A Few Updates

I've added a few more rows on to my Band Sampler.  Sorry the photo is a little dark, but I was too lazy to take another picture.  Usually I like stitching letters, but there are several alphabets on this one, so they might turn out to be a little tedious.  Still, I'll be able to juggle between rows once I start them. 

 

I decided I really need to try and finish "Rain, Rain" by Prairie Schooler.  I'm working on my least favorite part of the design--the letters at the top are stitched in Ecru.  I don't like stitching with really light colors like ecru and white--I always feel like my work looks sloppy when I use these colors.  Sometimes it's just the way the linen is--narrow threads, but the stitches often look uneven.  It will be better when I can get the gray clouds stitched and then I'll be nearly finished!

 

And what do you think about this sampler?  It's also in the Brenda Keyes' book, Traditional Samplers.  It's a reproduction called "The Mary Elizabeth Nicholson Sampler" originally stitched in 1892.  It's stitched on 25 count Dublin linen, though I'm not sure if it is still available?  It measures 17-1/4 x 17-1/4 when finished.  As it looks like a white or ivory color (stitched with plain DMC), I should easily find a subsitute if I can't find Dublin linen.  I should really not be thinking about kitting up anything new, but you know how  it goes!

And I've not forgotten my Mystery Sampler.  I need to figure out a rotation now that I have several projects I'm in the mood to stitch!

Comments

[Dianne]

i think that looks like a lovely sampler.

[Giovanna]

Beautiful stitching! I really like the PS design.

[KarenV]

I think most people feel like that about stitching with white/light colours, so don't worry too much. Love your band sampler progress and the PS Rain, rain...both are lovely!

[Jeanne]

Your sampler colors are very pretty - it should turn out lovely. Funny but I hate stitching with dark colors like brown & black the most because I never feel like I get good coverage - I don't really like "seeing" the X. Dark threads always seem to be thinner and tangle more for me as well - I think it's the amount of dye they have to use. P.S. I love all of Brenda Keyes' designs!

[Danielle]

Dianne--Thanks. I do think this is going to be really pretty when finished.
Giovanna--Thanks. PS is one of my very favorite designers and I really want to finish this little design by the end of the summer.
Karen--I'm glad I'm not alone. I thought I was just being lazy! :) I try and keep my stitches as neat as possible, but white just is hard to work with. Thanks for the kind words about the projects.
Jeanne--You're right--dark colors can be thinner and skimpy looking! And I think all the colors tangle for me! I think you're right about the dye and the need to use a lot to make the color stand out. I love Brenda's work as well and am glad I finally picked this project up.

[Suzanne]

Lovely stitching! I don't like stitching with light colours either, I find my stitching looks really messy.