Delighted to be a part of the SAL ~ I had almost joined along back in August of this past year and if I had I might have completed this beauty for Christmas gift giving to my daughter living in Alaska. But stitching halted sometime in Sept., dead in the water, abandoned, frozen in time like it’s setting.
This cross stitch project is by Barbara LaVallee, one of my favorite artists. I picked her up at my local Goodwill many, many years ago. And for many, many years she has sat untouched, actually forgotten, that is until my daughter and husband made their move from Virginia to Alaska in February 2018.
Their move reminded me that I had the perfect gift to work on for them. I was gung ho in the beginning but by August I was running out of steam and she was taking a back seat to quilting project. I had actually written to Avis to join in and then ….. well, decided I had too much on my plate. Just think, if I had joined in this may have been done.
Here is where I am at as I start with the SAL
This is what it should look like when finished. I may have bitten off more than I can chew with this project.
This is a true challenge for me as I have not done many cross stitch projects. Printed patterned yes, counted no. Curious if you do the outline stitching as you go or at the end? or is this simply a matter of preference?
This stitch-a-long is organized by Avis, we share our progress every three weeks, it’s a great motivator to keep going. Please follow the links to see what everyone else has been working on. If you would like to join us just send a message to Avis.
Avis, Claire, Gun, Carole, LucyAnn, Kate, Jess, Sue, Constanze, Debbierose, Christina, Kathy,Margaret, Cindy, Helen, Steph, Linda, Heidi, Jackie, Sunny, Hayley, Megan, Catherine, Deborah,Connie, Clare, Mary Margaret, Renee, Jenny, Carmela, Jocelyn, Sharon
Piecing Life Together One Stitch At A Time 
Welcome to the SAL Sharon. You will find lots of inspiration here. This is such a cute project. Can’t wait to see more progress on it.
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Thank you Cindy! I am excited to be following along and seeing everyones awesome work too. Forgive not replying, checking my spam folder I was horrified to see tons of mail that was mis directed.~ Sharon
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Hello Sharon and a big welcome to this very encouraging group of stitchers.
I love what you have chosen to work on. I actually lived and taught on Baffin Island in the Arctic many decades ago. I slept in an igloo one night…it was built to demonstrate the skills and it was cold. Appropriate for an Alaskan theme too and I’m sure your daughter will love it.
I think some outline as they go and some wait till later. Several in the group are outlining so they might know better if there is right or wrong way.
Anyway, happy stitching, you can do it! from me outside Ottawa, Canada.
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Thank you for the welcome Jocelyn, wow! that must have been quite an experience and adventure! Excited to have joined in the fun. Sorry for delay in reply, checking spam folder I was horrified to see all tons of mail there that got misdirected.
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Oh Sharon I admire you – I tried cross stitching years ago and that did not last very long. I gave all my stuff away! Just not my thing, but I love this pattern! Good for you and I encourage you to continue on!
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Thank you Nanette. I am not sure cross stitch is my thing either but I love the artist and when I saw this I just had to have it. Now I have to finish it 🙂
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Oh, I love this fun design! I’ve never seen anything like it before and will check out the designer. Now that you’re in the SAL you’ll have to keep going because we’ll all be cheering you along from the sidelines. As for the backstitching, do it whenever it suits you. It’ll certainly come to life when you complete the backstitching. Welcome aboard 🙂
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That’s what I am counting on, accountability to finish it because I have a cheering section to keep me going. As with most crafting the artist has final say how they want to complete it. Wasn’t sure if the backstitching had a method for a specific reason. Barbara’s work is whimsical and fun – you’ll love taking a look at it. Thanks for the encouragement 🙂
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welcome to the SAL Sharon, and what a delightful piece we’ll be able to admire during the coming weeks/months!
The backstitch question is really personal choice. Some people like to add it as they go, and others like to wait until the end, to suddenly see the picture come to life. When working on a large project, I prefer to do it as I complete a section, as it’s my least favourite part and I hate having to go back over looking for what détails I missed.
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Thank you for the welcome Claire, so sorry for the delay in responding to your message. Checking my spam folder I was horrified to see lots mail that had been misdirected. I agree with you – I hate going back and looking for details I missed. I am going for backstitching as I go. ~ Sharon
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Hi Sharon and welcome to the SAL! It’s great to have you in the group. Your project is beautiful and I’m sure you will manage it fine as you’ve got off to a great start. I try and do some backstitching as I go but that’s because I don’t really enjoy it so I try to do a bit at a time in between more enjoyable stitching! I think either way is fine though, just down to personal preference. I’m looking forward to seeing how your project has grown in 3 weeks! Jenny x
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Thank you for the welcome and I apologize for not answering you. Checking my spam folder I found tons of my mail misdirected. I am excited to be a part of this SAL and following everyone’s work too. ~ Sharon
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Aw thats ok, rhe group is big, it takes a wee while to get round everyone i know. Great to have you in the gang xx
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This is a great design! Take it in little sections and you’ll be done before you know it. On big things I do some outlining as I go, or I get bored with it at the end. So when you get tired if counting, do a thread it two worth if outline!
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I love the design too. I love all her work! I think I will mix it up and do a little backstitching before it’s done now that I have the go ahead 🙂 I am hoping for a December finish 🙂
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Hi Sharon — welcome to the SAL! Participating in it — and the 3-week check-ins — has really helped me complete one big project, one small project, and get halfway through another over the past year. You’ll find lots of support and inspiration here!
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Thank you for the welcome. I belong to another quilt along without which I would never have completed a project I was working one. Excited to be a part of this SAL and seeing and supporting everyone’s work ~ Sharon
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Welcome Sharon! I love this cute project. When to backstitch is totally a preference. Most of the time I can’t wait till the end and I backstitch as I go. 🙂
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Thank you for the welcome. I am getting a great consensus on when to backstitch, my preference but more as you goers 🙂 Sorry for the delay in responding most of my mail was redirected to my spam folder and I am just finding this. Excited to be part of the group and following along ~ Sharon
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Love the design, it’s fun, makes me smile 🙂
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Thanks – this makes me smile too. All of her work does!
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😍 you are going to getter done… you have a group of ladies standing behind you cheering you on!😊
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Excited to get my cross stitch on!
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Very cute design! I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing the design pop as you back stitch as you go. Such a sweet gift!
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Thank you Christina, I love the design too! I have decided to backstitch as I go ~ Sharon
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What a perfect project for your daughter! I don’t do cross stitch but my husband does and I think you should do the back stitching as you go. It really makes a piece, that definition of the shapes, and you will really feel like you’re seeing the thing take shape when you do the back stitching.
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After some thought and comments, I think you are right – backstitch as I go. Looking at it – it seems a little flat. The backstitching would give me more incentive to continue as the picture really takes shape. Thanks Kerry – and I would love to see some of your husbands cross stitch highlighted on your blog 🙂
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Welcome Sharon!!!! What a gorgeous embroidery! Love it!!!
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Thank you for the welcome ~
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What a wonderful project! This looks like a lot of fun.
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Thank you Catherine
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Lovely choice of pattern, first time I see an esquimo/inuit themed cross stitch ! You’ve definitely made a great start and welcome on the SAL !! After all it’s all its about, motivation to make progress when it would normally, as you said, take a back seat. In regards to backstitch, I do it once i’ve done all the crosses around where I need to outline, some prefer to leave it for last (for instance if you use a hoop it can mess up backstitch so it’s easiest last) but I stitch free handed (no hoops, no frames)
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Thank you for the welcome ~ excited to have joined. Interesting about using a hoop vs free handed and messing up the backstitching. That is important information I did not know. I use a hoop so thank you very much ~ Sharon
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A lovely project and a lovely reason to get this one finished. You will find this group very supportive and remember this is a hobby – something to relax you. Do not feel pressure, do a little and often and it is suprising how quickly it will grow Sharon. Also a very big welcome to our lovely little SAL.
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Thank you for the welcome and your thoughts…your absolutely right, pressure off enjoyment and relaxation on 🙂 ~
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Welcome to the SAL! I love this design. You are off to a wonderful start with it. As for the back stitching, I was taught to finish the cross-stitching first. However, I end up dreading working on it when that is all that is left. Because of that, I tend to add some of the back stitching as I go rather than save it all for the end. I look forward to seeing your progress in March!
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Thank you for the welcome Renee ~ and your thoughts on the backstitching. I am going to go back and do some backstitching and see what I think. Consensus seems to be do as you go ~ Sharon
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Hi Sharon! You’re off to a good start with this project. It doesn’t look horribly complex; I’m sure you’ll be able to complete it now that you have us cheering you on. 😉 Besides, it will be totally cute when it’s done!
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Thank you for the cheering me on …your right, it’s not horribly complex 🙂
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Welcome Sharon!
Love your project. Just take your time and remember any progress is a good thing (no matter if it is a little or a lot). I like to do the backstitching as I go. I don’t really like doing backstitching so try not to leave it to the last, because I tend not to finish the project. It is really personal preference though. Just find what works for you 😀
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Hello~ Thank you! Your thoughts really help. Seems like more crafters than not find backstitiching their least favorite part ~ Sharon
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Glad to help 😀
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