Sunday, March 8, 2009

Alucard Keychain Fob

Dear Reader,

I must confess that I have lately felt like an outsider, an interloper in these cross-stitch blog circles: Sometimes, I find myself hating Cross stitch! Yes! I feel just awful, but I am so impatient, and so much work goes into making things, and when it comes out looking less-than-perfect it is so disheartening!

I simply cannot tell you how much heartache this one little piece caused, Reader! It is a little like what I hear childbirth is like--really awful while it's going on but when you are done you have such a wonderful thing. And of course, you forget how awful it was and think it's nothing but just peachy and begin aspiring to do it all again. lol (Although on a MUCH smaller scale.)

Have any of you ever secretly hated this wonderful hobby?


From My Finishes

I made it as a birthday gift for our good friend Tak--It features a character from one of his favorite videogames (Castlevania: Symphony of the Night). It is stitched 1 over on 32 count Zweigart linen.
From My Finishes
At some point, I began despairing of my slow progress. "And it's only 21 x 47 in area! Wait...that means it's..." Reader, that means it has something in the neighborhood of 900 squares...and at 4 "stitches" each...well. I began to understand what was taking so long! But how does everyone else do it? Such patience!!
A closer view...
From My Finishes
The character's name is "Alucard", and he is the son of Dracula (get it?) and a human woman. So, Alucard is the protagonist, while Dracula is the main enemy of the game.

From My Finishes
stitching up the side was SO TEDIOUS! It was my first time finishing the back with anything other than more of the same linen, so I was woried it would not come out nicely, but this side was very clean.

In the end, I stayed up all night to finish it, and I almost sewed the keychain in backwards! Oh, me! I worked on it for several days, and even so had to pull an all-nighter at the end!

Date Finished: 28 February 2009
Fabric: Zweigart 32 Ct. Linen
Threads: DMC Cotton
Finish: Keychain Fob
Designed & Stitched by Me.

8 comments:

BeckySC said...

Hi there :)
I came over to answer your question you left on my blog :) I don't have an email for you, So I have to leave the answer here :) The chart is It's Halloween from The Drawn Thread and can be found here...http://www.emlis.com/drawnthread.htm
I love this design-unfortunately I don't have it in my stash, but may have to add it :)
Thanks for stopping by my blog :) I appreciate your visits :)
((hugs))

Myra said...

That is truly a work of art. 1 over 1 on 32 count - I think if I tried that I might hate it at times too. :o)

Patricia Lessell said...

That is just stunning and you have finished it absolutely beautifully. I think most of us, me definitely included, are much too critical of our finishing skills. How do I stitch over 1? Easy peasy I only ever use Wichelt linen to stitch over one on and usually use it for over 2 as well because the linen is much stiffer and the holes are bigger and easier to see.

I read that you come from Bloomfield Township. I was born in Newark and raised in Pleasantdale which is a suburb of W. Orange do you know it? I have lived in the U.K. for most of my life, though if you heard me speak you would think I still live in N.J.

Thank you so much for visiting my blog and I shall be following your blog from now on.

Hugs, Patti xxx

Stacy said...

I think you did beautifully. Why on earth are you not happy with it????

Stacy

Ronel said...

Dea Berit,

Thank you so much for leaving such a kind comment on my blog. Love your stitching and finishing. Hope to meet up with you in one of the exchanges.

Regards,
Ronel, Cape Town - South Africa

Leeland said...

Berit, I've just read your comment on my blog and I can't tell you how delighted I'll be when you join the Hallosal. A few of us speak English so don't hesitate to come and chat. Don't wait until you have finished some Halloween stitching, you're very welcome... It will be great!
Hugs,
Lili

Unknown said...

Hi Berit,

Thanks for your comment on my blog (on the post that I wrote about SAKURA)!
Yes, that is called "Hanami", people enjoy "bento" or beer etc... under the trees, like picnick!
I have met American couple (there were so many foreigners!!), they were going to take their photo by themselve, so I asked them to take their photo together!
It was good exercise for my English! :)

Stitchhappy said...

Over 1 on 32-ct!?! I can barely stand to stitch anything over 1 on 22 or 28-ct! You did a great job on this, Berit!
Sharon M