I started this piece thinking it would be a "quick stitch" that I could have completed in a couple weeks — in time for my adopted Grandmother's birthday on May 14th.

Wrong!

The center motif stitch up quickly, but then I got to the backstitching/blackwork vines in each corner and got stalled — for weeks! I'm not sure what it was about the lines that made them so difficult for me. I think it was because there were no good reference points for me to check my stitching against, and I kept making mistakes. That caused quite a bit of ripping and re-stitching. I ended up stitching one of the corners four times before I got the placing right.

This is an example of where taking a little time to grid the fabric beforehand would have saved a lot of stitching time, and even more frustration.

Live and learn.

Once the vines were stitched, the flowers and beading went fairly smoothly. I love the way it turned out and am looking forward to giving it to my adopted grandmother. At 90 year of age, she's learned to be patient!

As an aside, the pattern has a known misprint. The pattern I received didn't have the sticker attached with the correction. But I wrote to the designer and received a swift reply with the needed directions. Excellent service!

If you'd like to learn how to grid your fabric and avoid placement frustrations, read the page in Needlework 101 called Gridding.

Stitched March 25 - August 1, 2004

Pattern name:	Grandmothers
Designer:	The Sweetheart Tree
Stitch Count:	70 x 70
Fabric:	28ct Star Sapphire Jobelan
Floss:	DMC cotton
Original Cost:	$9.00
Copyright year:	2003

Mine's for Sale! Used. Excellent condition. $3.50 for pattern + $0.50 shipping = $4.00 E-mail me for details. International orders, add $1.00 extra for shipping.

The Sweetheart Tree
10308 N. 48 Place
Paradise Valley, AZ 85253-1033
(480) 556-6500

Back to Cameo's Corner: 2004
On to next project: Bug Off Baby!