Marbled Circle

About a month ago, I had cataract surgery and after a few days I decided I HAD to stitch even though my vision wasn't very good!  So I looked for something in my stash that would be "easy" as I didn't want to work on any of my "important" projects.  

This painted canvas marbled circle I bought in Australia, so it has to have been in my stash 4-5 years.  The label says it is "Individual Marbled Canvas by Alison Snepp and Karma Bains and I bought it at Mosman Needlecraft in Mosman, which is a suburb of Sydney.  I think it is painted, but it could be printed, I can't tell for sure.

First I realized it was on interlock canvas - which I hate!  Then I noticed that the circle wasn't really round, which is one of my pet peeves, so I counted it out and basted a more accurate circle.  There is no such thing as a perfect circle in needlepoint (or cross stitch), but it must at least be symmetrical for me to be able to stand it!  

Since it is interlock canvas (18-count), I decided I'd better stick with floss as just about anything else would be too heavy for the lightweight canvas.  So I'm using almost all overdyed cotton flosses from my stash.  I did have to use some regular DMC floss cause I ran out of the rust overdye and I refuse to buy anything for this canvas.  I am also putting in a little bit of Kreinik metallic to spark it up a bit,  also from stash.

Sorry about the quality of the photo.  It is just a scan and my scanner doesn't really like it when the canvas is on a frame - it just won't sit flat enough so it comes out a bit blurry around the edges.  I am fairly pleased with the piece though.  I only hope I don't find too many missing stitches once I can see again.  I get my new glasses in a week or so.  Hurray!

Kangaroo FINISHED

Finally, Mr. Kangaroo is finished.  I started him in 2009, shortly after returning from a trip to Australia.  He will be framed eventually.  Horrible pattern.  Way too many 3/4 stitches and weird back stitches to work on Aida cloth, would have been much easier on linen or evenweave.  I think.

Kangaroo, Progress #5

Kangaroo?  What kangaroo, you are asking!  Those of you who have been with me a long time, may remember this charming fellow, although I haven't posted about (or worked on) him for a very long time.  Mr. Kangaroo is a cross stitch chart I purchased in Australia at least 5 years ago.  I got him out recently because 1. I'd really like to finish it, 2. I hate working on it because I am using some rayon floss, and 3. It is small and easy to handle.

So, here he is today, well actually last week.  I have worked on it some since I took the photo and the rayon floss parts are finished. Finally!  I do hate that stuff.  Now for lots of French Knot flowers and a ton of backstitching.  Am I the only person in the world who HATES to do cross stitch?

Kangaroo Progress #4

I know, it has been a long time since I showed you this Kangaroo.  I do work on it occasionally, but not often.  You may remember that I hate rayon floss & a lot of the greenery is in rayon floss, so I hate working on it.
He's a cute little guy, and a "souvenir" of our trips to Australia.  One of these days I'll actually finish it!  Maybe this year?

Travels in Needlepoint & Cross Stitch

My husband and I have done a fair amount of traveling and I thought it would be fun to commemorate some of our trips in needlework. The one on the left is Alaska, in needlepoint. This was a painted canvas I purchased in Alaska and modified slightly. It is framed with a photo of us and a pin and a little vial of gold. Top right is Hong Kong. This is a cross stitch pattern that I searched for and finally found long after we were there. I didn't make any changes in the pattern and used the thread that came in the kit. It is framed with a photo of us in Hong Kong. Bottom right is Australia. I purchased the cross stitch kit in Sydney and made no changes. It is framed with 2 pictures of us and the Coat Hanger (the bridge). Such a fun way to remember great trips!