This is a picture from last time I worked on “Gracious Era”, in early January. Then I put everything on hold for a while due to my eyes, and then we were on holiday for a month so its been a long time.
I have not done much stitching since returning from said holiday, though what I have done has been of GE. So here is this Sundays progress.
I am finding it really hard to have any enthusiasm for this at the moment. Most of it is background and the symbols are so hard to read either because on my photocopy they do not show or on the main chart its so tiny and I do not want to mark off on it, so every time I need to check I have to find the place first. I know this would have been a UFO again by now if it had not been for joining this wonderful group, who are keeping me going with their kindness and encouragement.
The group is open to anyone who is finding something difficult to get back to, get into, or just wants to share a piece of work that is taking, or will take, a while to complete. We are all working on different things, and we share an update of our work on every 3rd Sunday. Take some time to visit the links below and see what the others are working on and if you wish to join us just contact Avis (the first link below), I know you will receive a very warm welcome.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Susan, Kathy,
Margaret, Cindy, Steph, Linda, Catherine, Wendy , Mary Margaret Mary Margaret and Timothy Timothy
All for now folks
Hugs to all who need them
Stitchery Nook 
This will be beautiful when finished. Sorry to hear that you are having difficulty with the chart. Can you have it enlarged?
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When I first started this many years ago (about 12), I could not get a photo copy anywhere due to copyright laws. I wrote to Dimensions and explained about this and they were kind enough to do it for me and send me the photocopied chart. However many of the symbols either do not show or are difficult to decipher on the photo copy which means I still have to keep referring back to the small chart.
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It is a fantastic piece, those small tiny charts are a real problem.
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I do have the chart enlarged, however their are a lot of symbols that are the same, just in different colours, and its difficult telling which they are supposed to be on the enlargement. Also a lot of the symbols do not show at all. So I need to keep referring back to the tiny chart.
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That game of thrones chart is like that. I have a coloured version & a symbol version. Charts that are difficult to read are very slow going.
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not easy stitching light colours on white – well done!
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it is not actually white fabric Claire, its a sort of grey/blue actually perfect for that drab winter sky. However it is still difficult doing the light colours on it.
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I do feel for you; I abandoned (temporarily, I hope) a piece that was a frenzy of too many different symbols and very hard to follow. One day, I hope to have the nerve to pick it up again…
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I am sure you will attempt it again one day, and what better place than with this wonderful group who I know will be full of encouragement to help you along.
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Trouble is, I find samplers so much more enjoyable, I’d much rather start a new one of those…
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Wow, you have made incredible progress! Maybe try photocopying the chart again?
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Helen, I’m thinking on this tiny chart…how about someone scanning it at 600 dpi or taking a photo of a section and printing it out or viewing on you computer screen. I have also heard there are magnification apps for iPads that might make it easier.
Your Victorian lady is beautiful…well done!
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I didn’t have a scanner when I first started this project, but I do now and though I have tried scanning on a high resolution, it still is hard to distinguish between greens and blues with the same symbol, and some of the light coloured symbols still do not show well, so its just a matter of keep referring back to the original. Unfortunately or fortunately as the case may be, its mainly the background I am having problems with.
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Hmm, I’ll keep thinking, maybe something else will come to mind!
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I think your embroidery is lovely and if you are not sure about the stitches you can always improvise! We want know 🙂
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lol I think I maybe have once or twice, or at least I have used the wrong colours but with the whites, off whites and lemons its hard to tell anyway.
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It’s a lovely piece and well worth finishing. Have you tried crossing off the bits you’ve stitched as you go? I find it works well when there are lots of stitches close together as I don’t lose my place.
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Yes Avis, I do mark off with a highlighter pen on my working copy, but I am always worried about marking the actual chart as if I need to redo anything and that was marked I may not be able to see where to do the corrections.
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Oh no, I wouldn’t mark the original chart either. Good luck with the rest of it. It’ll be worth it when you have the finish to admire.
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This is such a lovely piece! I’m afraid it has been many a year since I attempted any cross stitch, so am not able to assist in any way! I am glad to hear that both your eyes are on the mend, and you had a lovely holiday. Little by little it will get there! That’s my theory anyway!
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Your work is so much more than I could possibly do though Catherine. Though in the past I have done several with lots of fks, I do not think I could attempt them in more than ones and twos these days, never mind a sheep full lol.
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Oh thank you! I’m not sure I’ll be attempting a project with this many of them again in the near future, though I do actually enjoying stitching them!
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Sorry you’re having trouble with your chart! Sounds like you’ve tried different ways to get this to work for you. How about clip on or magnetic magnifying tools for your original pattern?
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This is a lovely project and worth persevering with so I hope you find a solution to your chart problems. If I have one that’s too small, I usually take it to the local copy centre and ask them to enlarge it.
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I feel for you with this charting situation. That’s one reason I’ve pretty much abandoned charted projects. I want my needlework to be fun and relaxing, not stressful! I wish you the best as you continue to work on this one because it truly is well worth finishing.
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