Slow but sure

   I've been working on Ann Grimshaw this past week. I am surprised by how slowly this alphabet section seems to be going since letters usually work up so fast.  I guess when the line is 13 inches long on 40 ct. it does tend to take a while.  Not to mention that watching tennis while stitching really slows things down!!
Her she is in her latest incarnation:

  I was going to work her in rotation with about 5 other things that need to be finished but I just don't know if I can do it.  I have never worked that way before and yes I know that's the whole point of SALs.  I usually work on something until I have to move on to something else with a fast approaching deadline or until I hit a wall with it and just can't stand to work on it for another minute! But I really want to get this one finished! She's about 3/4 done now and I can see her being finished by the end of the month. Sure would be nice to add another finish to the list!
  Okay then, its settled! I work on Ann 'til the bitter end.  Hopefully not past the end of the month!
Until then, keep on stitching!  Laura

I spent some time with Franny

  It's been a crazy start to the month here in the Burg.  I can't believe it's  the middle of January already!  With board meetings and chapter meetings and sampler guild meetings it seems like I've spent little time at home.  And we all know that very little stitching gets accomplished at meetings and what goes get put in usually has to come right back out!!
  I  did manage to spend a little time with Francis Pool this week and actually made some progress on her.

Francis Pool
With Thy Needle & Thread

  I will admit that I revved up a few of the colors.  Brenda said she used the colors from the faded side of the sampler and I just didn't like the way some of them seemed to blend into the fabric.  I like the way it looks so far but now that I've started, I feel pretty well free to change other colors along the way.  I don't usually make changes to reproductions but with recent discussions on Nicola's blog I'm feeling less skiddish about doing so.
  I am still trying to work out my short (LOL) stitching rotation.  Since Franny is moving along so well, I thought I would put her in the regular rotation and make the Peppermint Pig my stitch group carry piece.  I started this one for my birthday but haven't been able to get much done on it.  It seems that I frequently have a problem with the colors.  I start with what is called for and then when I actually see the colors, I wind up making changes.  This happened with the Pig.  I bought the silk conversion when I bought the chart and didn't like the colors IRL. So I went back to the cottons and just love the brightness!

The Peppermint Pig
Tempting Tangles

  I also managed to make a start on the Maryland Inspiration Sampler but the start is so small its not worth a picture.  I ran into a color issue with this one as well and am waiting for replacement floss to arrive before I can get back to work on it. Hopefully it will arrive in time for its turn in the rotation.
  I have selected Ann Grimshaw for the next round and I think I will try to make the rotation length 5 days this time instead of three.  I would like to make it a whole week but have too many things in the rotation for that. I think all the pieces need to see the light of day at least once a month and I do still have that birthday piece to finish!!

Until later,  Laura
 

Getting in a Groove

   I've felt like I'm not making very much progress on the stitching front of late.  I did mange to finish Christmas Rules over the weekend but it took me until Sunday afternoon to get all the embellishments sewn on the thing!  I took it to the framers yesterday afternoon when I went to pick up Christmas Garden and it is going to be so cute when its all framed up.  I may have to hang it on the wall for a while even though Christmas is over!
  This is how Christmas Garden  looks in all it's finery.  I am a Plain Jane sort of girl so I like the simple, uncomplicated frames. This is a bigger frame than I normally would use but I really liked it so I went with it!

   With Christmas Rules off the WIP list I was able to get back to work on Francis Pool. I took her to stitch group on Monday and that seemed to work out pretty well so she may become my group piece for a while.  She is very symmetrical and easy to work on while not paying too close attention so this would give me a couple of days a week at least to work on her. Her is where she is right now:

Frances Pool by With My Needle & Thread
40 ct. WDW Linen w/ specified threads

  I am really enjoying  this one and she's working up pretty quickly so she might be done sooner than I think!
LOL!! We all know that never happens!  I'll just hope for the end of the year!
  I also started Ann Bowers which is a SAL with the Attic.  I have had the kit for a number of years and when Jean suggested it as a SAL for this year I jumped right in. It was kitted with 35 ct. which seemed really small to me when I bought the kit.  But I have moved on to even smaller count linen now and swapped out the 35 ct for 45 ct.  My stitch group thinks I'm crazy but I really love how it looks!

Ann Bowers by The Examplarery
45 ct. Italian Linen w/ mostly specified threads

   I am still trying to get the short rotation worked out for the present.  I am currently working on the 2 above  and need to work in Ann Grimshaw, The Maryland Inspiration Sampler, and a birthday piece that will need to be finished by the end of March.  Wish me luck!!  Laura

Happy New Year a little late

   I meant to post something sooner but my life keeps getting in the way.  I was behind with EGA stuff, got that pretty much caught up and now I have workmen here which makes it kind of hard to get much stitching done!   I did have a new start for the new year 'cause I like to do that.  I started Francis Poole but didn't get to her until evening so I really don't have much to show.  I have waited a long time for Brenda to get her ready for publication though so she will definitely see some stitching time as soon as I get finished with this.



Christmas Rules by Lizzie Kate
35 ct. WDW Cocoa w/ called for threads

  Sorry it's not ironed but I don't like to do that until I'm ready for the framer. I know this made the rounds a couple of years ago but it was on the list to finish in 2012 .  I carried it around to my stitch groups for a while, mostly while I was working on things they couldn't see, and even though its after Christmas and even after the new year, I just couldn't stand the thought of putting it away and having another UFO in the pile!  I'm working it as fast as I can and should have it done this weekend. But, you know how that goes....

Until later, Laura