Saturday, November 19, 2005

Mermaid Queen on the Ocean

She's finished!!!!

I've spent the entire day completing the beading, the odd missing stitch - I had to laugh at myself when I'd forgoten to stitch one of her hands, here I was facing a handless mermaid, lol. - and finally completed all the backstitch about an hour ago.

She's probably the largest and most advanced piece that I've ever attempted, and she's my second Mirabilia design. According to this blog, I started working on her on April 10th. The mermaid is stitched on Silkweaver Reflection's 32 count Ocean.

I wasn't happy after I'd attached the jewels though. The chart just left the area under the jewels blank, but there wasn't complete coverage by the gems and you could see the "holes" in the pattern under the jewels and the blank fabric behind so today I've lifted up the gems and stitched in the background colour. I felt much happier about her when I'd done that. I think the best bit of the design was completing the final gold braiding in her hair. It really brought her into focus for me.

Now... what should I stitch on next? I really want to finish "Above the Clouds" now, but as it was intended for a friend who now is not speaking to me, it probably won't be appreciated at all [in fact, even if I do finish it off and give it to him as a peace offering in the hope of renewing our friendship, I can quite easily see it being binned it in disgust], so I don't know if I have the heart to finish it off now, which is a shame because I was enjoying working on it.

So maybe another Teresa Wenzler instead? I've got her Egyptian Sampler that I've always wanted to work on and also Tapestry Cat. Speaking of Cats, and Egypt I've got a design called "Pharoah's Pet" that I've always wanted to do as it's of an Egyptian Serval. I'll have to have a look though my stash, or should I do the sensible thing and finish off another WIP or UFO?

14 comments:

Lorna said...

Congratulations! She is beautiful! :) Can't you finish ATC and keep it for yourself?

Vicky aka Stichr said...

That is amazing! I love it. Wish I still cross stitched because I love the new fabrics for it. {I got hooked by the quilting bug and am still sick}

Renee said...

Congratulations on your finish! She is beautiful. :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow she's just gorgeous and the fabbie is stunning!

Chiara said...

Compliments!! She's wonderful!!!

Kiwi Jo said...

Yah, she's beautiful!!

Carol said...

Oh, your Queen Mermaid is just amazing!!! Thanks for the tip about the jewels - I will definitely want to stitch under them as well!! Why not keep Above the Clouds for yourself?? Can't wait to see what you do stitch next :-)

Carol said...

Vash, it has just occurred to me - have you thought to enter your Queen Mermaid in Silkweaver's Stitchers Gallery contest? I would think you would have quite a chance with that stunning mermaid!!

Vash said...

Carol, yes I have thought about doing that.

Kathy said...

Congraultaions Vash on such a beautiful finish. She is on my to do list which could take ages lol.

Well done.

Hugs xxxxx

Anonymous said...

She is lovely, and what a gorgeous fabric.

Anonymous said...

She's stunning. Gongratulations! :)

Anonymous said...

What a stunning piece of stitching work. Congratulations Vash.

Vash said...

I've just done as Carol suggested and on the day I sent her off for framing, I've entered her in Silkweaver's 2005 Stitching Showcase. I don't expect to win as there's quite a few other Mermaids already in there, as well as another Mermaid Queen, but I figured it was worth a shot.