Progress!  I was able to spend some time this week on my project and I’m happy with the progress I’ve made so far.  I’ve learned a few things too…

1. when finishing up a string, don’t trim it so close to the project.  They tend to pop out over time.
2. bury the ends when you are done with the string and then trim.  that way the back looks nice and clean and the threads don’t pop out from the front.  (too late for this project)
3. just keep going, one floss at a time.

Here’s what it looked like last time the picture came through:

Cross Stitch
Welcome Project
2/16/2016

Here’s what it looks like now..

“Welcome”
Cross Stitch Project
2/27/16

I finished the embroidering the details on the left side and the letter “E” in Welcome.  Next step is to get the right border completed and work on the details of the right side.

~Melanie

My Goal for 2016 for cross stitching is to get the “welcome” project done and get started on my farm piece.

It’s been a couple of weeks since my last post.  That is life. And in reviewing the last time I posted I realized that my picture didn’t come out.  Not sure how I missed that but hopefully it works this time.

Here’s what it looked like last time the picture came through:

Here’s what it looks like now..

Cross Stitch
Welcome Project
2/16/2016

I started working on the details and embroidering the defining lines of the flowers and such. I’m hoping that by doing a bit here and there while I’m still doing the cross stitching will get some of it done when I’m finished with the cross stitching.  It helps break up the monotony for me. 🙂

Now that the bottom right corner is complete, my next mini-goal is to work on the “E”.   I’ve slowed down significantly over the past few weeks as my crafty time is a lot less than before.  I have to be real mindful about making sure I have some crafty time and to utilize it as much as possible.  Now that the sewing room is much more organized I spend less time climbing over things and avoiding the sewing room.

~Melanie

My Goal for 2016 for cross stitching is to get the “welcome” project done and get started on the farm scene….

I’m becoming more regular with posting an update on my cross stitch.  I like it and keeps my engaged with the project.

Here’s what it looked like on my last cross stitch post:

Here’s what it looks like now..

Here’s a close up:

Once all the cross stitch is done, I’ll be doing the embroidery part.  I don’t consider it embroidery but I don’t know what else to call it.  I have to outline the letters and add the details on the flowers, etc.  I did it for the left half but haven’t done anything on the right half.  I may start doing some of it now so that I don’t have to do a lot of it once I’m done with cross stitch.  Once it is completely done, should I wash the project?  I know I’m going to try to get the stain off at the bottom (that you can’t see).  But I was wondering if it’s normally done for cross stitch projects.  I’ve finished 2 cross stitch projects in my life.  My first one, I gave to my Aunt.  She had it framed and when I bought my first house, she gave it back to me to put in the house.  I don’t know if she washed it before she had it framed but I don’t think so.  The second one, I have in the main restroom and I had it framed.  I know for a fact I didn’t wash it and I wish every day that I did something to it.  I’ll have to post a picture one day and discuss it.  Anyway, does one wash a cross stitch project (assuming nothing is wrong with it and it’s not dirty)?  I would guess no since you wouldn’t want any of the colors to bleed and cause a mess.  Why fix something that’s not broken.  But just checking with you.

~Melanie

My Goal for 2016 for cross stitching is to get the “welcome” project done and get started on the farm scene….

I was able to get a little bit done on my cross stitch project since my last post.

Here’s what it looked like on my last cross stitch post:

Here’s what it looks like now..

Here’s a close up:

Thanks Maia for the instructions on how to clean the weird looking stuff on my project.  I still can’t bring myself to take a picture.  I haven’t yet tried to do anything with it.  Is there any rush?  Once I’m done I’ll work on getting it cleaned up.

~Melanie

My Goal for 2016 for cross stitching is to get the “welcome” project done and get started on the farm scene….

While I’m attending classes today, I thought I’d update you on my cross stitch work…

Here’s what it looked like on my last cross stitch post:

Here’s what it looks like now.. the bottom right flower is filling out more –

Here’s a close up:

I have discoloration on the weave.  It’s been so long.  It’s very pronounce and I haven’t taken a picture of it.  It’s big, brown/orange, and ugly.  I’m afraid that the whole thing will need to be thrown out.  Anyway, It’s far enough away from the project that I figure once I’m done, I’ll just trim down and frame it so the discolored part will never be an issue.  It’s partially why I want this done pretty quickly.  Today, I decided to lay out the situation and maybe someone can respond with info on what I should do.  Thanks for your help. 🙂  Maybe next week I’ll have the courage to take a picture of it.

~Melanie

My Goal for 2016 for cross stitching is to get the “welcome” project done and get started on the farm scene….

My goal for cross stitching this year is to get the “welcome” project done and get started on the farm scene.

Here’s what it looked like before I started working on it today:

…A close up of my work.  Sometimes I don’t feel like using a hoop but lately, especially with the blue plastic hoop I mentioned in a previous post, I’ve been using it more regularly.  I think it’s because it’s so easy to move the hoop when I need to.

Here’s what it looked like when I finished for the day… It doesn’t look like much but it’s a few more stitches to being finished. 🙂

~Melanie