I really enjoy TBT blogging because it's a chance to show off pieces one didn't necessarily have the capability to do "back in the day" and because when I got back into stitching I used prior entries to figure out a few things, and I'd like to think that I can keep this online so I can use it as reference again in the future, if needed.
Today is April Sampler, which is from the Just Cross Stitch March/April 1994 issue. I remember working on this, February, and March. I
know I worked on one in 1996, because it was before I went to UT-Austin, because it was the first time I had worked with linen and/or silk. Boy did that spoil me!
There was a small cross stitch store within walking distance of my grandmother's house in Houston, Idle Hands, and that's where she got me the silks. I know Carons were part of the design, but I'm not sure what other fibers were used.
I did three from the series - February, for a good friend from college, and March for a good friend from high school. I still see the March one on display (I framed them myself, no glass, no mat) at my friend's house - I should snap a pic.
The only one I still have is April. Between the 9 and 8, there's supposed to be a jasper heart, but I didn't like the idea of that one. There is also supposed to be a small margarita bead on each set of stems, but I didn't like that either ;)
Basically, I just haven't found the perfect beads that I want to put in there yet, but when I do, I'd like to get it framed for myself.
This one was stitched entirely in 1998, and I use all of the recommended threads.
Here's the whole thing (if I recall correctly, it's only 2 x 5 or so):
The top - I loved learning all of those specialty stitches.
And the bottom, with my "weeds" and empty spot.
One of these days I'll run across what I want for this piece, or I'll actively search out what I want, but until then, I just love it. I'm thinking of finding the old magazines on Ebay and keeping a set of these, because they are sweet and fun and I think they'd make good gifts.
