Not quite!

I tried to get the top left border completed but did not make it. I did the first pass from the bottom left of it to the top right. I started back down and you can see the needle off to the left. I will have to finish it tomorrow along with the rest of the Iris detail and hope I can get that all done! Do click on the photo to enlarge it and see the detail.

It is so exciting!

The center background is done!! Tomorrow....the outer border! Then some final touches you will like...... And, just wait and see what I am adding to the rotation! Yes, I will be getting back into the rotation stitching, and I will be adding yet another project! She must be crazy....I know you are thinking that, admit it....yes, you are....but you are going to love it!!

Third side done

I skipped back over to the outside border and completed the left hand side using the Threadworx overdyed. This completes the third side of the outside border and only the top left one to go! Jane mentioned that the center background looks lacy and in person it really does. Since it is a single strand of the Perle Cotton, it creates a very nice background worked in the T stitch. Remember I changed this stitch from the single running cross as I wanted the heavier pattern to surround the Iris . I like the way it looks against the lighter weight outside border too! This one will be done before the weekend is!

Backgrounding the Center

Tonight, I worked on the center background by completing the T stitch. I am using one strand of the DMC #8 Perle. To work this stitch I turn the frame and work from left to right across. Since this is such an open stitch, it must be ended and started in the border of upright Gobelin stitches. I also work with fairly short lengths of thread. I am pleased with the progress I made on this section tonight.

Left outer border

I decided to switch up tonight and instead of doing more inside background, I switched back to the outer border. I worked the first pass of the left hand border with two strand of Needle Necessities in the running cross stitch. I did also put in one row of the inside second pass and you can see that on the left side as well. I may just alternate doing these so as not to get too bored with filling in the backgrounds. There is still just a little more to be done with the Iris too.

The first pass

I completed the first pass of diagonal stitching on the background of the iris! The diagonal runs from top right to bottom left. Tomorrow I start the top left to bottom right pass. This is all being worked with one strand of DMC #8 Perle Cotton.

Around the Iris

I am working the background around the Iris itself. I have been using DMC Perle in size eight. It is supposed to mirror the outside border, but I don't think I am going to do the running cross stitch on the inside. I think there should be some differentiation. Juli, the stitching group moderator suggested the T stitch and I was thinking of that same stitch. So, by popular vote that is what the background is going to be. It is taking a little time to over and under each diagonal row, but I am getting there. Now you know why I did a zoom closeup of the piece....you needed to be able to see the white on white and how much progress I have made!