A Start on Part Two

I think I finally have enough stitches put in on part two of my Blackbird Designs "Mystery Sampler" to share a progress photo.  This is a slightly narrower section, so it seems to stitch up fairly quickly.  And as I have a long weekend this weekend I hope to get in a bit more stitching time than I've had in the past couple of weeks.  This is on the stitching agenda, but I also want to work on something else--either try and finish my Prairie Schooler--Rain, Rain design or maybe even start something new.  I may have to dig around in my stash bins to see what I'm in the mood for.  Actually I think I am in the mood for a proper, traditional sampler, or maybe a Quaker design.  Or, who knows, maybe something entirely different.  I'll let you know what I decide.

As July 1 has come and gone, Carriage House Samplings is no longer in business.  At least no longer producing new designs.  Anything that is left is now only to be had from Kathy's Etsy Shop.  While I completely understand her wish to move on to something she feels more inspired to do, I am very, very sad to see her designs go out of print.  I've been a great fan from the very first and have a nice stack of charts from her earliest days.  As I haven't been stitching as much in the last few years, I've also stopped buying new designs, so sadly I probably won't be able to own many of her more recent charts. 

I did break down, however, and request "Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow" and "Autumn at Hawk Run Hollow".  I have the other charts in the series, and though I've yet to actually finish stitching any of them, I couldn't bear the thought I might not have the others later on when I do get around to stitching them.  The thing is the shop where I tried to order them is sold out as are her distributors.  Panic!  I lucked out and there were still a few copies through her Etsy shop.  I wonder how long before the rest of the designs become scarce?  The thing is I am making myself budget in order to pay off my credit card (am determined to finally do it), which means no purchases on whims as this is what keeps me from paying the darn thing off.  I made an exception with these (and of course they had to be the more expensive designs) as I'm not sure how easy they will be to get later secondhand, and I don't want to pay twice the cost.  Is anyone snapping up her work before it disappears?  As for anything else I was tempted by, I will just have to content myself with the charts I already own and have not yet stitched (and there are plenty of those in my stash)!

If you are celebrating the Fourth of July this weekend, have a safe and enjoyable holiday.  And if you aren't, have a great weekend, too.  Mine will hopefully be spent doing lots of reading and stitching and maybe even watching a movie or two.  Happy Stitching everyone.

Comments

[Valerie]

Great start on part 2. Every little bit helps! Hope you have time to stitch this weekend...Happy 4th!

[Alice]

I agree with you on CHS retirement. So sad that I can not afford all the charts from her that I would like to have right now. There are so many great ones.
I really like your BBD Mystery Sampler start--I have this all ready to go with fabric & threads. It looks like such a fun one to stitch.

[Karoline]

Nice start on part 2, it's looking lovely.

I completely agree with you about CHS.

[Brigitte]

Very nice BBD project. I'm very curious to see what else you pulled out of your stash bin.
I was doing the same when hearing about the closure of CHS - I completed at least the HRH series. But there are still so many CHS designs I'd like to buy but I think stitching the ones I own will take me years ...

[Giovanna]

Great start on the 2nd part!

[Suzanne]

Nice start on part two. I haven't done much more stitching because I have been sick.

I wish that I had been able to pick up all the Hawkes Run charts. They are the only ones I regret not getting, but the dollar was not too good and they were getting a little too expensive.

[beritbunny]

Love this start! Seeing you stitch this made me pull a finished one (it was Edgar's) out of my "Other People's Stitching inspiration file and set it as my desktop for a while...I think I'm getting to where I want to track it down and stitch it.

CHS...I feel exactly the same as you do with the exception that I'm a newcomer. (only a couple of years on the stitching bandwagon). I'm also in the same pay-off-the-bills boat, so even though I've been thinking of them since she announced retirement, I was only able to get 2 of my 3 item skeleton list. I got the Freds, but missed out on her Washington Post designs pack, which I REALLY wanted. Though cheaper than an HRH, it was just not in the budget.

[Danielle]

Valerie--You're right. If I could just spend 15 minutes or half an hour a day I could make lots of progress. I'm trying to get there!
Alice--The Mystery Sampler is a lot of fun to stitch, and I think you will enjoy it when you get to it. Pity about CHS. Maybe she will come back to it later on. Goode Huswife came back to designing--at least making her charts available after a few years off.
Karoline--Yay, to be on part two! Now to keep going with it.
Brigitte--I think I have plenty to stitch as well. Just the Hawk Run designs will take me years, so I am happy to at least have those.
Giovanna--Thanks!
Suzanne--Sorry to hear you were ill. Hopefully you are back on the mend and working on part two again. I've let it languish a bit but need to get back to it. I can't seem to stick with one thing right now. The Hawk Run charts are definitely an investment. I could only afford to buy the last two charts and none of the supplies. I know I won't be buying anything new for a while!
Beritbunny--I think this is a really appealing design and I know I've had a few questions about it. Hopefully people can still find the charts easily. My purchase of the CHS charts was a splurge, but I think in the end I will be happy I bought them. Now I need to get to work on stitching some of the earlier ones that I have kitted up!!

[jeanne]

i love this blackbird mystery sampler...is it available anywhere? i have to do it :O).... thanks

mehammell@comcast.net

jeanne