I thought this day would never come

Literally.  I had sort of lost sight of the fact that at some point, the cross stitch was going to be finished.  I mean, technically, I knew it was possible, but I really didn't understand that I would finish it.  I mean, let's be honest, it took 11 months.  ELEVEN.  MONTHS.  After about 6, you sort of lose sight of the end.  The end becomes theoretical, something that might be possible, but doesn't look likely.  You would think that finishing the actual cross-stitching portion would make the end seem more possible, but I really felt despondent after that, because the gaping stretch of back-stitch appalled me.  I didn't sew in July.  Literally.  I stopped sewing because it seemed like too much.  I made myself pick it up at the beginning of August, and then I made myself sew at least 4 times a week. 

And readers, it is done.  Yesterday I went to my mom's, and she helped me on the last portion of the piece, the cording that loops the dog's neck, and forms the reins on the horse.  I'd never done cording before, and it's not that hard.  So I finished that yesterday, and my mom washed and dried the piece for me, and it's ready for delivery.  Without any further twaddle, here it is:

Here is the pattern it was sewed off of, with its HUGE blocks of different colored highlighted x-stitch.  4.  I ran through 3 highlighters completely, and the 4th is half gone.  (Sharpie liquid highlighters if you're curious.)

 

And this last picture is the giant ball o' thread that sat on my side table for 11 months.  The ball of thread is an irrational thing I create.  I seemingly can't throw away thread when I finish with it.  Instead, I pile it on the table next to me, and keep it as some sort of talisman that somehow helps me towards finishing.  Suffice it to say, I've NEVER had a thread ball this big.  Ever.  It got kind of ridiculous.  And by kind of, I mean completely ridiculous.  Pathetically, however, throwing it away this evening didn't feel cathartic, just really, really sad.  (For comparison's sake, there is a standard bobby pin next to the pile, just to explain the scope of the thing.  It was, descriptively, probably around the size of my fist.)

 

It's over.  So, in a few weeks (possibly Sept. 4th, possibly Sept. 7th), I'm starting another.  This time, for my mom.  I already feel lost without one in progress.

Comments

[DaisyDeadhead]

Very beautiful job!