New Amsterdam

I finished New Amsterdam by The Sampler Girl this afternoon. I used red and brown instead of the gold listed on the chart. It does feel good to finish something!

Michele

Naming Names

Sorry! I meant to tell you the names of the patterns I just listed!

Dutch Sampler by Sandy Orton in Treasures in Needlework Magazine Fall 1992
This Delightful Garden by Julia Lucas in Sampler & Antique Needlework Winter 2003
Glad Tidings Sampler by Kandace Thomas in S&AN Winter 2003

Michele

Drooling

Last night, when I was too tired to stitch, I embarked on my next favorite hobby which is drooling over cross stitch patterns. I love to go through patterns. Over the years, I have pilfered quite a few from my mom (you knew that, right, Mom?) I particulary like to look through the magazines from the 1980s, and note which are too dated and which should be included on my to-do-list. By the way, you realize of course that the works-in-progress list on this blog is just a sampler to show you what sort of things I like. In reality, I have an indecent number of WIP, and am often surprised when I see what I have at the bottom of my sewing basket (what am I saying? Baskets!) Well, these three patterns were the top three that I was drooling over last night. I do not in fact drool, but the pages are soft and worn with much page turning. I hope you enjoy looking at them too!

Michele

Spacing Advice Needed

I have finished the first Santa, except for the dark gold flagpole and bugle, and I am ready to start the next. How much spacing should there be between Santas? I left 1/2 inch, but that does not seem enough. Would and inch be too much or not enough? Mom, (and everyone else) what do you think?

Michele

Rosa Mundi

I intend this blog to be mainly about needlework. But, with the garden blooming outside my window, it is hard to be silent about my roses. You may have guessed that I love striped roses. I have red and white striped roses, but I much prefer rose and white. I want the look and fragrance of the old gallica 'Rosa mundi' with modern repeat bloom. This quest has led me to the beauties in the pictures: 1. 'Madame Driout' (climbing Tea)
2. 'Careless Love' 3. 'Madame Driout' and 4. 'Berries n Cream'.

I also like 'Tigress' and 'Cee Dee Moss'. The Uncommon Rose website is treasure chest for striped roses as well as many other colors and forms. I think they even have a coffee-colored rose list.

On my to-do-list, I have many of Cindy Rice's (Lilac Studio) designs. She has a beautiful 'Rosa mundi' design. I would be interested to know of any other cross stitches which incorporate striped flowers.

Michele

Little House and Country Cottage

Last week, I visited the Dogwood Patch in Hiawasee, GA. It was the first time I had visited the new location. My husband frequently goes "over the mountain," and I often send a list with him in case he has time to go by the shop. The women there are amused to see this man in a suit come in and ask for particular overdyed threads and specific counts of linen.
The Dogwood Patch is large and open, with a long table set up for stitching near large, bright windows. The owner, Terri, is warm and friendly, and the selection of charts and fabrics is extensive. I went prepared with a list, but of course, there were some other items I did not know I needed. I bought the three charts in the bottom picture. Little House and Country Cottage designs seem to catch my eye everywhere. The top picture is a free Little House design I picked up at a cross stitch shop last year. The Crescent Colours were sold as a thread pack.
I would love to start one of the new patterns, but feel I must finish at least one of my works in progress before beginning another. Maybe I will have another cup of coffee and wait until that feeling passes!

Michele

Green Blossoms

My very favorite color is green. Almost any shade will do. Even in the garden, I just cannot get enough GREEN! Here are three of my favorite green blooms and one green critter from my garden. Enjoy!

Michele

Prairie Schooler Bellpull

My mother has been collecting Prairie Schooler Santas since the eighties. I finally persuaded her to part with her santa cards long enough for me to actually stitch a few of them. I have chosen to stitch four charts as a bellpull on 32 ct natural lite linen. I am using the DMC threads called for including 221 and 501 for the red and green. Will it be finished to hang up for Christmas 2007? Stay tuned!

Michele

This is my first blog entry, and I am so excited to welcome you! I invite you to come back often to share and discuss cross stitch photos and ideas.

I stitched this piece yesterday. You can download the free chart and see photos of other stitchers' finished pieces at thesamplergirl.homestead.com.

Michele