I’ve not been feeling myself lately, but I am now eager to get back to my stitching! I forgot how much better I feel when stitching is part of my daily life – I definitely need to get better at remembering that!
So, there hasn’t been a large amount of progress on my poor sheep these past few weeks. Last time we looked at my sheep, Mummy Sheep had everything but a face.
I’m pleased to say, Mummy is now looking very happy I think! I’m terrified of adding faces incase it turns out to be cranky or ugly. I was at first going to use satin stitch for the eyes, but after putting one in, I really didn’t like the effect it had, so back to more French knots! At least I’m keeping with the theme of the project.
At last it was time to move onto one of the lambs! Given my ‘problems‘ with the last rather large number of French knots on Mummy sheep, I am approaching this one a little differently. It looks all rather haphazard – and it is! And I want it to be. My theory is that if I stitch in this rather haphazard way and gradually fill in the gaps, differences in thread lots and my stitching of the knots will be less noticeable.
I’m also using a different thread grouping for this sheep (I believe the term is ‘stash busting’!). Instead of using predominately Gumnut Yarns and Gloriana threads as I did for Mummy sheep, I’m using mainly Paterna Yarn (which I personally don’t like despite a lot of very accomplished stitchers loving it. We are all different, and it’s good to have choice!). But, in this instance, this might be a very good thing, as the Knots are much larger (so I won’t have to do so many!). I’m also stitching them using only one wrap, so it just goes to show how much of a difference thread can make to a piece!
So this is where I am at the end of this three weekly check in. Not a lot to show, but as I keep saying, all progress is progress!
A General Catch up
I thought I’d also take this as opportunity to tell you a couple of other things since I’ve been a bit quiet lately. Firstly, you may have noticed that my blog looks a bit different! It is, and I’m really liking it, though it is taking a while to get used to how it is all working now! Quite different to what I had before, and I’ve got a few other things I’m thinking of adding in, but I think the bulk of the changes have been made. Do let me know if you notice anything odd or ‘broken’ or have any other ideas.
One of the reasons for me stepping away from all things stitch related was that I was really struggling with my canvas work. I really needed some time away from it to think and contemplate. And happily, I think it has worked! I’m now back into the swing of things with it, and after my class on Friday, I’m now confident that I’m moving in the right direction. I’ve set myself some rather hefty (probably technically called ‘reach’ goals) for this project, and I’ll be sharing more with you over the coming days. Exciting!
And that’s it for the general ‘catch up’. Just always remember – stitching is wonderful therapy! Maybe I did need time away from my canvaswork, but I really shouldn’t have dropped it all together. I should know better than most how much of a positive influence it can have on us!
Join in the fun of the SAL – and visit the others!
This stitch-a-long is hosted by the wonderful Avis. Every three weeks we post about our progress on a particular piece. Do make sure you head over to the other very talented members of the group and see what they have been up to. Just be warned – you will need a long cup of tea, coffee or wine, as it is all very amazing stuff!
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Susan, Kathy,  Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Wendy
I am in awe of anyone who does french knots on purpose. The sheep are looking great.
Yes, I think this project would send fear into a lot of people! I actually find them relaxing, so it’s good for me!
Mama sheep looks happy with her baby, and he/she is coming along very nicely!!
Thanks Kathy! I definitely feel like this one isn’t going to take nearly as long to do!
Love your sheep and french knots are such fun to do. sometimes having a break is good for us
Thanks Caroline. I just sometimes wonder about my sanity doing so many of them! Holidays and breaks are definitely good for us. If for no other reason than making us remember how much we enjoy things!
I like French Knots, but I guess stitching a lot of them would wear me out. Your idea, stitching the lamb, seams like a good idea!
Thanks! I too like French Knots, but I guess I like a bit of variety!
🙂
Yes, you’ll find this way of arranging your stitching will be less prone to “tide marks” in the fleece. It’s good to know you’re feeling happy with your stitching now. It makes it so much easier to keep doing it, and therefore feel happier in general…
If nothing else, the first sheep has taught me a few lessons! I’m glad I’m feeling better about stitching again too. I really missed it I think. And it’s always good for making each day seem a little brighter ?
I think the slight colour shading of the french knots adds texture and makes it look more genuinely sheeplike. And Mummy sheep definitely has a happy face, so good result there 🙂 She’s obviously a merino, with a fleece like that on her, and if she’s not a close relative of the Big Merino, I don’t know who is!
I am quite happy with the way the French Knots are giving such a great wool like effect. I admit, I didn’t think it was going to be so effective! I love that you can give her a breed of sheep!
I’m loving seeing your progress on this, and good to hear you are back in the swing of all things stitching.
Thanks Julie. It is slow progress with this one! I’m glad I’m back into stitching too!
Thanks so much for stopping by to share this at #HandmadeMonday 🙂
Thanks for hosting Julie!
Hi Catherine,
Glad to hear you are feeling more like yourself and back enjoying your stitching. I love mommy sheep, she has such a happy face. I think your idea for working the lamb is a very good one.
Your new blog layout looks quite sophisticated and is easy to read, so well done on setting it all up.
Take care,
Ann
Thanks Ann, it’s so good to hear from you!
I have to admit, I’m quite chuffed Mummy sheep turned out so well!
Take care
Just a very quick comment on the general stuff: when I open your blog link it doesn’t open to the latest post, which is this one, but to the one before (Mummy Sheep is almost finished) as the home page. I don’t know if that’s something you want to fix?
Thanks for the feedback- it’s actually a slider of different posts on the homepage that I’m playing around with. So theoretically they should be one of three random posts depending on when you open it! But it does seem to always be the one post first. I’ll think about how to deal with it ?
Still loving watching the sheep grow 🙂 My other half “orders me to sew” when he thinks I need to. He’s always right.
Thanks Avis. You are lucky to have a ‘bossy’ other half – sometimes we need it!
No, not bossy, just someone who knows what I need more than I do haha! Yes, sometimes we don’t know what’s good for us ☺.
mummy sheep is looking very sweet there!
Thanks Wendy!
I love your sheep. I’ve covered large areas with French knots and know how time consuming it can be. As for stitching, I find it incredibly therapeutic. (My husbans must have noticed this. When life gets hectic, sometimes he’ll ask me when I last sat down to stitch. If it’s been more than a week, he tends to insist on finishing whatever chore I’m working on so I can work with a needle and thread.) Best wishes with your goals!
Thanks Renee! It’s nice having such supportive husbands. Mine isn’t quite as proactive as yours, but will say ‘are you stitching today/tonight’ or ‘why aren’t you stitching’!
Wow I am in awe of all those French Knots and that you are still stitching. I have gotten better at making them and they no longer look like mini cauliflowers.
Thanks Deborah. It’s funny you mention little cauliflowers as one of the other numerous projects I’ve started is a cauliflower! From memory all those French knots are done though…
Thank you so much for linking at #overthemoon! I look forward to seeing what you share every week. Please come back for #WonderfulWednesday or #ThursdayFavoriteThings. Don’t forget to comment your link #’s so I can be sure to visit and you get a chance to be featured! Pinned and shared.
Thanks for the reminders about the other link ups! I’ll need to make a note ? Thanks for the support!
This is going to be lo lovely when it’s finished, I love following your progress! Thank you for sharing it at The Really Crafty Link Party this week. Pinned!
Thanks Teresa! It’s nice to be seeing progress on this piece!