Cross Stitch and WIP 9:40 pm
Feels like a new pet had taken residence on my couch. Crazy as it is. By now couch was occupied with one dominant specie, now they’re two. It’s just I suddenly looked at the couch and saw it from outside perspective. Is she crazy or just a little? Notice the largeness of the fabric for the second one. Cause I just noticed it myself.
And I am starting to see double.
Cross Stitch and Projects 4:59 pm
I will be starting a new large (or actually huge) project, an Artime design “Corte Medieval”. First time I saw it I thought it is the “Last Supper”, heh. Then after looking more attentively it appeared a drunken company. Well, at least it is supposed to be. The people look somehow…not very relaxed, rather sitting in a formal fashion around the bosses. And especially their faces, all are too much smiling or “too good”. Or dull? Except the warrior, poor dude, he’s sitting with such expression as if knowing very well where he is. Or simply being a warrior, is always bored or tired of such “poetic” environments. But me being a long time player of Ultima, it very much reminds me of Castle Britannia and Lord British’ citizens. Been there, seen that, even was a part of it until someone switched sides, getting tired of them all 
Out of nostalgy for those glorious times, I do want to stitch it. Perhaps something could be done about the faces so to look more human, but I am not a specialist in redesigning. And if it be Castle Britannia, then they should look the way they look here.
Full size cover scan for faces. http://pics.livejournal.com/ternezia/pic/000b9aad
I value this design because such types with medieval theme are very rare. I also like the colors a lot. It will be huge and will have to be looked at from afar, but it will look extremely good. Also there’s a thing with Cuadros designs, the stitched models do not have good quality. Stitches are not even and directional, and in some places even messy. But this is only to my advantage, because mine will look better than this. Minding that “this” already looks good.
This project will be one huge BAP and perhaps will take years (I have main projects running and it is only something supplemental). But it will be fun to do 
I might even add in Gothic lettering “Castle Britannia, Throne Room.” or something like that. There are however some differences, one of them is that Lord British never had a wife, and the other is that the huge plague that was always hanging above his head, is missing in this design. This plague is a favorite of mine as I was trying to make it fall on his head. Lo, I was not the only one. Lets say he removed it for safety reasons 
Cross Stitch 6:43 pm
Yeah, but for a change today I don't mean military or law enforcement officers. I mean male stitchers!
Just accidentally found this message board. I had some difficulty with opening the forums but now all works ok for me.
http://www.mfbb.net/yummytimtam/yummytimtam.html
The first thing I noticed are the discussions. They generally lack any meaningless, pesky fluff that is seen in most of the cross stitch boards. Here the posters rather try to write with some meaning and to the point. Quite enjoyable for the eye, if there's no straight purpose to speak about something, why should you fill the post with irrelevant babbling.
Some of the guys also have websites. Worth checking, for example this one: http://people.zeelandnet.nl/rfswarts
It's in Dutch but for those knowing a bit of German it shouldn't be a problem.
Generally I think I've found a live example of the "approach" to stitching similar to mine or at least to that which I am trying to have. Difficult to explain here. Some might say that guys are somehow managing more intricate and large projects with more ease, at least that's how it looks to an outer observer. But I think there's something different, maybe the lack of that emotional weight that accompanies most of the processes women endulge in. Looking at the guys' works, it feels just "light", unburdened; and in the same time skillful and energetic. A lot of achievement without unnecessary focusing on the temporary detail, rather on the bigger picture.
Just look at this works for example.
(note: the page is for viewers who are over 18, as some photos are not suitable for kids. *ahem*)
http://people.zeelandnet.nl/rfswarts/finished%20projects.htm
or this: http://www.mfbb.net/yummytimtam/yummytimtam-about196.html
All in all, guys rock
Cross Stitch and WIP 3:17 pm
or the thing that is already not fitting into the scanner.
Full size here: http://pics.livejournal.com/ternezia/pic/000b5dpe
I feel great pleasure working on it. It goes so smoothly, partially because of the fabric quality, partially because of something I have no explanation for. Some designs just feel "non-burdened" and this one is among them.
General 4:47 pm
I am very pleased that WordPress.com team has decided to add custom header feature. I am satisfied with how my blog looks and I don't think it will need more "prettiness" beside custom header and probably a custom background. Those two filled with celtic or medieval motifs, it will be enough of detail for the eye. I am often frustrated with seeing blinkies, various animated gifs that pop across the page when looking at some blogs and I rather prefer mine more simple and stylized.
Only a few themes now are available with custom header option; I am kinda waiting to see when (or whether) this theme here will be added too. If not, an alternative would be to use Connections theme, it has pleasant smooth colors. But the thing that is stopping me is sidebar position. I cannot stand pages with the sidebar on the right. Not picky, it is really something that disturbs me and always did. When having to use a right-positioned sidebar, I get a confused feeling and sometimes feel like getting vertigo. For me the "toolbox" should always be on the left; and I always move all the toolboxes in Photoshop there, etc. With webpages there's nothing that can be done, but it feels very uncomfortable.
I don't have a proven explanation for this…One of the things that comes to mind is whether a person is right or left-handed. I am right handed, so suppose the normal position of a toolbox for me must be on my right. But I strongly prefer everything on the left. There was also some other mentioning somewhere regarding stitching, that the chosen stitches direction corresponds with whether the person is left handed or right handed. Mine was amusingly matching with a left handed person.
At school there was no question if some kid to be allowed to learn to write with their left hand instead of right. All had to learn the proper way until they manage. So now I don't know if I am really not left handed. Even if I am, it's late to switch, but maybe there are some insignificant things like the sidebar preference that are hinting at this.
Anyway, if this theme is not selected for upgrade, I'll still stay with it because the themes with left sidebar are too few to chose.
Cross Stitch and Projects 7:44 pm
That was fast. Although the "switch" from Vermillion to TW design was a bit difficult in the beginning. Would say Vermillion goes more smoothly, perhaps it is a psychological matter of self-convenience and also getting used to certain designs.
I've also added some beads. I don't think it needs additional border as I thought in the beginning. Although border would be nice, the horse's position is not a straight line so a straight border will not work here. I like it the way it is.
Now I'll be back to George; haven't considered the second horse yet. Might get in a mood again when I get bored by the large project.
Cross Stitch and Projects 3:20 pm
The last few days has been tense. I need to cheer myself up with something, or at least distract my attention. I did a lot of work on George, but today something else came to mind (after having two glasses of wine).
I tend to browse through the Fantasy Collection book once in a while, so thought why not do one of the Carousel horses for a change and as a "small" next to George project. I wouldn't do the whole carousel, it somehow does not appeal to me. But each horse separatedly would be a new and interesting thing. There are similar carousel horses as separate TW designs but I don't have them. Besides I want to play with my own creativity a bit.
Each horse can be supplemented with border coming again from the "mother" design. With or without border, will have to see after I finish it. If my first experiment comes out successful, I might do four such horses. Suppose I'll have a progress pic soon.
And some meme questions this time.
Do you finish all your finished pieces? (pillow, frame, etc,) If so,
how do you finish the pieces? If not what do you do with them?
I generally try to frame everything. My finished stuff is not coming in large qualities, so I manage. This is because I recently decided to do only projects that are "worth displaying" - preparing for a someday-exhibition, I am working either on large serious designs or small but not less serious ones. All have to be properly framed. Framing is costly, but worth it - the frame makes at least 30% of the finished project's effect. I have some smalls that I still haven't decided what to do with. "Among the roses" for example could be framed as well, but that is postponed indefinitely. This "exhibition" bug has strenghtened after some other people started to also advice me to do it. I don't know why, but suppose they are right that it is worth doing with my works. But for this I'll have to have at least 30 finished projects, so it won't happen in the near 5-6 years. Minding that I'll have a full-time job again, especially.
What is your opinion of Internet “freebies?”
…
Well yes, there's some "minute of silence" needed here. Deb's descriptive "junk" is very much fitting for most of the freebies there are. I think however that in relation to this question honor must be given to those designers who spent time and energy to work on certain high quality projects and then give them for free, no matter that IMO they should be definitely bought. Advertisement is helpful for the designer; yet I think the more is given as "introductory" side of the products, the better will be the chance people to gain *practical* interest and buy, after they've done a quality design as a freebie. Teresa Wentzler is on the first place regarding this, as is also Vermillion Stitchery. I haven't done any of their free designs but bought St.George because I was convinced that the projects are worth it, and mainly from seeing the freebies and the level they're on.
I am also interested in Chatelaine designs, but her freebies are the thing that is keeping me away. There's nothing interesting offered except maybe the "Ornament1" (what is this title? as there's no ornament 2). One could say that "Springtime Roses" and "Tiny rose garden" are designs worth seeing, but am sorry, I don't stitch designs that are displayed only as computer-generated images. I'd expect to see some excerpts/elements from mandala gardens or the mysteries. Until then I am not planning to do Chatelaine before I tried a real excerpt from her style.
Cross Stitch 3:20 pm
Very amusing.
http://blondelibrarian.net/stitching/archives/2005/06/stitching-the-universal-language/
[rant ahead]
Cross Stitch and WIP 2:05 pm
and some horse's, umm, behind.
At some time I suddenly saw that I might not have enough fabric on the left. I tend to miscount where to cut the fabric, but by now was always cutting more than needed, not less. Now I think it is because of evenweave - gotten used to Aida I know which is which there, while here a possibility for error is bigger.
Anyway, I wasn't worried that might not have enough fabric; after all am not of the types to start crying "distaster!" as seen some ppl do. Big deal; the two possible ways out are to start it again (for the THIRD time, lol) or to alter the design a bit, taking away some parts of horse's tail. Above it there are no more areas that will so closely border the fabric edge. I think that when stitchers suddenly realize that the fabric might not be enough, first thing is to consider altering the design, if possible.
I counted again but since I don't believe my own counting already, I stitched to the top of the tail to see where it will meet the border. It is not visible on the photo as I cropped the empty areas, but the design will fit, considering that I'll "cut" from the tail 2 or 3 squares.
I also took the liberty to put (silk?) thread instead of white. It can be seen on the horse's foot, although the sparkle is (as always) not caught by the scanner. I don't know what is that I have, these are commonly sold threads here and can as well be an immitation. But there's pretty much of them available, although not in so many colors. You can easily find black, white, brown, pink and some other basic colors.
I also like it a lot more on evenweave count 28. Though not 100% sure it is indeed 28 or rather bigger - the girl pulled this fabric from somewhere and it had no label, though she told me it is Zweigart. Came true, the quality is great. But I can't judge really which count it is. The crosses are coming out a bit bigger than those on 16 count Aida, yet smaller than on 14 count. Either way the Dragon design looks gorgeous this time, starting it again was a correct decision.
Also considered the pluses of larger count fabrics: no matter that the design will look a lot bigger on them, some need exactly that so their special effects to be clearly visible. In contrast to Stoney Creek designs for example, where they must be done on 18 count Aida so to look best. I also think that TW designs, just as this Dragon here (as they're similar as type) must be rather done on bigger count fabric. Of course it is one's personal preference, but if wanting all the special effects to be exposed, there must be enough space for them to lay on and be seen.
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