What I've Been Working On

I mentioned that I had started working on the Prairie Schooler chart "February", and now I have some progress to share.

Fingers crossed that I measured correctly as I have started at the top of the chart rather than in the middle, so I'm working my way straight down.  I stitch in hand so my fabric is starting to get a little wrinkled, but as it is Lambswool and plain DMC I will wash it when I am done and press it, so it should lay flat.

Here's the little groundhog close up.  He's missing his eyes and whiskers.  I also need to stitch in the tree branches--all backstitching.  I love this design, but I'm not sure about the black sun.  I know it is meant to be hidden behind clouds and in shadow, but it seems so dark.  Somehow, though, I don't think yellow would work well either.

I have also stitched a few more letters in my sampler.  I had wanted to finish this alphabet over the long weekend, but I was enjoying working on the PS design so much I didn't want to set it aside.  I still have high hopes that I'll stitch an ornament as well...must dig out my supplies first however and see what I have that I can use for one of this year's JCS ornaments.

Scrolling through my posts I have to apologize--lots of the same sort of thing.  I wish I was a more prolific stitcher and had more to share!

Comments

[beritbunny]

That groundhog is so cute! I'm working on PS November (the companion) right now myself! :)

[Lois]

Love your progress on both the PS and your band sampler.

[Danielle]

Beritbunny--Isn't he cute? I'm going to try and get his whiskers stitched tonight. When I saw that solid square of white stitches I thought I'd not make it, but it stitched up very fast actually. I need to look at the other months--I love PS samplers!
Lois--Thanks. It feels good when there is a nice chunk of stitching there--you feel like you are really making progress!

[Debbie]

That's a wonderful piece and you're making great progress on it! The groundhog is adorable.

[Nancy]

Love the band sampler. The colors are beautiful.....Nancy

[Kristen from MA]

Love that little groundhog! In fact, he's the reason I bought that chart. (I wasn't born in February, and no one else in my family was either!)

Your stitching is lovely, Danielle. It's always a pleasure to read your posts. :)

[Danielle]

Debbie--Thanks. Isn't the ground hog great? I just need to get his whiskers stitched in!
Nancy--Thanks. I really like the band sampler. I'm a little tired of alphabets to be honest, but things will get more interesting as I add more rows.
Kristen--He is a cute little guy, isn't he? I like the smaller one waving the flag on the bottom. Thanks for the very kind comment--I can't say how much it made my day! :)

[bsiwecki@comcast.net]

Love your PS start. Your band sampler is very pretty too. Who is the designer on that?

Great blog. I will be adding it to my favorites.

Thanks for sharing.

[Karoline]

Cute groundhog :) Nice new start. The Band sampler is looking gorgeous

[Danielle]

Bsiwecki--Thanks very much and I do hope you will stop by again. My posts are not as frequent as I'd like them to be, but I do try and update the space at least once a week. The band sampler is designed by Brenda Keyes--the design is from one of her books of samplers. I have had it for a long time and felt the urge to start working on it!
Karoline--Isn't he cute? I'm getting ahead of myself since it is not actually winter, but I hope to finish this well before Groundhog day. Am happy with the band sampler, too!

[Denise]

I did one of these Prairie Schooler patterns a few years ago (no backstitching except for rabbit whiskers!). It was one of the four seasons samplers, something like yours. I did it on a nice cream and brown Aida cloth and enjoyed every minute of working on it. Maybe I'll get the pattern out and do one of the other seasons now that you have reminded me of it.

[Anne S]

I love your February start, it's looking great already :) Have to admit, though, I agree with you about the black sun, that's a bit strange! Perhaps using one of the greys would soften it a bit?

[Susan]

Very nice, Dani - I love this series!

I always start my pieces in the top left hand corner - I never have a problem with counting - I always make sure that I get enough fabric so that I can start 3" from the top, and 3" from the left.

[Suzanne]

Nice start on your PS piece and lovely progress on your band sampler.

Wishing you and your family a very merry Christmas and a safe and prosperous new year.