Sampler Saturday

Here's a quick update on the two samplers that I'm currently stitching and a finish. First up is Just Nan's Winter Blues. I've managed to stitch this according to the proposed schedule on the Just Nan Facebook group and I'm now on the final row. When that is completed I will add the beads. There are just two weeks of the schedule left so it will be a March finish.

When this sampler is completed the next one is Nan's Garden. 

Winter Blues - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

I have completed Mary Stead 1824 and I'm thinking that I might make a cushion cover rather than get it framed. I will think some more about that. 

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC

I was keen to start another sampler so I pulled out Just Nan's 4 Wishes. I've completed Winter and I'm now stitching Spring. I really like the little ducks paddling in the rain.

4 Wishes - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Raw Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

An update on Samplers

I'm currently stitching on two samplers; Just Nan's Winter Blues and Hands Across the Sea Samplers' Mary Stead 1824. I'm enjoying switching between these and my 12 Days of Christmas projects.

As I'm working to Jo's suggested schedule for Winter Blues on the Just Nan Facebook page, I've now completed bands 13 and 14. There are only five weeks of this project left and this is how it now looks. I'm pleased that I'm keeping to the schedule as it's good to see progress on this sampler rather than having the chart sit in a file.

Winter Blues - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

I started Mary Stead 1824 in September as part of @Senoritastitches September Sampler Soiree on Instagram. I put it away in October and only took it out a couple of weeks ago. I'm now on the final section and I should be able to complete it this coming week.

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC

Have a good week.

Gifted Gorgeousness - September 2020

It's time for Gifted Gorgeousness this month. This is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching and is an opportunity to show stitching related gifts that we have made or received.

Earlier this month it was Clare's (Aimtu's Stitching) birthday and I sent her a small stitched sampler card. You can see it here on her blog as I forgot to take a photograph of it before I posted it.

My main stitching focus this month continues to be Alpine Seasons. I am now stitching the outer border which you can see in the crinkled photo below. 

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine as at 18 September 2020

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

It's not a Gifted Gorgeousness project but I've also been stitching on Mary Stead 1824 as part of  @Senoritastitches September Sampler Soiree on Instagram. There are just five colours in this project and I like how they blend together.

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC

September Sampler Soiree

@Senoritastitches is hosting the September Sampler Soiree on Instagram. Given that I've finished my Little Sheep Virtues this is just the prompt that I needed to start Hands Across the Sea's Mary Stead 1824. This is part of their Little Gems series which I really like and it includes some more designs that I would like to buy at some stage.

After two days, here is my progress on Mary Stead 1824.

Mary Stead 1824 - Hands Across The Sea Samplers

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Light Mocha/Mushroom linen

Threads: Recommended DMC 

I'm still stitching on Alpine Seasons Garden and I'm close to completing the seasonal circle of trees and mountains. Once this is finished, the dense cross-stitch coverage will be completed.

Alpine Seasons Garden - Chatelaine

as at  2 September 2020

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Sand linen

Threads: Recommended silk threads

Jane Marshall 1857 is finished

The world has changed so much in recent weeks with the spread of coronavirus. It seems no time since our news was full of reports on the fires in Australia. Like many others at that time I bought the Jane Marshall 1857 sampler to support Hands Across the Sea Samplers' initiative to donate the proceeds of this chart to two brigades of the NSW rural Fire Service.
I enjoyed stitching this sampler. In fact, I liked it so much that I purchased Mary Stead 1854 from them last week.

Jane Marshall 1857 - Hands Across the Sea Samplers
Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique Ivory linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Jane Marshall 1857 update

I am enjoying stitching this sampler. Here is an update of where I finished on Friday. Now that I have a Lowry workstand I feel that I am stitching more quickly. At my current rate I could be finished next week. However, I have some other things I need to work on so it might not happen.

Jane Marshall 1857 - Hands Across the Sea Samplers
Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique Ivory linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Jane Marshall 1857

I first heard of the Jane Marshall 1857 sampler on this Mid-week FibreTalk podcast which went out in January. It is a reproduction sampler from Hands Across the Sea Samplers and it is being sold in aid of the Rural Fire Services (RFS) of Katoomba/Leura and Wentworth Falls. With a beautiful sampler and being able to help an important service, I lost no time in placing my order.

Here is a photo of the completed sampler and ...

here is my progress so far. Sadly my photo doesn't do it justice. I hope the lighting is better when I take my next progress photograph.

Jane Marshall 1857 - Hands Across the Sea Samplers
Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Antique Ivory linen
Threads: Suggested DMC threads