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Hand cross-stitch. This is a birthday gift for my good friend who looks after the garden when we are away. Unfortunately I didn't do enough research before I ordered the kit and I haven't enjoyed stitching it as much as I should. It relies too heavily on back stitch to make it look good. I prefer cross stitch to be just cross stitch!
I nearly gave up on it when I realised that the robin was sitting on a branch with holly berries and ivy leaves! It was too big a job to alter the design so it can now be a conversation piece.
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Comments (47)
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by
queenofhearts
19 Oct 2013
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Here in Southern Minnesota we have a few hardy robins that stay all winter. They are undoubtedly retarded because they could fly away if they wanted to, which is what I would do if I were a bird. The picture is very pretty though. Maybe you could change the colors and pretend the robin was some other bird instead.
4 comments
Our robins migrate southwards and the robins we have in the winter are migrants from Scandinavia. Every other Christmas card has robins, Holly and/or snow.
But not holly berries on ivy branches!
We have robins all the year round - they often nest in our garden.
We have robins all the year round - they often nest in our garden.
Oh my, I missed that combination. I was focusing on the robin in the snow. You are right, not holly berries on ivy. Don't they call straying from reality artistic license or something?
Definitely "or something!"
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It is lovely Sue, although the ivy with holly berries is indeed a bit odd. I love the finch and blue tit. Is the top one an apple finch with apple blossom?
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That one is a goldfinch but I think it is apple blossom.
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by
highlandermom
19 Oct 2013
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Wow this took some time, it turned out beautiful. Robins might just sit on a holly bush come early spring with a touch of snow. One never knows these days as weather patterns are certainly different.
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But as Sue pointed out, it is not a holly bush. It is ivy. Too Weird.
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Beautiful job!
Just think -- it is the Holly and the Ivy -- literally.
Just think -- it is the Holly and the Ivy -- literally.
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so so gorgeous! I cant imagine the time it took to hand stitch! what a gift to remember!! maybe u could add a little french knot here and there on the berries to make them look like strawberries or another type of berry. i think its perfect the way it is - if u dont point it out, she may not notice or she may think theres a bird for every season! regardless...beautiful work!!
1 comment
There are french knots to add detail here and there. What I really need is to make the ivy look like holly to go with the berries but it is too late now,
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by
baldacchino
19 Oct 2013
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Your Freind is lucky she will love it, I know how you feel about doing some thing just not right, Good Job any way she will love it
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shirley124
19 Oct 2013
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I think you have done a lovely job with this. A lot of work and I and I am sure your friend will love it. Shirley
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it will certainly be enjoyed because it is a beautiful work. Thank you for sharing your work. Amitiés de France.
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by
snowbird42
20 Oct 2013
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simply gorgeous I bet your friend will ask you "when are you going away again" lol....soozie
1 comment
Indeed she will!
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Wow! how beautiful, I am sure your friend will treasure this. Well done Sue. Hugs Sally
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by
carolpountney
20 Oct 2013
+3✽
Sue, it is a beautiful piece of work I just love birds.
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by
joyfullcreations
20 Oct 2013
+5✽
Perfect Sue, just perfect......WOW !!!!
Can I look after your garden, PLEASE ??
XX
Can I look after your garden, PLEASE ??
XX
2 comments
Any time!
I was going to make the same comment, but it would take me too long to get there.
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I love it Sue, so natural looking and beautiful! She will love it!!!
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Great Job Sue. I too hate back stitch but sometimes it looks better with the back stitch.
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by
basketkase
20 Oct 2013
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Oh, Sue, now this is craftsmanship in it's finest!! Beautiful work!
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Sue, you did a wonderful job, it's beautiful! Thanks for sharing.
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by
killiecrankie
21 Oct 2013
+3✽
Its a beautiful time consuming design even if the holly berries & ivy leaves are mixed up together.I wouldn't have noticed that , because we do not have snow & holly here. Is it on aida cloth or linen? How are you going to finish it ie. frame it ,turn it into a cushion?
1 comment
It is aida cloth and will be framed.
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Sue your x stitch is exquisite and for me very special. My mother used to hand embroider birds and I have her pictures staring down at me as I type. Your friend will be over the moon knowing how much work has gone into this delightful present. I am also not keen on back stitch either in x stitch or our machine embroidery but in this case I think it has added dimension. Sarah.
2 comments
The back stitch was essential to turn the blobs into a picture!
Beautiful work.
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by
starlet2653
21 Oct 2013
+2✽
Greetings,
I've been away for a while and I see no more designs by cuties. I'm so sorry about that. Do we no longer get any of your amazing designs? Can we purchase this Xstitch design?
My other question is: How can we retrieve the written instructions for all the former ITH designs?
I'd really appreciate your response. Thanks so much
I've been away for a while and I see no more designs by cuties. I'm so sorry about that. Do we no longer get any of your amazing designs? Can we purchase this Xstitch design?
My other question is: How can we retrieve the written instructions for all the former ITH designs?
I'd really appreciate your response. Thanks so much
1 comment
I've sent you a PM.
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Sue, this is gorgeous, and I am sure your friend will love it! I have never hand cross-stitched, but always wanted to. I am anxious to do a machine embroidered cross-stitch design now, but have always been in awe of the many beautiful projects done by talented "hand cross-stitchers"!!
Great job!
Angel
Great job!
Angel
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This is beautiful. Have you tried to do this on your embroidery machine. I don't do hand cross stitch anymore. And I love it. You can make this for your embroidery machine with Pattern Maker. There is several other programs that work well also. Nice job.
Louise
Louise
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You are too hard on your self Sue, I truly love it. I am listening to birds sing now as I type...just lovely. I think this is very pretty.
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Hi Sue,
This is BEAUTIFUL! I miss your designs on Cuties. Will they be back?
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work!
-Rodney
This is BEAUTIFUL! I miss your designs on Cuties. Will they be back?
Thank you for sharing your beautiful work!
-Rodney
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That's absolutely beautiful, love it! Your friend will be thrilled to get it.
Hugs, Lidia
Hugs, Lidia
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Your cross stitch burst into life, this is really stunning Sue, Hugs Jussy :)
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by
debrasue54
24 Oct 2013
+1✽
It is beautiful and you did a wonderful job. Thank you for sharing