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design you wish you hadn't started

(18 posts)
  • Started 14 years ago by 140559
  • Latest reply from kathylove7

  1. 140559
    Member

    My daughter bought a kit at Olympia last year and I assured her I would complete it. It's a Heather Ann design of an art deco lady and I HATE IT!I've done the outline and now I'm at the filling in stage and it isn't getting any easier. It's on black evenweave and sewn with various silver threads. I had to buy an expensive kit I've been looking at for ages at the NEC as bribery to myself to make myself complete this **@*** lady!
    Has anyone else got any dreaded projects?

    Posted 14 years ago #

  2. brenda midgley
    Member

    Oh poor you - I bet you get loads of replies on this topic - haven't we all got something in the UFO box which is nestling there for the very same reason. Mine is a cat reclining in a garden setting. I actually love cats and, being a volunteer at our local RSPCA Cattery, was given it because it is known that I stitch. (It had been handed in by someone for selling on a stall at our annual Fun Day). Well it isn't giving me much fun. There isn't a spare 'block' that hasn't got a stitch to be worked on, so it's one of those things that wil take some time to do. I have to say though that it isn't on black evenweave so you have special commiserations on that point.

    All I can say is - get the needle out; think of England and press on - by the end of it the **@***lady (how I loved that expression!)might just actually end up as something of which you will be justifiably proud. Black evenweave and silver threads does actually make it sound a rather nice item. Come to one of Jane's weekends and present it as a Bring and Brag - even if unfinished; we'd all love to see it!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  3. 140559
    Member

    I thought this topic might get some interesting comments. I'm going to one of Jane's weekends in May - maybe the **@** lady will accompany me.
    Alison

    Posted 14 years ago #

  4. Cecilia
    Member

    I've definately got a dreaded project. I started doing a picture of the Last Supper on black Aida about 14/15 years ago. I got to about half way and it's been on the UFO pile ever since. I know I might have to get on with it sometime as I'm going to run out of my other UFOs soon.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  5. JoanB
    Member

    Yes, I have been there too! I bought a lovely cushion kit from a magazine. It had three panels and silly me, I did not look closely enough. I thought the panels were all different but when the kit arrived, they were all the same. By the end of panel one I had had enough!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  6. Janet
    Member

    Mine was an Humphreys corner design of a beach scene where Humphreys family are sat on deckchairs, I was doing this design for my daughters bathroom, I completed all the cross stitch but when it came to the freehand type backstitch I gave up because I found it impossible to do, it is still in the bottom of my work basket and will stay there for infinity for all I care ha. ha. I can always find plenty more to be going on with.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  7. mjstitches
    Member

    I had a sampler I had started that I just couldn`t go on with. I loved the pic in the magazine of the original done in lovely soft faded colours, but it was charted for the colours as they appeared on the back...I got about 3 inches done from the top and just hated it. I cut it off the linen and tossed it and saved the linen for another project.
    Now that I have more experiance as a stitcher I may go back to the pattern and sub faded colours for the bright ones as I still love the sampler....

    Posted 14 years ago #

  8. 00560910
    Member

    I get round this by not taking on anything too big, the biggest thing I have done is one of Jane Greenoff's orchids, its a yellow orchid and i did it on raw linen and it's turned out beautifully even if it took ages and is full of mistakes I did it and I'nm proud of it! I'm trying to learn how to do my own small designs as I love plants and flowers but so many of my ideas are filed under B for bin as i never pick the right fabric or colours etc but I keep trying. When i get fed up i go and do some quilting (another of my manias) for a while then go back to the cross-stitch feeling refreshed.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  9. Brigitte Gant
    Member

    How is the **@*** Lady doing?
    I did not think I had any UFOs, but then I came across an opened kit of a map of Bedfordshire, a present from dear friends. There are two lines to mark the middle and about a dozen crosses on it. The trouble with it is, it is for me, but all around me family and friends have been having special days and events which have had to have to be commemorated in something stitched. Every time I think there are no more milestone birthdays or anniversaries, someone has suddenly arrived at one or there is a new grandchild who 'needs' a birth sampler. I hope I will get the map finished and on the wall before I lose my marbles. At least I shall be able to look up where I live.
    Happy Stitching!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  10. Christine Berrett
    Administrator

    Well, I do have a large box full of UFOs. With me, I often start something and then put it on one side - perhaps because I need to make a quick card, or because I've seen something more interesting, or for some other reason. In fact, when I think about it, the only items I can guarantee to finish are those with a specific purpose - for example, Birthday/Christmas cards, birth samplers, etc. If I'm just doing a piece for my own pleasure, then what does it matter if it doesn't get finished? After all, why am I doing it at all, if not for my own amusement? And when the amusement palls, or I find something more interesting, then I feel no guilt in abandoning a UFO. What I say is that there's no virtue in ploughing on with any piece you're not enjoying!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  11. 140559
    Member

    I've done a bit more of the dreaded **@*** lady but have put her away for a while. I reckon I could finish the Christmas sampler (started two years ago!!) in a few hours solid stitching, but I'm going to the weekend at Pinks Barn so that'll have to wait till next week. Then it'll be back to the dreaded thing!!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  12. 140559
    Member

    All stitching has stopped at the moment - was sewing in the garden and got bitten (we think) by something. Hand swelled up to 3 times its size and my signet ring had to be cut off! Bridget - where in Bedfordshire are you. I'm in Hitchin so maybe we could meet up some time

    Posted 14 years ago #

  13. Brigitte Gant
    Member

    I am in Leighton Buzzard, so not far really and a meeting is not out of the question at all, in fact, it would be rather nice to have a coffee and a bun. It's ages since I've been to Hitchin. However, the next few weeks will be taken up with going over to Germany to pick my Mum up and take her back 6th July. But after I get back?
    By the way, have another look how my name is spelt. Also it is not pronounced like Bridget.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  14. 140559
    Member

    Apologies Brigitte, I hate it when people spell my name wrong. My email address is alisonormiston@aol.com so please drop a line when you are free. If there is one thing that Hitchin is not short of, its coffee shops! Are there any others out there who live in this region? I could bring out the **@*** lady from the pillow case I've hidden her in for the moment!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  15. Janet
    Member

    I love checking the "Designs you wish you had'nt started" on the forum, It makes me smile when I read about other fellow stitchers UFO's The **@***lady is funny I think every stitcher must have one somewhere, never mind Alison just keep bringing the **@***lady out now and again at least she gets some fresh air occasionally.... Sorry I live in Wigan in the North West I won't be able to come to Hitchen, have a good time though.

    Posted 14 years ago #

  16. 140559
    Member

    Thanks for the kind words Janet, must be the Northern influence. I grew up in Rainford and went to school in Ashton! I'm beginning to think of digging a big hole in the garden, blame the rabbits and then hide all unfinished projects, **@*** exepted! Sewing stopped for the weekend as I'm helping a friend mark exam papers. People seem to think that just cos you don't work, you have free time! Honestly!

    Posted 14 years ago #

  17. kathylove7
    Member

    How encouraging to see other people with this problem! Three years ago my daughter chose two of those DMC kits where part of the picture is printed on the canvas and part of it you fill in with cross stitch? Awful!! I did one (the wizard) and hoped she would forget the other.... she didn't! Now I'm trying to be stern and tell myself I MAY NOT start anything else until I've done this bliddy Indian maiden...

    I admire you, Alison, for at least doing your lady bit by bit. I think I'm going to need to use the 'down it in one go' approach or I'll never get it done!

    Posted 14 years ago #

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