Presenting...

Miss Savannah

 

Design: Savannah's Curtsy

Designer: Mirabilia

Fabric: 32 count Colour Cascade Fabrics Fall to Pieces opalescent Belfast linen

Fibres: DMC, Kreinik #4 Braid

Embellishment: Mill Hill Beads

My first happy dance of 2022!

Anyway, what's a happy dance without close-up photos, right?

In my last Savannah update, I mentioned I was gonna swap the "Welcome" metallic threads for beads. Well, that went out the door since I had trouble matching the beads to the threads.

Instead, the only substitution I made was to change the DMC 3722 to Kreinik #4 007L so the entire word is shiny. Ironic, I know because I ended up adding more metallic threads to my stitching.

This design doesn't have many beads, with the highest concentration in Savannah's headpiece.

The rest of the beads are scattered around her dress.

Savannah has taken over five and a half years to finish since starting it in July 2016. What a journey the past five years have been.

I started her to celebrate Hubby and I becoming first homeowners. Between then and now, I've since found a job, we moved out of our apartment and rented another place to be closer to work. We bought a townhouse at the end of 2020. It's still under construction with the completion date delayed. We're all but ready to move again. Savannah will be greeting guests at the entrance of our new home when we finally (hopefully) move in June.

Here's to 2022 being kinder to all of us!

Ribbons

No stitcher will ever tell you they enjoy stitching with metallic thread. Likewise for me. Sure, we might like the shiny effects but gosh, it is so fiddly to handle and frays so easily. It's the abomination of all threads.

Which is why, after completing the swirling ribbons behind Savannah, I decided that I've had enough. Backstitches aside, I'm converting all the cross stitches in the "Welcome" word above her head to Mill Hill beads.

Hopefully they'll arrive soon while I'm still in a stitching mood.

Floor Tiles

Plugging away impassively on the tedious floor tiles during Melbourne's lockdown number 4.

At long last, the monotonous task has concluded.

Hope you're all keeping safe and staying healthy.

Dress is Done!

When one is working full time, spare time is unfortunately sparse. It has taken 585 days with numerous breaks in between to reach this milestone:

Savannah's dress is completed!

Now on to the bazillion floor tiles. How many tiles are there, you asked? Well, here's the rest of the fabric...

This just might take another two years.

Stayed tuned :)

WIP Wednesday

Quick update on Savannah. She now has two arms.

She also has a huge dress with a ton of white. 'Nuff said.

Brazilian Cabaret

More than half of 2018 is over. Where has the time flown to? Some updates about my life... I've dropped my Bachelor of Design and finished a Diploma of Accounting instead. Uni is just way too expensive, especially when you're an international student.

At least I passed my Diploma of Accounting with flying colours (high distinction in every subject. Woot!... And yes, I'm bragging ;P) so there is that :D Been working hard for the better part of the year so now it's time for some fun and relaxation while job hunting.

Savannah has seen some progress. Not as much as I had hoped but completing the over-one stitches of her right arm is an accomplishment I can't wait to show off. I dislike over-one stitching but I just can't give it up when the results are just so satisfying.

It might not be obvious in the photo but in real life, the different stitches lend a 3D effect, giving the impression that she is wearing the dress and the skin is under all the fabric and hair. If that makes sense? Anyway, moving on...
Last weekend, Sean took me to a Latin cabaret to celebrate. I had the time of my life. The lights, the costumes, the song and dance... I'll let the photos speak for themselves :)

The show was Viva Carnaval!, a Brazilian Cabaret. The venue was The Palms at Crown Melbourne.

The dancers were so talented.

My favourite part of the show was of course the grand finale with the elaborate feather costumes.

Did I mention the dancers were stunning too?

And yes, I managed to get pictures taken with them after the show ^^

They're really tall.

Or I'm just really short :P

And here's me with Sean.
Till next time, Happy Stitching!

10 Years in the Making

Finally, my first happy dance since setting foot in Australia! Ladies and gentlemen, I present to you... drum roll...

Design: Love with A Capital L

Designer: Pappilon Creations 

Fabric: 32 count Zweigart's Vintage Country Mocha (marbled) Belfast Linen

Fibers: Hand Dyed Fibers silk (Flag II, Examplar BlueBerry Soup and Examplar Ox Blood)

Measuring 16"W x 27"H with a stitch count of 260 x 434, this is the largest piece I've stitched to date and looking back at my blog's history, it has taken me ten years to complete. Granted, I took a long hiatus in between but I digress.

So much has changed both in the stitching world and my personal life that it was a rather poignant moment when I put in the final stitch. I remember back then, forums were popular with stitchers and Google Reader was still around. Those were my main stitchy update resources. Nowadays, it's mainly Facebook and the occasional blog.

While we're still reminiscing, I realised that there are quite a few Mirabilia WiPs that I started in 2012 and 2013 that I've yet to show. Ah, that was quite a tumultuous period in my life and haphazardly starting new projects seemed like the best way to keep myself sane.

First, there's Touching the Autumn Sky on Crafty Kitten's Lavender Mist Opalescent Belfast.

This design reminds me of the times my mum took me to the playground when I was a little girl. I love the swings best. This will be a gift to her when completed, whenever that may be.

Then, there's Red on Sparklies' Winter Skies Opalescent Belfast.

Lastly, the first Mirabilia design I fell in love with... Mermaids of the Deep Blue on Crafty Kitten's Aurora Opalescent Cashel.

I believe I started this on 8 December 2013 as a birthday pressie to myself. I have to admit that the amount over over one skin is rather intimidating.
By the way, I'm sure most of you have seen the latest Mirabilia by now? It's been a while since I've been this excited over a new release. I've already ordered her and is impatiently awaiting her arrival. In the meantime, I've been playing with my fabric stash trying to find the perfect backdrop for her. I think I've found it... Miss Cherry Blossom on Polstitches Crocus Opalescent Belfast. What do you think?

Well, this ended up being a rather long post. Till next time, Happy Stitching!

I Thee Wed

First semester of uni is done! I'm currently on holiday :D To celebrate, I have a new start...

Sean and I bought an apartment that will be completed next month. We'll be moving shortly after. Hence, Savannah is my logical choice ^.^ I'm stitching her on Fall to Pieces by Colour Cascade Fabrics.

I realized I've yet to mention here that Sean and I got married :D Our simple garden ceremony was held at Lakeside Cottage in Kilsyth South last October.

 

My bridal bouquet was a lovely combination of sunflowers (the flowers Sean gave me throughout our courtship), statice (to match my tanzanite engagement ring) and babys breath.

   

Below is my absolute favourite photo from the wedding.

   

I think our photographer, Melissa Holden did an awesome job.

Uni starts again 1 August. Hopefully I'll have some updates before then.

Till next time, Happy Stitching!

Lady on Fire

After about a week of beading, I finally finished Lady Alexandra yesterday. Coincidentally, I'm currently reading the Hunger Games series so the title is pretty apt ^.^

Here she is, hot off the Q-Snaps.

Design: Lady Alexandra (Red Conversion)

Designer: Mirabilia

Fabric: 28 count Polstitches Taboo opalescent Cashel linen

Fibers: DMC

Embelishment: Mill Hill Beads

Seriously, isn't she pretty?

I know a number of you have been waiting for my conversion and I apologize for the delay. However, before I get to that, I'd like to share with you what I see when I look at her. There are actually very specific reasons I chose to stitch her with the colours I did. So please bear with me and enjoy the close up details :) 

Life doesn't consist purely of black (ribbons) or white (gloves) but many shades of grey in between.

It is also very short. So make the most of it and fill it with colours - the three primary colours - red (dress), blue and yellow (fabric) but above all, fill it with love and passion (red).

Her pose brings to mind of one who dares to follow her heart, in defiance of society's norms...

And her jewelry reminds me to reach for the stars (earring

and ring)

but always stay classy (pearl necklace).

Those are some of the lessons I've learnt in this journey of life, none more sound than just earlier this year... Part of the reason I've been rather quiet.

I gave her brown hair as I aspire to reflect her.

As for the details on her dress, I was aiming for my December birthstone colours -

turquoise (of which the darker version is teal)

and tanzanite,

unwittingly ending up with the vivid jewel tones.

Then there's her pearl and crystal encrusted purse which is probably my most favourite part in the entire design.

How could one not love that? Here, lemme show you another angle. One with a clearer view of her star-shaped ring too.

Anyway, I've made you wait long enough. Here's my long overdue conversion of Lady Alexandra in red. Any floss or beads not listed remains unchanged.

Hair

• DMC 677 - DMC 433
• DMC 680 - DMC 938
• DMC 829 - DMC 3371
• DMC 3371 - DMC 310
• DMC 3822 - DMC 898
• DMC 3823 - DMC 434

Ribbons

• DMC 310 - DMC 310
• DMC 794 - DMC 414
• DMC 3841 - DMC 415
• DMC 3799 - DMC 3799
• DMC Blanc - DMC 762

Dress

• DMC 611 - DMC 816
• DMC 677 - DMC 666
• DMC 834 - DMC 321
• DMC 3787 - DMC 814
• DMC 3799 - DMC 3021
• DMC Blanc - DMC 892

Flowers on Dress

• DMC 156 - DMC 598
• DMC 552 - DMC 333
• DMC 3746 - DMC 3809
• Mill Hill 18826 - Mill Hill 18812

Swirls on Dress

• DMC 552 - DMC 3809
• DMC 3746 - DMC 3809
• Mill Hill 60168 - Toho 11/0 seed beads Ceylon Lt Sea Green Nr. 11-920 Turquoise/Mill Hill 03507*
• Mill Hill 42014 - Mill Hill 42014/Mill Hill 10003 if using Mill Hill 10079*
• Mill Hill 40252 - Toho 15/0 seed beads Silver-Lined Teal Nr. 27BD/Mill Hill 10079*

Sparkles on Dress

• Mill Hill 02017 - Mill Hill 02010

Earring

• Mill Hill 12165

Ring

• Mill Hill 12299

*The first is what I actually used and the later is the substitute option given.

Hope that's clear enough. Feel free to comment or email me if you have additional questions.

Happy Stitching!

Another New Start

This is my last WiP pic. I promise. Next one should be a finish. Now if only those beads I ordered would arrive...

Deprived from beading Lady Alexandra, I delved into my stash and pulled out Mermaids of the Deep Blue. Yeah, not like I have dozens of WiPs waiting eh?

This design is very special to me as it's the first Mirabilia I fell in love with. Still, I wonder why I've yet to stitch it. Perhaps it has something to do with the number of fabrics I've bought for it that just doesn't seem quite right.

Clockwise from top left:

• Polstitches - Ripples Opalescent Cashel
• Polstitches - Monsters and Mermaids Opalescent Cashel
• Picture This Plus - Splash Opalescent Belfast
• Silkweaver - Aegan Aqua Opalescent Cashel
• Picture This Plus - Splash Opalescent Cashel

Oh, don't get me wrong, each and every one of them is certainly pretty enough in their own right but somehow, just not the one for Mermaids of the Deep Blue, know what I mean? Sigh! OCD much?

Finally, I decided to go a different route. I ordered Crafty Kitten's opalescent cashel Aurora, requesting that it has minimum green than normal. It arrived on Wednesday.

Holy moly, my hunt for the perfect fabric is finally over. I'll be starting Mermaids of the Deep Blue the moment this post goes up ^.^ I have to admit though that I didn't come up with this idea solely on my own. I've seen plenty of mermaids, including Mermaids of the Deep Blue stitched on this particular hand-dyed fabric and they're all stunning!

Till next time, Happy Stitching!

Pandora

Before I show you Lady Alexandra's progress today, I'd like to share with you a side hobby of mine which I just got into early this year.

As those of you who've read my previous post know, I've had the chance to visit Melbourne, Australia and Bangkok, Thailand earlier this year. Now, I've never been big on buying souvenirs but I wanted something to remember the trips by. I didn't want a dime a dozen souvenirs like key chains, postcards or magnets.

With that in mind, I hit on the idea of charm bracelet. I ended up choosing Pandora as it's widely available in many countries. Here's my first bracelet with a travel theme. Each charm holds a specific memory or memories.

After that, came this ocean/marine bracelet because not only did I spent a lot of time on the beaches in Australia and Thailand, I also visited the aquariums in both cities.

Which brings me to what I really wanted to show you... my cross stitch bracelet. With my long time love for cross stitching, how could I resist making a bracelet to represent this hobby of mine?

An x-stitch charm with the stitches in gold. I'll admit part of the reason I took these photos was because I wanted to play with my 100 mm macro lens aka "L Baby". Yes, my camera and lens are my babies ^.^

A scissors charm. The reason these charms seemed littered with scuff marks is due to the macro power of the lens. Every tiny imperfect detail that's normally invisible to the naked eye has been enhanced tenfold.

And my very own frog prince. Isn't he charming with his golden crown? Hopefully he'll keep all frogs away from my stitching from now on.

Anyway, on to what you actually came here for... Lady Alexandra. (Aren't you tired of her yet? :P) One last shade of red to go.

One last thing, I've decided on Sparklies' Winter Skies for Red. Thank you to everyone who offered your opinions.
Till next time, Happy Stitching!