Tuesday, October 9, 2012

One less UFO...

Sadly no, not a story of the paranormal, but rather one of the UnFinished Object.  One of those projects that has been hanging around my life for over a decade (as Barry pointed out that's a nice way of saying for more than 3650 days...). It must have made at least four house moves with me, across three States/Territories, and now, it has moved into a new phase of its life as an FO - a Finished Object.

I had some minor surgery last week which left me lying around in bed or on the couch recovering for two or three days and whilst there, I picked this piece up and decided now was the time to finish it. It only needed hemming, which sounds easy but each hemming stitch actually involves about six stitches, so it took a wee while.

It is a piece of Hardanger embroidery about 42cm x 28cm. Perhaps it is what started my love affair with white on white? I look back now at all of the stitches, all of the counting, all of the cutting of threads, all of the little weavings and think wow - that's a lot of work. It didn't seem like it at the time tho.









The next question of course is what to do with it? But that can wait for a bit. It takes a bit of time to adapt to being a FO after all, and you simply can't rush these things...

27 comments:

  1. I think I still have a piece of unfinished Bargello somewhere...

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    1. Di I laughed! I still use a bargello pincushion - just love it!

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  2. Multi-talented indeed! Just whatever you do, don't spill tea on it :)

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    1. Thanks Carol - a spillage would be a bit heart-breaking I agree...will try to avoid!

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  3. I don't even want to think about my UFO's. It's more fun to look at yours and wonder at all that work. No wonder it took so long Fiona, but the end result is very lovely.Whatever the minor surgery was, I hope you have recovered well and are on to your next project!

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    1. Hi Lesley - still taking it steady but pretty much mended thank you. I doubt I would have picked up this piece if I hadn't been indisposed, so there was a positive to it for sure. UFOs - we all have them!

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  4. Hope you're soon on the end. I'm guessing this is a Norwegian style of stitch work because Hardanger fiddles are Norwegian. Anyway, I can see that you probably love the spaces with their counted stitch frames.

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    1. Hi Annie - yep Norwegian it is - just like the fiddle! I am on the mend now which is good, and yes I like the white on white and the spaces. Go well.

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  5. My first thought was don't spill tea on it ..... and I notice Carol had the same idea. Hope you are feeling better soon.

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    1. Thanks Robyn - yep; having it nearby to tea seems like a bit of high risk strategy...so I'll just ponder for a bit what to do next with it!

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  6. I didn't know you embroider too! And white-on-white is my all time favourite combination. I'd love to naughtily suggest that you cut it into pieces and re-construct it in a contemporary way but don't worry. I won't. It's very beautiful work!

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    1. Ersi - I loved the way you didn't mention cutting it up and reconstructing it! I must admit, I couldn't face that right now having just finished it - but you never say never right? I do love hand stitching I must admit and white on white is bliss for me - you too perhaps?

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    2. Oh, yes, for me too! After taking Karen Ruane's class on contemporary embroidery - http://karenannruane.typepad.com/karen_ruane/ - the stitch itch is here to stay. Right next to the rust lust :)

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  7. MY, that looks like lots of hours working away quietly. A beautiful piece.

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    1. Hi Jo - My memory is hazy, but I suspect many hours of stitching - quiet moments, stolen moments, travel moments perhaps. It's nice to have it finished.

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  8. I love white on white stitch work - and I salute the new (finished!) work

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    1. White on white stitching is very beautiful I think Ronnie - and your salute is welcomed! Go well.

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  9. Wow Fiona! I can't imagine how you counted each thread... it is all so perfect, an heirloom piece to be handed down!

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    1. Thanks Mo Crow - yes, every stitch and every thread counted...mesmerising in a way I suppose. Just where it goes next I'm not quite sure; but it will have a happy home I'm sure.

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  10. You're such a talent ... that looks beautiful - and looks very difficult to do ... is this a new direction ????
    xxxxK

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    1. Thanks K - it's nice to have it finished and looking good; not sure where to next, but I do enjoy sittin' and stitchin'!

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  11. chuckle, chuckle - I love your term UFO Fiona! Having worked in craft shop for many years I became an embroider - your work is meticulous and beautiful it makes me want to get my threads out again...

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    1. Hi Kim - not sure if you have many UFOs - I am slowly working my way thru mine. I have always loved sitting and stitching hand or machine - and this is the culmination of quite a few years I think.

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  12. Congratulations on finishing Fiona, it's never too late! It is beautiful and I wish I could find the motivation to finish my unfinished needlework projects.

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    1. Thanks Helen - I found my motivation when I could do not much else! I wasn't up for anything too complicated and it needed to be able to be done lying down not sitting, so voila, the perfect project!

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  13. It is a beautiful piece of work. I hope you are recovering from your surgery.

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I appreciate your thoughts and comments; thanks for taking the time.