The Peacock's Feather

The Problems of (Linen) Color

Earlier this week I was rummaging about in my stash bins and came across this Prairie Schooler chart that I had kitted up years ago.  It is a design I have long wanted to stitch and so pulled it out, thinking why not?  Better to try and add it to my stitching rotation than just leave it languishing in a bin, right? 

It is another Prairie Schooler design (Chart 63 "Christmas Samplers").  I am going to stitch the middle design, which has a bit of "The Night Before Christmas" worked into the design.  I kitted it up using the suggested line, which is 32 count Bay-Leaf Jobelan.  Of course linen colors never show up in their true colors on charts, do they?  I'm used to using Lambswool when stitching PS, but I don't have any extra on hand so will stick with the Jobelan.  What do you think?  I am not sure that I love it--I like it, but feel a little hesitant.  Maybe I just need to stitch more to get a good feel for what the colors will look like against it?

And a while back I splurged on the Lizzie Kate Mystery Sampler from last year.  I have the charts, linen (again the suggested count and color from the chart) and overdyed floss.  Once again, however, the linen colors look vastly different--from the chart and what I actually have in hand.  I know hand dyed linens (this is 30 count WDW Tin Roof) will vary by lot, but in reality it much more greenish (and in my photo it looks almost like a muddy color--in reality it is tad darker) than what appears to be a silvery sort of blue on the chart.  Once again--what do you think.

I'll keep going with both and suspect the colors will grow on me.  I don't tend to be very adventurous when it comes to changing colors--linen or floss from what is called for on charts.  When the actual linen color turns out to be so different, it always jars me just a little bit.  A problem with only being able to order supplies online and not have a nice LNS to shop at (and see stitched models up close). 

In the Works: More BOAF

I read a lot.  As a matter of fact when I wasn't stitching I am sure I filled whatever extra free time I had with reading.  I am a more than one book at a time reader and I must admit that even when I am enjoying a book, I keep in mind (or at least begin to think about) what my next book will be.

Unsurprisingly, I am doing the same thing with my stitching.  I am making steady progress on my bee sampler and thoroughly enjoying stitching it, but I have been thinking about what I will choose to stitch next.  I was going through my stash and came across the Birds of a Feather chart, l'Automne.  I have the autumn and winter charts and opted for autumn as it is my favorite season.

So here is my floss toss--I decided to stitch it on a 32 count fabric as 36 count is a little too small for my not-as-good-as-when-I-was-younger eyesight.  The kind ladies at Elegant Stitch helped me choose.  Lambswool is a nice neutral color, and a nice stiff linen.  It is actually my fabric of choice generally.  I would have loved to stitch it on BOAF fabric (I think this design calls for Barn Owl?), but I am not sure it can still be found?  I am using the suggested WDW over-dyed floss colors.

The linen came in the mail a couple of days ago and I was a little flabbergasted by the size of it.  I ended up getting a fat quarter as it was actually cheaper than a slightly smaller cut.  It's huge!  I keep telling myself it will be fine--the 36 count is really only about 1-1/2" to 2" shorter, but this is going to be massive.  I have put in a very few stitches (I couldn't wait or resist) and as I work in hand, it will be interesting to see how this goes. 

Just in case this design catches you eye like it did mine--I was told the company is now defunct and that one of the designers passed away not too long ago.  I think that once the BOAF charts are gone, they are gone.  With that in mind I have ordered the other two seasons to fill out the collection--though it is going to take me a really long time to stitch this--I might just want to stitch the companion pieces eventually, too, and now I will have them on hand. 

I've never stitched anything in outline like this before--it should be interesting (and fun, I hope, too).  Has anyone stitched this?  Any advice?  Any photos to share?  I may need inspiration to keep moving on this one.  I am always up for a little stitching company if anyone is interested by the way!

And Now for Something New!

I think we are definitely in need of something new to look at here, don't you think?  Last year's updates were mostly the same projects over and over.  Hopefully this year I'll be making a bit steadier progress and adding new designs (and finishes) every month.  This is my current 'big' project, though it is not exactly a large design really.  It is Prairie Schooler's "Where There are Bees".  The finished design will measure only about 8-1/2" by 6-3/8".

Although the chart calls for 32 count white Jobelan, I am trying to work from my stash as much as possible and not order too much in the way of new supplies (though I am kitting up something else so will have to fill in the gaps for the materials I am missing--more on that to follow later).  I am using DMC floss and found a piece of 32 count Siena linen in cream.  Here are my first stitches.

I've been adding a few stitches every day and it is amazing how quickly the work progresses even with just fifteen or twenty minutes of 'work' a day.  Mostly I have been stitching on my work breaks and just a row or two before bedtime.  It's coming along nicely and I am pleased withe the colors (a nice, simple color palette).  Prairie Schooler is one of my very favorite designers and stitching these charts always makes me feel quite calm and contented--just what I need to balance other stresses in my life these days.

A little close up.  Can you tell I like to jump around on my work--moving from motif to motif as whim hits me?

And for something smaller (instant gratification since it should stitch up quickly?) I have started another Prairie Schooler design.  It is from their "Designer Series" called "From the Heart".  I know February and Valentine's Day is long past, but I am fond of February designs since that is my birth month.  I'm stitching the alphabet design and will turn it into a mattress pincushion.  I think the reverse will have some motif from one of the other small designs on the chart and then something stitching along the sides--need to think about what. 

I've got two other small designs in progress but as they are gifts and I don't want to spoil the surprise should the recipients happen by, I will wait to share my progress.  I might just be tempted to share a little teaser, however . . . 

Red Rosies and Pink Posies

Have you seen this lovely design?  I came across it via Lois at Elegant Stitch's weekly update.  You can get the PDF charts to stitch "Red Rosies and Pink Posies", which is a Blue Ribbon Samplings design, by donating $15 or more to the Susan G. Komen Foundation (for breast cancer research).  Belinda, the designer, is trying to raise money to take part in the three-day walk for charity in San Diego in November.  You can read all about it and donate here. 

I couldn't resist, it's such a sweet design and for such a good cause.  I've already got the PDF and will print it out when I can get to a color printer.  I've also ordered the supplies from Lois (while she still has the kits available).  I'm going to stitch it on 35 count linen (I'm afraid my 40-count linen days might be over--too hard to see the threads) and it calls for Weeks Dye Works floss.  I can't wait to get the supplies and start stitching!  I don't think I'll finish it for a box-top, but will like make it into a cushion or frame it. 

By the way the PDF file is 17 pages of detailed charts and instructions.  Well worth the money, but all the more so since all the money will go to breast cancer research.   

And on to Something New!

No rest for the wicked as they say.  I actually started this just before I finished PS's "February".

And now that I am officially finished I can concentrate on Birds of a Feather's "Valentine Holiday".  I stitched this once before but I gave it away.  This time I am stitching it for myself.  If I work as industriously as I did this past weekend, I might even be able to finish it by Valentine's Day!

Progress on the Little Pink House

It's been a while since you've seen this, hasn't it?  I'm almost finished with my "Pink Hill Manor", and I am itching to put in those last stitches so I can move on to something new.

Mostly it is only small motifs and a few over one words and letters that I have to stitch yet.  As always it's a matter of finding a nice chunk of time to sit down with this and get through the last bits yet to stitch.  I've been making slow but steady progress nonetheless.  I've been stitching for a few minutes each day before work and it seems to add up, as here I am so close to the end!

I'm not sure if I ever shared this design here or not.  It's by Lizzie Kate.  I started stitching it a while ago and am almost finished with this one as well.  Just a little backstitching and a few more motifs to finish.  I want to finish this as a pincushion (like this one).

Have I mentioned lately how much I miss stitching?  I can't seem to get the energy to stitch on the weekends these days, and it goes without saying I never seem to have enough time to accomplish all the things I want to when I do have free time (but I know I'm not alone with this problem!).

Of course lack of enough free time doesn't stop me thinking about what I might stitch next (much like looking ahead in my reading).  These samplers are by Prairie Schooler and are from their "Country Seasons" chart.  I think I'd stitch the "Autumn Sampler" if I can pick one soon.

Or maybe something quick like this little sheep from Shepherds Bush called "Queen Bee".  They have a whole series of sheep designs, and I've been trying to stitch them all.  I'm not sure how I'll finish them all--little pillows maybe to fill a basket?  Anyway, I think I'm ready to add a new sheep to my collection.

But, first things first.  I'm not allowing myself a new project until I finish one first! 

Finally a Few Updates

I was holding off posting here until I had finished my Prairie Schooler "February Sampler", but as I am still working on it, I thought I had better just share  my progress before January slips away entirely.  I still want to try and finish this before next month, and I am getting close.  I only need to finish filling in the snow/white under the houses and add a bit of backstitching.  Almost done!

All that white fill in was getting tedious, so I pulled out my poor "Mystery Sampler" by Blackbird Designs.  It has been untouched for months and months.  I wasn't looking forward to those eyelet stitches for the grapes, but I need to just knuckle down and do them.  I don't like how  my eyelets look, but I think once they are done they'll be okay.  There was no explanation on the chart about how the eyelets are to be done or how many plies of floss, so I have been using two--not sure that is right, but the smyrnas called for two plies, so I decided to keep it all uniform.  I'm ready to move on to section three, so I am stitching away on this one now. 

And after seeing Susan's gorgeous finish, I was thinking Hillside Sampling's "Strawberry Fields" might be my 2012 project.  My long term project that is.  I accomplished very little last year and hope to do better this year.  We'll see, so it's best not to make too many plans or assume I'll whip this design out quickly, since I expect it will take me months to finish.

Here's  my little start.  It looks like a challenging project, so I hope I can stick it out and do it on my own!

First Stitches in My "Sampler Heart"

Do you remember this?  The Needle's Content "Sampler Farm" was going to be one of my February projects.  Valentine's Day has passed and I will probably not get to some of the designs I had hoped to start, but I did put in the first stitches on this one.

 

I'm using overdyed floss as called for in the chart but I am stitching it on 40 count Lambswool.  I was happy that I stitched the outline of the heart without making a single error!  That doesn't happen often.  Now I am starting to fill in the little motifs.  It's not too large, so I am hoping I can make quick progress on it.  I have no idea yet how I will finish it (maybe a door hanger?), but I love the design!

Blackbird Designs: Mystery Sampler

They're here!  Earlier I asked about Blackbird Designs' Mystery Sampler from 2008 and I decided to splurge and kit the charts up to stitch.  I guess I didn't quite realize what I was getting (hence the "bonus sampler" note on the charts), but these are four of the Loose Feather charts that have a bonus chart on each to stitch a sampler.  I really have been out of the stitching loop for the last couple of years.  I feel better about my splurge as I got not only the sampler I wanted to stitch, but four other charts as well.  It seems well worth the money now.  The charts used for the sampler are Loose Feathers Patterns #31-34.

 

I opted for the individual linens to go with each section of the mystery sampler.  All the linens are 30 count.  The first section calls for Korty's Blend, the second uses Irish Cream, the third calls for Old Town Blend, the fourth uses Iced Cappuccino, and the fifth Old Mill Java--all by R&R Reproductions.  Now I only hope I will be able to sew each section together without too much problem!  Suzanne and I are going to do a SAL for this and I can't wait to start (though I should really try and finish my Sampler Farm first!

On a side note, Kathy of Carriage House Samplings has started sharing photos of Autumn of Hawk Run Hollow!  As if I needed any other temptations when it comes to new designs!

Stitching Projects for February

Is it too soon to start looking forward to February?  I'm ready to put January behind me (and all this snow!).  And it'll mean it's one month closer to spring!  I decided to take advantage of the link Annemiek shared and have started stitching Piecework Magazine's freebie 'Quaker Heart'.  Here are my first few stitches from last week.

 

And I made a little progress over the weekend.  I am using my very favorite linen, Lambswool.  I love the stiffness of the fabric (which is easy for me to work with) and how it becomes nice and soft/flexible with handling.  I had a variety of colors set out to choose from but in the end I chose red as it seemed to look the best against the fabric.  It is pretty predictable, so I might stitch another one using a different color.  It depends on how fast the stitching goes, though it seems to work up pretty quickly. 

 

And I've pulled out a couple of Valentine's Day charts, too.  I am not overly fond of the actual holiday, which seems really commercialized, but I will admit to a fondness for Valentine's Day-related needlework designs.  This is an older chart by Sheepish Designs called "Valentine Wabbit".  I ordered my supplies--well, some of them. I need to read the materials' lists a bit more carefully.  I didn't order enough beads/treasures, but I should still have enough materials to start work.  And I am also missing a few floss colors and the ribbons (am not sure where I can order those).  I think I may change the phrase in the heart--what's there seems a bit cutesy to me (or maybe I am feeling especially cranky this winter).  Any ideas?  I could just stitch 'love'---something simple.

 

I stitched "Valentine Holiday" by Birds of a Feather before, but I gave it away in an exchange.  You can see a photo in my Picturetrail album in the 2005 Finishes section (scroll down).  It's not a great photo as I used my scanner.  This was before I owned my trusty little digital camera.  I didn't use the fabric that was called for, but did I bother to note what I used?  Of course not.  This time around I am using the fabric as listed on the chart.  It seems very red, but I am sure it will work just fine.  I think I will start with this one.  I am excited to finally stitch this for myself!

I'll still be working on my GH "Sampler Farm", but I really like having smaller projects on the go as well and being able to switch back and forth.  ...And after these I will start thinking about some spring designs!  But first things first!