Hot Off The Q-Snaps

I finished this latest piece up just moments ago. It took exactly a week to finish the stitching. It probably would have taken only a few days to complete, but I was not in a hurry and just stitched when I felt like it. The stitching however, has been completed just moments ago and I am pleased with the outcome. 

Design: Sampler 69b

Designer: Ria Lanser of Stofnest Designs 

Fabric Used: 36 count Edinburgh linen by Hand Dyed Fibers in 

Xenops 5315 (equivalent to DMC 762, very pale grey)

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Old Crow

Stitcher's Notes: Both the chart and the designer are retired. Began Wednesday, December 7, 2016. Finished Wednesday, December 14, 2016. 

Finished Wednesday, December 14, 2016:

Well, I had best be off. I need to figure out what, if anything, will be my next project. I suppose I should really stitch something more in line with the season. But alas, my holiday stitching apathy is continuing unabated. Hopefully, this ceases at the soonest possible moment.

I hope everyone is enjoying their holiday season and I hope you all are having a great week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Wanted: Mojo

Because I seem to have lost mine. I was terribly excited to start the much anticipated Noel 2009 by A Mon Ami Pierre. However, when I went to start the project, everything just sort of fell flat. I could not get into the project at all. I am terribly disappointed in this turn of events, as I was so looking forward to the project. These things happen I suppose, but it sure is rotten when it does happen. 

I have taken to cleaning out my stitching area again and getting things organized as well as decorating for the holiday season. In doing so, I came across a freebie design that I have had for quite some time. It reminded me of the Vierlanden samplers. Vierlanden is an marshy area south east of Hamburg, Germany where these distinct samplers were made. The name dates back to 1556 and refers to the four parishes Curslack , Kirchwerder , Neuengamme and Altengamme that are identical to the present districts. Most of them were made in the first half of the 1800's although there are a few from the late 1700's. All contain similar geometric motifs and flowering plants in urns. The motifs were stitched on various household linens. 

I am also quite keen on stitching these samplers. The catch was, I did not feel like stitching a huge project. And most Vierlanden samplers are quite large. However, this design is not that large (approximately 100 by 100 stitches), and it is a monochrome. Traditionally, Vierlanden samplers are stitched with black thread on white fabric, however, there are some Vierlanden samplers that were stitched with whatever materials were available at the time of the stitchers' choosing. I chose this latest start as I had the materials available and it appealed to me. 

Well, at any rate, here is what I have so far: 

Design: Sampler 69b

Designer: Ria Lanser of Stofnest Designs 

Fabric Used: 36 count Edinburgh linen by Hand Dyed Fibers in 

Xenops 5315 (equivalent to DMC 762, very pale grey)

Fibers Used: Crescent Colours Belle Soie silk in Old Crow

Stitcher's Notes: Both the chart and the designer are retired. 

I am really taking my time with this one, as nothing holiday or winter related is really calling to me. I have almost decided that next year will be dedicated to cleaning up more of the Bin O'Shame projects and working on some of my HAEDs and larger projects. I haven't quite decided, however, this is where I am leaning so far. 

Time for me to bolt for the door. I hope everyone is having a great week and a wonderful holiday season!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

First Finish For October!

I love October. October heralds the 'official' beginning of hockey, crisp leaves underfoot, cool days and nights, blankets and hot cocoa. It also means a month of Halloween, which is the number one holiday in this establishment. Out of my stitching pieces that I have kept for myself, I believe I have more Halloween finishes than anything else other than general Fall related pieces. 

This piece is by a new to me designer Shannon Wasilieff of Shannon Christine Designs. She is fantastic to work with and if you are Facebook, I highly encourage you to join her Facebook group. 

On with the show! :)

Design: Spooky Elegance

Designer: Shannon Wasilieff of Shannon Christine Designs

Fabric Used: Fabric: 28 count white opalescent Lugana by Zweigart

Fibers Used: Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in Black (S801). DMC Embroidery Floss Art. 117 in 208, 2019, and 211.

Accoutrements: Mill Hill beads in #02014 in Black, #02031 Citron, #02033 Brilliant Orange. Mill Hill Treasures in #13065 Rondele in Champagne Topaz and #13072 Rondele in Peridot. 

Stitcher's Notes: Substituted called for Kreinik (#4) Braid in #005HL Black for Rainbow Gallery Splendor 12 ply silk floss in Black (S801) for the cross stitched portion. 

Time for me to be off. Tons to do today. I hope everyone is having a fantastic weekend! :)

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

Phoenix Quaker Finish

I sincerely loved this piece. It flowed so smoothly and it came together so quickly. The entire time I stitched on it, it felt as if that was the project that I was supposed to be working on. I truly did not want this piece to end. But alas, as I only had enough of the Picture This Plus 32 count linen in Phoenix for this one section, this was the way it had to be. The chart has been returned to storage, and I will be stitching this one again in this color combination. 

Design: Phoenix Quaker

Designer: Jackye Derhay Renahy of A Mon Ami Pierre (retired)

Fabric: Picture This Plus 32 count linen in Phoenix

Fibers: Gumnut Yarns Stars silk floss in #991 ecru

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched 2 over 2 as the coverage was needed as I wanted this to be a monochrome piece. Only stitching a portion of the design.

Original Work: 

Last update on Saturday, March 21, 2015:

Finished As of Saturday, March 21, 2015:

Now I need to find a frame for it. I wish I could afford to have it farmed out to have it finished as a pillow, because I think it would be lovely as a pillow or perhaps as a wallhanging. Ah, well. More's the pity! :)

Well, I have to be off. It's decision time as to whether I work on a card or another piece from the Bin O'Shame. Happy Sunday!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

(Partial) Phoenix Quaker Update

My latest WIP is coming along quite rapidly. I am really loving this color combination. I was thinking the other day that maybe I will have to stitch this one as a whole piece, and not just a part of it in these colors. I will have to buy a minimum of 4 skeins of the Gumnut Yarns Stars silk floss in #991 ecru, methinks. I have already used up almost a whole skein on just the wee bit I am stitching! It's a very lovely silk floss and while I might not mind, I know my wallet will, LOL!

Well, at any rate, on with the show!

Design: Phoenix Quaker

Designer: Jackye Derhay Renahy of A Mon Ami Pierre (retired)

Fabric: Picture This Plus 32 count linen in Phoenix

Fibers: Gumnut Yarns Stars silk floss in #991 ecru

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched 2 over 2 as the coverage was needed as I wanted this to be a monochrome piece. Only stitching a portion of the design. 

Original Work:

As of Wednesday, March 18, 2015:

As of Saturday, March 21, 2015:

Well, I best be off. I need to take care of somethings today, and finishing up the stitching on this guy is one of them. I hope everyone is having a great weekend!

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Respectfully submitted,

C. 

WIP Wednesday Post

I chose another 'fresh start' piece to work on as my life has been more than a bit upside down here lately. I needed a 'fresh start' and I wanted to stitch a Quaker. Additionally,  I have always loved the legend of the Phoenix. It is very comforting to know that stitching can help oneself in ways that go beyond just making something pretty. 

Well, at any rate, on with the show:

Design: Phoenix Quaker

Designer: Jackye Derhay Renahy of A Mon Ami Pierre (retired)

Fabric: Picture This Plus 32 count linen in Phoenix

Fibers: Gumnut Yarns Stars silk floss in #991 ecru

Stitcher's Notes: Stitched 2 over 2 as the coverage was needed as I wanted this to be a monochrome piece. Only stitching a portion of the design. 

Original Work:

My version:

Well,  I had best be off. I hope everyone is having a great week!

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Respectfully submitted,

C.