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Sunday, April 5, 2015

Bird Brain!

Today is Easter - how on earth did that happen?!  The time of year seems right for it and my calendar seems to agree.  But my slow moving brain just hasn't caught up yet.  Wasn't Christmas last week?  Anyway, my apologies for the length of time between posts. 

Why is it that with all stitching projects, no matter what size, difficulty and number of thread changes required, I always reach the point somewhere in the lower right corner where I just want the darn thing done.  Case in point: Birds in the Bower.


No really - shouldn't this be done by now?!  Seeing how I started it as a brief escape from the epic border on Hannah Pepper, it's not all that large, there is nothing but cross stitches on it and I've already stitched it once before......this thing should have been done weeks ago, right?   Well, not so much. 

The bottom row of birds went in easily enough....


I even noticed a cardinal had stopped in for a visit.  He must have come this way after spending time with Carol.


 Turning the bottom right corner and mapping out the scallops did take a fair amount of fiddling,  but they do seem to be on their way now though.



So what exactly is the issue?  Well take a look at this.


Notice anything suspicious looking at what should have been a delicate line of over one verse?  Yep, that's right.  2 full rows of tiny over one stitching - never my favorite, even the first time in - filled that space and then had to be removed because this bird brain didn't read the chart right.  No excuses here, I've even stitched this piece before and still got it all wrong.   I'll save you the painful details of this senseless tragedy, but let's just leave it to say that when I checked the photo of Teresa's piece and then verified it with the one on the chart, I realized I'd put the lines in the wrong places. Leaving them that way would only cause much worse problems further along.  Nothing to do but pick them out one tiny stitch at a time - aaacck!.  What remains in the picture still will be this afternoon's chore. So you can see now why I just want the darn thing done.

While walking this morning, I was trying to decide what else I could post about that might be somewhat Easter related.  Then I remembered that many many years ago during my Drawn Thread period, I'd stitched up The Easter Egg Sampler, then promptly packed it off to limbo once finished.  Here's a picture of it resurrected this morning.


Seeing as the date I'd stitched at the bottom of it is April 8, 2000, it might be time to actually do something with this little sweetie.  But therein lies the problem.  If I'd really wanted to go to the bother and expense of having it framed, I'm sure I would have done so by now.  But it doesn't really seem like the sort of thing to be fabric finished, even by the skillful  hands of our favorite Faye.  What would you do with it?  I'd love to have some ideas!

OK, so I think that brings me up to speed for this Easter Sunday.  Hoping yours if full of spring and celebration!  As always, thanks for stopping by to visit.

14 comments:

Robin in Virginia said...

I really like your birds piece! Sorry that you have to unstitch the over one wording. How big is the egg? Perhaps an oval pillow or a cube if it isn't too large.

Robin in Virginia

StitchinByTheLake said...

Beautiful projects! I hate taking stitches out too but sometimes.... blessings, marlene

Jackie's Stitches said...

I don't mind frogging most of the time but I NEVER want to frog over 1. It seems like when I do, the thread leaves something behind on the linen.

Cute DT Easter Egg!

Margaret said...

Oh ugh! Frogging over one stitching? The worst! My sympathies! But the piece is gorgeous and will be so worth the effort in the end. I love your Easter egg piece too! Not sure what to suggest for how to finish it though. I'm not very imaginative. :D Happy Easter!

Beth said...

Frogging over one is a nightmare! I am like you and tend to get bored with my current stitch as it nears competion. The addition of the cardinal is inspired!

Barb said...

Frogging over one is the worst!! I had to do it a few projects ago and swear, I will never be able to do it again. However, the bird piece is just beautiful and well worth the effort. The egg is also lovely.

Samplings from Spring Creek said...

WOW All those birds and so close to a finish--your efforts will be well rewarded

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Must have been the day for frog visits. I spent a good bit of the day ripping out too. Love seeing your progress and love seeing the egg too! Have a good week.

Melissa said...

Love your bird piece. I can see there are lots of colour changes involved which would take more time. Yuck on the frogging over one stuff. It's probably done by now, right?

As to your DT Egg, it's so beautiful. I know you haven't framed it but I think framing would protect those lovely stitches.

Carol said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Amanda said...

I love how the "Birds" are coming along; it will be worth the struggle in the end. The "Egg Sampler" is exquisite. I'm with Robin; an oval pillow or a pin-cushion type thing might be interesting. Or perhaps a little bag you could put Easter treats or treasures in; you can get such pretty fabric quarters for the back, and if you really want to get fancy, cord edging or ribbons.

woolwoman said...

oh gees the dreaded frog ! hope that is behind you now. Oh yes send the egg to Faye. I just got back a project bag and a finished LHN ornament and it is just so darling. Let us see when you decide. Enjoy - Mel

Lois said...

Oh Mary, I feel your pain over all that frogging of the over one!! I hope you've got back into the groove with it now. I do believe I remember you stitching that DT piece! I say send it to Faye, she's sure to come up with a wonderful way to finish it.

Krista said...

Love all the pretty birdies, Mary! Happy Spring!