Starting the Kimono outline

After I cut the recommended piece of 18-mesh canvas, I found the top center.  I also found the top center stitch of the kimono outline.  I am stitching the outline before I do any of the pattern stitches.  I am stitching the outline "in hand", but will transfer to stretcher bars when I start the pattern stitches.

This is my current status.  If you look closely, you can see the enlarged holes in the canvas indicating 10s. You can also see where I have inserted the needle to mark where I left out one section along the top.  I was wondering why I had so much canvas remaining on the left side of the design.  To my regret, I discovered the reason.  Just think of me ripping out and perhaps rethinking my stitching strategy.  Sigh! 

Maggie Lane chessboard takeoff, IV

The final section of this sampler pillow starts with F5, mosaic; C3, Hungarian ground; D1, Horizontal satin stitch with continental stitch reversed; and, last G8, a single variation of the old Florentine.  The border is two rows of 4x4 cross stitches with fillers of straight stitches in between.

The pillow is finished with Turkish corners.  Trubey and I brought the cording and tassels back from Florence, Italy, to complete the pillow.