Friday, February 10, 2006

Starting over... yet again

So, the third time's the charm, right? At least, I hope that's the case. If not, I'm in real trouble, as I have started Robert's Stocking AGAIN. Yep, that's 3 times I've started it since first beginning last Friday.

When I first started the stocking on the 20 ct. fabric, I used 6 strands of floss. The pattern calls for perle cotton, but I'm not a fan of the heavy gauge perle and decided to try regular DMC instead. I used 4 strands and was happy with the coverage on 20 ct.

Then came the fabric change to 18 ct. and the subsequent restart. Since the stitches were a bit larger, I decided to use 6 strands. I put in a couple of hours working on it Wednesday evening. Last night, when I picked it back up to work on it some more, I realized that I really didn't like the 6 strand coverage. It was just too bunchy for my taste and was a pain to stitch with. I did a test swatch with only 4 strands and liked it better. So yep, that's right-- I frogged everything I did on Wednesday night and started again, this time with 4 strands. The bad news is that I've started the same project 3 times. The good news is that I am much happier with it on the new fabric with only 4 strands.

I'm really starting to wonder about my sanity.

This weekend, "they" are calling for SNOW. Blech!! BF and I will be at my place in the country, which is supposed to get a bit more of the white stuff than predicted here in Northern VA. Sometimes I have 'work' to do around the house when we're out there, but there's really nothing pressing for this trip. My plan is to prop my feet up and stitch, and generally enjoy being away from the metro area for the weekend.

I'll be participating in a "24-hour Challenge" this weekend, where I am supposed to choose a design to complete in 24 hours. I love these quick finishes and am looking forward to this month's challenge. My project will be a design that I'm stitching for an upcoming St. Patrick's Day exchange. I'm not entirely sure that I can finish it in 24 hours time, but I won't have much to distract me this weekend, so there may be hope. Of course, it is only the stitching that will be done over the weekend-- the finishing will be another story all together!

No word yet on the Valentine Exchange that I sent out. I keep hoping it will arrive at its destination, so that I can share some pictures.

5 comments:

BeckySC said...

Hi Juanita :)
I do hope the thrid time is a charm :) I was hoping that for my camera ordeal...but it actually took 4 times :) ROFL!
I wish you the best of luck with your stocking :) We will all look forward to seeing/hearing about it.

Enjoy the 24 hour challenge this weekend. I guess I will have to sit this one out again-as I have fundraiser commitments and the only day I will have for stitching will be Sunday (hmmm, wonder if I can sneak one in???) I look forward to seeing the St. Patty's day exchanges on the BB :)

Have a great weekend!

Singular Stitches said...

I totally understand! You have to be happy with how things look.

Anne S said...

I don't think you're losing your sanity at all - you just know it has to be 'right' for you to stitch it :) I'm a bit behind in blog reading (OK, make that a LOT behind!) - I sympathise with you and your stocking saga, but hopefully this latest start with be the final one ... I look forward to seeing the progress :) Also, wonderful finishes with your flat-fold - it looks beautiful ... I'm a bit late with mine due to visitors being here, but still hope to get mine done very very soon ... :)

Lana said...

Good luck with the stocking! As they say, third time's a charm! Hope you have a nice relaxing time in the country!
~Lana~

Leeland said...

That stocking story is just the kind of thing I could do! Considering how long we can spend on a design, we have to love the final result! So I think you're totally right!
Take care!