leighblack | don't wanna be stitched up out of my mind

Ms.

annayork asked about my newish cross-stitch project the other day, so I thought I'd post a little something about it. will I remember to make regular progress updates? I doubt it. but maybe.

after we walked through the creative arts building at the Minnesota State Fair last year, I was totally inspired to make something to submit to the Fair this year. and then my plans got totally waylaid when I made a blanket for my niece and did a ton of costuming for Con. but now I have free crafting time again and I picked this project back up with the intention of finishing before next year's Fair. *fingers crossed* there were so many cross-stitch projects at the Fair this year! I was really surprised to see so many. so I don't think I'd win anything, but I at least want to accomplish submitting a piece.

I turned a photo I took up at our cabin into a cross-stitch project and that is what I'm working on. it's big. The biggest thing I've ever worked on. and even if the finished project doesn't exactly look like what I'd like, I'll still have a pretty piece that I can hang up at the cabin. or at my place to remind me of the cabin. whatever.

Here's the original photo:

pretty, right? I have one of the other photos from that set here in my cube as inspiration to get through the workday.

Here's what the pattern looks like:

cross-stitch definitely has limitations, but I think the pattern turned out okay.

And here's how far I've gotten:

(sorry the photo is so dark)
which is, not very far. I feel like I'm adrift in a neverending sea of blue. I think it's going to end up being about 18" x 12". BIG. and I think I want to add some text to the bottom. like 'Round Lake - Nisswa, MN' or something. and because it's so big, even after working on it for hours at a time, it doesn't really feel like I've accomplished anything. boo. and I'm working with tiny squares (I think it's 22-count fabric) so sometimes my eyes get all squinty while I'm working. good times.

but, I do like it and I'm excited to see how it turns out. I have *no idea* if I'll actually be able to have it finished by next summer, but we'll see! plus, it gives me an excuse to watch all the TV shows I have sitting on my hard drive or in a pile of DVDs.

I stil need a new cross-stitch icon...