Sunday, 14 December 2008

WIP - Vienna Ball


Cover pic. Need to change the background fabric.

Group files started first of December 2008. Kit arrived early January. Thanks for help in fabric selection.

198 comments:

Claire EJ said...

Evening Shadows first choice,
Romance second choice...

Twana Bentley said...

I agree with Claire, Evening Shadows.

Claire EJ said...

Would look better on the Opalescent if there were a crescent moon peeping through outside between the lamp post and the chandelier.

Hilary Syddall said...

I think Evening Shadows, then Romance, Blue Fusion and finally Intrigue

Karen R said...

Evening Shadows is my first choice. I have a piece of Intrigue, and it is a bit darker than this - there seem to be grey areas where the purple & blue overlap. It's too much, I think - though on a non-linen, it would be lighter, and could work well. Blue Fusion is my 2nd choice - Romance I like, but will the garden behind her get lost??

Melissa Hicks said...

That's my concern with Romance too. Will have to do a screen shot of actual threads I think when they arrive.

Also need to do a stash dive to see if I have any suitable fabric already ...

Jim Westlake said...

You lot seem to switch to some sort of foreign language or some fangled code impenetrable to us blokes from time to time! ;))

Melissa Hicks said...

Jim lets see if I can translate:

Look a the picture above. Then tell me which of the four colours next to it would be best as a background for that picture :)

Jim Westlake said...

OK. Probably be wise to discount anything I'd say since I'm often accused of being tasteless. Can't imagine why. ;-))

Melissa Hicks said...

Honey you always have one undeniable comeback for that - you have us as friends. That proves you have taste :) :)

Jim Westlake said...

Gee thanks.

My vote is for the Evening Shadows.

kay jones said...

Evening Shadows but have you looked at the fabrics on Polstitches? There are a couple that would suit

kay jones said...

What size fabric do you need?

Melissa Hicks said...

I went through my stash last night. This project is bigger than a fat quarter. I actually need 21x28" at 32count.

I don't have a single fabric that fits the bill. I have 9 blue/purple/pink fat quarters at 18x26" but most are 28ct.

The only one that MIGHT fit the bill is a Silkweaver Twilight Opalescent. Hilary gave me 26x36" at 28 count that might work in a pinch - but its very pink-purple. DEFINITELY would need a floss toss.

kay jones said...

I'll see what I've got lurking away tomorrow

Melissa Hicks said...

Don't be silly! I'm not discussing this because I want handouts !!!

I'm discussing this because I want to know that I'm getting the right fabric. At the moment I can't afford to buy three or four pieces to get the right one.

kay jones said...

Who said anything about handouts. I'll be looking to see if I can come up with the right colour for you. I've got a lot of Polstitches bluey shades which might be what youre looking for.

Melissa Hicks said...

Oh phew! Sorry, I've just been overwhelmed by others generosity lately.

kay jones said...

Mind you; there's an old Indian proverb which says - Never look gift horse in the mouth. Its a question of what goes round comes round. You have always been generous in the past; now its other peoples turn to be generous to you. Dont be offended or embarrassed; just be glad that you have true friends.

Melissa Hicks said...

Never offended - just highly embarrassed :)

Mariann Mäder said...

First thought was Evening Shadows, then I saw that almost everyone guided you there, LOL! I think it fits the bill best!

Paula Hubert said...

Definitely Evening Shadows of those you have shown. That sort of color range fits what I would think of for the spirit of this piece - of course, a floss toss will tell the truth!

Laura Landis said...

Okay, so I'll chime in and say that I agree with the rest of the group. My personal favorite is Intrigue but it just wouldn't work for this design. Your floss toss should prove interesting!

Melissa Hicks said...

I emailed Country Stitch and asked her about a Custom Cut for this project. Then over many emails and a two hour phone conversation, both Debbie and I bought the custom cut of Evening Shadows.

One of the defining reasons for this is that the NZ dollar is one of the very few that the Aussie dollar is better than, so it was the most affordable fabric in the list as well as being the closest to what I am looking for.

So I fell off the wagon and paid $30A for the fabric and postage. That's
it now. Back on the wagon until my debts are reduced or next September - whichever comes first.

Twana Bentley said...

It's a worthwhile falling off the wagon.

Shawn Medrano said...

Falling off happens from time to time, it's when that becomes the habit that things get really out of whack. :) You'll enjoy stitching this piece, so it's at least going to be put to use and not sitting around collecting dust! :)

Melissa Hicks said...

As can ve seen above, the actual evening Shadows fabric ended up nothing like the picture of it :( Catherine has offered to dye me another piece because I was so disappointed (yes I will be sending this one back).

So do I choose
Thundercloud: Dark and broody shades of grey with undertones of deep mauve and blues. Linen is close to DMC 414 with undertones of 3041 and 932, Lugana is between DMC 318 and 414 with undertones of 3042 and 932.

Twilight: A gorgeous bluey purple colour that reminds me of the twilight hours. Approximate DMC match is 791/792 on linen, 793 on lugana.

Thoughts anyone?

Rosanne Derrett said...

Thundercloud by a country mile. It is a balance colour and includes the vital grey shades.

Mariann Mäder said...

Thundercloud looks like a very good alternative, Mel.

What a HUGE difference between the two colours! I've never had one that badly different, I hope this was the last time it happened to you.

I still don't know what fabric to choose. I'll do so when I get the kit - not arrived yet.

Paula Hubert said...

Wow - that was a HUGE difference! I think I'd go with Thundercloud as well.

Melissa Hicks said...

And Mr Bears also agrees Thundercloud. So Thundercloud it is. I will tell Catherine and post the blue piece back on Monday.

Mariann Mäder said...

I love how it looks, Mel!

Which one did you finally end up with?

I have received my kit in the meantime and will look for the fabric now. Need tons of fabric for Châtelaines. German Ostsee, Mystery XII and this one!!! Tough decisions, LOL!

Mariann Mäder said...

Are these Silkweaver fabrics???

Mariann Mäder said...

I like it! The grey seems a good background for this evening picture. You like your opalescent fabrics, do you?

Melissa Hicks said...

Countrystitch in New Zealand.

She dyed a piece for Debbie that was gorgeous swirls of purples and blues and was *exactly* what we were looking for. So I ordered a piece the same. Mine was dyed abd turned up as a monotone grey all over. Catherine swears she used the same procedures and formula for my piece as she did with Debbie's.

I'm quite bitterly disappointed.

Melissa Hicks said...

Actually I have a LOT of trouble stitching on opalescents - hence why this one is going slower than usual :)

I just felt this piece needed the sparkles. "Stars in the twilight" was the look Debbie and I were aiming for.

Mariann Mäder said...

I think it's a piece of audacity to still send you this fabric when she knew exactly that it didn't correspond to your expectations! No wonder you aren't going to use her again, I wouldn't either...

Mariann Mäder said...

I've only used one opalescent one so far and that works quite okay (Blues - haven't stitched on it for ages!), so I might actually consider it for Vienna Ball. You're right that it could do with a bit of glitzy bling.

Kerry Dustin said...

Oooh, the colours are so pretty!

Karen R said...

Well, that color fabric definitely sets of the colors in the border perfectly!!

Karen R said...

Very pretty - delicate and bold at the same time, if you know what I mean :)

Lori M. said...

Very pretty Mel! You've made a great start!!!

kay jones said...

Great start and it looks really good. Love the border even if the rest of it is not to my taste.

maria m said...

es una maravilla de diseño

Nancy Murdock said...

Using the variegated has a great effect!

Laura Landis said...

very colorful border, Mel. I think it's coming along quite nicely!

Sisu Lull said...

That is a very pretty border. It will look great on that sparkly fabric.

Anita B said...

Beautiful border!!

Anita B said...

Great work - and I really like your fabric!

Karen R said...

Wow - that is so pretty!!! Such subtle coloring - looks painted!

Lori M. said...

This looks really wonderful Mel! I can't wait to see more!!

kay jones said...

Border is lovely

Melissa Hicks said...

Thanks everyone. I already got started on part 2 which is all lovely scarlets. Not sure how they are going to look on the grey - looks a bit clashing to my eye ....

Nancy Murdock said...

Even from far away, I can see the sparkles and the subtle variegations!

Paula Hubert said...

What a lovely border! Congrats on getting through it! :)

Sharp things? Doesn't that include needles?? LOL

Melissa Hicks said...

Curses! Someone found the flaw in my rhetoric :-D

Mariann Mäder said...

Well worth the pain, wasn't it? It's looking great, Mel!

I've got the kit, still wait for an inspiration on the fabric and as soon as I have a piece working for it I'll start, too! But German Ostsee will probably come first. That fabric is at least already ordered.

Lyne-Elizabeth Blodgett said...

It looks so good Mel!

Melissa Hicks said...

TRhanks everyone - working on Part 2 now and having PINK issues .......

Lyne-Elizabeth Blodgett said...

I love pink!

Melissa Hicks said...

Not when a sea of deep burgundies has single lone line of salmon pink running through it. I'm going to post it to the board - it stands out like a neon light in amongst the sea of velvety burgundy shades .....

Lyne-Elizabeth Blodgett said...

That does sound odd - what is the pink supposed to be?

Melissa Hicks said...

Highlights in the curtain - but it just looks waaay too odd. I'll take a picture when Mr NTB is awake and off to work and you can see what I mean ...

Lyne-Elizabeth Blodgett said...

Can't wait to see

Mariann Mäder said...

I'll see what you do and how it looks - and then I may well decide to change colours :-))

On the other hand - in that red curtain in the Padfoot/Moony picture I'm doing there are some strange colours used and I did stitch them. The overall looks fine so far, so even some strange pinks in that curtain might just be part of the complete picture!

Melissa Hicks said...

Salmon picture is up - you will need to hit Zoom In to get a proper look though ....

Karen R said...

It does stick out a bit now, but maybe when the full curtain is done, it will look more like the highlight it's supposed to be. The lower parts, where there are the two lines, look okay, it's those top-most bits that stick out the most. But again, I think you need to get the whole curtain done first, step back, and see if it looks more natural then.

If it still sticks out and you want to redo that bit, I suggest one strand of the intended color, one strand of the next lighter shade...

Lyne-Elizabeth Blodgett said...

It does look a bit light to me Mel - maybe when more gets done it will blend in better??

Mariann Mäder said...

Yes, I can see where you're coming from. That means I'll probably look for a colour that sticks out a bit less than this one... it's a bit like a sore thumb, isn't it?

Claire EJ said...

Well, from where I'm sitting, the salmon looks just fine. When a curtain drapes like that, you always get folds of slightly strange shades in the light. Sometimes the folds will appear darker, sometimes lighter, depends on the time of day and the lighting behind it...I'd stick with it for now but maybe have a look at other people's WIPs and see how it looks on different fabrics. You could always change it later.
Maybe that's why Trubs looks concerned in the blog photo? LOL

Melissa Hicks said...

Would you believe I cannot find pics of anyone else who is stitching this ???? I even asked on the Yahoo group and the Yuku board without success. I feel very alone on this one :) :)

Today is not a day conducive to great photos, so that one is a little darker than I would have preferred. Hopefully the photo after the next part will be taken on a fine day ....

Claire EJ said...

I just did a flickr search, not a sausage or even a photo. Weird.
There must be somebody else working on this one somewhere....

Claire EJ said...

Martina's description says "velvet curtains" or some such thing...Velvet does get weird shades in it when it drapes. I'd stick with it for now.

Melissa Hicks said...

I'm not even getting WIP pics on the official forum or yahoo group ....

I know I march to a different beat but this is a little ridiculous :) :)

Claire EJ said...

Just tried the Yuku forum and Flickr and anywhere else I could Google. nada..weird...Could be you are the only one actually working on it.

Mariann Mäder said...

It's really, really lovely!

Actually it doesn't look so bad when you see the whole picture, but it does stand out quite a bit when looking at the enlarged picture.

It still looks great on this greyish fabric! Love it!

Mariann Mäder said...

Poor Mel!

I have just collected the charts so far and bought the kit, too. But not started this one yet. As you know I already have a ridiculous number of Châtelaines started! Sorry to let you down so far, I'll see that I can finally decide on y fabric for myself!

Did Debbie ever start hers?

Lori M. said...

Looking great Mel!

Karen R said...

Now I think the light blends in just fine and looks like it belongs! I say keep going!

Sisu Lull said...

It looks good. Looks like the odd salmon color ended up working well after all. Or did you change it?

Paula Hubert said...

This looks good so far - I like the border on this one!

Lyne-Elizabeth Blodgett said...

Mel - it's looking great and I wouldn't have noticed the salmon if I hadn't already known it was there

Kerry Dustin said...

Looking great!

Nancy Murdock said...

I think it looks very realistic!

Melissa Hicks said...

No changes. I know some of the designers like Tracy and Martina have a better colour sense than I do. So I will usually finish a piece, even if I'm concerned, and yes like this one, it usually does work out fine.

Melissa Hicks said...

I think she's collecting the pieces. Like you she has so much other stuff going on right now and some of them are presents, so she's under the gun a little.

Mariann Mäder said...

The new part looks lovely, Mel! You're progressing really well on this one!

Nancy Murdock said...

Great chandelier! Looks so realistic!

Melissa Hicks said...

And that's still without the beads and treasures!

Karen R said...

Wow, there's a LOT of detail in there! No wonder the bs was such a pain - but it came out wonderfully!

Lori M. said...

Very pretty Mel! The fabric for this is wonderful!

kay jones said...

You certainly seem to be moving along on this now. It looks good even if the bs was a pain

Stephanie Flynn said...

I love the favric on this. Don't fret on the backstitching.....no one looks at the finished piece with a magnifying glass.

Melissa Hicks said...

Doctor Stephanie !!!!! So great to see you back with us! Will go and catch up with your blog straight away!

Yes you are correct, once it is framed and on the way it will look fine. Maybe I should be like the museums and put a velvet rope around it so people *can't* look too closely :) :)

Nancy Murdock said...

Look at the detail in the stairs! Looks great, no one will be able to see what you aren't happy with! Glad you are on to the next part and still have hair on your head.

Paula Hubert said...

It looks great, and there is certainly a load of detail there! I wouldn't worry so much over the bs'ing. We all have things that we'd like to improve on our pieces, but 1) no one else is as critical of our work as we are and 2) once the whole piece is done and this is framed and hanging, it will be gorgeous!

Rosanne Derrett said...

Lovely as ever. Your b/s looks way better than mine and from a distance it is unnoticeable except to you. Possible another stitcher with a magnifier would comment but then she would be a stitchzilla and not worth knowing so you are safe!

Mariann Mäder said...

Wow, you're really hanging in there with this one, Mel! Lovely work in spite of your unhappiness with the backstitching. It might vanish to the background once more of the piece gets done around this part!

Melissa Hicks said...

Thanks everyone for your positive comments. (Love the Stitchzilla comment Rosanne!)

As per usual now I'm working full time and doing a longish commute each day (Stephen and I are sharing a car) I'm not getting any stitching done during the week. So no updates this weekend. Part five is a nice easy part after the hassles of part 4. I just need to find the time and energy to sit down and stitch it.

Laura Landis said...

Very pretty!! Looks like all the teeth gnashing is worth it.

Karen R said...

That's really pretty! I think sometimes Martina forgets she does great things with simple :)

Karen R said...

It looks wonderful!!!

Melissa Hicks said...

I think you definitely have a point there :) This was all stitched on in six shades of DMC. No fancy floss, no fancy stitches - just simple design great design.

Kerry Dustin said...

Who cares about catching up. Just enjoy the stitching.

Melissa Hicks said...

Because I'd actually like to finish one of these classes on time. Just one. Just to show myself that I actually could do it :)

Milly Dunaway said...

It looks wonderful!

Mariann Mäder said...

Gorgeous!

Well done! It looks beautiful, Mel, and once the last part is out you will catch up :-)

Nancy Murdock said...

Very pretty! Don't worry about the parts and when they are released. You'll get to the end eventually.

Melissa Hicks said...

Cheeky monkey !!! :) :)

Actually Part 6 is another quite simple piece so hopefully I might get some of it done on Saturday ....

Claire EJ said...

VB is looking super! The red curtain swathe looks so right now with the rest of the design. I love it.

Karen R said...

Wow, I really like that - and I don't think this looks as odd as that salmon stripe in the curtain did, and look how great that is now! That green really pops on there, in this photo, anyway!

Mariann Mäder said...

It's growing nicely :-)

Mariann Mäder said...

It's true though, isn't it?

The parts so far mostly look like good chunks, not too big ones... I'm facing real uphill climbs on Alpine Seasons now!

You're doing very well on this one!

Melissa Hicks said...

Parts 1 and 2 were the real monsters on this chart. The rest have been quite manageable so far.

Nancy Murdock said...

Overall progress looks very nice! It's great when you can get a couple parts done so quickly too!

Karen R said...

Yeah, that's really neat!!

Karen R said...

Looking wonderful!!

Janine Smith said...

It is looking fantastic Mel.

Stephanie Flynn said...

Looks great! Seems you are starting to make some good progress on this one.

Sisu Lull said...

Looks great Mel! You are moving right along.

Claire EJ said...

Love how it's shaded outside to show the light....

Claire EJ said...

It's super!

Mariann Mäder said...

You'd think that lady would turn up taller and taking up more space on that fabric, wouldn't you? Yet there seems so little space left!

Well done on the latest part! Just in time for the next :-)

Nancy Murdock said...

This is the first Chatelaine I have seen that isn't a mandela and the *parts* seem easier to handle. Overall it looks great!

Melissa Hicks said...

See how there's a gap in the greenery under the stone arch on the right? Her head fits in that gap I think ....

Melissa Hicks said...

Nancy, Its basically a spot motif :) The only hassle will be the lady who will take more than one *part* to do :) I suspect a lot of her will be done one-over-one.

Anita B said...

You're coming along great on this one, Mel - love the peacock!!

Karen R said...

Wow, he came out really neat!

Karen R said...

Looking great - I still can't believe she fits in the area that's left!

Melissa Hicks said...

Yeah I'm actually getting quite concerned that the bottom right corner is going to look too squashed and overfull compared to the rest but, well, Martina's an experienced designer - I'm sure she has it right. Keeping my fingers crossed and stitching away on Part 9 .....

Mariann Mäder said...

Very nice! I still maintain that she drew that one a bit disproportionate though. I think the wings aren't quite right, but what the heck, it still looks gorgeous over all :-)

Nancy Murdock said...

I like him! And I like seeing the fabric up close too! Looks great together.

Anita B said...

Nice stitching, Mel - and congrats on getting caught up!!!

Kerry Dustin said...

Very pretty.

Lyne-Elizabeth Blodgett said...

Looking good Mel - you'll be finished in no time now!

Sisu Lull said...

Looks great Mel! When does the online class finish?

Melissa Hicks said...

Last part comes out in December :) By the time I add in the beads, hopefully it will be finished before the New Year :)

Karen R said...

Wow, looks really good! I'd never have guessed all that was going on in that space!

Karen R said...

Well done getting caught up!

Stephanie Flynn said...

Looks beautiful....WTG getting all caught up.

Nancy Murdock said...

Looks good! Congrats on getting caught up. I'm trying myself, but not having much success.

Claire EJ said...

Oh I love it...am amazed that you caught up so fast and well!

Karen R said...

This looks great!!

Karen R said...

Wow! Thsi really didn't grab me at all until your WIPs...

Debbie Kluge said...

What a lovely piece! You're right to be proud of your progress. I could wish I was as far along on my Chatelaine project.

Anita B said...

This is looking fantastic! Congratulations on being caught up on it!

Nancy Murdock said...

Very pretty! The dress looks great already.

Stephanie Flynn said...

Very nice. And nicely pink! hehehe

Melissa Hicks said...

Yessssssssssss ......

Although it doesn't show up well in this photo, thereare pink and black metallics in that dress :)

Laura Landis said...

Very pretty section. How did you stand all that pink? LOL

Laura Landis said...

It's looking really good! It's such an accomplishment to stay caught up with the installments!!

Lyne-Elizabeth Blodgett said...

It's looking good Mel and congrats on staying up to date!

Paula Hubert said...

Congrats on being caught up! This looks great!

Milly Dunaway said...

Wow this is coming along so nicely. Way to go!

Melissa Hicks said...

LOL! This is the first time I've been caught up on this one :) :) :)

Claire EJ said...

Fabbo! Go You!!!!!

Claire EJ said...

This piece grows more and more beautiful every time I see it. Lovely progress!

Claire EJ said...

Wow, wow, wow...no wonder part 11 took a while! There's so much confetti to look at. Just lovely!

Melissa Hicks said...

Yesssss ...... you KNOW my thoughts on confetti :(

Claire EJ said...

Good for weddings and nothing else...[so long as it's biodegradeable of course]

Karen R said...

That's a really neat detail along the hem! Very nice!!!

Kerry Dustin said...

It's looking absolutely beautiful.

Bek grayden said...

Wow...

Melissa Hicks said...

That hemline detail is stitched in Rainbow Gallery Treasure Braid. Its a PITA but yes it looks good :)

Melissa Hicks said...

Hi Bek! Congrats on handing the thesis in! This is the cover pic of what the whole design should look like when it is finished - hopefully that will be before Christmas!

Mariann Mäder said...

DELICIOUS!

Well done, Mel!

Stephanie Flynn said...

This is beautiful. You've made some fast work of this project!

Melissa Hicks said...

Not really ... that last part took over a month to do :( But thanks for the compliments!

Once I get a chance to get started on Part 12 later this week, I should be on the downward slope to Teh Finish!

Bek grayden said...

O.K. Thanks... Would you still like to read a copy still?

Melissa Hicks said...

Sorry thought Stephen responded to you .... yes please, pdf is fine :)

Sisu Lull said...

It looks great Mel! And now we know you can use pink floss without suffering from a stroke! LOL.

Lori M. said...

This is coming along beautifully Mel!

Lori M. said...

That looks like it was a lot of work to stitch!! It really does look incredible.

Bek grayden said...

He said congrats, but that's it... He must have forgotten. I'll forgive him... here is a link that I hope works... *hugs*

http://docs.google.com/fileview?id=0B42kgnZ0hnQvMGI4ZDM3YzgtODYzYS00ZjExLTg5NzMtMDczZTZlMmQ5NDZh&hl=en

Melissa Hicks said...

{snivels} It hurt! It hurt sooo much ....

I had to do the pirate thing to get a bit of oomph back, the pink just sapped it alll out of me and left me a weak little girly girl {sniffle}

Hilary Syddall said...

Simply stunning Mel! Just a small bit of stitching and the backstitching to go then!

Paula Hubert said...

This is beautiful! Congrats on finishing this part!

Anita B said...

Looks beautiful, Mel - and very difficult to stitch!

Laura Landis said...

Nice job, Mel! It's really looking good. How many parts are there still to stitch?

Melissa Hicks said...

None! Its now all done! {MWahhhh hah hah hah ah} Part 12 is done.

Now just the {shudder}beading ...

Claire EJ said...

So this is the one that faded? Country Stitch? Aussie company?? if so, they should flipping know better than to send out dyed fabric with a fadeable quality to it, grrr...

Melissa Hicks said...

Claire it is this fabric. CountryStitch. The sunfaded part is above the stitching in an area I usually cut off all the photos. I'll take a specific picture of it tomorrow so you can see how much it has faded.

Laura Landis said...

Oh, WOW! It's so gorgeous! Congratulations on the fabulous finish!!

Karen R said...

Cool! If any element ever deserved crystals, it's that chandelier!

Karen R said...

Pretty!

Karen R said...

Wonderful!! Well done!!

Lori M. said...

Very pretty! I love that peacock.

Lori M. said...

Lovely!

Hilary Syddall said...

Fantastic! Well done you :-)

Claire EJ said...

Oh pretty, they look like Forget-me-nots..lovely.

Claire EJ said...

That is a very sweet peacock. Good placement of beads on him.

Claire EJ said...

Super...!!!

Claire EJ said...

Fantabulous finish, honey!
Are there beads in the border to match the flowers on the main area?? Just curious.
I love the whole thing!

Melissa Hicks said...

Nope. The border is hand-dyed silks and metallic threads only.

Claire EJ said...

It is very pretty!

Mariann Mäder said...

It's turned out great! Beads look very nice, too.

Cathy Luttenbacher said...

Beautiful.

Nancy Murdock said...

Congrats on a great finish!

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