Gypsy Queen is just incredible! I'm about to hit my two year mark as a stitcher. I decided on a whim to try making a cross stitch for a family member who was expecting her first child, then I found FlossTube and the rest is history. Your videos are always so inspiring to me. You are so open to trying new techniques and designers. It encourages me to do the same. I just started my very first Mirabilia! The Red Lady Pirate. I'm hooked. Thank you for taking the time to share your craft with this terrific community!
Robyn J it took me 25 years to get to a Mira so good on you! Lol Although I would say they are not as complicated as some other designs (take a Teresa Wentzler for example) although as you get more experience you find ways to enhance them - I've done things on Gypsy that I would never have tried before the internet! Thank you so much for your kind comments and I do hope you get many many years joy from stitching :)
Gypsy Is BEAUTIFUL!!! CONGRATULATIONS!! I just told someone the other day that I was a new stitcher but watching others on flosstube or social media has opened up all of us to learn new ways and techniques wether you are a newbie or experienced stitcher. I'm glad I heard an experienced stitcher say it too. I love this community-- great people. Have a wonderful time at your retreat--- don't forget to take your Mirabilia charts and have Nora sign them. Love the Pyrex! Take care.
Thanks Leigh! Oh yes most definitely always learning, its fabulous to have this huge pot of knowledge just waiting here for us :) And yes I am taking my charts to be signed!! xx
I must thank you for mentioning StitchBlissCorner, I've been busy binge watching her, not only love her techniques but she is so calm and pleasant. thank you
Gypsy Queen is beautiful - loved the close up video. You're right about flosstube. I have been stitching (and knitting) for 40 years and then I discovered Carolyn Mazzeo! She changed everything about what I could do with cross stitch. I really miss her but love so many others. I love that I can watch you in Australia, Jirrine in Holland, Teresa Little Stitcher in England, McKenna in Arizona!! Enjoy the retreat. Can't wait to hear about it.
Sue Williams thanks Sue! Yes Carolyn made such a massive contribution to flosstube, we all miss her. I know she's doing ok, we keep in touch irregularly on fb - life has just taken her down another path for a while. Thanks so much for watching and for your kind comments :) xxx
Hey Sweets, well that was a big shout out from you !!! Great when you hear something at just the right time to help with an upcoming issue. The couching looks fantastic on your Gypsy girl. So glad you powered through the one over one skin. You have some great plans for your starts this month. I love the new fabric you chose for the Red Mira start, that will look amazing. Best of luck for the retreat you will have a wonderful time. I am jealous, I could have come along and stitched with you and Jan !!! What a missed opportunity. Have the best time. Happy stitching. Who wants to organise an Aussie Flosstubers retreat hey? Take care Ali.
Alis Stitching Studio Ali we are going to have to chat about this retreat I think... been mentioned a couple of times over this weekend.. hmmmm... but where?
My mouth is still hanging open. Your Gypsy Queen is....well, stunning is not the word...wow, wow, WOW. You must be so proud of your exquisite piece! Mary/Marie ~ no problem for me. Marie was what Mary Queen of Scots was called in France, and she became Mary when she went back to Scotland ~ so either one applies to me. The couching style that you used works perfectly. The reason that I went onto Flosstube in the first place was to speak about that technique. I had a look at traditional couching and it appears that the loop stitch traditionally goes over a top stitch length, but as you and I are pointing out, this particular style is using the loop stitch back into the hole the the thread originally came out of. That is what makes it appear so smooth. Anyone just looking up couching would probably see the old method of using the loop over a stitch length and not realise the adaptation; that is why what you have said this morning about the loop stitch being returned to the same hole it came out of is so important. If this idea can get out to there to everyone it will be great for so many stitchers and will speed up finishes so they can get on to the next piece! Thankyou so very, very much for helping to get the message out. I am a technical dinosaur all right and I absolutely loved the way you presented that as like we were all sitting down and showing something on a mobile phone over coffee. Well done you:) Love your work and your stitching choices. Have a great time at your retreat x Blessings Mary/Marie Rose xx
stitchblisscorner thanks Marie! I hope you gained a few more subscribers from me shouting the benefits of this technique from the roof tops! Flosstube is such a kind and supportive community, how lucky we are :) happy stitching x
Many thanks to you also, I get a bit tongue tied when I do shout outs and they seem to come across as a bit awkward I am afraid. All the things I was going to say go clean out of my head, which is also true for my videos in general I think!
Very much appreciated the shout out you gave me last week. You get another mention in this weeks video from the retreat by the way - hope to get that uploaded tonight :)
Gypsy Queen is a stunner. Marie Rose mentioned you were using couching on her and I was curious to see how it turned out. So funny how such an old stitch works so much better in some cases, yet it seems ' new' to some of us now. How much nicer our 1980' s and 90's cross stitch would have looked using couching instead of that stair step back stitch! Have fun at your retreat☺ Jenn
Oh gosh yes!! Couching could change the world if only we could re-do the 80s and 90s for so many many many reasons.... thanks for stopping by and taking the time to comment :)
Your work is just amazing, I always look forward to seeing what you've stitched. Please continue it's such. Stress reliever those you and your beautiful projects. Louine, Toronto, Ontario
Totally AWESOME 👏 your Miriabilia Gtpsy Queen. Hats off to all of your FIRSTS! Wow. I enjoyed your information on "coughing" and hope you continue to share mor such knowledge, background, etc. it does so look much nicer and lovin its flower way better than backstitching. You got such a great "Haul" for $4.00. I never have gotten such a deal. Your new starts for every Monday for Stitchmania are all nice. Ha we great time at your Retreat and in meeting Nora Corbett of Miriabilia. She lives in my town. Prolific designer and I ❤️ every design she has ever done. I would totally pay a really good dollar amount to any good stitcher that would stitch some Miriabilias for me. If you hear of anyone, pls let me know. Have a safe and fun trip retreating.
Thank you! Are you not interested in stitching a Mirabilia yourself? As you see they can take up to a year to complete so paying someone to stitch one for you may cost a pretty penny... they really aren't hard to stitch and there are certainly some which don't have the beads and completely suitable for less experienced stitchers. Give it a go! Thanks for watching :)
Your Gipsy is gorgeous, well done ! And you are certainly right about Flosstube, I discovered it via Caroline Mazzeo, then started checking other flosstubers out. I have also learnt so much from them too. They are a joy to watch when I am cross stitching. Love it ! Thank you for a lovely video again !
I can't remember the last video of yours I watched, but it is SO lovely to get to see you again! Gypsy Queen is even more beautiful in video form where you can see all of her bling shine. You should be so so pleased! I haven't tried couching yet, but I know it is in one of my Dimensions kits I'm currently working on. So it is in my future! Glad you found a new method you like. Have SO much fun on the Mirabilia retreat. I can't imagine all of the glorious stitching you will encounter! Maybe take some photos for us? Can't wait to hear how it goes. Safe travels!
BEAUTIFUL finish! Enjoy watching your videos. So funny. Love that part: you stitch more than 20 years and then you come to FB... Yeah, you think you know almost everything and then you learn that you know just small top part of iceberg and you need to explore more. But it is nice to share our love for same hobby. Happy stitching ;)
Yeah its that thing of you don't know what you don't know and every day in cross stitch I realise there is even more I don't know! Amazing to be able to constantly expand our knowledge with this craft :)
Oh. My. Goodness. Words escape me, send that doesn't happen very often. Gypsy Queen is exquisite. I am in awe of your finish, and motivated to work on my own Miribilia, Stargazer.
Mary Rose and i started flosstube around the same time - stitchblisscorner. She receommended your videos. I just discovered flosstube a couple of months ago. I only have a couple of videos up.. I do not have Facebook or instagram so i am late in discovering flosstube. I have had a blog since 2008. I am a fan or Ali's stitching also. I am discovering each day. I had to visit you just to see your Pyrex. I collect Pyrex and it is shown in my Easter parade video. I do not know anyone else who collects it. I actually use my bowls all the time. Your Mirabilia is just gorgeous, congratulations on the finish. Have fun at the stithcing retreat. I will be catching up on your videos.
Cindys cross stitch hey Cindy! I'm already subscribed to your channel so now I need to catch up on all your videos! Eekkk Pyrex! I'll be checking that out too :) there is s big community on fb for that too as I'm such you can imagine, I'm learnt so much from there :) I'm up to Marie's 8th video so mustn't have gotten to my shout out, I had no idea she's mentioned me! Oh that's nice, it's mutual admiration then :) take care and I'll catch up on your videos asap. X
Gypsy is gorgeous!! I'm working on the stitching part of Fern, one of Nora's fairies. It's my first experience with beading, Kreinik, I attempted 1 over 1 and quickly changed my mind. I love the couching!! It makes her look so much more realistic. Have a blast at the retreat. Maybe Nora will autograph your Gypsy! ;) Your Maynia plans sound great. Stay Stitchy!!
Congratulations on Gypsy Queen! She's stunning amazing love her! Want you to know just finished watching your video & I bought hook line and sinker your advice & gave couching a go instead of using backstitching. I finished a section. At first it was a challenge but I became more confident. What a difference. More softer and natural looking than I dreamed. So thank you very much for your encouragement. Lovely learning from you. love Annette ps I'm Annette California stitcher on IG.
Oh Annette I am sooooo happy to hear you've tried couching!! I've only tried it the once myself so far and I know what you mean that when you first try it it's a little tricky but it got easier pretty quick and I'm confident I'll get better at it. Considering it was my first try I was really pleased with the result and I'm glad you are too! That's fabulous!! Already Insta-stalking you ;)
Great video Claire! OMG gypsy queen is a stunner.....Great work! Love your other finishes too. Your new stats for maynia are all gorgeous, looking forward to seeing progress in those. Have a super time at your retreat, how exciting! Happy Stitching, hugs Dee xxxx 💕🐱
Hi there, new subscriber here! So nice to find another Australian like myself. I've just started a cross stitching channel. I came across your interview with Nora. (Who is my favourite designer) and your retreat video so I was very excited!! She sounds so lovely and genuine. Would have loved to go to the retreat, I also watch Sarah, Jan and Jo on floss tube. Your gypsy queen is just stunning!! Her skin looks amazing, well done getting through that. You and Sarah are enabling me to stitch her!! She's beautiful. Look forward to more videos from you. Happy Stitching x
been following your progress on this beauty and she really is spectacular. wow the couching is so much nicer than ordinary back stitch, a much smoother line, will be borrowing this idea immediately!
its always a pleasure to see you my friend. your such a joy to watch. love your work as well. take care and keep on stitching. cuz YOU count sent you a pm via you tube
Your Gypsy Queen is stunning, I now own the chart having followed your progress on it here and via Instagram and seen how wonderful a design it is. I hope you enjoy the retreat 😊
Congratulations on finishing your Gypsy Queen...she is exquisite!! The pattern didn't call for it, but I did couching on my Paris Market piece. Never watched a tutorial, just did what made sense to me, and it turned out perfect. I look forward to seeing your progress on Red.
Oh well enjoy the deep well you have discovered! Flosstube should keep you busy and motivated for some time - thanks for stopping by and watching my video, and thanks for taking the time to comment :)
It was nice to see another video of yours pop up in my notifications. Your finishes are very nice. I'm sure the retreat will be awesome & can't wait to hear about that. Speaking of learning new things...have you heard about the diagonal pin stitch...another life changer. Abi Bellastitch mentioned it on her latest video, but there's a tutorial too. Check that out. I don't have the link & don't know how to insert one even if I did. Sorry.
Joan Clarke diagonal pin stitch?? Ok this sounds interesting.... I've been pin stitching like a crazy woman on Gypsy and Celtic so I will definitely be checking this out! Thank you!! :)
Hey Claire ! I love watching Marie rose too !! I love her history lessons ! Haha ! Speaking of learning things ...... do you think you could do a framing tutorial when you get your frame for gypsy queen 👸! Haha ! I would really appreciate that ! I may steal the idea for the AAN pieces above your bed .... I love 😍😍😍 that ! ❤️happy stitching!! Have fun at the retreat! ❤️❤️
Thanks Teresa!! I'll see what I can do about a framing tutorial - if i can work out a good way of managing the camera and stuff I might give it a go! :)
Love your Gypsy Queen. Wish you would have done a slow close up so I could admire the details more. You are lovely to listen to and I enjoy your videos. Happy stitching!
I tried to show it slowly and up close ... but slower? There is a lot of detail thats true. Well I will remember this for my next major finish. Thank you for watching and for taking the time to comment :)
I'm so behind on FlossTube, I'm a bit embarrassed to just be commenting now, but wow Gypsy Queen looks amazing. I think couching instead of backstitching looks much better and more natural and you've probably now made it a new thing for Mirabilias (like 1 over 1 skin). How did you find beading on 32ct? Did you need to substitute any of the beads or go with the ones charted? I hate having Boy King in the UFO pile so when I go to Victoria House on Saturday, I'm taking the kit with me and I'll find some matching Kreinik or Petite Treasure Braid to finish it with. The stuff that comes in the kit should be outlawed. Looking forward to seeing your Nora interview and retreat video. Happy stitching.
I've done Stitcher's Verse but just did the words. It really resonates with me 🙂 4 more sleeps til Friday! I'm trying to contain my excitement but will probably fail miserably lol.
Gypsy Queen is GORGEOUS!! Wow, I love the giant beads and the bling. The couching looks great but did you miss a bit? Should there be backstitch on her upper arm above her armband? I can't wait to meet you on the weekend :D
Tash the Star-Crossed Stitcher you eagle eye you! Yes I did miss that and noticed it once I posted photos of instagram - it's since been rectified! See you Friday!!
Where do I find out about stitch from stash program? Sounds fun and challenging. I love Gypsy. She is so beautiful. Can't wait to see her framed in another video. Thanks
It wasn't just beautiful it was stunning! When I saw your close up straight away I could see the dreaded one over one dilemma lol. But it did look smart. Did you have any trouble stitching your beads on the 32 count as I've heard some people are struggling with this and opt for 28 count instead. I'm not sure if you're aware but Emma Congdon has a website you can download patterns. Also river draft house also has quite a few home kits. Unfortunately this company is bases in the uk but they are on the sew and so website. Look forward to the next video and your red , one over one will see lol x
Thanks Karen! The beading was tight but I wouldn't say I had trouble with it, I did in some places where the beads were in a straight vertical line of more than 6 have to leave a bead out though as it got pretty squishy. I guess it depends how you attach your beads too. I attach mine doing a full cross through the bead so they are straight up and down. I suspect if you only attached using one leg and they sat diagonally you would actually end up having more room. Does that make sense? I'll try and explain that better in my next video. No I didn't know Emma Congdon had a website, I will have to check it out! Thanks so much for watching and for your comments! xxx
Isn't Marie Rose of Stitch Bliss Corner wonderful and another Aussie to boot! I went and found her after Ali's shout out and what a find she is... You couldn't have said it better about watching her vid is like sitting across the table from a friend - that is also how I describe your vids too when I speak about them to people. And her idea about couching, yep a bit like the loop start method - wonderful and whack myself in the head for not thinking of it. I can't wait to try it too. It will be interesting to see what Nora Corbett says about it when she sees your Gypsy Queen. I wonder if she has any thoughts about the one over one skin too since it seems to be a popular choice. Although I am not officially part of the stitchmaynia activities I did think I might start my first Mira - Garden Verses - a very old and I believe OP design - although I do feel a little intimidated by her. Speaking of Mira's, at the retreat try and find my friend Anne Shackles - she has just started Red but a blue conversion and from the little I have seen looks fabulous... Gee, the retreat has come around quickly I remember it was first advertised. Have lots of stitchy social fun at the retreat... Take care Sharon - Melbourne
a stitch today - the rest tomorrow yes I am actually thinking of a few questions I'd like to ask Nora and that does include her thoughts on skin 1 over, I'd love to know what she thinks of it. Yes definitely give the couching a try and see what you think - its more satisfying than back stitch in so many ways I think. And I'll make sure to catch up with Anne at the retreat, I see she's in the fb group that's going for it. Take care and thanks for watching and taking the time to comment :)
Hello, I love your shares, you are a very neat stitcher. I am needing help though. I am fairly still a babe at cross stitching. I am currently using a 26 tapestry needle on 18 count 2 over one. It is confettied. As I fill in my spaces I frequently split the surrounding stitches and it isn't as neat looking as I want. My goal is to be neat! I am cross country completing the crosses as I go. Am I using the wrong needle? Does anyone have any advice? The other question I have about this beautiful piece you have done with all the different sized beads. How would you frame it? I would want glare free glass. Do you need a box type frame? Thank you again for your videos
Hi! I’m sorry for the late response to your comment! I like to use a size 26 or size 28 needle. I’m favouring size 28 more and more as it is smaller. Filling in confetti stitching can be tricky and neatness does come Witt practice. A couple of things you could try is whenever you can go down into your thread when it’s a shared hole (there is already a surrounding stitch in that hole) and to come up where this is the first stitch using that hole. This is not always possible with confetti and eventually you are going to be stitching where there is already 3 lengths of thread using a hole. It can help to keep the stitches taught. Another thing you can try is railroading which is where you pass your needle between the two lengths of thread before making a stitch down into your thread. This can stop the threads twisting and keep them straight. Also using a thread conditioner can help - something like thread heaven or beeswax. Please let me know if I can clarify anything for you and perhaps I could demonstrate better in a future video. Thanks got your questions and please don’t hesitate to ask if you’d like anything explained further :)
Cat Mulcahy hi Cat - I realised after filming I should have mentioned this in the video, sorry about that. I decided to use thread the same colour as the bead. Two reasons, firstly I've heard such horrid opinions of invisible thread I decided I was attempting enough firsts in the project I wouldn't put myself through it and secondly because the fabric is hand dyed I couldn't pick a colour the same as the fabric (that's what I've decided to do with the beads on Celtic though). Mill Hill have a conversion chart to DMC so finding the matching colour was easy :) thanks for your question!
I've had NYMO thread recommended to me for beading - easier than invisible but serves almost the same purpose. I'm going to give it a try with my next beading project.
Oh my gosh with the Gypsy Queen. Are you serious? She is so luscious! Can't wait for your next video because I've seen some other gorgeous IG finishes since this video! xoxox
