OhSewCrafty Blog

I put the last beads and metallic Kreinik on Athena around 5 pm on December 31, 2012!  I really wanted to finish her in 2012, and I happy-danced, believe me!  Later did I find I was missing a few stitches and beads, and finally completed her for real, but I’m counting her as a 2012 finish anyway. 

• Pattern: by Mirabilia
• Fabric: 32 count Blue Dynasty belfast linen by Silkweaver
• Materials/Size: DMC, etc as charted / ~16 x 13 inches (stitched over 2)
• Time to stitch: Almost 3 years (mostly in UFO status)

I was immediately drawn to this design when it was published… Athena, Goddess of Wisdom.  Wisdom is a value I hold in high esteem.  I wasn’t too fond of the Chestnut linen that the model was stitched on… I like this Blue Dynasty linen much better for her… seems more appropriate, like a sky.  She would be hanging out amongst the clouds at the top of Mount Olympus, eh?  Silkweaver is under new ownership and I’m not sure all the colors are the same as they used to be; my fabric was stashed long ago.  There is a lot of silk thread used (Caron Waterlilies), mainly in her skirt and the swags.  The beads are extensive and to save time, I sewed all on with the same thread (DMC 775), to match the fabric (rather than using several colors of DMC to match the various beads).  There are a few places where you can see the attachment thread, but I don’t think it will be noticeable once framed.  The silk, beads, and crystals, create a very luxe look.  My favorite detail is the wise owl.   

It feels great to have my second Mirabilia finished, now I only need to get my HD’s framed and mounted on the walls.  I have 6 pieces waiting in the wings, the oldest finished in 2008.  

I also worked on Royal Holiday in the latter half of 2012; here is my current progress. I hope to finish her in 2013.  When I’m done with her, I’d like to start L&L Celtic Christmas, which I’m currenting kitting up.  My WIP count is now down to 7 from 10 at the beginning of year, after 4 finishes (I started a new small project in October).  I think 7 or 8 is a good number; in any case I’m going to try keeping my WIP/UFO count in the single digits, as that feels more comfortable for me.  I credit the WIPocalypse with sparking my mojo and providing motivation to finish four stitching projects plus one knit!  These include the tree skirt, Twas the Night, Woodland Enchantress, Athena, and Carnaby.  Eight of my ten WIPocalypse projects saw some attention.  For me, the WIPocalypse was an astounding success and I definitely plan to participate in 2013.