Welcome to this weeks stitchers spotlight where you get the chance to meet a stitcher who has an advanced stage Work In Progress (WIP) to share. This week we are meeting the talented Beth, who has a number of HAED finishes to her name as well as this lovely WIP.
Wicked, Tricksy and False (Beckett-Griffith) 1×1 on 28 count
I’ve been stitching on and off since I was about 10 years old, but picked it up regularly again when I went back to graduate school about 10 years ago as a way to de-stress. I discovered HAED about 3 years ago through a mention on another stitching bulletin board (BB). I Spent hours browsing through the site and the BB, and was hooked right from the start.
There are so many talented stitchers on the BB, and after seeing the gorgeous WIPS and finished pieces I couldn’t resist starting one myself. My first purchase (which I immediately kitted up and started- I really love the instant gratification of buying PDF charts!) was Selena Fenech’s Storykeeper. Up until this point, I had only worked on one piece at a time, but soon decided (after reading tips on the BB) to try a rotation….and within a couple of months, I had started a story keep and a couple of quick stitches, plus a couple of non-HAEDs. My intention was to have just one full-sized HAED in my rotation, and then, Jasmine Becket- Griffith’s work was charted. As soon as I saw Wicked, Tricky & False, I knew I had to stitch them, and there was no way I could possibly wait until I finished Storykeeper. Their naughty little faces just called out to my younger Goth girl self.
Having a number of different projects, with different colors, moods, subjects, has worked well for me, and so in addition to my 2 full size HAEDs, I also usually have at least one story keep, a couple of quick stitches, and now a Tiny Treasure or two in my rotation.
I have a long list of charts I want to stitch someday- seems the list keeps growing nearly every day! The stitch-alongs on the BB are great motivators for me, as is sharing my own WIP photos and keeping up with other people’s WIPs.
I’m still experimenting with different types of fabric, but right now, I think my favorites are either 28 or 32 count jobelan, stitched 1×1. Been wanting to try hand dyed fabrics after seeing some of the beautiful WIPs on the BB (there’s so much information there! People are always so generous in sharing their experiences), but haven’t taken the plunge yet.
Stitching is a way for me to take time for myself, and so the process itself really is what I enjoy. But there’s also something satisfying and a sense of accomplishment in finishing a piece. The detail in these charts is incredible, and they stitch up so beautifully (thanks to the artists for their beautiful work & to Michele & Bob for their amazing charting!) that they look like works of art themselves.
My first HAED finish, Ruth Sanderson’s QS Woodland Santa was a Christmas gift for my mother. It was such a pleasure to stitch this piece, and it was so amazing to see the picture emerge over time. It took me about 7 months to finish (and I got such tremendous support from people on the BB as I got closer to finishing just in time). A recent finish, Judy Mastrangelo’s Buttercup Bunny QS, another gift for Mom, has replaced Santa on the wall now that it’s spring.
Selena Fenech’s Dragon Soul QS is hanging where I can see her every time I look up from my writing. My most recent finish is the first Tiny Treasure I started, Nancy Faulkner’s Humpty Dumpty. He was so much fun to stitch and (relatively) a very quick stitch for me. He’ll be a gift for a friend’s baby.
Since I’ve just finished Humpty Dumpty & Buttercup Bunny, I’m excitedly anticipating a couple of new starts in the next couple of weeks. I’m planning to start Fenech’s TT Letter “A” and “E” for my nieces ,they’re only 2 & 4, but love watching me stitch….they both have their eyes on Wicked, Tricky & False- they love the colors- and the 4 year old really wants me to teach her to stitch- she calls it “up & down”. We’re working together on a kids’ pattern, but if she’s still interested in a few years, I can’t wait to buy her first HAED TT and Mastrangelo’s Easter Bunny QS as a companion to Buttercup Bunny (I bought them at the same time, and pictured them as a pair).
So far I’m the only one in my family who stitches, but they all appreciate the time & care that goes into it, so it’s fun to share with them. I stitch almost every day- it’s hard to imagine not stitching for an extended period of time. I really enjoy everything about stitching HAEDs- even the background and the confetti!
Beth has several finishes to her credit, including
Qs Woodland Santa (Sanderson) 1×1 on 28 ct
QS Dragon Soul ( Fenech) 1×1
