Butterfly Lace Mandala – Chatelaine Designs

 I’m doing a happy dance this morning and celebrating ahead of time because impatience got the better of me.

What am I talking about I hear you ask?

Well I’m talking about finishing my Butterfly Lace Mandala, nine days before the goal I set myself of finishing it on my 68^th birthday.

I stitched on it every day throughout August, leaving all the beading until the last and for a split second, I did consider leaving the large flower crystal that goes in the centre until the 9th, but I couldn’t bring myself to wait, Lol!

So, it was started on 9^th September 2021 as my 65^th birthday start. (It had to be something special for that milestone, right) and I have gone from this little lot

to this over the last three years,

but it really only equates to picking it up and stitching on it for 109 days in all.

I’m not going to lie, it was a bit of a challenge because of all the speciality stitches, most of which I had never encountered before and  although I’ve beaded many times, on things like my Celtic Ladies from Lavender and Lace and Mill Hill Kits, this was by far a much bigger task. 

There were  3414 Delica beads and Swarovski  crystals on this baby!

 There was also more 1 over one stitching in this project alone, than I have ever done in the whole of my cross stitch journey.

As anyone who partakes in this beautiful hobby of ours, we all know it’s not for the faint hearted when it comes to cost, especially over the last few years, as prices have risen.

Also added to that, we in the UK often find ourselves having to purchase many of our supplies for overseas , especially as we find ourselves bewitched by all the new goodies from across the pond that we see on floss tube…….talk about get enabled, Lol!

I have no guilt about what I spend on my hobby. 

My money is my own, I don’t drink or smoke and I get hours of enjoyment from the process, love what I achieve and especially love to share my  passion.

Having said that, I did keep a note of what this ‘not so little’  project cost me and it’s not for the faint of heart. But please note, I’m not complaining here, it’s just info.

The chart was the most expensive pdf I have ever brought, coming in at a whopping £25.60.

The specialist threads, and beads came from the European Cross Stitch in the US. and the fabric was from 123 stitch also in the US.

My DMC threads were purchased from Hobby Craft, here in the UK but they are way more expensive over here for some reason, so that bumped up the total.

The overall total for this project was a whopping £253-47  and that’s without the framing, which I know is going to be eye watering too I expect, but in my opinion this project was worth every penny and every second that I spent working on it, because it’s beautiful, even if I do say so myself.

This was my first Chatelaine and I’m sure it won’t be my last, in fact I’m already eyeing up the supplies for Hummingbird Lace Mandala, so watch this space.

 

Happy Stitching!

Sue

x

 

Butterfly Lace Mandala

Started 9^th September 2021

Designer -  Martina Rosenberg - Chatelaine

Fabric – 28ct Jobelan Evenweave – Antique White

Threads – Called for Silks, DMC and Petite Treasure Braid

Beads – Swarovski Crystals and Delica Beads