Cross Stitch Finishes

It is amazing that I found some stitching time this past week! I finished "The Mermaid" by CHS. I changed 'Margaret Mailey' to 'Margaret Mary' just because. I thought I was stitching it for Nutmeg's bathroom, but now I am not so sure. LOL!

I have been attracted to Darlene O'Steen patterns for years, and have collected several. Her small designs are incredibly complex! She always includes stitches I have never dreamed of! This is the first time I have done queen stitches with two colors per stitch! I left out some of the satin stitch on the blue backstitch band. No matter how many times I tried it, it just looked messy.

I have mentioned before that I spent (and still do spend) hours poring over my mom's old cross stitch magazines from the eighties and early nineties. I am still amazed that in so many issues, among the patterns for geese with ribbons, geese with laundry baskets, geese starting the first day of school, and geese baking pies, I occasionally find a truly timeless design such as one by Darlene O'Steen or this design by Kandace Thomas. I can't wait to start it although I don't know what the last word of the second line says. I assume it is "was," but that is not exactly what the chart says.
My mom also gave me another "vintage" design this weekend. I would like to start it also.

A special thank you to my stitching friends for being patient and understanding about my homeschool post last Friday. I will only post them on Fridays, and the title will always be "Weekly Report. Feel free to skip if that is not your cup of tea! :)

Progress and Giveaway Link

Why did I choose a design with so much stinkin' blackwork? I hate the backstitch family, but I keep being seduced by blackwork! Argh! Nutmeg calls this "the one with naked people with sprouts growing out of their bodies."

Here is my former progress on 'The Mermaid Sampler' by CHS. I don't remember when I started this or why I stopped, but I plan to finish it during an upcoming beach trip.

I planned to hang it in Nutmeg's bathroom. She seems to want an ocean theme, but I would like to gently steer her away from her dolphin shower curtain toward a more vintage feel. I must tread very carefully here! Yesterday, she turned her nose up at this design, and said she much preferred Prairie Schooler's 'M is for Mermaid." Well, that shows excellent taste, but I don't have that fabric on hand!

Shenandoah Sampler is having a giveaway on her blog - check it out! :)

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.