Mid-August Starts, Updates and Finishes

Oh Canada Sampler by Jeanette Douglas

I got this pattern, threads and little pinecone bead at Traditional Stitches in Calgary.  It is kind of intimidating, but so far so good.  There are some areas what are one over one (I do not know which ones they are at this point) and part of me is afraid of it; part of me is looking forward to the challenge.  I am developing a new found interest in samplers.  They have never been my thing......all those letters, words, disconnected motifs.......but I am changing my mind after seeing all the beautiful work that was framed and hanging in the shop in Calgary.

It is done on the recommended 32 count Belfast Linen in Lentil.  I am loving it.  It is done using only one strand of thread.....have never done a project with only one thread and I am really enjoying it.  The stitches look so clean.  I cannot say much for the coveage, but I think that is a "sampler thing" so it is not a big deal like with some projects.  Who knows.  

I got a terrific book about Samplers and have found it interesting and amazing.  I feel another obsession coming into my life.  Oh Boy!

I "aged" a piece of antique white linen to use on one of my sampler projects using coffee (instant crystals) and vanilla.  I am really happy with the subtle color on it.  You will see this again when I start the new project on it.   I am tring not to start anything new until I finish something.  We will see how well that goes.

Old World Vinery by Chatelaine

I am doing this piece for my sister who saw it and wanted it to hang in her new house.  Well, in sharing the progress, she has decided that the entire piece will be way to big for where she wasts to hang it (about 30 x 30 inches).  So, she wants me to complete the middle portion (without the landscape panels) so it will be about 13x13 matted and framed.  At first I was reluctant to do that, but I figured, what the hey, I am doing for her anyway.  And, I can always do it again (thanks to PDF) and would probably just have to get fabric and the beads.  So I added all the crystals and embellishments and it is good to go.   She said she wants to take it to her framer so I will have to write out some instructions mentioning the need for spacers, matting and the fact that the threads are silk and will bleed.  I am sure it will be fine.

These design are so incredible with the beading and intricate stitching they are very difficult to photograph (for me anyway) to do them justice.

I still feel kind of funny about not fully completing the project.  But I suppose it means that I can start one of the Chatelaine Mandala's I have kitted and ready to go.  Which one is the dilemma!

Mini Mandala 05, Chatelaine Designs

Making decent progress on this project.  It is much more "pastel" than the other mini mandala's I have done.  I am pretty happy with it.  It is done on 32 count Belfast Linen in pearl grey.  

Books Reading Books, Heaven and Earth Designs

I finished page 13 and am on to page 14 so not quite half way through the 30 pages.  I have put this back in my rotation.   It needs my attention.  It amazes me how the photo make the picture more clear.

Fully Finished Projects

I did a little ornament finish on "Be a Witch".  I will probably re-stitch this at some point.

And here is the back






And I made the Freedome House (which I am sure you are sick of seeing) into a pillow.

This is the back







A pretty productive couple of weeks when I put it all on one page.  No wonder the house is a mess!   The weather should break soon and I will have to get busy preparing for fall visitors.

I would really like to figure out some kind of rotation to get caught up on all the projects I have in the works.  Perhaps I can hold off starting anything new for a month or so..........or not!

Thanks for visiting.

End of June Progress

Am getting mentally ready to take our RV trip up North. I will not take my large Chatelaine projects (Gardens of London and Old World Vinery) with me because they are a little cumbersome and they cannot be laundered once they are finished.  I am a little bummed to go that long without making progress on them.  I wanted to get the center portion done before we left so concentrating on it this month has made the difference.  Whew.

I needed a change of pace so I did this little small Halloween project.  It is "Be a Witch" by  Shepherd's Bush.  I substituted all the colors.  I called for Weeks Dye Works and I did not have even one of the recommended colors, so I subbed them out with colors I did have.  It is small and only took several hours.   I am not sure how I will finish it but I saw a tutorial for something called a "flat fold" that I may try.  It did not look too complicated and did not look like it took alot of sewing ability.

 I may not add the buttons that were included with the pattern.  Depends on what finish I decide to do and if I decide I like it well enough to add the embellishments.

I kitted up another Halloween project just in case I feel inspired before Halloween.  I also ordered a couple of Patriotic themed projects since I realized that I did not have anything for the 4th of July.  They have been shipped but I am sure will not arrive before the holiday.

That is it for the end of June.