Have you ever had a canvas just consume all of your waking moments? One that you loose sleep over? one that just drives you crazy! One that you unstitch and restitch and stitch again and again? Well I am working on just that canvas! This is Santa Riding the Panda and is by Brenda Stofft and no it is not the canvas itself, it is just me.
You haven’t seen this canvas for awhile now as I just didn’t want to work on it! Well I did, but then I didn’t. I started working on this wonderful canvas with Susan Portra over a year ago. It is not very big, it is not that complicated, so what was my problem? Susan is an amazing teacher, so that wasn’t it. I was making great progress on it, so that wasn’t it either. It was the needle weaving of “THAT” bag that was just giving me fits! I would stitch a little of it, take a little bit more out, stitch a little, well you get the idea. I was frustrated and tired of my failure of not being able to get “THAT” bag finished.
With some thought, reconstruction and a different stitch, finally the bag is finished! It was done in woven plait in pearl cotton and ThreadworX overdyed floss, with each stitch being stitched twice to give it some volume. I am so happy, you have no idea that I am now very close to getting this canvas finished. I have been stitching like a madwoman, finishing up the blanket, the snow on the ground, lots of compensating stitches, the fringe…ooh the fringe. The cats are not pleased with me as I have banished them from the couch as I need no help spilling the beads.
Sylvester is pouting from his perch above the couch as he thinks why won’t you let me be on the couch with you? and until next time…keep on stitching
Vicky, it is fun to see this canvas approach the finish line. I’ve now see this stitched by several other people. The similar notes are interesting, but the way you hold the needle is just purrfect.
That cat looks heartbroken! (or hungry) LOL
It is looking great, Vicky. I think it’ll be done in no time.
Thanks Jane! no I think that Sylvester is heartbroken!
WOW what a great job – I bet you win a ribbon with this one! Love that fringe!
I always feel bad when I finish a canvas. Happy it is done but sad it is done all at the same time. With some of them you simply get attached to the process.
Looking good! I love the fringe!!
Oooh, lovely! One question: how do you banish the cats from the couch?
Thank you! Lets see how did I banish the cats? well they don’t often listen, but they do understand my tone when I ask them “what do you think you are doing?” I did tempt them by setting up some new boxes in another room with blankets to tempt them to nap elsewhere!
I love Brenda Stofft anything. And her Santa Riding series are just wonderful. You’ve added elegance to her whimsy and it is stunning.
Thank you! I too love her canvas and I am thinking that I might want to pick out another from her Santa series.
Hi Vicky!
You’re Santa on Panda looks great! So does the bag!
Just out of curiosity, what threads and stitch did you use for the large panda? I can’t tell by the picture.
Love the blanket as well
Thank you Bea! The large panda is stitched in interlocking gobelin in burmilana.
Lovely Vicky, great job. Hard to say which part is more awesome than the other. Love the gold thread you used – is that Kreinik? Great color and texture. And I absolutely love the fringe, what a clever idea.
Thank you Palma! Yes it is Kreinik 002HL 1/16th Ribbon. The fringe is Susan’s idea and I love it!
Thank you! and Sharon as much as I have relished the challenges of this canvas, I will not be sad or feel bad to have it finished!
Thanks Dale!