Showtime!

"Dreamgirls" is all stitched and ready for the finisher!

I made a trip to my LNS for the remaining Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #032 that I needed to finish the "lead singer," and was gratified when Barry, the shop owner, applauded my choice of background stitch and colors.

The border was stitched in a combination of black Petite Very Velvet--two rows of gobelin stitch over two threads--intersected by Scotch stitches in the three shades of DMC cotton floss.

The eyes of the ghosts were worked in Smyrna crosses and the mouths in satin stitch, both using DMC floss, while DMC floss #415 provided the outline of the "lead singer." The microphone was worked in a Scotch stitch variation with Kreinik #12 tapestry braid #001 and the stand in the black Petite Very Velvet.

Around the perimeter of the design area is a row of gobelin stitches over two threads in the predominant DMC floss #946. This will provide a seam allowance for the finisher, as I plan to have the door hanger lightly padded like a mini-pillow, backed with black velveteen, and surrounded by orange seam cording and hanger.

NC Pat had suggested I include a sound button inside the hanger, and was kind enough to do some research into possibilities. The only real option either one of us found was a button playing spooky ghost sounds--not exactly the "soul" music I was looking for, so I've decided to forego the "special effects." My neighbor will just have to use her imagination!

On Monday, I have a ton of completed pieces to send to the finisher, including this project, and hopefully "Dreamgirls" will return in time for my neighbors' Halloween housewarming!