Last year I won a Mill Hill Beaded Kit as a prize at Embroiderers Guild and immediately felt the pressure to get this stitched ready for the Show and Tell after the summer holiday break. I didn't immediately feel the love for this kit. Perforated Paper, Beads (lots of beads) etc etc But I followed the excellent instructions and eventually reached the point of sorting out all the colours of the beads from the mixed packs. Then a day or two of stagnation before today deciding to sit down at the table and bead. So I did. A good part of the morning and a good part of the afternoon. Just as well it was not really the weather for gardening:)
And, this is progress so far. The weather forecast is for rain tomorrow so I am hopeful that this piece will be completed. As I don't intend to frame it or use it I will be gluing stitching a piece of felt to the back and placing this at the back of the display cabinet.
And now the confession - I am a little over absorbed and would almost be persuaded to stay up through the night to get this finished. Not that I love it or even really like it but I have to admit that the beads make it shine and add a certain pizazz to this piece.
Lessons learned - I will not be adding beading to my list of crafts nor the supplies to my stash. And it is not a good idea to try to stitch on perforated paper with beads if you have a splint on your right thumb and are right hand dominant :(
14 comments:
It is so hard or maybe in my case, impossible to stitch something that you don't really like. Occasionally, I add a few beads to give a little sparkle. I'm not into doing a lot of beads. I think it is very commendable that you are doing
this piece since you won it at the guild. You're stitching is always lovely. I will be interested in seeing what you stitch next!
I like the added dimension that beads can give to a stitched piece but I don't really enjoy beading. I regard it a necessary evil to achieve the desired effect.
Margaret it looks amazing, I love the idea of adding beads. Not sure if it is a skill I possess but worth a try.
Thanks Denise. I’ve reached the home stretch on this piece and can move on to an unfinished piece next. Again it’s something I must do rather than really really want to do :)
I agree Mary but from now on I think beading will be left for my Christmas ornaments
Thanks. I do like the dimensional effect of the beads.
My mother loved doing embroidery and often used beads and metallic thread. Some of her work is incredible - I really don't know how she did it all.
Your beads look great, they do add a little something to a design. I use them when I must, they are a bit tricky to handle and easy to drop.
I actually enjoy adding beads to designs! I've even stitched some which are all beads. But you do have to have the right set-up. I prefer to sit at a table and have them all spread out in front of me. Working on the settee is asking to have them spill all over the floor!
While I love embroidery I like neither beads nor metallic threads. But I admit they add a certain pizazz
I had to sit at the table to stitch this as I was fearful of a bead tsunami:)
The table it was! The settee is going to the charity shop this week and the new one is to be delivered. I doubt the charity shop workers need it to be full of beads:)
I'm one of the pro-beading people - it's my favourite part for sure in a project like this! But to each their own, and even if you don't enjoy it much, it does look gorgeous!
In the 1970s and 1980s I did many, many beaded cross-stitch projects and lots of perforated paper projects! I am noticing a small resurgence of perf paper for x-stitch!
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