So I've joined a SAL on facebook for  Cross Stitch and Country Crafts, Mar/Apr 1988 issue variegated sampler.  Loving it.  It uses some variegated dmc colors that are no longer produced so substitutions are being made.

 Here's my progress :

~April 9, 2018       

All of 94 is done.... now on to some color. I'm using a mystery piece of linen from my stash for this and am loving the way the colors look against it. I did take out the personalization box and put in for a second row of the flowers as I like that better and if fits perfectly. This is a terrible photo.... the 94 really does show up well on this fabric but the lighting and angle were bad.

 

 

 April 12, 2018          

Progress update.... some color added. I've got all of 94 done, all of 99, and I substituted 48 for 62 so that color is all in unless I decide to use it for the second row of flowers. Not entirely sure which color I'll use for that just yet. The skein is the original 62 called for and on the bobbin is the 48 I used instead.

 

 

~April 13, 2018       

Another color in.... 69 all finished

 

 

 

 

~April 15, 2018  

Another color in. This time substituting for the called for 61 I'm using 111. I wanted the birds wings to be more of a warm color and to be deeper so I opted for 111 to give it that golden look I wanted against the blue that will follow.

 

 

 

 

 

~April 5, 2018     

Another color in last night. My substitution for light 91 is light 67. I considered doing the dark end of 67 but really like that very pale blue that is almost a white so went with it and am very pleased with how it turned out. The original color is the skein and the substitution is the bobbin. Next up I'm working on the color picked for one of the purples.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~April 17, 2018

 

Color 102 light .... substituted 52 dark for this one. In the original we were to use light 102 and here I've used the dark of 52 for it's replacement. I'm using the light of 52 to replace the original 126 dark which is the color I'm working on today. Hopefully tomorrow I can finish that up and show you how that looks in comparison. The original called for dmc is in the skein and the substitution is on the bobbin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

~April 18, 2018

 

Another one in ......light of 52 to replace the original 126 dark. Original called for dmc is on the skein and the substitution is on the bobbin. I did find three spots I had missed a color so I took care of those. Should have everything in that I've used the color of now. I'm loving how this is coming out.

Now for the next color, 95, I'm going to use 5 different colors that I pulled that are the same or similar to what colors it has in it. I didn't find a substitution that I really liked so I'll make my own. I plan on cutting shorter lengths, working the colors just as if it was the variegated using light and dark and see how that works as a transition and variation.



 

 

 

 

~April 19, 2018

 

Color 95 substitution is in. Here's what I did.... I pulled 210....554...208...553.....552 and used those to make my own variegated version. I used 20" cuts and did the loop method to start so I was working with 10" lengths. I put the light in this order 210 then 554 then 208 as my medium color. Then for the dark end I used 552 as the darkest, then 553 then 208 as my medium color. Worked great and definitely looks like a violet. As before the original color is in the skein and the others are on the bobbins. Down to two more colors left and the backstitching.



 

 

~April 22, 2018  

Substitution for color 103 is in. Used 121 for this. Now I'm down to one last color and the backstitching. Loving it! The original dmc color is in the skien and the substitution is on the bobbin.

 

 

~April 24, 2018    

Last of the colors is in. Here I substituted 90 for 108. As always the original is the skein and the substitution is on the bobbin. Now on to the back stitching.... so the next time you see this it should be finished.

 

~April 27, 2018

All finished.  Got the last of the backstitching in using the called for dmc 580.  Love it, so glad I was able to participate and get this done. 

 

 

 

 

 

Merry Mooseness.... All finished

Finished Merry Mooseness yesterday.  This is from Just Cross Stitch ornament issue 2002. 

Are we sure it's spring.... because this looks a whole lot like winter to me.... 35 degrees, putting down the snow, and already at least 4.5 inches on the ground.  The back door is just pushing snow when you open it and the snow plow can't keep up with it very well right now.

 Freebie from Barbar Ana Designs called Let it Snow.... done on a mystery linen, three strands over two to get the coverage I wanted. 

My nemesis is finished...... you've heard the story of all the starts I've done on this one and now I am done.  Yeah............. photo time:

Rose of Sharon by Paula Vaughan ..... finished out at 14 x 11 inches so it's pretty large.  Stitched on linen, just something from the stash although I may have put in details earlier on the blog.  Did it with the called for colors and 2 over 2.  I do work the 1/4 stitches as small full crosses 2 over one and I think that makes the picture look better when you finish up the back stitching as it covers up more and fills the area in better.

 

 

The other Paula Vaughan I've got under way got some love this weekend.  This is also one I started 2 years ago then had to lay aside for other gift works.  Now I'm going to seriously push to finish this in March if possible.   This is In the Garret.

 

 

I have only two other WIPS right now.  One is a HAED so I'm fine with having a start from 2 years ago that is one of those.  The other piece is Save-the Stitches which I want to finish up here in the first half of the year.  After I finish up In the Garrett I've got several starts I'll want to get underway.  I don't have a problem having several WIPS but these two have really been something I want done to have on my walls.  I'm just having a I want to clear the decks mood going on recently.

 

 

 

Finally a finish this year. Seven Pines by Little House Needleworks. Freebie pattern.  Stitched on 14 count Charles Craft Aida, color smoketone.  Used DMC 221, 869, 922, 3051, 3799, and ecru.   

 

 

 

I have been stitching a great deal just am working on my two Paula Vaughan's I have underway right now and they are quiet large.  Should have one of them finished up this month all the way and the other should be really close to done. 

 

In the Garrett

 

 

Rose of Sharon

 

Paula Vaughn..... Rose of Sharon.....making some good progress on this one now that I've finished up all the stitching for others I had to do.  Expect to really get in some good work this weekend.  I would love to finish this one up this month.

6/29/17

 

7/6/17

 

7/7/17

 

1/4/18

 

1/9/18

 

1/11/18

 

 

Here's where I'm at as of 1/19/2018

Enchanted Alphabet by Lavender and Lace

Enchanted alphabet by lavender and lace.  I found the pattern on ebay and do plan to stitch this again for myself.  For this version..... stitched on linen dyed purple using rite dye and rite fixative .... 32 count.... finished size 7 3/8 inches by 23 inches. Used called for colors, braided three colors together for leash for rabbit instead of a ribbon which I hated the look of. Started November 12th finished December 31st. Framed by me, laced, with batting behind using foam board for the mounting.

 

Stitched 2 over 2.  Used one strand of the color for the cuff and collar around the dress and used the same color and two strands to outline the bunny as was used on the bunny's tail.  The alphabet for the baby name and details was just a free pattern found online.  I wanted something delicate and girly so this fit the bill perfectly without being too large to fit the space. 

 

 

After dying the fabric I followed the instructions for doing the fixative and really rinsed this well.  When I finished the project I washed again and didn't see any bleeding of the purple color so I was well pleased with how the fixative did on this.  

 

The frame was by art to frame, is a hardwood frame, and I was able to use off-set clips on the back to get it mounted in.  You do have to pre-drill the holes before trying to put in the screws as this is a pretty well made wooden frame.