To the Month Remaining

Some progress. I'd better get a bit faster at this, still so many more to go!

Christmas Madness - Begin!

So it's been a bit longer than 2 months, but no matter. I hate to make the samurai wait longer but it's that time of year again, and as usual I have already made a long list of things I cannot possibly make for everyone in time as gifts! Thankfully I am getting to a decent start, as 2 of them have come along nicely so far. That makes only 8 more to go! :P

Bittersweet Hiatus

I'm gonna be gone for 2 months but figured I'd post the most recent pictures here so I can come right back to it when we are reunited once again!

New and Improved

New stuff!

Return of the Samurai

It's been far longer than I intended. However, a few days ago I did start again the project I abandoned so long ago. I decided to go a different way with it this time - this helped it still feel fresh and new. The unfortunate part of it is it doesn't look like much right now and these closeup pictures hardly do its model justice...so stay tuned.

Changing Gears

So I've come a to a recent realization that has put a few projects on hold at least for the time being. Mother's Day is in about a month - so it's time to change gears to make her something awesome!

Recently I have acquired 78 new colors and I'd just like to take a second and dwell on how amazingly organized 1-2-3 Stitch is with their packages - I really have no idea how they got 78 skeins, a package of plastic bags, bobbins and beads all in this bag completely and utterly perfectly.

The straightness is unreal. 

Hopefully an update on a new project soon!

Last a Lifetime

More progress:

More Stash, (ebay steals!):

And a tree. now mine and I might just feel like the Karate Kid!

More Cross Stitch, Less Travel

Since this blog has hardly lived up to its name as of late (sorry 3 weeks later +) I will try to post a cool picture of where I go every so often, though it isn't far right now :(

However, I have been quite busy in the meantime. Unfortunately, the samurai cross stitch is currently on hold due to (cough) mislabeled address on some fabric. The good news is I hopefully found better - dyed fabrics. More on that when they get here though.

So here is my (technically 2nd) finished project of 2015! Night pictures really don't do this justice but I will try to get it framed and have a better picture later...

Adorable, right? Though I changed the hot chocolate mug part of the design slightly, I found the design for free on DMC's website (I think). Very fun time doing this! This is also one of the few designs I've done just for myself.

Colors: About 10

Time: 6-8 hours

Details: 28 count white evenweave over 3, for coverage

For some reason after I did this one I really got the urge to do a bright project with some red in it. Roughly 30 hours later or so: 

*GASP* It's...oh my, it's April already isn't it? But never too early for Christmas! This one has been super fun, especially considering the bright colors! The only regret I have is I I started this before I found dyed fabrics...darn it! You might know what you think this design is but I will also let it reveal itself as I go...maybe I'll even have it done by Christmas!

Colors: 23 + beads, on white 32 count evenweave over 2 

Next!

Just yet another stash future masterpiece. I have wanted to do this design forever - this Japanese artist may be famous for this piece but it is actually the first in a series of 36. (Don't give me ideas.) There is no way I will do it on 14 count, more than likely it will be on 32 count. This one has 44 colors! Can't wait, but you might have to because it just found a place in a somewhat long line.

While I was at it...

...I decided to go for the package deal. Same artist and though it's hard to see, the white "surf" coming off that wave is actually birds. How cool is that? I didn't open this one to see color count or anything but excited for it all the same. 

Last but certainly not least:

Bought this beauty for a very specific reason, other than it being a very good deal and somewhat hard to find, considering it was published 25 years ago. 

I would have paid the same price for this design alone. The great news is I already ordered the fabric (dyed) for it. The not-so-great news is I need it done by June. Even though the design stresses doing it on white, this will probably be the first project I will be doing on dyed fabric. More specifically: 

Castleview 32 count Wexford Linen

In closing, a few years back I went to a Japanese festival (in the U.S., sadly) and there were a lot of really amazing things there. One of them was a vendor for bonsai and other things, but all I remember on top of that is they were pretty expensive...

Including this bottle of water, which cost a mighty $3. The Wal-Mart water markup was very real that day.

Cat's Out of the Bag!

Decided to reveal it after all, here is a quick update though I am worried about stitching it on 28 count when it was sent to me with 18 count, which would convert over 2 to 36 count...more when I find out if I can keep going as I am!

 What are you saying! That teeny-tiny little square is totally progress...right?

UPDATE: Looks like this design won't look as refined without the 36 count, so I will have to buy the right fabric and start over. At least I didn't get all that far :) I will start something else for a little bit!

One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

First post for my newest project! 

Project Title: Mighty Samurai

Colors: 45 different colors, and 20 different 2-strand combinations of these colors, effectively 65 different colors

Size: 16’’ x 22’’ (30x46cm), without frame

Date Started: March 4, 2015

Date Ended: ???

Night has always been the most infamous time for my stitching. I’m not entirely sure why, but most of my worst mistakes are made beyond about 9pm. The majority of mistakes I make are miscounting, resulting in a misaligned design and inevitably ending in me pulling stitches out (which have taken up to an hour before). And about 2 hours in, I realized I had made a mistake, but it wasn’t counting, it was actually a bit worse – it was color! 

This design includes the colors Maroon, Red, Magenta, Pink and Coral. Despite my impeccable organizing, I managed to start out a section with Red-Coral instead of Pink-Coral. So there went 30 minutes of my life. 

Fun fact: this is the biggest and most detailed project I have ever done, and I received it for Christmas 2014.

I never knew it would be the case, but apparently there is quite a difference between colors in Aida vs evenweave, even if they are both supposedly "ivory". I only work on evenweave, as it's  better for detailed projects and feels better to work with.

Progress: 

And my most loyal fan (not my cat, just who lives here too):

My stitching entertainment seemed to be in a bit of jeopardy here...

But he gave up in hope of a nap.

Yea! First Blog Post! 3/5/15

Heya! Just testing this. Since I don't have any work ready to be posted I just have a little survey!

When it comes to art, I am often exceedingly patient and specific with the way I do it. My art is mostly described as modern, design-wise. This means they are usually complicated and take a large amount of time. This is due to my nature to put my heart into whatever I do, whether it is cross stitch, ceramics, or digital drawing ~ all of these may make it here!

What was the first piece you stitched and when did you begin?

It was a simple starter stitch of some hummingbirds on flowers. My mom got me started way back probably around middle school, maybe 10 years ago. Unfortunately I don't have much to show for it! I have given away about 95% of all my projects, large and small, without photographing them first. That's why I created this; to keep track for myself and anyone else who's interested.

What types of needlework do you do now and what is your favorite?

I only do cross stitch for now because that is what I have a great collection of materials for. I am fascinated by other types and would love to try them someday.

How much time every week do you devote to needlework?

A few hours each day before or after work.

What other hobbies do you have besides needlework?

I have a great interest in Japanese culture, language and art, but I also love video games and movies; I'm realtively tech-savvy (sp?) so I also like just about anything in that department. 

Work or career – present or past?

Phew! Confusing question. I've graduated college with a degree in Japanese, Asian Studies and Anthropology, and am joining the Navy in the near future. I like to take things one day at a time but in the future I want to have a great collection of my own projects to look back on and be proud about. Art is so amazing; my life will inevitably be filled with it.

Do you have a particular project you would like to stitch?

I have an entire folder devoted to them, actually. A lifetime's worth, I am sure. 

Is there a new technique you would like to learn in the future?

I am always up for learning more things but in the meantime I actually want to become better at some things first. especially those damn french knots.

Do you have any “bits of wisdom” you would like to share?

I think it's most important in life to do what you want, or go after your passion, but mainly what makes you happiest. In Japanese, this is said  好きにしろ (suki ni shiro). 

What reactions have you received from people who have received pieces of your finished needlework?

I most often make small ornaments around Christmas time and they are always a hit. I have only done a few medium or large projects but always gave them away and people love them. Much like a cook's greatest compliment is the clean plate at the end, the greatest compliment to me is actually displaying my work or sharing it with others. 

What is your favorite thread and fabric to work with?

I'm relatively picky and do not work with Aida fabric anymore, so all my projects are done on evenweave 28 ct or above, though 28 count is most comfortable. I have only worked with two kinds of thread, cotton and a yarn variety, both for xstitch. The yarn is a bit more temperamental! But again, I'm really up for about anything. 

What tool or accessory would you not want to be without?

My lamp. Got it for Christmas and I literally could not be without it.

Are there any symbols, themes or ideas that are found throughout your art?
I think it's extremely important to have a signature, and I guess mine would have to be what effects me most. Japanese influences are often a focus. I also have a sort of spiritual connection with the number 4 (sorry Japan :( they associate it with death or just general badness) and things that are white, so those often can make some sort of appearance due to their significance.