I was given this Ehrman needlepoint/tapestry kit a good few years ago and although I completed it ages ago it’s been languishing at the bottom of a work basket for yonks. It needed to be stretched as it was quite out of shape by the time I was finished with it and somehow the stretching process just kept getting put off. But I’m trying to get things finished off and everything in general just tidied up, plus I’m not allowing myself to start any new projects until I have finished old ones. So I stretched it, it didn’t take long at all, and now I just have to pull my sewing machine out and sew a velvet backing onto it and tarrah – one more cushion cover to add to the many.
That is actually easier said than done because my sewing machine and I aren’t on speaking terms at the moment. When I had her out a few weeks ago she wouldn’t do what I wanted her to do, no matter how long I wrangled with her! I’m hoping she has got over her hissy fit, I’m not very good with machines – or watches for that matter.
I’ve come to the conclusion that sewing kits aren’t for me because I really prefer taking my needle for a walk and being able to do my own thing. Kits like this one, with a painted canvas are a bit like doing a painting by numbers, not that I’ve ever done one of those, but you know what I mean, there’s no scope for doing your own thing. I think they’re quite good for beginners though.
The most annoying thing about doing the pansy design was that it had been designed almost like an impressionist painting with splashes of colour dotted all over the place, one stitch here and one over there. It gives a good effect in the end but it feels very bitty when you’re stitching it. It was designed by Elian McCready.
As you can see the date on the canvas is 1992 but I think that was when it was first designed rather when I was given it. I don’t think it can possibly have been hanging around all those years waiting to be finished. Surely not!
That’s lovely, Katrina. I’ve been thinking of starting a new needlepoint project (if I can only get the cats to stop playing with the yarn while I’m working!), but now, since you’re being so sensible and vowing not to start new projects while there are old unfinished ones, I think I should do the same. But it’s so much fun picking out new colors of thread!
And I agree with you about kits. I work from graphs and love to see the pattern appearing on the blank canvas, almost like magic. I’m not talented enough to make up my own patterns, though.
By the way, our ‘wee cat’ (and he sounds even sweeter for being referred to as such) is doing quite well on his heart medicine and neutraceutical (rutin, to reduce fluid accumulation). He was the runt of the litter and has had many problems in his life. He is still smaller than his sisters, two of our other three cats, the fourth being their mother. Our hearts always go out to the underdog, or in this case, undercat, so he’s been special to us.
Joan,
I bought some embroidery thread just yesterday and those whirly thread stands in shops are just luscious, I could have gone mad. I think the greyness of Scotland makes colour so important. Starting projects is always exciting, that’s the problem!
I’m glad that your wee cat is a bit better, all that medication sounds very expensive so I hope you had him insured. As the youngest of five kids myself I feel for him, I was well squashed by the big ones and I was hale and hearty!
That is lovely. I do very little tapestry and I understand what you mean by the “paint by numbers” comment. It is sometimes slightly restricting.
It is bright and colourful though as most Ehrman tapestries are and will be quite a cheery cushion on a dark day. I hope you and the sewing machine are now friends. I have to share one with my mum and I am sure it decides it likes her more than me!
I have just finished some cross stitch, which has been languishing about for some months.
Jo,
I made the mistake of trying to make a buttonhole with the machine, not a great success. I’m hoping I can get it back to its normal settings and behaviour.
I find tapestry so much easier on my eyes. I’ve had a large cross stitch alphabet sampler on the go for decades. The alphabet was quick and easy to do but the surrounding Beatrix Potter characters are a nightmare to stitch. My ‘boys’ are now 25 and 24 so I might get it finished in time for future grandchildren! If they leave it another ten years or so!
sewing the pansy pillow given to me by a friend part started and found that wool colour numbers where missing when someone picked up the work.
would like to finish now that i am nearly at the end
must say i found challenging but fun to do could someone help me with wool numbers so i can complete
thank you Alan Smith
alan smith,
I’m sorry, I made up my Ehrman tapestry a few years ago and I don’t have a note of the numbers although I might have some of the wools left over. Which colours are you looking for?
Katrina thank you for your reply only just found it.
thing is the number list had corresponding colour wool attached so say what was what also individual wool pack bags where not there
but thank you all the same