WAIT FOR IT......WAIT FOR IT......
IT ONLY TOOK 8 1/2 MONTHS
AND
THOUSANDS OF STITCHES
BUT
THE CHRISTMAS BANNER
IS FINISHED!
Wow! The stitching momentum really picked up this week on the banner as I inched toward the end of the 6th and last reel of Kreinik Size 4 #3231 and the end of my stitching. I stitched faster and faster as that last reel of Kreinik began to run out. Why I stitched more quickly as the thread ran out, I don't know. I suppose I was hoping that if I stitched more quickly that the area needing stitches would run out before the thread did. And, it did. I finished with about 2 inches of Kreinik left.
The gathered ribbon on three of the leaves were actually the last stitches. The icing on the cake!
The Christmas Banner is the second of Amy Bunger's home studies in which I have participated. Let me just say to anyone who has ever considered one of Amy's Home Study projects and has not taken the plunge, please take the plunge! You will enjoy it and learn so much! Amy has everything so beautifully planned out and organized - you can't help but succeed. The selection of threads and stitches is breathtaking. As usual, Amy's creativity exceeded my expectations and she has helped me create an heirloom that I hope many generations of my family will enjoy bringing out at future Christmases. Thank you Amy! And let me also thank Jill Wilensky at Amy's who organized the stitch guides and threads and sent them to us each month. Not once was a page out of place or a thread missing. Thank you Jill!
A big Thank You also goes to all of my stitching friends who looked at my pictures and read the blog each week and encouraged me along the way. That means a lot to me! If you ever wondered how there could be so many letters in the word Christmas and would I ever run out of letters to stitch so that you could look at some other stitching that didn't involve pears or letters, thank you for keeping that to yourself! Your kind words instead were so appreciated.
This blog post is beginning to sound like an Academy Awards acceptance speech! But, I do want you to know that as I sit and stitch by myself each night that I value each of you who stop by the blog and read about my stitching.
I actually stitched a little on Christmas Parade and Sunflower and Berries this week as well. Christmas Parade has the moon and a little more background completed. Sunflower and Berries has a few more leaves and background Confetti streamers completed. Those streamers are slow-going! I'll have pictures to show you next week but by now you realize where my stitching was focused this week.
Well, this was a really good stitching week! I hope your upcoming week is great as well!
It's a beauty! I love 'watching' you stitch. You have created a stunning heirloom and I can't believe it only took you 8.5 months.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It's a beauty! I have thoroughly enjoyed your journey with this piece and have been inspired by your perseverance. Way to go!!!!!
ReplyDeleteMelinda!!! You did an incredible job on the banner. It has been so much fun to watch you stitch this.
ReplyDeleteI am so happy for you. What a great finish. It looks fantastic. I am so with you on these Amy Home Studies and stitching canvases using her guides. I was working on my Sunday Meeting last night and it occurred to me that Amy's guides making my stitching look so good and yet it is so easy. And by the way, when you finish something like this in only 8.5 months, please do give an Academy Award type speech. You deserve the recognition!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on finishing such a large piece. It's gong to be magnificent when made up.
ReplyDeleteMelinda it is fabulous. You should say that it ONLY took 8 1/2 mos to stitch. Some of us would probably never finish. I love it.
ReplyDeleteMelinda,
ReplyDeleteIt turned out beautiful. If I am going to do it in 8 1/2 months, I have until Sept 15. I better get busy.
Diane
So happy for your milestone, Melinda.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed watching your progress on this wonderful piece and celebrate your accomplishment. It will be exciting to see how you decide to have it finished too! Congratulations!
ReplyDeleteGreat job, Melinda! You deserve to be proud of your hard work! Denise
ReplyDeleteHi Melinda,
ReplyDeleteCONGRATULATIONS!!!! How proud you must be. It is absolutely magnificent. Your stitching is beautiful and you finished right on schedule. You wanted it done by the end of June and you did it with time to spare. I am so happy for you. Have a fun week stitching this week.
Linda
Melinda
ReplyDeleteI look forward to your Blog each week. Your stitching is impeccable and always an inspiration to all of us. Your ability to share your stitching and the hints and tips along the way are always appreciated. Congrats on the Christmas Banner and it is lovely. I need to make some more progress on mine. I certainly agree with you in regard to Amys Home Studies and Also about Jill. She is fantastic and her packaging and thread packing are second to none. Thanks again for letting me watch your journey each week
Sue V
Ca
May I add my congratulations also? That banner will never get old because it is a true beauty. Thanks for letting us go along for the ride.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! The banner looks fantastic. I look forward to reading your blog every Sunday morning, and have really enjoyed tagging along as you have worked on this canvas. I wanted to sign up for this project, but was in the midst of the nativity home study and a stocking for my daughter. So it has been nice to participate through you. Looking forward to your work on the Christmas Parade.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Melinda, that is a huge accomplishment. Can't wait to watch your next Home Study.
ReplyDeleteYou are now receiving a standing ovation from all of us who have been following your progress on the Christmas banner. It is positively stunning!
ReplyDeleteMary Anne
Beautiful finish! I can't wait to see how you finish it. Hope it provides years of enjoyment - melody
ReplyDelete