First Finish of 2009

Autumn Haze
Laura J. Perin
c. 2006
11/21/08 - 1/24/09
Caron Watercolors, DMC Pearl Cotton & Floss, Kreinik Braid & Ribbon, Mill Hill Magnifica Beads

This is a freebie from Laura Perin's website. I painted the canvas a light teal. It's really too bad that the photo doesn't pick up the sparkle from the beads and the metallic threads. The colors are even prettier IRL.

For my rotation starting today, I get to choose any canvas WIP, so I will be stitching First Step by Genny Morrow.

Our forecast calls for rain, freezing rain, and sleet for late tomorrow into Wednesday. That, I'm not looking forward to. But, it makes for good stitching!

Sampler Progress and A Present!

Here is Bands of Many Colors as of today! Even though I have been faithfully stitching only on this for the last 2 weeks, you would think it should be farther along, but it is so enjoyable, it shouldn't be rushed! I am putting it away for a while, as part 1 and a wee bit of part 2 have been done. I think I will follow Coni's method of rotation for a while, and "draw" a WIP to stitch for a week. The one that was drawn from my list is a canvas piece which doesn't have much more to do. If it isn't finished this week, then I will be surprised.

Edited to add: The stitches used in Part 1: Cross, Queen, Backstitch, Algerian Eye, Diamond Eye, Satin, Irish, and Tent.

I had a belated Christmas present arrive yesterday from DD and DSIL. She had been quite distraught that it did not arrive in time for Christmas, but that was OK because when I opened it, I could not believe she had sent all of these charts from my wish list!! There is a little kit coming that is on backorder as well! I can't wait to start stitching them. Thanks, thanks, thanks!

Still Waters--Plum Street Samplers

Gather Thy Roses--Chessie & Me

Irish Sampler Pincushion--Nostalgic Needle

Bands of Many Colors progress

Progress was pretty good this week even though I'm working on 36 ct. There are 2 motifs to complete and then I will be able to start stitching the bands.

Bands of Many Colors

Here is my start to Bands of Many Colors. There are several spot motifs above the bands of stitches. I'm using 36 ct. cream and will be stitching with 1 thread over 2, and will be using my magnifier for sure! My chart came from Just Cross Stitch. Small portions were published in 7 consecutive issues in 1990-1991. I've wanted to stitch this one since seeing it that far back! My "goal" is to stitch one portion at least every 2 months (one part is the personalization, so that won't take very long). That way it should be complete at the end of 2009!

I did not have anyone sign up for the FQ PIF on my January 1st post, so I will select 2 readers during the year to receive 2 fat quarters of fabric.

Last Finish of 2008

Seasons of Flowers Sampler
Eileen Bennett --The Sampler House
c. 1987

12/2003 - 12/31/08

32 ct. cream linen, DMC thread

I was determined to get this one finished in 2008 and I did...but only a little bit before the clock struck midnight! It was a real joy to stitch, but I ended up stitching a little bit here and there, and spreading it out over 5 years! That's just way too long to be working on a project! LOL (Although I do have one that dates back to about 1988 that will be coming out soon!)


On New Year's Day I began another of Eileen's gorgeous samplers...Bands of Many Colors. I just love stitching band samplers with a variety of specialty stitches. They are not very wide, which for me is enjoyable, as I don't get tired of working on the same thing for very long. There's only a little bit done, so no pic yet.

*****See my post on January 1, and let me know if you are interested in the FQ PIF!*****

Happy New Year and a PIF!

Happy New Year!

I had an email from Sherry last night and learned that I won a PIF from her for 2009! How exciting! Her PIF is for 2 fat quarters of fabric, and I love adding new fabric to my stash.

The requirement is to add a PIF to MY blog. Everyone loves a FQ, and we use them all the time. Sometime within the next 365 days, I will send out 2 FQs to 2 of you!

If you are interested, leave a comment on this post until January 5th at 6 p.m. central time. Let me know that you want to be included and that evening I will draw 2 names and post the winner on my blog. Please be sure to leave your email address or a link to your blog so that I can get in touch with you if you are a winner!

If you win, you must be willing to post this PIF on your blog and do the same for 2 people. Good luck!