Today is the 3-weekly link up with other SAL members, to encourage each other with stitching projects. Last time, I had just begun a new project: “Together we are magic” (artwork by Jody Bergsma) a kit by Letitstitch.
Here is the photo I posted 3 weeks ago.
And here is progress for this time.
I’m finding my gridding method to be very helpful so far, although I do sometimes stray outside of the area I’ve set myself. As you can see, I already have a butterfly taking shape which made things a lot more interesting this time. Here is a photo of what the piece will look like when finished, in case you missed it last time.
Please feel free to visit other stitchers’ blogs, to see what they’re up to.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, Constanze, Christina, Kathy, Margaret, Cindy, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Megan, Deborah, Renee, Carmela, Sharon, Daisy, Anne, AJ, Laura, Cathie, Linda, Helen
And we’ll be back again on 13th June.
Claire93's Blog 
Gosh you’ve been busy 🙂 Love the butterfly. I don’t think I’ve the patience or the eyesight to do one of these full coverage ones, so I will just enjoy watching yours grow 🙂
this is a very small full coverage compared to some of the HAED projects other stitchers work on, but it’s plenty big enough for me ^^
That is so fine and the colours are so similar it must be really hard to be sure you are using the correct one! It will be beautiful but talk about a labour of love! I do admire your patience.
yes lots of very similar colours that all seem to blend in together. I’m just having to be careful to double check symbols on thread card & chart each time I need to change colours.
Wow, you added a lot of stitches. what kind of marker are you using to make the grid. That looks easier than my method od using floss.
I’m using a Pilot FriXion pen. They come in all different colours and you can buy extra refill bits to go inside rather than replacing the entire pen. Lines disappear when they come in contact with heat – so a quick iron and they disappear.
I was going to ask the same question as Cathie…thanks for the answer 🙂
I use for marking on sewing projects, and also for marking quilting lines too. This is the first time I thought to use on aida but I checked, and it definitely disappears with hot iron ^^
It’s growing beautifully, and I was worried the grid system was going to make you give up on that one 🙂
I can’t say I’m enjoying the grid method as it seems an unnatural way to work. I usually like to just let my needle go with the flow and conetnrate on following symbols wherever they take me (which explains why I’ve sometimes stitched outside of gridding so far ^^). But it is helping me to limit myself to a specific area and make sure I roughly cover the 1600 stitches I set myself and certainly makes counting a lot easier.
I’m trying the grid method, too, on my current project. It does seem very unnatural! But I’m trying to follow it most of the time — if I have a little thread left on the needle I “look ahead” and finish it up.
we mmust have left comments simultaneously ^^ Yes I’m finding it unnatural too. And, like you, I’m also “looking ahead” and finishing up yarn on needle, even if it means stitching outside the grid ^^
That’s a huge project Claire! It is looking lovely
thank you Mary Margaret ^^
Sad that you’re not stitching along with us any more, but hope life gets back on an even keel for you soon.
Looking better already now that a butterfly has appeared. Beautiful colours!
yes butterfly adds a bit more interest and at least a dozen more colours lol.
You’ve made great progress! I think the grid idea with this was perfect. It’s such a beautiful project and already it’s taking form.
I don’t think I’d be able to stitch full coverage without. I don’t makr off on my chart, so I need something to help me not lose track.
That is going to be beautiful, and the colors are spectacular. Love the butterfly!
thanks Kathy. This isn’t terribly enjoyable to stitch so far, as I’m fixating on my gridding, but it will become fun when I begin to see the results.
It is beautiful and the grid system looks like a good idea but I’m with you about drifting where the symbols take you. Great progress!
yep I prefer to go with the flow, so to speak, so this gridding is all rather organised for me ^^
Yay, a butterfly has appeared!
and what a lovely surprise that was ^^
Wow, you are flying through this one! Great progress, Claire!
well I thought 40 x 40 would be do-able, but if I find it too much as time goes by, I can always reduce a little.
Sounds like a good plan!
Wow! So much progress! Thanks for noting what you’re using for gridding — should I ever do another large-scale cross stitch piece, I’ll definitely adopt this method!
it’s probably quicker than gridding with needle & thread. I only drew lines down to around 80 . . . will fill in as I need.
This is going to be a delightful one to see every three weeks, especially if you keep making such good progress!
these 3 weekly check in are going to keep the pressure on to make progress ^^
Oh the butterfly is beautiful! I don’t think I’d be able to stay within a grid square either!
Lovely colours in this piece.
yep lots of blues ^^
This is such a beautiful embroidery and you have done a lot!
thanks Gun, I need to try hard to keep the pace up !
Great progress! It is looking wonderful! What a beautiful design. I am sure those butterflies will be a welcome change of color to all of that blue.
Just love this and the first butterfly is almost done now. Its nice that on such a large picture there are some smaller bits that make you really see the progress. xx
This is off to a beautiful start! Lovely work.