I've not shared any of my needlework in quite a while, and since I've started a few new projects (to go along with the fall season), I thought it was about time. I've actually not made a whole lot of progress on my other projects, but seeing them here tends to inspire me to work harder. This is a Halloween design by Shakespeare's Peddler (isn't that a great name?) called "Jenny Bean's Halloween Sampler". Jenny Bean is of course entirely made up, but she has a line of samplers that I am lusting after. Better to finish one first than go buy another, right? I love this design. The saying reads: "When I am dead and in my grave and all my bones are rottin' if this you see--pray think of me or I will be forgotten." A little morbid, I admit, but I still like it. What I have stitched so far is part of the house and a few gravestones.
The linen I am using is a 40 count linen, which means 40 threads to an inch, which is really, really tiny. It's been a while since I've stitched on linen so fine and my eyes are not what they used to be. I have magnifying glasses I use when stitching (though I don't actually wear glasses normally), and even they were not strong enough. I had to buy another pair this weekend that magnifies even more. I wouldn't be able to stitch this otherwise, and it's a bit depressing that I can barely see the individual linen threads with the naked eye. It's also a very tight weave so there are no discernible holes, which will make this a challenge, though the new glasses help immensely. I will get this done by Halloween. I'm just not going to say which Halloween!
Halloween project number two is a quickie as you can see. The design is by Prairie Schooler. I am planning on making this into a scissor fob and am hoping that I will finish it in plenty of time for the holiday. The design is called "Cat on a Pumpkin" and it will measure 2-1/4" x 1-3/8" when I finish.
Here's my progress on Blackbird Designs "Mystery Sampler". I'm still on part two, but if you recall the problems I was having before... I had to pick out most of that circular vine in the middle as I was one stitch off and the ends weren't going to meet up. Second time was a charm as I had no problems.
And to keep things in perspective this is what it will look like (sort of) when they are stitched together. I don't really have too much left to stitch on this section--it's just a matter of finding the time to work on it.
And last but not least is my "Band Sampler", which I have made very little progress. I guess I need to make some sort of rotation. Just like with books, I have more than one stitching project on the go at once. I do most of my stitching on weekends and pick up whichever sampler appeals the most at the moment. I really wish I had more free time. If nothing else I am thinking longingly of the many vacation days I have accumulated and wondering when would be a good time to start taking a few of them! The nice thing about my needlework--there is never a due date to worry about or a deadline. This is pure leisure for me!