very difficult to do with the webs. You will note that I added a little black bead to the center of each to draw your attention away from my 'symmetrically challenged' webs.

This afternoon I hope to complete the finishing (stitch the back seam & add the orange ribbon & filling) but you'll have to wait for a picture of the completed needle roll until the next film is developed. Thanks Gail, for leading me to great finishing instructions.

And here we have Martina Weber's 'Tiny Rose Mandala Garden' which is still one of my very favorite projects ever. All I had left to do this week was the beading (another first) but once I got the hang of it that went well. I wish you could all see the garden in person as the image truly doesn't do it justice. I'm hoping to get the rose garden framed ASAP. Some day I'd love to make one of Martina's larger pieces. For anyone out there who admires her work like I do - this is an excellent piece to get a feel for her patterns.

A third stitching project was completed this week. It's a zodiac sign started for DS about 15 years ago which needed about an hour's worth of work to finish. Rather than post a picture of that now I'll wait until the sign for DD, which was started at the same time but is still in the early stages, is a little further along and post both pictures at once. There's a lovely description of the symbolism enclosed with the pattern which I'll share with you at that time.

Aaaah, now it's time to relax & read all your blogs & catch up on the latest news. HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND EVERYONE!!!