Sunday 9 September 2012

Gold Work Sampler, motifs finished

If it had not been for the gold work I would never have begun this spot sampler. It is many years since I have done a large counted technique piece and frankly it does not appeal to me now. I expected to find it boring and wondered if one of the other projects currently in progress would lure me away. Surprisingly, I did not tire of it except briefly while doing the large rose and by that time I was so close to finishing that the thought of the gold work kept me going.

© Thistle Threads/Carol-Anne Conway

I have grown quite fond of Queen stitch and found it to be another of those techniques that I find relaxing, despite the counting. I found myself counting all of the time: counting stitches on the chart, counting the four stitches that make up each Queen stitch, counting threads. The constant counting became rather meditative and rhythmic. Even so, I am pleased to have finished the motifs and am really excited to move onto the gold work.

© Thistle Threads/Carol-Anne Conway

As usual, it has taken me far longer than I anticipated. I have been having a problem with my right shoulder. While using the computer or stitching I was getting a burning sensation in the shoulder muscle. I have to use the computer for work so I have been limited the amount of time I use the computer at home and strictly limiting my stitching time to 30 minutes a day or stopping sooner at the first hint of pain. While frustrating, this has paid off and my shoulder is now much better although I still get some pain occasionally. Over the past few weeks I have gradually allowed myself a little more stitching time but I take frequent breaks and still stop if my shoulder starts to complain.

Happy Stitching

4 comments:

Cynthia Gilbreth said...

Yikes! Pain while stitching! That's terrible. I hope you can find some exercises to alleviate it so you can stitch for longer periods of time. The sampler is coming along nicely, and I'm looking forward to seeing the gold.

Rachel said...

I'm not keen on counted work either, but like you I rather enjoyed the Queen Stitch. Get yourself to a physiotherapist for the arm trouble - that sort of pain tends to linger and make all of life difficult!

charlotte2 said...

Your work is lovely, and go and see the physiotherapist. I see mine every 2 weeks to keep my joints in good order so I can stitch, worth every penny.

Susan Elliott said...

This is beautiful CA. You make me want to get out some cloth and practice the queen stitch. I do love the look of it.

Bravo to you for foregoing the computer in order to stitch. I'm trying to do that as well. Only spending limited time in the a.m. checking emails at lunch, and then another check at night. It's not been an easy transition but it was necessary.

I'm looking forward to the goldwork!!!