Completely At A Loss

As I had described in my last post concerning this project, the overall layout of this design is very small and I am having a hard time keeping track of where I am on the project. Turns out, this was the least of my worries. Tracy of Elegant Jewels of the Needle, was kind enough to point out that the the design is actually 212 stitches high and not what is listed on the chart:

The fabric that I had so carefully chosen in order to stitch this piece,  28 count Caribbean Blue jobelan by Wichelt Imports, was not cut to the correct size. In fact, is it no where NEAR where it is supposed to be. I will skip over the pleasing stream of the old rancid that was issued forth when this particular bit of information was discovered and verified as correct in assessment.  Suffice it to say, I am the eldest daughter of a sailor and trust me when I say that I was swearing like one on a three day pass in Hong Kong when I decided to stitch to the top of the tail and then count down to where the bottom of the tail is located:

Design: Sea Flora #NC194

Designer: Nora Corbett for Wichelt Imports

Fabric: 28 count Caribbean Blue jobelan by Wichelt Imports

Fibers: DMC Six Strand Embroidery Floss Art. 117  in B5200, 154, 156, 211, 333, 747, 754, 838, 92, 951, 959, 964, 3371, 3746, 3807 and 3847. 

Bling Used: Mill Hill beads

Stitcher's Notes: Will be substituting Kreinik #4 braid in 027L for a different color. Will be changing colors in the frond.  

What it will look like eventually:

Began Sunday, May 3, 2015:

Where the bottom of the tail will wind up as marked by the needle:

I have emailed Wichelt Imports to voice my displeasure with this whole debacle. I doubt they will be bothered with a reply, but we shall see. Since I purchased the chart from 123 Stitch, I emailed Joanne to let her know. She has already changed the website to reflect the correct information. There isn't a place to put a review on the 123 Stitch website, so I let her know about the smallness of the chart as well. She has very good customer service and I don't want her or her staff getting yelled at for things beyond their control. 

Honestly, this whole thing has turned me off stitching any more Mirabilia/Nora Corbett charts. I think that after this one, I will not purchase any newer ones and just stitch up what I have. Unfortunately, for me, this mean about 6 kitted up, but oh, well. I will stitch what is in stash and then go on. I can't waste any more time on crying over spilt milk, however, I can't help feeling bummed out by this whole process. This project was to be my summer reward for stitching so much out of my  Bin O'Shame stash. I hit 17 on Saturday, May 2, 2015, which is 2 away from my record year, and 8 away from my goal. I decided to take a break from it and stitch this lovely instead. Seems like I should have just kept to the  Bin O'Shame stash and let it be. 

So, now I am faced with the unenviable task of choosing one of the following options:

1. Ripping out what has already been stitched. There is no way I am pitching a $10.00 piece of fabric. If I had chosen white aida, this would have been a different story, mind you. 

2. Attempt to finagle the design so it can be stitched in some form. In other words, work with what I have, and add elements from some other designs and/or create something myself. 

3. Return to the Bin O'Shame stash. Heaven only knows there is enough in there to stitch. And it's not like CCN's Ice Cream Shoppe doesn't need finishing up. 

4. Start something else. I am sorely tempted to do this, however, I suppose I would feel horribly guilty about leaving this mess behind in order to deal with it later. And quite honestly, this project would just have me doubly pissed off when I found it in the back of the closet at some unknown future date in time. 

Well, you all have heard enough of my complaining. I will be an adult and think on this a bit before I make my decision. I will now leave you all with the wishes for a happy Sunday and a good week next week. 

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Respectfully submitted,

C.