Sampler Saturday

Over the past few weeks I have making progress on my sampler stitching. I'm pleased to say that I have now completed Just Nan's Winter Blues sampler. By keeping to the proposed schedule that Jo of Serendipitous Stitching suggested for the Just Nan Junkies Facebook group I kept on track. My current plan is to complete this as a bell pull.

Winter Blues - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

I have now started the next sampler for Just Nan Junkies and it is Nan's Garden. I'm behind on the proposed schedule but I will catch up. So far one of the things I like about this design is the picket fence. The brick Florentine stitch works so well here.

Nan' s Garden - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Platinum Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: To be sourced 

Finally, I have completed three of the seasons on 4 Wishes. There is now only Autumn left. This might take longer to complete as I plan to return to Alpine Seasons Garden before the end of the month. These brighter days have me wanting to take it out. I know it's just a notion I have but I prefer to work on it these days in brighter daylight.

4 Wishes - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart Raw Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC threads

Embellishments: Included with chart

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.

Winter Blues

Not the winter blues we experience from the cold, dark days of winter but Just Nan's Winter Blues sampler. I'm taking part in the SAL arranged by Jo on the Just Nan Facebook page and this is my progress at the end of week two. We are broadly completely two bands per week. I bought this chart when it first came out so it's about time I started it.

Winter Blues - Just Nan

Fabric: 28ct Zweigart White Cashel linen

Threads: Suggested DMC and Kreinik threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

Earlier this week I completed stitching Just Nan's Mermaid Heart. I started this 1st January 2017 as my project for the Ten stitches a day SAL. However I lost interest in it after a few months as 10 stitches a day was too few for my liking. I then stitched 70 stitches once a week but that didn't work for me either. I finally took it out again before Christmas and when I saw how little needed to be done to complete it, I made up my mind that it would be finished. So here it is. I just need to decide on how I will fully finish it. Hopefully that won't take me three years!

Sadly, despite numerous attempts, the colours didn't come out well in my photos (this was the best one) but I can assure you that they are rich and vibrant.

Mermaid Heart - Just Nan

Fabric: 32ct Zweigart Rue Green Belfast Linen

Threads: Suggested Ver au Soie threads

Embellishment pack included with chart

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

Gifted Gorgeousness - April

Let me start by saying sorry to those of you who have commented on my blog and perhaps left a question. I have just discovered that not all my comments come through to my primary email, some go to my gmail account only. That is why you have not heard from me. Why this happens I have no idea and it only seems to have started since I changed phones some weeks ago. I must have made some change to my phone settings without realising it.

Now on to Gifted Gorgeousness which is hosted by Jo of Serendipitous Stitching. Full details of how Gifted Gorgeousness works can be found here.  This month's stitching is a gift from Jo. I guessed the phrase in last year's Easter blog hop and she sent me this Just Nan design as well as the charm pin.  Given my love of Just Nan, this was an ideal gift for me. Isn't the rabbit charm pin just delightful?

Tiny Bunny Biscornu - Just Nan

Fabric: 32ct Belfast pale lilac linen

Threads: Recommended DMC threads

Chart embellishment pack

In answer to your question, Jo, here is my finished Just Nan's Diamond Bouquet. This was completed around 1998 and was my second Just Nan sampler (Bee Blossoms was my first).

Diamond Bouquet - Just Nan

completed as a class project at local needlework shop

Happy New Year and my final finish of 2014

Happy New Year; I hope that 2015 will be the year that you hope for.

I finished the Mojo Sampler during the evening of 31 December 2014. I was determined to add all the beads on Wednesday as I had already stitched the year on the piece and I had no wish to change it.
I have decided to put this on the front of a photo album which will contain photographs of most of my stitching over the past 25 years. I say 'most' as there are a few things I've given away where I forgot to take photographs first.

Mojo Sampler - Bee's Needleworks
stitched on 32ct White Belfast

That was the week ... Month? ... that was

During the past month I've continued to combine part-time work with stitching. Most hotel rooms aren't conducive to stitching as the lighting doesn't suit. So last week, I bought a Vusion craft light. It has both a light and magnifier and can be used clipped on to my work or be left free-standing on a table. I haven't had the chance to try it yet but I'm looking forward to it.

So what have I done stitching wise? I've made progress on the Mojo Sampler SAL on The Stitch Specialists Yahoo group and I'm now on part 8. I'm loving all the difference stitches that I've been trying in this sampler.

Mojo Sampler - Abi Gurden Bee's Needleworks
Stitched on 32ct Cashel White

I've also stitched an item for an exchange but I will post on that later in the week. By that time, the item will have been received.

Happy Stitching everyone.

Mojo Sampler SAL Update

Since I can't show my other stitching at the moment because they are exchange pieces, I thought I'd share the latest update on the Mojo Sampler SAL over at The Stitch Specialists. Abi of Bee's Needleworks has created a sampler with a delightful selection of stitches. With a part released every two weeks, this week's selection were the Diamond Ray Stitch, Cross Stitch and Woven Back Stitch. The Woven Back Stitch was new to me. Of the three stitches, my favourite is the Diamond Ray Stitch as I think the fan effect of this stitch can be versatile in use - to create diamond shapes, trees, etc.

Mojo Sampler - Abi Gurden Bee's Needleworks
The Stitch Specialists SAL
Stitched on 32ct White Belfast linen

Just Nan 2014 SAL May update

I'm very pleased to say that I've completed Just Nan's Patience Sampler. It took me longer to stitch than I expected but it has been well worth it. I've loved the variety of stitches that this sampler has but I never grew to love the recommended fabric.
Very few of my finished pieces are framed. Having waited for about ten years to get this pattern, it will be going to the framers. So Pelican Picture Framing, here I come!

Just Nan - Patience
Stitched on 30ct Legacy White Swan linen
Completed 31 May 2014

So what will I stitch next? On the Just Nan front, I'm going to stitch 'True Blue Heart'. I'm also taking part in two summer exchanges - one with Needlecraft Haven and the other with Friendly Stitchers. So all of that should keep me busy during June.

A Contribution to History, a Finish and a WIP

I couldn't resist the phrase 'A contribution to history', it makes me smile. I haven't done anything dramatic or earth shattering; just stitched my initial using DMC 321 on a 15cm square piece of linen and sent it to the Textile Museum Parc Wesserling in Alsace, France. DMC are having a permanent exhibition where the stitched initials will be displayed along with the names of the participants. Closing date for contributions is 12th May. Further details are here (in English) and here (in French).

Initial M
Stitched on 32ct white Belfast

I completed Little Blue Bungalow,(a free design from Blue Ribbon Designs) which is the 2014 chart for the Birthday thread exchange on Needlecraft Haven. The picture below shows an unfilled pillow as I need to buy some more filling. I love how the colours really stand out and fortunately I had some suitable pink/fushia fabric that I could use for the pillow.

Little Blue Bungalow - Blue Ribbon Designs
Stitched on Goldrush 32ct Murano by Crafty Kitten

I have started the Mojo Sampler, which is the current SAL on The Stitch Specialists. I've decided on a combination of purples (DMC 333, 340, 3746) and yellows (DMC 725, 744). Unfortunately, the yellow backstitch lettering isn't showing up too well on the fabric. If I am still unhappy with it when the SAL is completed, I will switch it for another yellow. The lettering reads 'I love to stitch'.

Mojo Sampler - Abi Gurden, Bee's Needleworks
The Stitch Specialists SAL
Stitched on 32ct White Belfast

Just Nan SAL 2014 April update

So near to completion and yet so far! I am on band 21 of 23 of Just Nan's Patience Sampler. There have been plenty of specialty stitches in this project which have been fun to do. I'm still not a fan of the recommended linen but if you don't try something different, how will you learn these things.

If you pop over to Zeb's blog, Keep Calm and Cross Stitch, you can see and find links for other updates in this SAL.

JN's Patience as at 27 April 2014
Stitched on 30ct Legacy linen

Just Nan 2014 March SAL update

Where has the month gone? As I mentioned in my last post, I had only managed to stitch one and a half rows on JN's 'Patience' sampler. Since then, ... I've still only managed to stitch one and a half rows in March. Oh well, something is better than nothing. It's another step nearer to completing this project and the main thing is, I'm happy with how it is turning out. I have plans to frame this piece.

March update - Just Nan ''Patience' sampler

Busy, busy, busy ...

I think I've fallen into the trap of trying to do too many things at once and making little progress on any of them!

Since I had little opportunity for stitching last year, I seem to have been trying to make up for lost time, particularly in regard to sewing exchanges. I've had three on the go at once - perhaps not one of my better ideas. I posted two of my exchange items at the beginning of this week. One is a Spring themed item for my Needlecraft Haven partner and the other is a Stitcher's Day item for my Friendly Stitchers's partner. I will post pictures when the items have been received. I'm also doing an Easter exchange and I've started stitching an Easter card and Easter shaped ornament for my Needlecraft Haven partner. I have until the beginning of April to complete that.

In the meantime I am making progress on pieces for myself. First up, Just Nan's Patience Sampler - I've only stitched one and a half rows since I last showed it. Hopefully I will be able to get a better photo next time.

Just Nan Patience as at 18 March 2014

I've made quite abit of progress on my quilt. I finished machine stitching the green/yellow squares and still have to finish machine piecing the red/yellow/burnt yellow squares. However, I got enough done to do a provisional layout to see what it will look like when finished (see below). What I have learnt from this design is that trying to get points right, is enough to make you want to pull your hair out! While not 100% perfect, they are almost there.

My Animal Farm Quilt - taster layout

Just Nan SAL 2014 - February post

In my mind, I'm a quicker stitcher than I actually am in real life. So despite thinking that I would have Just Nan's Patience sampler finished, I have only passed the half way point. I'm more used to stitching on the recommended fabric now but I wouldn't rush to buy it again. I'm very happy with the look of this sampler and wish I could take a photograph that does it full justice. About halfway through Row 6 I lost my rhythm and ended up removing and restitching the same section of the row about 4 times! Thankfully I got it sorted in the end. To see the progress of others in the Just Nan SAL 2014, just click here.

Just Nan 'Patience' as at 28 February 2014

January Just Nan 2014 SAL Update

Here is my progress on Just Nan's Patience Sampler. I expected to complete the first band and I probably would have, if I hadn't miscounted the positioning of the centre piece after the first rose! So after some frogging, here it is.
I'm stitching on the recommended 30ct Liberty fabric and I'm still undecided as to whether I like it or not. I feel that the fabric holes are 'big' compared to 32ct. Silly I know, but as I usually stitch on 28ct or 32ct linen, it just feels different. Still love what I have managed to stitch though.

Just Nan 'Patience'
Stitched on 30ct Legacy

First Happy Dance of 2014

I finished the Fairy Tale Sampler from Dragon Dreams earlier this afternoon. I'm pleased with it and glad that I used the recommended Waterlilies 'Mulberry' thread. I had considered just using Waterlilies 'Sky Blue Pink' for the speciality stitches but it takes the two colours to provide extra definition.

Dragon Dreams 'Fairy Tale Sampler'
Stitched on 28ct Brittany Ivory

Something New

I've toyed with the idea of a blog for my hobbies before now but it was the idea of joining the Just Nan Stitch Along 2014 that made me decide to take the plunge. I've got more Just Nan charts than I've stitched so far!

If you would like to find out more about this SAL, the details are here: Just Nan Stitch Along 2014 hosted by Zeb of Keep Calm and Cross Stitch.

My main stitching piece at the moment is Fairy Tale Sampler by Dragon Dreams. Here is the latest picture of my progress.

Dragon Dreams 'Fairy Tale Sampler'
Stitched on 28ct Brittany Ivory