Second finish for 2010

Just look what I stitched at the weekend - my very first BBD piece - Summer Iris.  This little sweetie was a gift from my friend Marg recently so it was my first choice to stitch while I wait for Elizabeth. 

I stitched it on 32 Belfast in ivory with the DMC threads specified - and just look, I might even have the perfect piece of material to back it with.  I haven't thought of what I will do with it yet, but that alphabet material is a really good match.  Hmmmm maybe that M is a bit wonky - there wasn't much room for an M with a flourish - took me a few gos to get done but I will have to have another look at that.

So, there it is my 2nd finish for 2010.

I have two more small pieces kitted and ready to pick up and stitch but I will just go and check my visa account once?? more to see if Elizabeth has left Elegant Stitch yet.  I can't wait!

Elizabeth who ???  Elizabeth Savilles 1841 Sampler, that's who.

TA DAAAAAA

Well here is my Blessings - all finished.  My first finish for 2010. 

I have been looking at it for the last couple of days to make sure I hadn't missed out any more bits of it.  I stitched my initials and the year on it last night and finally removed it from the frame and got to see the whole of it for the first time, and I love it, and I am happy with the choices I made - glad I only did half the blackwork panel as well. 

It is large - the actual stitching measures 21" X 7.5" (53 X 18.5cm).  I don't have anywhere to hang this one but I would like to get it framed and maybe I will just lean it against the wall somewhere.

I started this on 19 November as a SAL with Chrissie but I got left behind in December when I had visitors staying with me, and I knew that if I got too far behind I would lose heart and it would never get finished, so I just concentrated on this to the exclusion of everything else (even my cards took a back seat).  This is the largest sampler I have ever stitched and I have done it in 4 months - that is a record for me - I would never have done it on my own, so Thank You Chrissie - I don't know how you have managed to do two SALs at the same time.

There are lots of firsts in this sampler - first SAL; first time I have altered nearly all the colours on a sampler; first time I have altered the pattern; first time using a frame, and of course the biggest first was starting this blog so I could record my progress, so all in all a real learning curve.

The blog itself has been great - 'meeting' other stitchers and seeing their beautiful work and of course, wanting to stitch so many of the pieces they have done - many of which I had never seen before as I had mostly stayed with my favourite designers, Shepherds Bush and Drawn Thread, and I certainly hadn't ventured into the world of antique samplers and such. 

I still have two SB WIPs (and maybe a few others tucked away) and although I have put in a few stitches on the needleroll I really need to START SOMETHING NEW.  I have a small one in mind for today.

I have ordered the beautiful Elizabeth Savilles and I can't wait to start that one.  I didn't order the Olde Willow threads specified for it because I have so many different ones already that I don't want to start another collection.  I looked at the colours on their site and I am hoping I can match them with the Gloriana ones I have.

Have also ordered some Blackbird patterns, but decided against the new Honeysuckle Manor and I am already regretting that decision but I can order it later I guess. 

My foray into large pieces has led me to believe that maybe I could manage to do Christmas at Hawk Run Hollow - I loved it when I first saw it but ruled it out as too big and also specifically Christmas, but now I am feeling a little more confident, and having read the pattern through I think I will aim for one block a month like a lot of the girls did, so it is in the line after Elizabeth.

If you are still here after this monologue - I thank you - I am sure you can tell I am well and truly doing the happy dance here.

Mary

I have an antique !

Perhaps that should read "I am an antique" since I have had this object since it was new!

I called in at Alma's blog and saw her post re the tomatoes she had found and they looked very familiar so I opened my sewing box and this is what was in there:

It has the same little green top as hers which you can't see for all the pins, and mine came attached to this little stand (some 47 years ago).  The sewing basket that came with it from a very dear friend has long ago gone to God (as has the friend) but after all these years it has made me stop and remember her.  I don't think anyone will want to buy mine as because as you can see it has been well abused used - I should  say 'well loved' because it is used whenever I sew anything and it still has lots of the old fashioned pins in it.  Who would ever have thought that this very ordinary pin cushion would become a collectors' item ??!!