They are both very pretty. The peacocks one is from Kustom Krafts, and there are two versions of this painting on their website. The one you are looking at is the easier one -all cross stitches and less than 30 colours. The more advanced one is 40 colours and more muted. It's big....but you work at it a little at a time and it will get done.
The Winter Montage is nice too...pretty straightforward.
I would do them both because they are so different. If it was me, I'd start with the peacocks...work at it until I got tired of all the white !~ and could afford the Stever design...then switch to the Montage. Alternate between the two until they are both done !
Either choice will be a nice heirloom for your home. Have fun !

Ok MissKitty, you're just baiting me. You're suppose to talk me out of it!!!! But that is exactly what I was thinking!!! Thanks (I think? LOL).

I would immediately order the peacocks. That is if stitching with white floss isn't a problem for you. Personally, I dislike white and black most of all the colors because of the way they stitch up. I use Anchor's white when I have to do a large area. Remember, Jackie, Christmas is coming up and whether we celebrate it or not does not matter. We can still give ourselves gifts. You are a wonderful person and deserve this. I would alternate with the peacocks and the mermaid since you LOVE that one so much too.

Let us know when you receive it and begin stitching!!!!

Congratulations, on having found a pattern you really like.

Hold off on the other one. You have enough going on. You also want to do stockings.

Thank you so much TXS. You are too special. Thanks. I think I will order it. You are right about alternating the peacock with the mermaid.

What if I did the white in satin? How would that work out. I'm with you on the DMC White and black. Especially the white, it doesn't look very good and looks like it doesn't lay right. Wondering what it will do in the satin floss?

What say you, Syagel and JHewes?

I don't think either of the patterns is too hard for you jclifford. Personally, I would do the Winter Montage first. It is one of a set of four one for each season and I love them all. The White peacocks 2 doesn't impress me because I don't like stitching with so much white. It is your choice and you could switch back and forth between the two. I just know you could do either pattern if you take your time. Hope this helps.

No, j, it's not too hard for you. How will you progress and become like syagel and jlhewes if you continue to do "baby" projects? That's why I ordered the mermaid and the Celtic X-mas. To increase my skill level. A stitcher always need a long term project and something quick to finish. Look at syagel and John Wayne and jlhewes and The Kiss. You're an intelligent woman, you can figure it out. There is loads of expertise on this chat and the internet.

Okay, I'm signing off. I got a ton of stuff to do. Have a great day everybody.

Well, negatives? I think you know them all. Whites will get boring. You've got a lot of others on your short list. For heaven's sake, you're not when thinking Rayon / Satin. You'd rather be nibbled to death by ducks! The Stitchery is a diabolical stitcher pit. Hey, have you seen Keepsake Needlearts? Sorry, the devil made me write that.

LOL! My laugh goes with evil laugh that you hear in the background with the utterance of "Keepsake..." GOTTA love the enthusiasm!

j, buy yourself whatever you want when you want. Eventually you'll stitch it up. Remember you are much younger than many of us and have time. You're building up your stash for retirement. Your DH doesn't care - so why worry. Have fun.

I like to look at my stuff from time to time and it makes me happy. All the beautiful colors, patterns, fabrics, beads, etc. If I never stitch any of them I had fun when I bought them. The way my floss looks when it's on the bobbins and nicely arranged in the boxes is uplifting. I love touching nice fabrics, etc.

So stop fretting and buy those peacocks, already, girl. If you get tired of stitching with white then do another project for a while. Okay?????

jhewes, you're so funny! But really, will satin floss work better? Never used it before, don't know.

TXS: You're such an inspiration and instigator!!! Yes, I'm going to do it. Maybe when I finish it, I will enter it into the state fair contest in 2 years. (Next year is the mermaid).

TXS - did you already buy the mermaid pattern?

Thanks everyone for talking me into the peacocks - telling DH that you all talked me into it! (That's my story and I'm sticking to it).