Tuesday, September 13, 2016

Secret Lair and SAL update

My eyes are just getting tired.  I can't seem to stitch very long at one sitting before they rebel.  Doesn't help that I'm at a computer screen for work all day and I've been very busy lately.  But I finally have couple of things to show and you know how good you feel when you have a finish finish.

I figured I better get a leg up on Halloween since I'm stitching so slowly.  I picked this Bent Creek "Secret Lair" design because that mad scientist is just so adorable, and the atom sign on the wall was so clever.  Love his tennis shoes.  I simplified some parts and made some color changes, but it's reasonably true to the original.   The fabric was a clearance piece of 35 ct linen from 123 stitch.  I had wanted to try Dames of the Needle linen, and this sale was a good opportunity.  It's a little stiff, but not bad after you stitch with it a while.  It definitely grew on me.  And I love the color, including the color name, "Peep's Lost Sheep".  I wasn't in the mood for getting very fancy with card making so the design will have to speak for itself.

And once again I got in under the wire to finish the September installment of the Joyful World SAL just before October gets released.  This was not one of my favorites, but now that I look at those two funky owls, I like it more than I realized at first.  I kept counting wrong and was in no mood for frogging either so there are a number of, shall we say, "adjustments" to the design.   Just hoping my eyes hold on for the last three installments to this SAL.

17 comments:

Vickie said...

haha! Secret Lair is adorable. I love his sneakers also. ;)
Good job on the owls. I wasn't feeling it either, but like it in the end.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

I love the Secret Lair finish! It reminds me of The Big Bang Theory, which I also love. The September owls block has grown on me a little as I see yours and others completed. I do like October's hedgehog and snail so I should get back to it before I get so behind I lose interest completely. You've done very well to keep up!

Jane said...

I do like the owls and no one would notice the amendments. It must be very frustrating for you, hope things quieten down and your eyes feel a little easier

KimM said...

The Secret Lair made me laugh. I love the owls.....once I finish my 60 RAKs, I'll get back to participating in more SALs. Hope your eyes get rested for more sweet stitching.
xxx

Mii Stitch said...

I hope your eyes are behaving and that you can enjoy more stitching time.
Great Halloween finish and sweet owls too.
I do love owls so was bound to like this one.
I can't say I've noticed any alterations on that design too :)

Robin in Virginia said...

Congratulations on both of your finishes! I really like the Secret Lair; his sneakers made me chuckle. Good for you in getting the owls finished before the next part was released.

Hetti said...

So cute is the Secret Liar and the owls are adorable Annie. I hope you can embroider the last 3 parts of the SAL.
Fingers crossed for you, XXX Hetti

Carol said...

Both of your September finishes are so cute, Annie! The Secret Lair must have been a fun one to stitch with all of those little details--too cute! And the owls look very nice, alterations and all. I would never have noticed :)

Enjoy the next half of September and I look forward to seeing your October SAL finish...

Von said...

I had to make adjustments to September too, perhaps we can say they're "customized"! When September was released, I was disappointed with the owls, but the longer I stitched, the more I liked them. Must say that October's design was love at first sight, lol!

Sheryl said...

Lovely stitching Annie, I like the owl pattern and The Secret Lair. Sorry about the eyes, computer work all day doesn´t help.

Jackie's Stitches said...

I LOVE Secret Lair! The mad scientist in his chucks is so cute. Whatever simplifications and colors changes you made were very effective. Great job! Whatever adjustments you made to the September design do too!

I hope work calms down for you soon and that you're not so very busy. I know the feeling!

Karen said...

I know what you mean about your eyes, Annie, mine aren't what they used to be either. Sometimes I imagine myself in the future stitching on nothing but 7 count giant aida, but even that would be better than nothing! Anyway, both of your projects turned out beautifully, in spite of your eyes, they are very charming!

Penny said...

I love the mad scientist - such a cute design! And those owls make for a sweet couple! : ) Sorry about your eyes, Annie - computer work can be tough on the eyes.

Margaret said...

Both pieces look great! I like that you "make adjustments" as you go along. Who will know but you? I know the feeling about eyes getting tired. I think that might be one reason I've switched to knitting and don't do much stitching anymore. I do hope to get back to stitching though. Hope you keep going too.

Desiree Ehleiter said...

Both finishes are wonderful. Secret Lair is very cute, and the stitching does speak for itself. Lovely card!

Anonymous said...

I LOVE your mad scientist...you find the most unusual pieces and they always turn out lovely!

Brigitte said...

I had never seen this Bent Creek piece before - it's terrific with all the great details around the scientist. A kind of a different Halloween piece, just gorgeous. And I think the designs speaks for itself.
So you seem to be up to date with the Joyful World SAL. I love the little owls.