Work in Progress: March

Last year I came across a blog post about cross stitch iPhone cases. Being neck deep in art projects, I went ahead and purchased the case (or three) and when they arrived I put them away for a rainy day. Actually, I had hoped they would be fun Christmas gifts.

I started out with gusto and excitement. I had done a lot of cross-stitch in high school and college so I figured these small-scale samplers would be "quick and easy."

I started this beautiful blue bird, but soon set it aside.

Many of the online tutorials had said that they used three strands of thread, but pulling the needle and thread through the plastic canvas was so difficult that it took me nearly three hours to complete just five rows.

I was so discouraged by the lack of progress (and the effort needed) I shelved it for a rainy day.

Meanwhile, the Mister gave me a beautiful book, Embroidery Companion, by one of my favorite bloggers and needle crafting mentors, Alicia Paulson of Rosie Little Things.

Last weekend we had a couple rainy days in a row and I got to thinking about that phone case. I picked up the book for inspiration and decided to try again... this time using only two strands of thread.

Much better! ( I did laugh at myself... why it took over a year to realize that I could use less thread is beyond me. Sometimes I get myself stuck in a box that only time can fix.)

It is still a bit hard on the hands. Of course, sewing (or crocheting, or folding itty bits of paper, or... you get the point) is always a bit tough on the hands when done for multiple hours. You know how it is,  I get "in the zone" and there's no stopping.

Happy Wednesday!