Her Sampler Fini and Mariette Swift Progress!

A very quick post, first of all, hope you are enjoying a bit of warmer weather, like we are here in the midwest! What a joy it was for me today to be able to go out on my deck and sweep, without any sign of snow or ice! A breath of Spring is in the air!

I finished Her Sampler a week ago Sunday, and just now sharing a picture of it! It was such an enjoyable stitch, but to be honest, I had more then a few frogging moments with it. If I hadn't loved it so much, it probably would have gotten tossed in a pile somewhere, but I thought it was adorable when I first picked it up to stitch and still do, so all is good!

Carriage House Samplings

Her Sampler

DMC recommended fibers

R&R 32 ct Old Towne Blend Linen

Another sampler that is on my Up For A Challenge list this year, is Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin Mariette Swift 1804. I first saw this stitched by Siobhan and had to have it for myself, so was lucky to win it shortly thereafter on ebay, since of course all of her designs are OOP. Anyway, I started this cutey back in 2008, after converting the fibers to Belle Soie Silks. I don't know why I didn't finish it, just one of those gazillion times that I got side-tracked I am guessing. Anyway, nice to be back to it, and this is really a lousy picture, but at least gives some idea of my progress. Hope to get it finished and soon.

This shows it a bit better:

Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin

Mariette Swift 1804 (Reproduction Sampler)

Belle Soie Silks

(Don't remember the color of linen, but it is 32 ct)

Incidentally, speaking of Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin and those hard to find OOP's, if anyone has her Peace Sampler, I would be most interested in obtaining it. Either purchasing or borrowing, please email me concerning this. It is one that I have long sought after and do not have in my possession, and would so love to stitch it. Thank you in advance for your help!

That's all for now, I do hope that you have some fun with your stitching this week, I hope to get caught up on my blog reading and commenting. Doesn't take but a day or two for me to get behind with that. Also anyone that has inquired about my stitching retreat this summer, be expecting to receive via email Registration information and other pertinent information!

Thanks again for taking the time to stop by and leave a comment! It is such a blessing to me, I have almost reached 300 followers, which totally amazes me! Thank you for being interested enough in my ramblings to visit again and comment!

Sleep Tight!

Love, Jan

Catch-Up and Nostalgic Shares!

I realized this morning, that it has been over a week, since I last posted, and I had promised myself to at least update once a week, if not twice! I also decided that since all I have been sharing is my SLOW progress on This Is The Day, that I would pull a couple of very old wips that really, really do need my attention. At least once of these days!

We have a wrap-around weekend with warmer temps turning to bitter cold, at least this time of year! Today the sun is shining, after a Sunday or monsoon rain and hail. Here is a pic of the backyard deck, that I snapped with the hail covering. I should have waited for it to stop, cause the deck was virtually covered, before it turned to all rain:


As promised here are a couple of WIPS that do need my attention:

Moira Blackburn's Time and Season Sampler
32 Ct Antique Ivory Belfast
DMC as charted
I don't know what it is with this project, that I started years ago, and have made little attempts at working on. I know it is a large one, but not that large. I am thinking of dying the whole thing when I get it done? Am I crazy? Of course, I am, but has anyone ever dyed a finished project? And if so, how did it turn out? I know that I am safe on the fabric and fibers not being hand-dyed, I would appreciate your thoughts, cause I would definitely love it better, if I could make it more primitive!! Considering the time I started it, is why I didn't dare go with anything but what was charted by the designer. But today, I would have definitely used silks or overdyeds on an overdyed linen...may have even changed the color palette. Sorry the red-checkered tablecloth is showing through in this pic!

Here is another one, that I really need to get back to and as soon as This Is The Day is finished, I am going to! I did change the fibers to Belle Soie Silks, instead of the charted DMC.

Mary Garry's Sewing Cabin Mariette Swift
32 Ct Sheep's Straw by R&R
Belle Soie Silk Conversion

And I promise this is the LAST share I will bore you with, for This Is The Day, until it is finished!!

Hands To Work This Is The Day
32 Ct French Vanilla by R&R
My Own Conversion to a Different Palette, all Overdyed Fibers.
I love, love everything about this sampler, and have truly enjoyed each and every stitch so far, BUT that background behind the alphabet is SO daunting, I am not at all good at mindless stitching, takes forever!! I hope to finish this week, wish me luck!

Thank you all that have been praying for my daughter! She is out of the hospital and at home, unable to work. She has a doctor's visit tomorrow, hopefully they can shed some light on things. Appreciate your continued good thoughts and prayers!

Thanks for visiting, you truly all have given me inspiration and encouragement with your lovely and kind comments! Thanks in advance!!

Happy Easter Blessings to You And Yours, if I don't post again until after the weekend!

Jan