Cassiopeia

I've just spent a week on Cassiopeia, so I thought I'd share my progress on her. Here's a before and after:

I am almost to the other side of her dress (never mind the gaps)! Of course I've returned to work now, all recovered from surgery last year, so I haven't nearly as much time as I'd like to work on her. Still, I managed 2,583 stitches during the week, which is a nice chunk of my 6,000 stitch goal met.

I think this one is my mother's favorite (probably because she got to keep the last Mirabilia I finished) as she calls her "the pretty one." She definitely is pretty, and I still love all those deep teals in her dress. I also tried to work on the border, though it's not as interesting. It does work up quickly though, and I'm glad to have one side of her "frame" nearly done. And of course, the border has a bit of silk thread in it (my favorite part!) so it isn't too boring. Those little black motifs offer a nice contrast as well, but the larger ones are slightly aggravating. It seems no two are exactly the same. They all have minor differences to follow the folds of her dress, so I have to be extra careful with them to make sure I'm doing it correctly.

It's a ways away yet, but I am already thinking about her skin. My Green Fairy was done as charted, but I'm debating working Cass' skin over 1. It's a lot of skin, but I think the effect would be very nice. I've found a YouTube video (in Russian, drat it) of a stitcher working her skin 2 over 1, tent stitch. (She really gets up close about the 2:00 mark, with mini comparisons at 2:28.) I would work 1 over 1 full crosses, but this gives me an idea of what I would be working toward. If anyone has any thoughts to offer, I'd be glad to hear them!

Well, that's all I have for this week. Right now I'm working on Luna, trying to get a page finish by the end of the month. I'm also working on a test swatch for an upcoming new start (more on that later) as I cannot decide which fabric to stitch on. I've never had that dilemma before, so hopefully the swatches will help, but it's still too early to tell. And did you know HAED is having another sale? (I really must stop stashing...)

Until next time. Keep those needles smokin'! :)