Wednesday, July 13, 2011

APP

Yesterday, I finished up the date and a few leaves on 'Ann Pennsylvania Peacock'. I have drooled over this design for years, and she did not disappoint! I love the combination of colors, and who could resist that paper face? I made plenty of mistakes, especially pulling the striped band in the middle of the house too tightly, but it will all be alright, I'm sure. I used the called-for threads, but I changed the fabric to 32 count.

I am in two minds about stitching the names on samplers. Of course this design is not a reproduction. I like stitching my own name on my own work! But sometimes the name really is part of the design. This design solved the problem by leaving a space for my initials before the phrase "her work for Ann." I really loved that!
Last night I started a design I have been considering for years. I actually hunted it down on eb@y, after having seen it in an old JCS of my mother's. I wasn't sure that I liked the verse, but it is growing on me. My favorite bit is the little people. It says 'men' on the chart. Whether they are men or women, I still felt a little silly stitching THAT particular eyelet. Ahem. I have stitched 1/2 a dozen naked little A&Es, and stitched their little nipples without batting an eye, but a crotch eyelet? LOL! But Darlene O'Steen is the Master (or Mistress, if you prefer) so it must be alright! ;)

For years, before I had my own stash, I spent countless hours poring over my mother's old 80s cross stitch charts and magazine. I have found (and added to my own stash) many timeless treasures such as designs by Prairie Schooler and Darlene O'Steen. I feel like I am so far behind, not only because I am just now finishing to "Ann PP," but also I have so many older charts I wish I had done decades ago!

I may have already gotten beach stitching out of my system. ;) I pulled CHS 'Margaret Mailey' out of one of my many large and overwhelming WIP piles. I plan on stitching her during our upcoming beach trip. But I will take a couple other pieces just in case I feel fickle.


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10 comments:

Tanya Willis Anderson said...

Gorgeous work!!! Can you send me some of your stitchy mojo???

Tanya :)

Margaret said...

What a beautiful finish! My Ann PP is languishing in the WIP pile. Sigh.

Deb said...

What a fantastic finish! I love her. I do have her hiding somewhere among all the piles of future WIPs. Oh well one of these days! Yours looks great!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Congratulations on finishing APP! I just love her and you are sorely tempting me to go find and buy the chart. Great new start, too. Love the eyelet crotch. Very funny!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Congrats on a beautiful finish.

Catherine said...

Lovely finish and great start!

Siobhán said...

Congratulations on the finish!! And a big finish that it is -- that thing is stitch intensive!

I know what you mean about repros and names and all that. Honestly, I usually don't put my name anywhere on my repros, and I should do that.

The crotch enhanced boxer looks great!

Giovanna said...

Ann is beautiful, well done!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh golly Ann is lovely :)
I understand about your name on your stitching...I've struggled with that over the 25+ years I've been stitching myself. Never added my initials in the early days and since I've been a married adult and have things that will be "passed on" I have added my initials on every piece. I figure in 100 years (ha ha ha) my ancestors will love to have great old biddy Vonna's initials on there so that they can see who I was and when I did it. SO I add mine, every time....
I'm anxious to see your beach projects!

Karoline said...

Ann is gorgeous, congratulations