New Trick for Old Dog.....................

I'm still struggling with that nasty Dimensions kit. Slowly, I am making progress but then I was never really good a confetti stitching, nor do I enjoy it all that much. Still, when you're making it for a friend, the aggravation factor does lessen dramatically.

Speaking of friends, (and the reason for the title of this diatribe), Chris came by on Friday for our regularly monthly gab session with a bit of stitching thrown. Well, this Friday she decided that since I love the look of Hardanger, it was time I give it a whirl. Now, bless her heart, she has no idea just how hamfisted her friend is! I'm not saying this to garner pity....far from it, I'm just very realistic to my limitations and my 10 thumbs that mascarade as fingers. I also got the shock of my life to realize my dear friend is also an amazing teacher and can be extremely patient (I have likened her to Job and it is quite justified!) even with the most difficult and hard-headed students.

I have now mastered the art of kloster blocks and how they work and why they are needed. I have a good understanding of where you cut and where you don't (and why!!!!) as well as how to wrap bars......which I found really neat to do. Cutting the material was nowhere near as scary as I have heard some people mention.....but in this case, I think it was a case of ignorance was truly bliss. LOL I do need to get a serious pair of hardanger scissors though, as my regular embroidery ones just won't make the grade. But being a thoughtful person, she shared hers, for which I am truly thankful. We also went through alot of my stash, so now I have visions of hardanger leaping across all my little bits and pieces of fabby as well as some unconventional thoughts of flosses to try! I do believe she may find she has created a monster!!! ROFL

So with her donation of Caron Wildflowers floss in Christmas red/green varigated and my petite treasure braid, this is what we managed to create:





Isn't that pretty!!! She always told me that it wasn't hard, but I didn't believe her. Now I am truly a convert. I've already decided on duplicating this pattern using some silks that I already have in my stash along with the fabric that I have loads of when I was on Silkweaver's Fabric of the Month club.


I also have a table cloth that is presently a UFO that has flowers all over it. Right now I'm thinking about the possibilities of doing some hardanger work on it to give it a more delicate feel. Didn't I say she may have created a monster?!!! ROFL

So this is another finish towards my 50. But this one will always have a special place in my heart for the caring and sharing of my dear friend.