Melitastitches4fun's Blog

The backgrounds from Love, 5th in the series from the Cabochons Series by Susan Portra, were fun. Once I got to this point, I just had to finish!

I did change the upper left stitch from vertical rows of French Knots to Basque Knots from Elegant Stitches by Judith Baker Montano. I’ve been intrigued by that stitch since seeing it in the book but never had a place to use it until now. Getting the tension consistent is key. The 4 strands of floss were recommended for French Knots, but I didn’t like the 4 strands of floss for the Basque Knot. It lacked definition (left 2 columns). And, the color was too dark to see the knot. So, I switched to the perle used elsewhere in the piece and am much happier (right 2 columns). I practiced it and was finally getting it. The 2 columns on the left side show them further apart on the left and closer on the right. The 2 columns on the right are both further apart, which I do like better..

The backgrounds are done.

That left the beads and cabochons to add. I managed to break a bugle bead to squeeze it onto the bottom right row of them. It is still a tad long, but leaving it empty was glaring. Several of the rimsets are bent, and one bead package was missing them entirely. So, I’ve ordered more. Placing the prongs into holes is key to getting the top of the rims close enough to the canvas so that the cabochons aren’t loose.

Goal #21 is completely stitched with beads and cabochons applied.

I’ve already got Joy, the first in the Cabochon series, fully kitted and ready to go onto the bars. Perhaps I am excited about doing these because they are easier than other pending projects! Do you find yourself putting off the tough pieces in favor of easier ones?

you amaze me with your projects. I finally tackled a difficult portion of a project so I could get stitching again.

Comment by stitchlady March 30, 2025 @ 6:21 pm

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I find I get bored with projects that don’t come to life as they are stitched.

Your Love piece is beautiful, and I love all the different stitches.

Comment by brendasneedlepointstudioblog March 31, 2025 @ 8:42 am

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Do you quit those projects?

Comment by melitastitches4fun March 31, 2025 @ 9:50 am

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Even though I might get bored with some projects, I’ll usually persist to get it done, even if I take long breaks with other, more fun pieces. However, I have given up on a few projects and sold them on eBay.

Comment by brendasneedlepointstudioblog March 31, 2025 @ 10:09 am

I don’t like giving up on a project either. I will devote an evening or two and take breaks.

Comment by melitastitches4fun March 31, 2025 @ 10:24 am