Gift - Jan Houtman

I wanted to share this beautiful sampler pattern I received a few weeks ago from Anne at Tempusfugit Blog . It is a design from Jan Houtman and just lovely. I don't know what color to stitch it in. However, I thought it would be nice to stitch my parents births and deaths in the motif sections.

Thanks again Anne...

Sarah Tatum

I am doing a little work on Sarah Tatum here and there. I really like this project. I like the soft muted colors. I finished a large Quaker sampler from Permin in Navy and it got very tedious worked in one color. I am working ST in silks with 40 ct Meadow Rue linen.

Otherwise, I am focused on my children being home for the summer and my new house. Right now the painters are painting the entire house even the garage and exterior. The inside will be a darker shade of cream with white trim. The fireplace will be a faded green color and part of the front den will be a old burgundy (just below the chair rail). I like to change my accessories, linens and of course cross stitched pictures. That is why I chose cream colored walls.

DH suggested the exterior have dark blue shutters and front door and a dusty shade of blue exterior except for the brick they will remain the same.

DH removed the back fence yesterday and it opened up the yard to a wooded area and a lovely creek.

This is all very exciting for me....more pictures to follow.

Finally Found

Here she is. I found our home. It is beautiful and perfect for my family. Needless to say I will be busy packing, moving and unpacking. Thank you for your words of encouragement.

Front


Backyard


Backyard

Needle Arts Catalog

I just received my copy of the free Needle Arts Catalog. They have some great stitching kits, patterns, etc. What a joy!! I looked through it briefly yesteday and I was impressed.

Drawn Thread Real Roses

Thank you friends for your comments and advise. It is much appreciated.

Right now I picked up a UFO that is about 4 years old. It is Real Roses from Drawn Thread. I really like the specialty stitches for a change and the 32 ct linen is a joy after all of that 40 ct. work. This would make a sweet bell pull or framed.

As for just sticking with one project. That idea just won't work for me!!

House Hunting and Miserable

Well friends, it is rare that I post something outside of my love of stitching. However, I am in full force house hunting again and it is just dissappointing. I have seen house upon house and all don't seem quite right yet. I say yet, because I know there is one house here in Knoxville that will suit our needs. Most of the houses are just quirky or just not right. I am miserable!!

Little Quaker

Here is a quaker motif I stitched with Sampler Threads on 32 count distressed linen. The fabric is a reproduction 1800's fabric. It very vibrant and just beautiful. It is part of the Quaker Quarterly Exchange I joined from the Legacy Board. I thought it would be fine to post since the recipient won't know who sent it. I need to press it and finish it up.

I started a new project. I will post about it soon. I decided that the only way for me to finish a project is to see it through to the end. Meaning, if I start a lot of projects, nothing ever gets finished. It's very personal.

Marion Robertson Finished

I finished Marion Robertson from Scarlet Letter over the weekend. I must say, she is beautiful. I stitched it on 40 count linen with cotton floss. I am very happy with the results. I didn't copy this pattern because my printer was not working. The pattern itself is badly folded and ripped, but if someone taped and copied it then it would be usuable. I will send it to the first person that writes me and says they want it (along with extra DMC).

samplers, samplers

I am making significant progress on this extremely time consuming sampler. I just have to finish a few things and I am done, done, done. It is beautiful and I should have used silks, but I am glad I didn't because it would have costs me a small fortune!!!
Next large Scarlet Letter sampler I will be using silks, like the originals.

I brought this sampler pattern from Scarlet Letter. When I am better at free form embroidery I will stitch it up. I have two books on order from Amazon on embroidery. More details on the books to follow.