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Wednesday 5 May 2010

What's on your workdesk Wednesday

A slight deviation from my workdesk this Wednesday - this is another craft project that I'm working on. It's a William Morris style needlepoint (actually cross stitch) acanthus rug, designed by Beth Russell. I've included a rear view as well, as it's easier to see from this how much of it I've done (or not as the case may be...). I got this as a complete kit, I also have a book of Beth Russell's gorgeous needlepoint designs, which includes the acanthus rug.

I figured this would be a ten year project when I started out. That was eight years ago, so as you can see I need to get a bit of a move on! I hadn't done anything on it for at least a couple of years, but I got the rug out again a few weeks ago and have got back into the habit of working on it at one or two evenings a week, whilst watching TV.
If you're curious about WOYWW, more details of what it is about and how to join in are on Julia's Stamping Ground blog.

51 comments:

Helen said...

Wow!! What a gorgeous design. Now, there is no way I'd show the back of any of my cross stitch (which I haven't done for years, in fact) as it's nowhere near THAT neat!! Hope you get it finished soon!

Tracy Evans said...

Your needlepoint is gorgeous, you have some patience doing all that, think I'll stick to cards LOL. Enjoy your Wednesday, Tracy Evans x x

Hello, I'm Vicki said...

WOW that is gorgeous - you must have alot of patience - i'm not a needlepoint person!!! but wow..... have a great day xxx

Joey said...

Hiya Gill

I havent tried crossstitch, your rug is looking beautiful a lovely design and so worth it taking years to do!

Joey.x

Lothian Crafts said...

Wow That looks really good and very time consuming but it will be worth it.

jude said...

Wow looks beautiful ,i dont really do cross stitch as ive not the patience .Id want it finished yesterday if you get my jist.You have done wonderful job,have a happy Wednesday
hugs Jude
X:)X

Minxy said...

WOW that looks tricky,you must have the patients of a saint

Annie said...

Wow that is amazing. Thanks for sharing it. Look forward to watching it's progress :-)
A x

SDCrafts said...

Hi Gill - the needlepoint is exquisite. I used to cross stitch and may return to it next winter. Currently knitting a summer cardigan pour moi after many grandchild knits for my friends - no grandbaby for me yet.

Re your comment: the DCWV drawers used for Promarkersis an excellent idea.

PinksyDoodles said...

Oh that's gorgeous. I started back with my cross stitching a couple of weeks ago. I forgot how relaxing it is.
Clare x

Mandy said...

oh my.......WOW WOW and WOW! thats amazing!

hugs mandyxx

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

I've never done needlepoint, so this looks like a really ambitious project. I would never have the patience to stick with something that involved. I give you credit for sticking with it, even with a "small" time off from it. Happy WOYWW.

Candace said...

Such detailed cross stitch!

Until you actually complete a cross stitch project yourself it is hard to imagine the time it takes, there must be hours of work there.

Sue said...

wow what a gorgeous cross stitch project, i use to do a lot of it, sorta overdosed on it, sue,x

Julia Dunnit said...

Cor Gail, what a fab project. And erm, how do you do it in front of the TV? Have you industrial strenght daylight bulbs, mega good glasses and the concentration levels of God himself? Or is it just me that erm, can't?!

Anonymous said...

Oh, soooo pretty - it's been AGES since I've done any needlework. I do miss it sometimes but it's jjst not MESSY enough LOL!

Mary Anne

Angie said...

LOVE William Morris ..love what you are doing ...I know you have been at it off and on for eight but maybe a hard push for the next two will see you complet it on time ...it will be really worth it.

Hels Sheridan said...

Fab rug, that would be a twenty year project for me...I started a small x stitch about ten years ago and unearthed it when I was packing up my room...it was supposed to be a baby gift for my friend..she has three now and the eldest is .. erm...ten ROFL
My glasses are by William Morris BTW - small world LOL

Liverpool Lou (Anne) said...

What a fabulous project :)
Anne x

Handmade with Love said...

What a lovely project, I love the William Norris style patterns. You are very brave to show the back, my mum always used to say that's how you would know if it was any good cause the back should be as tidy as the front! Have a great week! Tracey x

Unknown said...

WOW ... stunning project and totally gorgeous design X

Unknown said...

gorgeous project love the colours.
Christine x

Nine said...

It's gorgeous ! See you next week ;-D

ikki said...

I love William Morris designs - this will be a fantastic piece or work when finished. Keep going. ikki

A Hovel to Home said...

Gorgeous ... most of us probably have Cross Stich hanging around (I have one that is 15 years old now but don't think I will ever find time to finish it.)

Hugs
Kay
Toodles and Binks

Leanne said...

Wow this is absolutely stunning!

LeanNE XX

Cardarian said...

Amazing project, I hope you finally finish it!
Cardarian

Spyder said...

I'm really rubbish at needlepoint, I blame school of course, from the age of 5 to 7 I had to make a Television cover ...(?????) aggh!! Your work is gorgeous and I love the design
(Lyn)

HeARTworks said...

I would never attempt anything like that! But it's beautiful! I'm sure you will feel so good when it gets finished and so proud to display it!

minnie_mac said...

Beautiful colours and design, and a piece of work to be proud of.

Sarah said...

That rug is fabulous! And I thought I took on a project stitching a William Morris carpet for my dolls house!

Beverley said...

that is beautiful Gill, I would never have the patience

Bev x

Powerful Search Engine said...

Gorgeous needlework project. I have tried needlework but don't have the patience. Hugs Pascale

airing cupboard crafts said...

Your work is beautiful!! I love the design xx

Anonymous said...

Oh I love your rug, it's beautiful. There's no way I'd show the back of any needlepoint or cross stitch work of mine! She x

Twiglet said...

Beautiful design and colours _ made church kneelers with tapestry once - quite relaxing! Glad you like my peacock - think I will have to do a dumfing tutorial next.

Glen said...

Beautiful and intricate work. TFS. ~Glen~

Linby said...

LOVE Wm Morris and love Beth Russell. Well done on tackling this - be worth it in the end. I'm trying to get back to my x-s
Linbyx

Jan Hennings said...

Holy Moly! That is gorgeous!

Claire said...

that is lovely, there is no way I would have the patience required for that, every credit to you.
x

Mummylade said...

wow! Such amount of work, I'm stunned. But it will be absolutely amazing

Andrea - Wales, UK said...

That is so beautiful..It will be worth all the hard work when it's finished!

xx

Chrissie said...

Oh WOw this is stunning!
Chrissie

Penni said...

Wow needlepoint - very nice. You must have a lot of patience!!!

Hugs
Penni
X

Julie said...

Very William Morris - what intricate, painstaking work - gorgeous! Juliex

Darcy Marshall said...

wow that will be so stunning when finished. I haven't stitched for over 5 years, efore that i ran a weekly x stitch club for around 10 years. I thik i sickened myself of it lol but I still have all my stuff and will go back to it one day. I adore William Morris designs and look forward to seeing your progress with this project.

Jazzy1972 said...

That is gorgeous, it will be a momentous day when it is finished, I love cross-stitch, I find it relaxing. Jay xx

Lynne said...

That is one lovely needlepoint, fabulous design, a labour of love. Happy stitching.

peggy gatto said...

Such soft luscious colors!!!
Pillow? Footstool?don't know yet
curious!!!!
It will be gorgeous!!!

Unknown said...

what a fab design - you've really got your work cut out with that!!!

Paula x x x

Tonje said...

Such a beautiful design and colors. You really have something to do there! I believe, if I look in one of my drawers, I have some unfinsihed embroidery too. Maybe I'll finish in the next fourty years...lol