I've been meaning to show you all what Jill did for my finished Elizabeth Sheffield (Scarlet Letter)! I was blown away once again by Jill's talent for choosing just the right moulding, and I had planned on immediately sending another piece to her as soon as Elizabeth arrived on my doorstep, but I've not had time to finish the next project on my list just yet. Maybe this spring some time, I'll have Ruth Bacheler (also a Scarlet Letter) ready to send to her.
Here is Elizabeth, hanging between my front door and a bright window in my entry way…
I'm in love! Thank you so very, very much, sweet Jill. 🙂
And speaking of frames, I got Viktor & Irina put in their frame and whisked away to market, just in the knick of time. I showed this photo on Facebook, but forgot to show it here as well! So sorry about that! The frame is from Hobby Lobby, for those of you who asked me…
I hope you found lots of stuff at this year's Nashville Market to be excited about. I know I spied a thing or two I won't be long without. 😉
Since Bre moved away, her designing efforts had to slow down a bit until she got settled down. But lately she's been on a designing binge, and I'm so excited for her to release her new charts! These next two will be out on March 1st for market. 🙂
By now, I'm sure most of you have heard of this wonderful Italian designer and her fabulous style of needlework patterns. I adore her! When I was at the Shepherd's Bush retreat this past October, I picked up my first chart from her collection, and soon afterward she surprised me with an email, telling me of a design of mine she had completed…
I've decided I'm going to try to talk her into designing all my covers. heehee
This past Christmas, more than ever, I was wishing I'd had lots and lots of stitched ornaments or pin pillows to put into the large dough bowl my mom had gotten for me last summer. It seems that dough bowls are the new Longaberger baskets, and I love seeing what people put in them.
Here is a collection Mom had out on her coffee table this past December…
So I've decided that in an effort to fill my own dough bowl with yuletide goodies, I'd stitch only Christmas patterns each Sunday this year. Hopefully, by the time the Christmas decorating season rolls back around, I'll have several to show for my time spent on Santa Sundays.
If you have Instagram downloaded on your iPhone or Android, then join in the fun! Siobhan, Tanya, my mom, and a few others have been participating, and we've been using the hashtag #santasundayxs.
This was the first ornament I finished for the new year…
It was the Samplers-and-Santas blog that inspired me to get moving on these. Her home is fabulous, and every time I visit her blog I want to stitch my figgy pudding guts out.
Anyway, my first ornament is Black Santa by Birds of a Feather (no longer in print, but will pop up on eBay occasionally). I changed my colors to a darker palette, but only because I didn't have many of the called-for colors. Here is my conversion, if you're interested…
Fabric used: 36 ct. Vintage Pearled Barley by Lakeside Linens.
Threads (with original colors on chart in paretheses):
Notice I used Grecian Gold for both the Metallic Gold and the Whiskey, and I didn't sew on the white pearl beads for the falling snow.
My next project for Santa Sundays is Green Santa by BoaF, and I'm almost finished with it. I've changed the colors on this one as well, and have been enjoying it very much!
By the way, when I finished Elizabeth Sheffield, I moved on to my poor Ruth Bacheler that's been waning in the closet. I've decided that once I'm caught up with all the samplers I've started in the past few years, I'd like to never have something take me longer than 2 years to finish, because I don't like losing interest in them. It was hard to get back to Ruthie, but once I did, I really enjoyed her. However, I may need to take a break from her here and there, because I've got Irish Chain Stitches up to my eyeballs and see no end in sight.
I'll be back very soon with news about our newest addition to the family! But if you're on Instagram, you may already know about her. 😉
I finished! I've been working here and there on Elizabeth since last year, and have enjoyed every stitch. The colors were so much fun to work with!
I love Rhode Island samplers! Elizabeth is by The Scarlet Letter, and I changed the colors to my own conversion of Hand Dyed Fibers and Carrie's Creation silks.
Here's a wonky photo of the whole finished sampler. When I pressed it, I didn't bother straightening out the lines for the photo because I was planning on rolling it and shipping it off to Jill immediately. 🙂
The verse is so beautiful! As is the turquoise bird at the top.
By the way, any time I'm taking photos of stitching, the Yorkie comes to quietly watch me. She just sits there, intently studying my every move, like she's trying to learn how to do it herself. It's actually quite sweet unnerving.
Yorkie, all I can say is that this sampler had me at Colonial Couple.
If you're interested in the materials I used to stitch Elizabeth, here's the list:
Threads I used (with the pattern's listed colors in parentheses):
*CC = Carrie's Creation *HDF = Hand Dyed Fibers *(AVAS listed on chart pack)
CC Saguaro (2136) CC Baja Blue (136) CC Koala Claw (2516) CC Cafe Ole (2834) CC Moose Drool (3823) CC Tiger Eye (3816) CC Dawn Sky (2913) CC Baby Teal (131) CC Marina (134) HDF 3331 (514) HDF 1423 (1314) HDF 4145 (2514) HDF 3167 (1844) HDF 4113 (3741) HDF 3465 (2234) HDF 4325 (2636) HDF 3347 (3423) HDF 5300 (Noir) HDF 5143 (4136) HDF 1403 (4631) HDF 3169 (1846) HDF 5125 (4242) HDF 5121 (Creme)
I can't wait to get her back from Jill's studio! I may, however, avoid stitching brightly-colored samplers in the future, because both Sabrina and Sophie have laid claim to Elizabeth. (And since Sophie thinks that Sabrina will perhaps win her in the end, Sophie has decided to stalk my next project, which is The Scarlet Letter's Ruth Bacheler – also a brightly-colored sampler.)
Now that I've gotten my "fun" stitching fix, I'm back to working on the model for my January release. 🙂 See you soon!
It was at the Shepherd's Bush retreat in October that I discovered Jeanette Douglas' charming little Quaker Pincushions and their accompanying pins and buttons. I visited the Shepherd's Boutique every day and always found myself at Jeanette's table, eyeing the models and playing, playing with those little colorful pillows. Finally, on the last day, I said to her, "Jeanette, I can't stand it any more. I need one of those patterns and the kit that goes with it."
I know it's a little late to show-and-tell the Hallowe'en pincushion, but it's the one I chose to make, and I wanted to share it with you all! I used The Gentle Art's wool for it, as well as some lovely linen by R&R (18th Century Gold, I believe it was?)
I have to say, these JABC pins make me smile. 😉
This large button came in the kit as well, and is sewn to the bottom of the cushion. The pattern says to use a piece of matching wool for the fabric on the bottom, but I used an old piece of homespun I had on hand, and I like how it turned out.
Thanks for bearing with me in my sharing of out-of-season-but-still-fun smalls. I'm very much looking forward to next fall, however, so I can pull this out of my box of Halloween decorations – and remember once again how much fun I had in Utah. If you've never had the pleasure of meeting Jeanette, you're missing out. What a sweetheart she is!
P.S. She's got Christmas pincushions as well. 😉
P.P.S. I just realized that while it may no longer be Halloween, it is still technically fall. 🙂
Oh my goodness, you have no idea how giddy Mom and I have been about our annual sampler exchange, and it finally happened yesterday! We were only waiting for the boxes from Jill's studio to arrive, and as soon as they did, my plan was to run every red light bw here and Mom's house in my excitement to swap samplers at last!
As soon as the UPS man rang the doorbell, I knew it was time. I felt like that Target lady from past Black Friday television ads…
With brute strength I snatched the box off the front porch, yanked the phone up to my ear, then dialed Mom's number, informing her in a breathless burst that she needed to immediately stop watching tv and eating petit fours working and open the front door with her Jill-box in hand, bc I'd be there in a single bound or less.
After squealing insanely and having a supersonic conversation that I can no longer remember the words to, I loaded up the package and headed out. When I arrived, I found that Mom had the same wild-eyed look in her eyes that I had, so we decided it was best to begin the exchange posthaste.
I'm laughing in the photo below bc I was trying to scramble back in time before the timer clicked the camera shutter…
Mom had the fun idea to exchange boxes rather than the opened samplers (which we usually wrap in Christmas paper… except for the year I didn't know she was wrapping hers, and mine was just in wrinkly brown kraft paper). Those of you who order from Jill know that unwrapping one of her packages can take a few hours, so when we finally got to the sampler inside, we removed the packing paper without looking at it, and turned it so that it was facing away from us. This way, Mom could see what she had stitched for me before I saw it, and I could see what I'd stitched for her.
(See how much effort goes into this process? It takes a very clean diet and weeks of steady gym workouts to prepare for.)
Then it was time to turn the samplers around, and after a brief, suspensful silence, our reactions were identical:
Gasp.
Gasp again.
Say "OH MY GOSH" in unison.
Cover our mouths with one hand while holding our samplers with the other.
Crawl across the floor and give each other big hugs.
Here's what my wonderful mom stitched for me:
(The verse is amazing!)
Hannah Cummins, 1828 Reproduced by Ellen Chester of With My Needle
Mom said she chose it for me bc she loved the verse on it. I couldn't be more thrilled with it, and it now proudly hangs in my George & Martha Suite! (And is that moulding not absolutely amazing?)
Here is what I stitched for my mom…
I stitched my name and the year in place of what was originally charted, bc this is not a reproduction sampler.
Sarah Spurr Carriage House Samplings
I chose this sampler for Mom because of the red bird, and because she had mentioned in the past wanting to stitch it for herself. I absolutely loved every stitch of it, and fondly remember working on it with my coffee in the early mornings during the Shepherd's Bush retreat, while Pat from R&R worked on her sampler on the couch next to me. We'd have long chats in the peace and quiet, and I loved watching the sampler slowly come together. I have no idea what linen I used to stitch it (although I suspect it's by Lakeside Linens), and I used my own AVAS conversion because I didn't have the NPI on hand that it called for.
Jill, you did an outstanding job on our framed pieces, as usual, and we can't thank you enough! I think this was our most fun exchange so far, and I'm already looking forward to next year's.
Mom, you are the most perfect mother in the world, and I thank the Lord that you're mine. And not just because I got this amazing sampler.
I got a few more emails recently from those of you who have finished some PSS designs.. thank you again for sharing them! It's always fun to see the color changes you make, or the different ways you finish them.
First, I've never seen a finishing technique quite like this one, and I think it's fabulous! These are from Marielle fom France…
This one is Hares' Halloween (available from your local needlework shop):
And this one is Hares' Haunting (available under the "freebie" link on the right-hand sidebar here on my blog, along with all of my other freebies):
Next is a sweet finish from someone whose email I've lost, so now I don't know who sent it to me! I am sincerely sorry, but I'd like to thank you for taking the time to show me your Hares' Haunting pillow! I love how it turned out:
Here is Cindy's completed Christmas Tea, stitched on Pearl Grey Belfast, with Belle Soie silk – very pretty linen choice, Cindy!
And lastly, I asked Katrina's permission to post this here, bc it's too beautiful not to share with you all. Katrina is the assistant to the VP of Programs for the Sampler Guild of the Rockies, and she came up with this project for the guild members for next year. She did a gorgeous job on it (as she does with everything, I might add), and I can't wait to see it in person when I attend their retreat next June!
This design is a variation of the "Trifle for a Friend" complimentary pattern (again, located under the "freebie" category in the sidebar to your right). The original was charted for a single color, but Katrina added a few different colors and the result is wonderful!
And take a look at what's inside the box…
(She stitched the scissors fob over-one!) Katrina, you've done an outstanding job, and I know the ladies in your guild must be very pleased with your dedication to finding the perfect year-long project. And I'm extremely flattered that you liked the pattern enough to work with it!
Thank you all so much for sharing your finishes with me.. it's always a huge pleasure, and a dream come true for me to know that there are stitchers out there who like my designs. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
I just have to share this framed collection with you, stitched by longtime friend Kay and framed by the ever-fabulous and charming Jill Rensel. I released these charts ages ago, so it's fun to see a fresh new perspective on them!
When Kay first sent this picture to me, she said she wanted them specifically in this order because "first, you Gather with friends, then you Give thanks, and finally you Gobble down all the food." 🙂 I love that!
And for those of you who collect the Just Cross Stitch Christmas ornament issues, you may know that I'm working on a series of ornaments for the Twelve Days of Christmas. I would love to be invited back to submit the rest of them, but if not, I will continue them anyway. Here are the first two, beautifully stitched and finished by Cheryl…
I love how she finished them! She said she used The Twisted Stitcher's tutorials to help her with the finishing, and I love love love how festive they look!
Thank you, Kay and Cheryl, for taking the time to share your creations with me. 🙂
Today I'll be working on the model for Nantucket Girl, filling orders, and hopefully spending a little time designing. I feel very fortunate right now that I'm not having to pack up my home and leave everything behind for higher ground like those on the east coast are having to do. My prayers are for them today.
I've had the honor of having so many of you email me with your Plum Street finishes, and I wanted to let you know that it's always very exciting – and humbling – when I receive your pictures. When I first started designing, I never thought that one day I'd actually be seeing something that I designed be stitched by others. It was just a dream of mine to design, but it's purely the icing on the cake that some stitchers out there actually like what I've done!
Thank you, with all my heart.
When I released Halloweenies, I thought there might be one or two people out there with dachshunds, at best. But I still thought it was a fun little design, so I went with it. Lo and behold, and do believe the population of doxie-owners is more than a little gigantic, based on how well-received this pattern has been! (This goes to show how out-of-touch I am with the canine world. I'm usually too busy Googling things like "How to dominate a Yorkie" and "Support groups for people who live with Yorkies" to pay attention to much else.)
Here are a couple of finishes that were sent to me recently…
Andrea stitched it twice, one for each of her daughters, and then below, as a pillow for her mom. I love the solo doxie!
What beautiful finishing, Andrea!
Pictured above is Nancy Daniels' framed piece. She changed the colors to better match her doxie's coat. I love it, Nancy! (And I love that frame too!)
I'm also excited to show you the Christmas Coffee freebie, finished by Anne, of Doll's Musings. She's a self-proclaimed "major coffee girl," which automatically makes her my java-sister. 😉
Here's another background:
I don't generally stitch my freebie charts, but something about that green background in the first photo reminds me of my birthplace, Starbucks, USA. The fabric Anne used makes it look like a mini canvas coffee bean bag, and I love it!
Thank you so much for stopping by, and thank you again for taking the time to send me your finishes! I'm off to get my day going, starting off with searching the rooms for the Yorkie's little carpet-gifts to me. After that, I'll be Googling "cross stitch designs for doggy diapers."
