Less Bitching, More Stitching! - A Fiber Arts Blog: Finished

Hello, readers!

I have just returned from a stitching trip. My fiancé and I took a semi-impromptu trip to San Diego, so I had a chance to get some stitching done on the plane. Good news - I finally finished "Christmas on the Beach!" Here is a photo:

"Christmas on the Beach"

Sometimes, I have mixed feelings after I backstitch something, but in this case, the backstitching really makes the details pop - especially the presents and the ornaments on the tree. I am really happy with this finished piece! :) Now, I just have to motivate myself to frame it so I don't have so many loose seashells sitting around my apartment.

I also made some progress on another beach-themed piece, "A Day at the Beach." I feel like the last rose of summer trying to finish these things in September, but this one is really cute, and I really like the hand-dyed thread in it.

"A Day at the Beach"

I am making headway on the center panel. Here is a peek at the model:

"A Day at the Beach" by Nikki Leeman

This pattern uses Crescent Colours hand-dyed floss in Blueberry Tart (blue), Peanut Brittle (tan), and Poblano Pepper (green). This floss is so smooth - it really glides through the fabric, and there is a bit of an ombre character to the fibers. Plus, it's from New Albany, Ohio - just on the outskirts of my old stomping grounds in Columbus! The colors in the picture below aren't the ones in this piece, but the picture shows some of the pretty colors in which you can order this floss. I think I bought it for about $2.00/skein (5 yards) from Stoney Creek's website.