It Was Worth It...
I wish those who shared patterns illegally could understand just how much work goes into a design. It is over a year later than when I first hoped to release Santa’s Dragon and has been the most complicated design that I have ever created, as well as the largest.
Sore hands, late nights, fabric changes, braid colour changes etc. were all worth it when I walked into my LNS yesterday with the framed model and watched a bunch of stitchers gasp in delight.
Here for all you blog readers to see is the first peek at DD-98 Santa’s Dragon which will officially be released on September 25th when Sue Hillis and her cruise of stitchers jaunt into Moncton for the day while their boat is docked in Saint John. The bait of a wonderful cross stitch shop just an hour and a half away was enough for them to make the road trip. I can’t wait to meet some of them at Because You Count between 11:30 and 1:30!
Knowing that there were some people ready to steal this design as soon as it came out really made it hard to continue at some points when my hands and spirit were weary. Then I read a quote that spoke right to my very soul.
“Once you accept an artistic assignment from the great Creator, it’s yours. Nobody can take it away from you, unless, of course, you relinquish it. Nobody can duplicate your work because there’s no one in the world like you. They can imitate, but they can’t duplicate. Your work is born of your sensibilities, temperament, experience, emotion, passion, perseverance, attention to detail, idiosyncrasies and eccentricities. When you are authentic, so is your art.” -Sarah Ban Breathnach, Simple Abundance
Pattern sharers may steal this design, but that is a risk that I have to be willing to take, even though what they are doing is WRONG. This design is one that I have wrestled with more than any other and one that comes from deep within. It is time to let it be seen by the world and hopefully be enjoyed by those who stitch it. I know it was worth it...
Now I just have to finish checking over the chart to make sure it matches the finished model. That’s one of perks and frustrations of being a designer that makes boo-boos as she stitches. If it still looks good in the model, I can just change the chart!
27 comments:
IT'S GORGEOUS!!!!!!
Oh wow Jennifer, it's absolutely gorgeous!!!
What a beautiful project - you truly have a gift - thank you for sharing it
It's beautiful. I can't wait to order it. Hopefully the "new" old local shop (shop closed and is now reopening) will be open soon so I can order several of your designs now that I have a job. (I just need to find time to work on them)
Great model!
-Jen
No fair making me drool on my keyboard! Can't wait to get a hold of this one. Must. Stitch. It.
It's beautiful Jennifer! I, for one, am grateful to you for sharing your gift with we humble stitchers.
I love it! And as soon as I can order it Im going to! thank you for all your hard work and creativity!
Ooh, I want that!!!! No, make that need it! What a great design, Jennifer.
OMG!!!! Yep-going to have to get that one for sure!!! OMG!!!!
It is amazing!!! I love it. As soon as I am off the wagon and the challenge it will be in my stash!
I will be at BUC to pick up one (hope there are enough).
I wonder if that color of fabric you used is "blue Spruce", Lougana. I've been using that alot and it would fit right in with my Angels.
Wanna see my dragons I drew free hand?
I love it Jen. Well worth the wait. not I just have to wait to order it!!!!!!
FYI, this is stitched on Wichelt NORDIC BLUE 28 Count Linen. It would work on a lot of blues, but they sent me this piece over a year ago to try for the design and I fell in love with it.
Sadly, they've been flooded by recent storms in the USA and have lost a LOT of stuff, including their whole computer system, but they seem optimistic about getting things back on track for orders.
This dragon is keeping her claws crossed that the Nordic Blue fabric was HIGH UP on some shelf and didn't get wet at all!!
Can't wait for this one to come to my lns. I'm in love between dragons (my passion) and santas ( my dh's passion) this one has to go up in my house.
It's great to see you posting again! Glad you are feeling better, and the new dragon looks great!
:-) Beautiful! Like all stitched pieces, I' say this will be even better in person.. can't wait to see it!
Carol, Edmonton.
Oh, I love it. I'm putting it on my wish list right now.
Love Love Love LOVE IT.
Congratulations on the accomplishment, and the already long list of compliments you've gotten.
-Ann-
Thank you for sharing the thoughts of Sarah Ban Breathnach. The theft of patterns is terrible, but the beauty of artistic creation is a wonderful thing and a gift you give us!
What a wonderful design Jenn :) I'm so glad it's worth it, I would hate to lose your wonderful designs just because of the few bad eggs.
Congrats Jennifer!!!! Beautiful design! Can't wait to stitch it! I'm hoping to be at BUC on the day of the release!
Steph in Saint John
Jennifer its just fantastic! I know you've been working on it for a long time!!!
I love it! I can't wait to see it in person when I meet you at the shop!
Eva
(Sue Hillis' partner in crime)
Jen,
Once again you have just outdone yourself with another truly stunning design. The beauty of the design is just another reflection of the beauty of the soul that created it.
Charlie
The design is lovely and once it is available and I have the funds for patterns again I will be buying two of them. (One for me and one to gift a friend with.)
You do wonderful work and I'm saddened that people steal your work.
~Catchild
Oh Jenn! What a wonderful design. I may have to start stitching again...
OH Wow!!!!! I'm not supposed to buy more for my stash....but this has got to be an exception! It is fabulous! And welcome back and glad you're feeling better!! I missed reading the blog!:)
Stacey in NS
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