This piece has so much backstitching on it, just on the outer layers. Those gates take so much time.  

Well there's still a lot of backstitching to do. The fences and the blackwork corners are a lot of work.  

All the major backstitching and special stitches are done. It's time to start the beading.  

All the big elements are in place; now it's time to backstitch around them.  

Yay, all the fences are done. Time to get some beading on.  

With all the cross stitch done, it's time to do a god awful amount of back stitch. Working on getting all the fences done.  

I've got all the cross stitches done, yay! Now to add more black fences and more back and specialty stitches. Then the last step - beads...

Finally all the cross stitches are done. On to the specialty stitches and beads.  

Still working on this border; I hope to get it all done soon.  

This last part is coming along, even if slowly. About one and a quarter sides to go.  

Third side getting there! I feel so bad about not getting this done by the end of last year. I've been unable to stitch much lately beca...

Still working around the edges, but well over halfway done now. The end is in sight.  

Halfway done with the last part, but so much backstitching left to do.  

Two sides done on the last part. Feeling accomplished.  

Almost two sides of edging done. Still want to finish this before the end of the year.  

So very close to being halfway around.  

Putting crenellations on the right side house as I work my way down that side.  

Still working on the sides. Getting close to the second side done.  

Rotated a bit, but still progress to show. Almost halfway down the second side. I really do hope to finish this before the end of the year. ...

Nearly halfway down the second side and a bit more stitching done on crennelations.