After I stitched those little Christmas ornaments I think I messed around with a few different projects. These were always unfinished and I am pretty sure it was because of how the stitching looked. Even back then I was OCD and if I couldn't make it look how it was supposed to look I would be frustrated with it. There finally came a semi-maturing point and I completed a project.
I started this Garfield right after I married, so I was 17 years old when this was stitched. Ride 'Em Reindeer...worked on 14 count off-white aida with DMC. This was stitched for my brother and carefully mailed to him for Christmas that year. I think it held some bitter memories for him after he divorced and he asked if I'd take it back.
Oh, Lord, do you remember these plastic hoop frames?
Take a giggle at these pea-sized knots. Can you even call that a French knot??
I'm pleased to see my backside has improved by now. No knots but still lots of carrying. It was this design I learned half-stitches, not fun on aida, I can remember being soooo confused trying to figure out the direction of each half-stitch! We've come a long way, baby!Thank you for visiting my blog today!
xox
Wow, I'm still trying to believe you got married when you were 17! I was a huge Garfield fan when I was a kid too.
ReplyDeleteYou won my butterfly giveaway. Congrats! Please email me with your mailing addy! =D
Love it! And who cares how the back looks, no one looks at the back. And if they do, they deserve what they get. lol
ReplyDeleteGood of your brother to send it back rather than burn in the bonfire with the wedding pictures and all.
I remember trying to do fractionals on Aida! Talk about an exersise in frustration! We've ALL come a long way.
ReplyDeleteThat ornament you made makes me laugh, Garfield is such a character and that reindeer, poor thing!!! I have been trying to remember what my first finish was but I can only remember my second.....kind of strange huh?
ReplyDeleteThis design is so cute :) congratulations with finishing!
ReplyDeleteI love Garfield :)
:D i like Gardfield, and Oddie too.is a cut ornament.
ReplyDeleteI remember being obsessed with Garfield and my Mum worked in a bookshop at the time so I used to get her to order Garfield books for me and I payed cost for them!
ReplyDeleteLove the ornament and your brave for showing the back, it's not that bad
What a cute design and a great frame finish. I love it, lovely stitched....
ReplyDeleteI think it look's good :).
ReplyDeletecute!!!! Garfield has been around a while, hasn't he?!?!?!!?
ReplyDeleteI still like those plastic hoop frames. And the back looks fine to me (you should see mine and I've been stitching for a hundred years). I always glue some felt onto the back of those frames to cover my stitching! Plus I envy small French knots. Mine are always too big... more like golf balls than pea-sized!
ReplyDeleteWow! I love that finish, and I think your backside was and is beautiful ;) I love those old ornaments that bring back so many memories of early days of marriage.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing it with us...I think it's fabulous!
Hugs
Your first stitching was a lot more complex than mine, Sharon (and a lot better!). Love the bug-eyes on Garfield :)
ReplyDeleteWell, since I'm a beginner, I think you are being too hard on yourself. LOL
ReplyDeleteCute!
Look at you, so brave to show the backside of your first piece (it really doesn't look that bad!)
ReplyDeleteMy first piece looks way worse than that. I was in jr high and didn't know anyone who cross stitched, so I thought you were supposed to knot everything, lol!!!
So cute! I have really enjoyed seeing everyone's "first stitching".
ReplyDeleteCute first finish. I still have mine as well. It is a Christmas piece. Also with a plastic frame. LOL Lots of carrying on mine then too. I'll have to take some photos when I get the Christmas things out.
ReplyDeleteA great idea to show some of our first ever stitched finishes. Garfield is really funny.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! LOL! I love seeing the beginnings for others :o)
ReplyDeleteoh yes, I remember those frames.... maybe I'll hunt out a few of my early finishes!
ReplyDeleteI remember those plastic frames! Actually I think your Garfield ornie is gorgeous, gotta love that cat...
ReplyDeleteI think it's darling! Thanks for sharing it with us!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing Garfield with us. It is great!
ReplyDeleteLove
Patti xxx
Garfield is too cute and what a fun first stitch. The back looks good....this is something I struggle with....hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteSharon this is just tooo cute :) I loved Garfield as well and had these charts in my collection at some point in time too!
ReplyDeleteHey...I think I still have this in my "to do" pile with a couple other Garfields. Too cute.
ReplyDeleteI like Garfield!
ReplyDeleteNice work!
I've always loved Garfield - too cute!
ReplyDeleteCute piece. Fractionals on aida was what made me try evenweaves & linen.... then the whole stitchy world opened up. :0)
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