January Progress:
It has been a long time since I felt like stitching on many of my cross stitch projects. In fact, in 2019, I de-stashed probably 75% (or more) of my supplies, kits, and charts, including several more WIPs. I wasn’t sure if I would get back to cross stitching like I used to, and I would much rather those things be used by someone than just sit in my closet gathering dust.
Late in 2020 I had the urge to cross stitch a bit again. I finished the Pumpkin Patch pillow. Then I began working on the Lighthouse again. And now I’ve had the chance to start working on some other older projects. I’ve really been enjoying it. I have to minimize my shoulder movement by using shorter lengths of thread (I would use much longer lengths, like 24 inches or so before my shoulder surgery), but by using the shorter lengths and not trying to stitch all day I have minimal, if any, shoulder pain.
I started to work on the current section in 2013 (!) and eventually realized that one of the reasons I hated working on that section (feather corners) was the chart was so difficult to read. I moved on to the top scenery section, and I finished that in 2014. Then I began working on the feathers again. And again, I was frustrated. I eventually re-charted the feathers section with symbols that are very different from each other (one of my complaints with some earlier cross stitch charts that have lots of colors of floss – but that’s a rant for another day). That made it much easier to figure out which color was supposed to be stitched where. I didn’t re-chart the backstitching, assuming that I could pretty much figure that out when it came time.
Since the number was pulled for Desert Landscapes Mandala, I was thinking what I’d like to accomplish this month. Completing those feathers was pretty high on my list, and I accomplished that, finishing all of them!
Here is a closer view of the upper left corner that I also finished this month.
The next time I stitch, I’ll get to start on the right side pictorial area.