Pansy Elephant by Dede Ogden

This beautiful Pansy Elephant designed by Dede Ogden began her life in 1981.  She was introduced to me in a workshop with Dede in San Diego.  I don't remember if it was a seminar or an EGA workshop (there was no ANG chapter yet there). I also don't remember if it was painted or line drawn. Definitely not counted.

She was moved many times, in various states of unfinished-ness, finally ending up in Reno.  Sometime in the early 2000's I finished stitching the Elephant but didn't know what I wanted for a background. Back in the drawer she went.

2008 I was again inspired and decided she should have an oriental Rug behind her. I adapted a design from a book Needlepoint Designs from Oriental Rugs by Goethe Sorensen.  I designed the borders.

Ok, so the stitching was done but even though I had used a frame, it was somewhat distorted. Especially the white part of her blanket which is pulled work. That was pretty bumpy. I think I tried to block it out.  No success so she sat around in the drawer again for a long while.  But recently I showed it to an old friend who thought she could fix it and would make it up into a pillow as well. So here you have her!  My nearly 40-year-old elephant!  

Houndstooth finished

Its finished!  I learned a lot from this piece and from your comments and suggestions. Primarily I learned to look through someone else's eyes!  Gave me a whole different perspective on the design. So, thank you all
For your help.
I don't know what we'll do with it. Frame probably. It's my husband's choice this time. So we'll see what he decides to do.