Blackwork Mystery, Part 2

Here is the completed Part 2 of the SEBA Blackwork Mystery project. It is great fun - I can complete a section in an evening or two. I am stitching the borders around each square using a long-arm cross stitch aka rapid stitch - it goes quicker than regular cross stitches.

I am itching to start a new project - my thoughts keep going towards a reproduction Scottish sampler in reds and greens, or maybe an English band sampler - I think I will go dig through my stash to see what I can find.

Happy stitching, everyone.

Blackwork mystery and Appalachian Rose

Hi! Here are some pictures of my new (one new, one resurrected) projects. The top photo is Appalachian Rose by Indigo Rose. This is a collection of smalls from a class I took at Celebrations last year (or the year before). The top piece is destined to become a tape measure holder and the bottom one will become a needleroll (well, in my dreams at least). The colors on these pieces are vibrant and lively - helps counteract the gray January days. The set has many pieces, including a lined box - Think my finishing skills are up to the task?

The bottom picture is a mystery blackwork design by Seba Designs. I'm using HDF premium midnight rainbow on some mystery fabric - it doesn't behave like linen - I'm wondering if it could be congress cloth????? I think this photo is twisted 90 degrees - I cannot figure out why the computer does this to me, especially when my resident consultants (DH and DS) are busy elsewhere.

I am still crazy about these mystery projects - I don't quite understand it. It's not as though I don't have enough projects that are all kitted up and screaming for my attention.

Well, that's all for today, happy stitching everybody! Margaret

Christmas Ornie, January 2010

I have decided to do the Christmas Ornament challenge - I should be able to finish one ornament a month, right?

Well, I am off to a decent start. This is Silver and Blue by Nikki Leeman of Country Cottage Needleworks from the August 2008 issue of Just Cross Stitch. I used mostly the recommended fibers, but used DMC metallic perle rather than floss - note to self: avoid pieces with huge amounts of metallic floss. The linen is a mystery piece from my scrap drawer. After I photographed this, I realized that I really need to work on making the filling lie smoothly - the picture shows all the lumps.

Happy stitching! Margaret

Many Years Sampler

Maybe I should call this the Many, Many Years Sampler. I finished this lovely piece over the winter holidays - I had a lot of stitching time (for me) and stitched half of this sampler in less than a month. This is the Many Years Sampler that was a freebie from Gudy several years ago. It is stitched on 32 ct. Navy Bean from Lakeside Linens with HDF premium floss in Old Maid of the Vineyard. This piece looks like something you would find in your grandmother's attic; and I just love it.

My drawer of stitched, but not finished projects is now bulging at the seams. I think I will tackle some framing myself. Or if I win the lottery, I will take some things to have them framed.

I hope everyone is having a great New Year so far!

Happy stitching! Margaret