Oh yes, she's DONE!
Maggie the Messmaker
EXACTLY 9 years after I started (7/18/01 - 7/18-10). I had to get a massage Monday to get over all of the hours of stitching this weekend.
So, bear with me as I post a lot of photos of this beast. There was a LOT of couching on the last day.
I should have stitched her ears last so she would not have to hear all of the profanity.
I'm not sure why I finished it because I really dislike (hate) it. But I have learned a valuable lesson about starting projects on a whim. I bought this kit because it was only $30. I never considered the hundreds of hours that it would take to complete. The gold stitching on the sewing machine took about 3 hours and the couching of the mice and backstitching on the linen took about 5 hours.
I don't know what kind of handwork project I will start next but I can assure you that it will not be a cross stitch project!
I will work on my sparkly Christmas ornaments for while I contemplate my next thread work project.
The end.
I'm sure the only reason you hate it is because you've been looking at it for so long. It's beautiful and the detail is outstanding. Put it away for a little while, then pull it out again and you will fall in love with it all over again like you did when you bought it.
Posted by: Irene Puzinas | July 21, 2010 at 03:43 PM
It is absolutely adorable! And I so applaud you for finishing it..... I've done a bit of cross-stitch, small things. That amount of patience and perseverance finishing it took (especially when you so dislike it) should be commended. And from the smile on Maggie's face, I don't think the profanity bothered her at all, she looks quite amused with it! LOL
Posted by: Judy Whitehead | July 21, 2010 at 03:46 PM
It is amazing how long these little cross stitch pictures take! You did it though and now you MUST frame her. I was just thinking I would start a new cross stitch myself. Maybe I will do a weekly update too to keep myself going. Congrats on finishing this. It is a relief isn't it? It looks great!
Posted by: Diana W. | July 21, 2010 at 03:47 PM
It's lovely and I think you should call this piece: "COMMITMENT"
Posted by: Becky in VA | July 21, 2010 at 03:54 PM
It turned out great! You should be proud of yourself for not giving up. Yeah Vicki!
Posted by: Diane | July 21, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Well, it is done. It is good to finish something, but I'm pretty sure you'll never look at it the same or with any interest. I know you have plans for it.
Posted by: Summerset | July 21, 2010 at 04:11 PM
Congratulations for sticking with it! You've got more fortitude than I do, for sure!
I think it is just the cutest piece though...of course, I didn't have to work on it for 9 years!
Posted by: Deb Levy | July 21, 2010 at 04:16 PM
I love it and I have a kitty named Maggie. Congratulations on sticking with and finishing it even though you hate it. :)
Posted by: Yvonne | July 21, 2010 at 04:45 PM
OMG!! Unbelievable persistence - way to go.
Posted by: Ruth Lane | July 21, 2010 at 04:48 PM
Vicki, this really is a charming piece. I'm sure one could sit and look at it for a long time and still miss some of the detail. I admire you for finishing it even though you were tired of it. It's interesting how our tastes change over a period of years. My surely have. I hope whoever receives this piece recognizes the value in terms of your time, skill and perseverance, as well as the beauty of the design. You did good!
Posted by: Linda | July 21, 2010 at 05:11 PM
Well I love it and think you have been a star to get it done . Give yourself a big reward and I agree you must get it framed xxx
Posted by: Andrea | July 21, 2010 at 05:18 PM
Congratulations on finishing it. It is a stunning piece. I agree the detail is amazing. You did a wonderful job on it!!!
Ann Flowers
flowerscrazyq@gmail.com
Posted by: Ann Flowers | July 21, 2010 at 05:19 PM
YAYYYYYY!!!It really is pretty though:)
Posted by: Carol | July 21, 2010 at 05:29 PM
Vicki thank you for sharing your thoughts about Maggie. I'm impressed with your ability to push on thru no matter how long it took. That's really the big deal to take away from this one. At least for me. Good example you set. Plus the biggest one of all which is to stay away from cross stitch for a while. Hee! :)
Posted by: *karendianne. | July 21, 2010 at 05:35 PM
But it's so CUTE, LOL!!
Posted by: Wanda | July 21, 2010 at 05:38 PM
Mice? But you are one persistent kitty to get this done. I lift my thimble to you! Congratulations.
Posted by: elle | July 21, 2010 at 05:49 PM
Kudos, congrats, and all the words I'm too lazy to get my thesaurus out to hunt up! Despite your hatred for it, I think it's absolutely gorgeous.
Posted by: Mary Anne | July 21, 2010 at 06:06 PM
I wish we were neighbors -- I would uncork a good bottle of wine and lift a glass with you, or two. Congratulations!
Posted by: Sue H | July 21, 2010 at 06:11 PM
You've got to be kidding me! You finished it? Wow, congrats! So what did you do with it....frame it, make a pillow, toilet seat cover???
Posted by: Terri Stegmiller | July 21, 2010 at 06:19 PM
Wonderful! Congrats :)
Posted by: Mary Beth | July 21, 2010 at 06:23 PM
Yeah! Quite a saga. Aren't you even a bit sad to have it finished? Maybe not after NINE years. My kit remains in the drawer, maybe one day when I have almost a decade to spare, lol.
Anyhow, it is beattiful, really.
Posted by: Gretchen | July 21, 2010 at 07:30 PM
My, that is one big kitty! Of course, she's had nine years of your "loving" attention so she had to get pretty big. Put her aside for awhile and then I think you won't hate her the next time you look at it. You did a great job!
Posted by: Liz in Kansas | July 21, 2010 at 07:43 PM
I have to say ..I love it! (its Charles Wysocki isn't it? he is my fav!) But don't despair! it took me 12 years to do a HUGE alphabet. I still have the pattern, but I will NEVER do it again!...Oh..and guess what? I'm in the middle of a big Charles Wysocki cross stitch my adult daughter started..then brought home to me! It was the 1st thing I had ever seen of his..and has 'quilts for sale' on it. I will try to post about both of these tomorrow...
Posted by: Beth | July 21, 2010 at 08:29 PM
Yay, Yay!! I am doing a happy dance for you!! It is absolutely gorgeous. You persevered and it was totally worth it... at least from my end. Perfection! So do you think it will take me as long once I start mine?
Posted by: Jackie | July 21, 2010 at 09:11 PM
Congrats on the finish .. it turned out fabulous.
Posted by: Mishka | July 21, 2010 at 09:23 PM