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Saturday, March 3, 2012

Leap Day Start

So I'll start by confessing that while I think Chatelaine's mandalas are lovely and that I love to look at people stitching them, there's no way I'd ever stitch one for myself. Simply put: I can't get past the fact that there are upside-down parts. Can't get past it.

Some of the band sampler type designs are very pretty, but it's Japanese Octagon Box that has stolen my heart! Specifically the main panel. It's got that weird panel/spaced-box look and it's just lovely.


Japanese Octagon Box Panel
32ct white lugana

I'm only stitching the main panel and I plan on framing that. My finishing skills are nowhere near enough to tackle the box and I'll get more mileage out of a framed picture than I will of an accessory box.

I'm stitching this with the DMC conversion provided by Martina. The only problem is that there are some varigated colours that don't have an equivalent, but I'll tackle that when I get to it.

It's also progressing faster than I though it would. I've always had this image of Chats as monstrously epic works that take decades to finish. Perhaps most people just get stalled a lot? Or maybe it's because I'm only stitching half of the whole design... At any rate, this being a leap year start, I'll count it a success if I finish by the next leap year.

22 comments:

Christina said...

Oh wow, this is going to be fabulous when it's finished! Keep up the good work!

Patty C. said...

Can't wait to see it ;)

Anne said...

I love the Japanese Octagon Box! It'll look fabulous framed too!

Unknown said...

That is going to look splendid when complete. Best of luck.

Lynn said...

I wasn't familiar with this piece so I looked it up. Wow, it's going to be stunning! You're off to a good start.

Deb said...

Can't wait to see this one framed! I never would have thought of doing that!!

Minnie said...

Beautiful start. :-)

April said...

Great Start so far. I can't wait to see more progress.

Ziggyeor said...

oh pretty! I was looking at some of these and thought they were very pretty. I know the mandalas are upside down but I think they can look cool, maybe at some point you can just turn it so that parts not upside down ;) I saw some art work in downtown Chattanooga of Cheerokee designs. I think they'd look pretty worked up like your Namaste. I didn't get pics of all of them though.

Shebafudge said...

Looking lovely so far. Sounds like a lovely way to finish it.

Happy stitching!

Vickie said...

By next leap year HA! This looks really cool. http://astitchersstory.blogspot.com/

Rachel said...

It looks great, Blu!! I think most of the Chatelaine's you see, take so long because they are year long classes. You only get one part per month. Some of those parts only a day or two to finish. I think if you had the whole chart and stitched only that, you could get it done in half the time. (if you stick with it, which I did not with Medieval Town Mandala, lol.)

As for the variegated thread with no DMC conversion, you can do it yourself. I had to with a couple on Deep Blue Sea Mandala. I ended up going with a DMC variegated. Good luck!! I can't wait to see more.

Carol said...

Really pretty start and it looks great with the DMC!

The Knitting Cross Stitcher said...

Your are right it is gorgeous. I love looking at other stithcers' Mandalas too,they are all beautiful, but I am not sure I'd stitch one.

Giovanna said...

What a great start! This project stitched up nice a quickly for me, it's nowhere near as huge as the large mandalas - and it's every bit as charming :-)

Jo said...

oooh, pretty new start!

Joysze said...

Awesome start on this, Blu!!!! I can't wait to see more of it. Chats aren't hard... I hear a lot of people say "they're so big!!" Well yes, but you stitch them the same as you do other projects and before you know it, it's done! :D

valerie said...

Great Start Blu! It's going to look beautiful!

geeky Heather said...

LOL!! I understand not being able to get over the upside-down parts. I'll never do the ones that have the EXACT SAME PART on all four sides like...I think it's Medieval Town? Yawn! Color change: OK. Same exact: NO.

Such a good idea to do this as a panel! I love this piece, too, and I probably could finish it as a box, but this would be so much easier!! =)

Veronica said...

This is indeed a pretty design and you got so much done already. I'm totally with you. Having it framed would look so much better than making it into a box.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Siobhán said...

It's going to be amazing when finished! I love the way the design is stretched through the boxes.

kate n said...

The panel designs are really effective and this looks set to be a beautiful piece.