My latest cross-stitch projects

[diamondjunkie]

I have to say a HUGE THANK YOU to DiamondLady for inspiring me to get back into my cross-stitiching.  After seeing her beautiful quilt, I knew I needed to get back to it.

Here is a pic of the "Snow Queen" that I started way back in 1994!!!!!!  I haven't touched her since 2000 and figured it was time to finish her.  She's almost done.  I've shown close ups of the beading that makes up her crown and decorates her gown.

The one I have worked on a lot the last couple of weeks is not pictured but I hope to have her finished within 2 weeks as long as I get the specialty thread and beads that I need.  I'll post pics once she's complete.

Still, these projects have not stopped me starting a new one - and a really difficult one at that!  See if you can guess what it's going to be.....!

[attachment deleted by admin]

[attachment older than 120 days deleted by admin]

[DiamondLady]

WOW!!!!!!!!

This is gorgeous!! And I love, love, love, the beading embellishments! OMG!! ANd I must say.. your work looks meticulously done!! You're VERY talented at this!

Are you going to frame it, or make it into a pillow or something when she's done?

~Rhonda

[DiamondLady]

As for guessing about the bottom pic.... hmmmm... that's a toughie...  Maybe a flower with a background???

[jewellk]

DJ-It's beautiful! The detail is amazing, it looks like a picture!

My guess on your new project is that it has "something" to do with a new brown sparklie you just acquired!!! I regocnize that outline in the corner!

[FoxyandSexy]

Holy cow DJ!!!!!!! You're so talented!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The Snow Queen is beyond beautiful. I cannot believe how detailed it is! You can even see her eye makeup & glowing skin tone. It's the most beautiful cross-stitch I've ever seen! I've never seen anybody use little pearls in cross-stitch either! Is this normally done or did you just think of a way to glamour her up?

I would frame it so it doesn't get dirty........and stays in immaculate condition.

As for the 2nd cross-stitch, I see a heart on the left. The right part does kind of look like an Asscher though. Are you stitching a bunch of diamonds together?

And do you do these off of patterns, or just free hand?

COOL!!!!!!!!!!

Amy

[diamondjunkie]

Thank you!

Rhonda - that is such a compliment coming from you!  Thank you so much!  I do plan on framing her once I have finally finished her.  She will go perfectly in my bedroom which is all white, silver and pastel blue.

Jewel - you are spot on!  I will keep posting pics of it in progress so you can see it taking shape.

Amy - thanks Honey!  Free hand?!?!  Oh no!  I would go completely nuts!  Let me stress that these are all from patterns - no way am I that smart!  The Snow Queen is a Mirabilia pattern and the one I am working on now is called 'Celtic Christmas' from the Lavender and Lace collection.  I'll see if I can find a pic to post.

I should probably add that the last pic only shows the upper left hand corner of the design.  There's lots more to add yet.

[diamondjunkie]

Here's a pic of the lady I have nearly finished - I wish I lived near a Michaels!!

[attachment older than 120 days deleted by admin]

[diamondjunkie]

Okay, that pic doesn't do it justice.  Here's a partial pic of it still on my embroidery frame.  You can't tell but her dress is embellished with gold braid and there are beads throughout the design too.

[attachment older than 120 days deleted by admin]

[GracefulLion]

These are beautiful.  I cannot imagine the time and effort involved.  Wow!  As for the new one, it looks like your brown asscher set into the peach roses, right?  Did you take a picture to someone to transfer, or are you doing that by sight?  Wow!

[FoxyandSexy]

Those are amazing DJ!! So detailed, and beautiful!

Ohhhh I love Michaels, and Roberts craft stores too. I like to decorate cakes!! The only problem is that the "art" doesn't last!

Amy

[diamondjunkie]

GL, I took the pic and emailed it to a company I found online.  They then emailed me the pattern and I printed it out at home.  My goodness it's not easy!  The halo itself is made up of a ridiculous number of colors.  I seem to do 2 stitches in one color, then have to switch colors.  It's driving me a bit nuts!

Thanks Amy.  You should post some pics of your cakes - we'd love to see!

[Snooper]

Oh DJ, I insist you come on over and I'll treat you to a Michaels shopping spree!! As I've said before, your cross stitch projects are AMAZING!!!!!!!! Talent on this forum I tell ya!

The last pic? I'm still thinking it looks a LOT like your Brown Asscher halo ring w/ the peach roses:)

[diamondjunkie]

Snooper, if we ever get together the LAST place we are going is Michaels!!!  We simply won't have time with our trip to NY and DBL!!!!

Yes the last cross-stitch is actually the picture in my avatar.  I'm not sure how it's going to look when it's done but we'll see.  I have done some more of it today and will hopefully post a new pic soon so you can watch its progress.  I estimated tonight that I have completed 4500-5000 stitches on it so far and it's only about 20% done.  I'm itching to finish it.

[Snooper]

Wow!! That's amazing!! Yes, please share how much you have done so far!!!! Dang, maybe I should take up a hobby! LOL

[luvnjewelry]

Simply amazing!  I too love the embellishments!  These will be beautiful hierloom pieces when they are finished.   I am intrigued by your asscher ring crosstitch.   That will be really neat to see when it is finished.   I wonder if it will be hard to get the colortones correct to match the beautiful colors of your asscher and the peach rose.............??~ronda

[diamondjunkie]

Thanks Ronda and Snooper.  Yeah, I have to admit to being skeptical as to how it will turn out.  The pattern has called for some strange colors and there is a lot of black in the asscher whereas, in real life, the diamond doesn't really display black.  I guess it will be fun finding out!

Here's a pic of how far along I got this weekend.  The odd white squares within the peach are there simply because I don't have the right color to fill them in.  This is by far the most complicated pattern I have ever done.  I will post some pics of the pattern later to show you just what a nightmare the halo is turning out to be.

[attachment older than 120 days deleted by admin]

[annie1]

I can't believe I haven't commented on this yet!

I can only imagine how hard it will be to capture the beauty of your new asscher DJ...  All those different flashes of color will make for hard work.  I must say that it's looking great so far!  I can't wait to see the finished product.   

[webmistress]

This is one AMBITIOUS project, DJ.

[Snooper]

DJ you have been a busy beaver!!!!!!! WOW!!! How large is this again? (In inches as I don't get along w/ the metric system) !!!

[luvnjewelry]

Looks awesome so far DJ....yes, definately a big undertaking doing this,....but it will be worth it when it is finished.   ~Ronda

[diamondjunkie]

Yes it's definitely keeping me occupied!  Here's an upclose pic of part of the pattern.  The upper section isn't bad with large chunky sections in the same color.  The bottom section is the top of the halo and you can see it is a constant change of thread.  Each symbol means a different thread and this pattern has 110 different colors - and I swear that 60 of them are different shades of peach!

The finished design should be approximately 8" x 10".

[attachment older than 120 days deleted by admin]

[Snooper]

You sure this isn't a new version of Saduko???

[luvnjewelry]

LOL....!    I looked at that pattern and my eyes started crossing....I don't know if I would have the patience.   This project would take me well over a year!!! ~Ronda

[Rubymu]

I'm a little late to the cross stich party...but DJ, you are so talented.  Seriously, i'm so impressed with these creative things everyone (except  me) does.

Ohhh....love snow queen very much.  And the new asscher...keep us updated, i'd love to see this as it moves along!!

[BunnyB]

I'm with you Ruby, becoming more amazed everyday by the talents of the ladies here on CDI!   And I can't hem a tea towel!!!

DJ..these are just beautiful.  Snow Queen rules!!  And where on the planet will there be another cross stitch of a piece of jewelry, let alone a fancy brown asscher!!