Thanks for the input on fabric choices for my "Dainty Housewren". I think I will end up using the red, though the gold is nice, too. The contrast works well with the black fabric (Ink Spot Black I should say). I do want to lay the beads against the fabric, just to make sure, however. Still, I need to add the beads to the stitched piece--so first things first. It just feels good to have my fabric ready to go!
I've been in the mood to work on my "Sampler Farm", so I finally pulled it out again this week. Once again I've not had a lot of stitching time in the evenings, but I have managed to add a few more stitches.
This is the section I've been concentrating on--the over one stitching. I've discovered that I made a mistake--the right border of the black frame is one thread short, so the sunflowers are going to run into it on the right side. I'm not going to pick out over one stitches, so I will have be a little creative on that side. Who'll know the difference, right?
I've also started working on the next row of the border (three different rows/colors plus the little inner stitch another color I'll leave until last). Sitting next to each other the flosses (730 and 732) -- you can tell they have different tones, but stitched next to each other they seem to blend together. Maybe once I add the outer 734 it will help separate the colors out more? I wish there was a bit more contrast, but I don't want to make any changes now. Still, it's shaping up nicely and I can't wait to make more progress!
I know what you mean about the border colours, but they do work when you've got them all in. Looking good so far!
Posted by: KarenV | February 26, 2010 at 01:37 AM
It is indeed shaping up nicely. This is one I want to stitch so I'm enjoying watching your progress.
Posted by: Lois | February 26, 2010 at 02:45 AM
I love Sampler Farm!~ I now must go check out where to find this pattern...I really like using the 730's.... And, I agree with your tweeking for the contrast!~ Nice job, Faye
Posted by: Faye Riggsbee | February 26, 2010 at 05:50 AM
Very pretty! I love this piece! A little fudging -- especially on over one -- is the best policy in my book. :D
Posted by: Margaret | February 26, 2010 at 06:38 AM
No one is going to notice the difference with the flower - when you make a mistake, the best this to do is fudge. My thought anyway - I've been doing a lot of that!
Posted by: Debbie | February 26, 2010 at 07:45 AM
Beautiful stitching! I like the combination of over-2 and over-1 n this sampler.
Posted by: Giovanna | February 26, 2010 at 08:37 AM
Gosh I'm enjoying seeing you stitch this one and learning all the little bits about it. I have this chart too but was quite dismayed when I realized that there is so much over 1 stitching! Oh well.
Yours is coming along wonderfully!
Posted by: Melissa | February 26, 2010 at 09:45 AM
It's looking lovely, great progress
Posted by: Karoline | February 26, 2010 at 12:40 PM
Very pretty! Love the sampler.
Posted by: Katrina | February 26, 2010 at 04:08 PM
Very cute!! I love this sampler! :)
Posted by: nicole | February 26, 2010 at 05:15 PM
Thanks for all the comments everyone! Faye--I really like these colors as well and I hope the fabric I have in mind to finish this as a pillow will work nicely with them. Melissa--I'm not fond of over one stitching either, but so far it hasn't been going too badly!
Posted by: Danielle | February 27, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Very nice progress on this WIP. The over one stitching would be the least loved part for me as well. And frogging over one stitches is the biggest no no ever, lol. Being creative is always better than frogging them.
I often see the differences in similar colours only when the stitching is completely done.
Posted by: Brigitte | February 28, 2010 at 02:52 AM
Your smapler farm is looking lovely. The colours will show themselves once they are all completed.
Posted by: Suzanne | March 03, 2010 at 06:28 AM