Maybe it's the same as with reading--timing is everything. Last year was an abysmal stitching year for me, and this year hadn't started off very well at all, but I have found just the right project and I am very much in a stitching mode right now. I've even, yes . . . drum roll, please . . . reached for stitching over a book on occasion this past week. And what has prompted so much attention?
Prairie Schooler is one of my very favorite designers and there was a time when I ordered all their new releases each season, but in the last few years I've bought fewer and fewer new needlework charts and very little in the way of supplies. I couldn't resist "Where There Are Bees" however. Bee motifs are amongst my favorite to stitch, so pair the two? The right designer and the right motif, and I had to have the chart and I started stitching it almost as soon as I had unpacked it.
The model in the chart illustration was stitched on 32 count white Jobelan linen, which I don't have in my stash, so I compromised and am using the same count but cream Siena linen. It is nicely starched (I mostly use Lambswool linen which is also very stiff fabric that I prefer working on) and I think the colors will stand out nicely from the background. It calls for a mere four colors of DMC cotton floss--all of which I had on hand. I'm working on the middle medallion with the queen bee in the center. The saying reads: "Where there are bees there is honey". It will make a nice companion piece to my other bee sampler from several years ago.
But wait, there's more! I am working on two other smaller projects as well. I started this one only a week or so ago and am nearly finished with it. Just a little teaser here--design, designer, subject matter are all a secret at the moment as this and the design below are going to be gifts for friends who might happen by here and I don't want to spoil the fun. I'll share finished photos of both when they are safely in the recipient's hands.
Any guesses what that is? I have less finished on this design but will get working on it in earnest when I finish the other.
My splurge extended to a few other charts, which I am going to kit up from my stash already on hand so a few of these might be gracing this spot here once I get started on them.
As soon as I pull the right floss colors for this chart I am going to begin stitching 'Spring' from this Prairie Schooler "Prairie Seasons" chart which was published way back in 1995. It is going to be my year long seasonal project (the idea being I will do one sampler each season beginning with the top left design). I had another seasonal chart picked out, but have just not felt especially excited to begin stitching on it. I discovered this in my stash and it caught my eye and feels much more pleasing to me at the moment. Hopefully I can keep the momentum up. I have loads of in progress projects and should really give them attention, but better to begin something new which I am excited about than feel like I should work on something older which I can't bring myself to pick up.
Is this my first needlework post of the year? (Not quite but almost). If I continue my work, maybe I can share my updates more regularly. Most importantly my stitching is providing me with some well deserved respite from stressful moments in life. Hopefully more to follow next week.