Our Friends' HAED SAL: QS White Cat (17 Sept 09)

Sunday, September 20, 2009

QS White Cat (17 Sept 09)

Although I didn't post last week as I spent a lovely week away with my partner and our two dogs I did take my stitching with me and managed to do a little. I had quite a good stitching day on Thursday and it wasn't until I took the fabric off my Q-snap that I could see the full effect and it's really pleasing to see the fabric come alive as the picture grows. I still think I will stick to my original plan and leave the facial features of the cat until last. This is how it looked Thursday -

I've also been stitching on this over the weekend and next week I hope to have a lot more to show.

Monday I had a little "shopping spree" and have bought the fabric ready to restart my Cats in the New year. I decided to buy 28 count white cashel linen and I know this will be huge (approx 16" x 32") if I start to save for the framers now I should have enough by the time it's finished which will be in quite a few years time!

After reading a recent post by Louanne where she mentioned the work of Linda Ravenscroft I just coudn't resist this chart

but the problem is there are a set of four so maybe I will have to make another purchase very soon :) If anyone has done any of these I would love to see the pics or if they are on your list of new starts please let me know and maybe we could start together.

It's a lovely day here in the UK so I'm going to sit outside and stitch. Happy stitching.

7 comments:

Sabine S. said...: I love the castle that's appeared in the backgorund! I'm guessing the kitty's face is your favorite and geting to it is your inspiration to keep stitching the more boring parts? I don't take my fabby off the Q-Snaps except to move it and I'm always amazed how different it looks from afar, noy right under my nose.
Sabine; September 20, 2009 at 9:38 AM
Louanne said...: Oh you tease! Leaving the cat's features till last! I think I will burst with anticipation! It looks fantastic so far!
Always happy to enable! LR is my favorite artist at HAED. It's not a problem that there are 4 of them. There's just more to love! LOL! I want to get back to my Arthur soon. I will stitch them all, I may have to ive 100 more years, but I will stitch them! I can't wait to see your start on Merlin.; September 21, 2009 at 5:43 AM
CathE said...: Your stitching is looking beautiful.; September 21, 2009 at 8:49 AM
Cindy F. said...: Just look at your incredible, beautiful progress girl!! and love the LR chart!; September 21, 2009 at 9:29 AM
Joke said...: What a beautiful cat is coming along! Love the coulours and the background :); September 21, 2009 at 10:09 AM
Wendy said...: That is a very lovely progress!! Can't wait to see more.; September 21, 2009 at 11:31 PM
Carolyn NC said...: Stitching looks great!; September 24, 2009 at 11:32 PM

Tutorials

How to Carry Threads
This is really easy...it takes a while to get used to though....and your back will look terrible...this you will have to live with...One thing...You will be working your 10 x 10 grids in colums...it makes it easier...
1. Start with a 10 x 10 grid..
2. Find your first symbol...and stitch all of that symbol in your 10 x 10 grid....When finished...
3. Find the same symbol on the 10 x 10 grid below it...take your needle and bring your thread up like you are going to make the first 1/2 of the X ...but don't do it...just unthread your needle and lay the thread down..
4. Go back to the first grid you were working on...and stitch the next symbol the same way....when finished bring your thread down....
5. continue each symbol until your first 10 x 10 grid is finished....
6. start the next 10 x 10 grid ....you should have thread there already for you to pick up and stitch...
Posted by Vickie 3/7/2009

Tent Stitching (Wikipedia)
Tent stitch variants
There are three types of tent stitch, all producing the same appearance on the front of the canvas but each worked in a slightly different way and having particular characteristics, uses, benefits and drawbacks. These variants of tent stitch are known as basketweave, continental and half cross tent stitches:
Basketweave tent stitch - The basketweave form of tent stitch is worked in diagonal rows up and down the canvas. The yarn on the back of the canvas has a typical basketweave appearance, with alternating horizontal and vertical stitches. Basketweave is the best stitch to use for covering large areas of canvas as it does not distort the canvas as the other two forms of tent stitch do.
Continental tent stitch - Continental stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitches appear diagonally across two threads. This method uses more yarn than half cross stitch tent stitch but is more hardwearing.
Half cross tent stitch - Half cross stitch is worked horizontally or vertically across the canvas. On the back of the work, the stitch appears vertical or horizontal, not diagonal, and crosses only one thread. This method uses less yarn than other stitches but is not very durable as coverage on the back of the canvas is a little thin.