I am sure this mom & baby image of cute owls will bring a smile on your face :)
This is made with craft felt which I have been stashing for a long time . I saw it on pinterest and made a free hand drawing on paper . Lesson learnt for next time - make a proper template for each part . Anyways , with trial and error , I successfully completed on weekend .
I started working on Julia blackwork . I wanted to make it larger size and also since I was new to blackwork I decided it will be easier to work on bigger count and I was already done with failed attempts on 18, 16 and 14 counts :(
This is what it will look when completed .
Blackwork can be done with both backstitching and Holbein stitch . Ideally it is done with Holbein stitch when the pattern is reversible . The chart mentioned the use of Holbein stitch but I could not track the stitching back at many points, I think partially because the design is not an easy fill . So rather than getting frustrated, I am stitching with a combination of both stitches because I don't need it to be reversible . The only thing I need to take care is not to jump long stitches from the back side . So far it is looking fine , not great . Have you done blackwork before and are you good at Holbein stitch?
Yesterday , I wore my fitbit for the first time and I completed 10,104 steps but the major chunk came from my morning walk . So the days I am going on walk, it is not difficult to hit the minimum count. Other days, I try to burn the equivalent amount of calories even if the steps are less . To reduce weight , I think I need 30k-40k steps everyday :) But I have learned a hard lesson from my previous ways of reducing weight that slow and steady lasts longer, and I am making a reasonable progress there :)
Have a crafty week ahead!
Preeti :)
Great start on the blackwork. I've done a bit of it before, the double running stitch method will give you a slightly different look, particularly on curves, so be careful if you are switching from one to another.
ReplyDeleteThe felt owls are very cute
Yes the owls are very cute. Another craft I would try in coming years.
ReplyDeleteYay for 10k+ steps. I agree with you slow weight loss is better than a rapid one .
The owls are so cute, Preeti! You did a great job :-). And I like that blackwork picture, looking forward to seing it growing!
ReplyDeleteYour owls are adorable. What a cute idea.
ReplyDeleteThat's a gorgeous blackwork pattern. I never liked Holbein because the stitches never seemed to produce a really straight line. I'd always go for back stitch instead.
Good for you with the fitbit. Hope it keeps you motivated.
Lovely owls and embroidery !!!!
ReplyDeleteKeep motivated with your fitbit !!!
Have a nice week !
Anna!
Owls look so cute & great start on the blackwork!
ReplyDeleteI find it really relaxing but also concentrate much more on that than cross stitch as I want to make sure I don't show my threads underneath.. feels like a caterpillar :)
Oh, Preeti, your owls are simply adorable! And in such beautiful colours.
ReplyDeleteI have never done blackwork so can't comment on the stitches or difficulty, but your looks fine so far. Good luck as you continue. :)
Oh I love the owls. So sweet! Great job. Love the blackwork. I've done it before but never worried about it being reversible.
ReplyDeleteBoth look great Preeti. I have never done blackwork.
ReplyDeleteLinda
Such cute owls--great job on them, Preeti... And the blackwork is lovely--something I've never attempted. I'm not even sure what a Holbein stitch is--will have to google it :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you on your walking plan--you are right, slow and steady pays off in the long run!
Preeti, owls are cute!
ReplyDeleteI was impressed your new beginning, an interesting technique!
I wish you a lovely days!
Pá
The owls are lovely. I'm eager to see your finished black work. The picture looks so beautiful.
ReplyDeleteVery cute! I love your blackwork start.
ReplyDeleteThe owls are very cute, I´m owl lover :-) And blackwork is beautiful style of cross stitching.
ReplyDeleteThe owls are so cute! Great progress on the blackwork design, it will be beautiful when completed. Good luck with your walking plan....I wear my fitbit every day and try to get to the 10,000 steps....but not always successfully, sadly!
ReplyDeleteThe owls are so cute! Great progress on the blackwork design, it will be beautiful when completed. Good luck with your walking plan....I wear my fitbit every day and try to get to the 10,000 steps....but not always successfully, sadly!
ReplyDeleteCute owls Preeti, well done on completing all those steps I rarely manage to reach that many.:) xx
ReplyDeleteLovely little owls Preeti and the blackwork design is amazing, lots of work there and your start looks great. I really enjoy blackwork
ReplyDeleteYour owls are so cute! They definitely brought a smile to my face. Lovely work on Julia as well and sorry you had some trial and error.
ReplyDeletevery creative..
ReplyDeleteThe owls are very cute and Julia quite beautiful. I have never tried those stitches. I think you are correct, slow and steady wins the race.
ReplyDeleteThe owls are cute!
ReplyDeleteOwl looks really cute and blackwork looks great :)
ReplyDeleteI'm the type to just wing it. I don't like reading instructions or following patterns. And I'm of the mindset that handmade does not have to be perfect in any way. Your owls turned out very cute. Have never done blackwork. Didn't realize it required special stitches. Good luck with walking -- slow and steady definitely is the way to go.
ReplyDeleteI love seeing more of your clever, pretty work, Preeti, and am cheering you on with it and your fitbit efforts :) xx
ReplyDeletePiękne sówki a Julia zapowiada się bardzo obiecująco.
ReplyDeletePozdrawiam
the owls are too cute!Black work looks lovely,never done or seen it before :)
ReplyDeletegood luck with your weigh loss, you are right slow and steady.
Owls are looking great Preeti, I love them in any form. I am new to black work so looking forward to your completed work.
ReplyDeletePreeti: Good luck with the Fitbit I have one and need to start wearing it.
ReplyDeleteLove the owls so sweet, I like working with felt.
Love the Julia she is beautiful.
Blessings
Catherine
The owls are great, a very nice way to use your felt pieces.
ReplyDeleteJulia is beautiful. I use a mixture of Holbein and backstitch when I am doing blackwork. The only concern I have for the back is visible trailing ends so I always weave them into the stitches.
Like Christine says Holbein does look slightly different on some lines. I find that I can't tell the difference in the densely patterned areas but if there is one single line I can see it. Like in the edge of her dress outline?
Freehand is definitely best for felt! It makes it yours. I think the only template I would make is maybe the eyes. Maybe. :) Your blackwork start is very nice. I wonder what application one would have that it would need to be reversible?
ReplyDeleteOh, Preeti, the owls are adorable!
ReplyDeleteAmalia
xo
Those owls are adorable Preeti! Perfect for Mothers' Day ;)
ReplyDeleteAnd I love the Julia pattern. You have made some great progress on her.
I've got a Fitbit too and initially was very enthusiastic about hitting that 10K mark. I'm afraid the interest has fizzled out now but reading about yours makes me want to give it another go :)
Yes your owls are looking pretty!
ReplyDeleteCant go wrong with owls;-)
Good for you on your daily walks, keep it up. The owls are gorgeous. I love looking at blackwork but can't seem to get myself working on backstitch. Julia is beautiful:)
ReplyDeleteThe owl is really lovely!! You did a awesoe job, and that with out a good pattern. You really can do everything!
ReplyDeleteGreat job on teh steps and the trying to loose weight, i'm tryng the same with hubby, it;s going slow but good
They are really very cute! All the best for your weight reduction regimen dear..I practice surya namaskar for the same.. it burn lot of calories and good for overall health. .You can include that too :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a good blog you have here. Keep Your Work Up....
ReplyDeleteYou have some owls in your crafty projects too :)hehe
ReplyDelete