Before my Morning Coffee
A delightful picture, but there is far too much background AND you have to change colors every few stitches on the cat. If you are a glutton for punishment, buy this kit plus a jillion similar colors. I did the words and tried to highlight the background but actually gave up on the cat. I am an experienced cross stitcher but had to give up on this one!
Posted by: paulgen2 on 09/08/16
I love Artecy patterns but there does tend to be a lot of color changes. Alternatives could have been using blue fabric and not stitching the background. When I stitch patterns like this I tend to combine some of the shading. Maybe Tereena from Artecy can help you eliminate some of the colors. She will probably see this post and comment on your dilemma. DON'T GIVE UP YET!
by: NANCYE G on 09/08/16
Maybe you should have a cup of coffee?
by: Cory on 09/08/16
you can change the background to your liking!1
by: marlieskuhn on 09/08/16
Very funny, Cory! By the way, have you made this pictue?
by: paulgen2 on 09/09/16
I'm with you you on this one Paulgen. Stitching on something that you've gone off is as bad as forcing yourself to finish a book that has lost its interest. Life is too short!
by: MaryJoDenmark on 09/09/16
No, Paulgen. But on some mornings, I have felt this way.
by: Cory on 09/09/16
x, I'm with you. I am not one ashamed to admit defeat.

I also love Artecy patterns, but know my limits. I don't believe in too much modification because the frequent color changes are what make the patterns look so nice. They add detail. Having said that, I just don't think that I would spend the time to stitch such a complex pattern when it's clearly something that I probably would no longer display after a couple of years. It's sort of like those cups people give you. Funny for a couple of months and then it's into the trash.

I am not trying to be rude, and respect the taste of others, I am simply speaking for myself.
by: Texas Stitcher on 09/09/16
Hi Paulgen 2,

So sorry to hear you are disappointed with our design. We do have over 500 Artecy designs that use around 10 colours or less. Our larger designs like this one do use alot of colours to make them photo realistic to the original Artwork or Photographs and they can be more of a challenge. It can help to stitch them in a different way then you may be used to, as if you are stitching a row at a time and changing your needle all the time that would be very annoying and frustrating.

I have stitched many of these designs myself and have seen many tips and tricks people use to stitch these type of designs so I am listing some below and I can help you with any queries you have.

We try to make our patterns as easy to read as possible. Alot of people do photocopy patterns at a larger size to make them easy on the eyes or they make a photocopy just to use as a personal use only working copy, which we are fine with. I use a lamp with a magnifier on it to see the pattern easily, best investment I have ever made, as when I get a chance, I mostly stitch at night.

You will notice alot of colour changes with these style of patterns.

We suggest to make it a little less daunting for you to just concentrate on 1 page at a time and each 10 x 10 square at a time. Stitch all the stitches of the same colour in that 10 x 10 square or nearby before changing to the next colour. As the pattern is totally filled you will not see your cotton travelling behind the fabric a small distance.Note if you stitch in blocks or sections like this you can sometimes see the lines between each section, especially if you leave a project for awhile, so it is recommended to stitch a few colours to the left, right up and below, just so you do not have straight square blocks of stitches.

Many customers also stitch these in a cross country style like I do so they stitch as many stitches as they can of the one colour in the same area, before changing colours. Some use highlighters on the pattern to mark stitches done if you have trouble following the stitches you have completed. I personally use a yellow highlighter on the pattern to mark the stitches of one colour I am going to stitch on a page and then after I complete those stitches I use a blue highlighter to go over the yellow ones stitched and then I know I have completed them. Then I move onto the next symbol and colour. Just using highlighters seems to help break up all the symbols and make them easier to see.

Hopefully this information will help if you decide to try again or if you do a similar pattern in this style from us or another designer.

If you like I can remove the background from behind the cat for you and send you an amended pattern, just email me at artecy@artecy.com.

If you have any further queries please let me know.

Thanks and Best Wishes
Tereena Clarke
Artecy Cross Stitch
by: artecy on 09/10/16