Saturday 25 November 2017

A Treasured Time

This time last year I took the plunge and started an embroidery design I had been admiring for quite some time.  It's a special Christmas scene called "A Treasured Time" by Dimensions Gold Collection.


Although I've stitched many cross stitch designs in the past, this is different because it's mainly stitched in half cross stitches and it's on Aida, whereas I'm more used to stitching on linen and evenweave.


I've seen many Russian ladies stitching designs like this on Instagram, and I though it would lovely to have my own piece hanging on the wall at Christmas time.


The stitching is very dense, and there are frequent colour changes, so it's taken me longer than I expected to finish this piece, but it's going to be beautiful when it's framed.


The lovely shading comes about by the frequent blending on threads.  Often three strands are used at once, two of one colour, and one of a completely different colour, but it all works out in the end.


I decided that if I was going to have this piece finished for Christmas 2017 I would need to work on one quarter of the design each quarter of the year.   That worked well for me, but I left all the backstitching and French knots to the end, and that has taken me longer than I expected.  In my mind I thought the backstitching might take a week, but it's actually taken three weeks.  My elbow hurt at times from pushing the needle through the very dense stitching.


But as you can see from this photo, the backstitching really brings out the design.  Compare the windows on the right to those on the left - a huge difference.

I'm hoping to get it finished this weekend, and off to the framers early next week.  I don't know if they can do it time for Christmas or not, but I will be happy to have achieved my goal of finishing it by Christmas 2017.


11 comments:

Tami Von Zalez said...

That really is a fantastic piece of work. The backstitching does highlight the piece. I admire your stick-to-itivness.

Michele Hill said...

Wow Wendy...it is fabulous - well done! We have a stack of tapestries that Larry has completed over many years all done in soft cotton including a couple from the Lady and the Unicorn series.........but sadly they are all rolled up as the framing is so darned expensive! I am thinking maybe one day somehow incorporating them into wallhangings. Hope you have it up in time for Christmas x

Tammy said...

This is beautiful stitching! My first love will always be quilting but I have rediscovered cross stitch in this year and am enjoying finishing some old projects.

Jenny said...

This looks wonderful, Wendy, and I'm sure you will complete the little still left to do in no time at all. Let's hope the framer can do the job in time to hang up for Christmas.

Anonymous said...

Wendy, Your embroidery/cross stitching is just as beautiful as your quilting. So splendid and well worth viewing. Thank you for sharing and I want to wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Julie Beard Adelaide.

Hilary said...

This is beautiful Wendy! I have a couple cross stitch projects like this in various states of completion, one day I'll finish them. ;)

Rochelle aka Bella Quilts said...

What a beautiful tapestry. You do such lovely work and I know you will enjoy this piece for many years to come. Congratulations on making a plan and sticking to it (I must do that this year!!). I hope it is framed and on your wall for Christmas.

Linda said...

Absolutely beautiful!!! Good for you for meeting your goal. It's surely a treasure to keep.

Robin said...

Such a lovely piece. I hope you can get it back by Christmas so it can look down on all your celebrations of the holiday.

Quilting Tangent said...

CONGRATULATIONS! You made your goal, that is allot of stitching for 1 year. I always like this kit, maybe one of these days. Enjoy it!

MDTerp said...

Incredible work and magnficent frame! Enjoy!! Merry Christmas!!