The Peacock's Feather

This & That -- Updates

I've been meaning to do a bit of an update all weekend, but here it is Sunday night and the weekend is all but over and now I need to get things ready for work, so this will be a quickie!  I've put in a few more stitches on my BOAF design though haven't used many new colors.  I'm still not sure how I feel about it, and now I've discovered I counted wrong!  I have one too many stitches in her dress lengthwise.  I am putting this one aside for the moment in favor of something else that is working better for me.

 

I had also made a mistake in my "Rain, Rain" design by Prairie Schooler, but I frogged the incorrect color and went back and restitched the wrong letters, so now I am back on track.  So she is coming along nicely and I think I'll try and concentrate on finishing this little design.  I'm in need of some instant gratification, I think.

 

I'm not sure what the weather is like where you are, but it has Already turned hot where I am.  Over 90 degrees today and it's still only May.  This is August weather.  I hate extreme temperatures and someday I dream of living somewhere where the temps are more moderate year round.  In any case, since it is practically summer and already feels like it, maybe it is time to work on my little Just Nan whimzie design that I started, oh, how many years ago now?  This might just be my instant gratification, though there are all those color changes!  I even have the little frame for it. 

And I'm still working away on my Mystery Sampler by Blackbird Designs, but there wasn't  much new to share there.  Maybe later this week?  Once again I am finding it hard to fit in stitching time and even harder for blogging time (both writing here and leaving comments on other needlework blogs).  I am, however, at least reading posts and feeling envious of everyone else's work as I keep things straight via Google Reader. If I can't stitch and blog, at least I can live vicariously through everyone else.

Feed the Birds -- Color Choices

I've started stitching my Birds of a Feather freebie, "Feed the Birds".  I wanted to wait until I had more stitched to share a photo, but as I probably won't stitch  much until the weekend I thought I'd just go ahead and take a photo.  I am stitching on Belfast 32 ct. Raw linen and using a combination of DMC and overdyed floss as called for in the chart.  I prefer all overdyed floss but don't want to take the time to order the missing colors.

Here are the colors I've pulled to use.  I'm wondering if the "fire" DMC substitution (used for the words) isn't too bright?  BOAF designs tend to use bright colors and I haven't got much else stitched to even things out yet, so maybe I am being too hasty?  The flosses at the top right are more overdyed substitutions--using on strand of each color.  I've never done this before and wonder how it will turn out.  I think I'll keep going and if I hate it I can always order the missing overdyed flosses and start over again...

What do you think?  Too bright?  Okay?  Too soon to tell?

And a Little More . . .

I had every intention of working on my little Prairie Schooler design, "Rain, Rain" but I discovered I was missing a few floss colors and was too lazy to go searching for them through my bins.  Since my Mystery Sampler was close by I added a few more stitches here instead.  I do have a question--if anyone happens by who has been working on this design as well--part one has several smyrna stitches--at least that is what they look like on the chart.  There is no instructions for them, what color to use, etc.  They go next to the flower on the left with the bird sitting on top of it.  I am guessing they call for the same green as the flower stem but would like to make sure before stitching the smyrnas.  Any ideas? 

I am hoping tonight to finally start stitching on one of my freebies--will share photo this week if I do!

Mystery Sampler Update

I'm afraid I've fallen in a bit of a stitching slump again.  It's not that I don't feel like stitching, I just seem to be too busy with other things to get in any good stitching time (a common refrain with me, I'm sorry to say).  I did manage to get the alphabet finished on my Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler, though.  There is even a little over-one stitching (I'm on a roll with over-one these days!). 

I think I need to set aside a few afternoons soon in order to just find a quiet spot and stitch.  Sometimes I even stay at work (I work in a university library) and find somewhere in the public area of the library to get a little work done.  No TV, no computer, just my headphones and needle and thread.  The problem is--with such good weather, when I take off time from work I feel like I need to be industrious and work in the yard or do things around the house--and stitching gets pushed aside. 

I do have my kitted up freebies to look forward to, though!  I think I've got most of the requested designs either mailed out or emailed, so if you asked for copies hopefully you will have them in the next few days.  I know there have been a couple of new requests and I promise to get to them soon (I always fall behind during the work week, so bear with me for a day or two).  Do please let me know, though, if you haven't heard from me by the middle of the week or if you haven't received the copy you asked for.  I'm trying to keep everything straight!  And thanks for offers of trade--it's very kind.  If only you could send a free hour to add to my day so I could stitch a little! :)