I am nearly there! Just a bit more filling in of the star patterns on the bottom and I will be ready to add beads! She looks pretty cute doesn't she? I have to tell you though, her face looks much nicer in this scan than in real life. The white of her face is a bit skimpy and you can't see the eyes or eyebrows very well up close. So as long as you don't get too close to her, she is great! I have been working on her before work most days. I will have some serious ironing, though, before I get those beads added. I also need to choose some sort of fabric for the back. And finally beads will go around the perimeter of the pillow. Per the instructions three beads are added before each stitch into the pillow--so they won't lie flat, but will have a curved or scalloped shape.
I decided to go ahead and start The Goode Huswife's "Sampler Farm". Thanks to KarenV's help on help with linen selection. I decided to stitch on 35 count Lambswool. The chart calls for plain old DMC, which I had all ready to go. There does seem to be a symbol left off the chart and what the corresponding color is, though, so I am going to have to investigate a bit and see what was left out. I know GH is out of business, but perhaps her website will have a page about chart errors. There is an empty heart symbol, but I haven't a clue what color is meant to go there!
My other problem with this design is whether to use one ply of floss or two. I even posted on one of the bulletin boards about this and the consensus seems to be--use one ply on 35 count. This is what I really did want to use--it is easier, and the stitching seems to go faster. I started the brown pole (that a bird sits on) using one ply, but as you can see it looks a bit skimpy. At least I think so. I started using 2 plies instead and I think I like it better in this case. Normally I would stick with one ply, but in most cases I would be using silks. It seems like silk floss is thicker and covers the fabric better. Hopefully it doesn't look too bulky either. This photo isn't the best, but you can get a bit of an idea. There is also over one stitching, which will require only one ply and I think the over one will show up better next to the stitches with 2 plies. I always find these decisions hard to make!! Once I finish my "Dainty Housewren" this project will take its place for my morning stitching! I am looking forward to working on this!