Well, after much consideration & contemplation, I finally made the decision to pull different fibers and restart my Mary sampler. I originally started her on 32-count Legacy linen from PTP using the recommended DMC fibers. I then decided I wanted to stitch her using over-dyes, so I pulled over-dyes that basically coordinated with the recommended DMC colors. After stitching on that a bit, I decided that I really wanted to do her in more muted “traditional” sampler colors and on a finer count linen.
When I was at my LNS on Saturday for our monthly all-day open stitching class, I had a couple of my friends (Darla & Terri) help me with my final color selections. When I got home that night, I then went through and picked out some linen from my stash that seemed to work well with the fibers.
So, I restarted Mary yesterday afternoon using the new fibers & fabric. I’m stitching her 1-over-1 using tent stitch on 36-count Maritime White Lakeside Linen. I’m SOOOOOO much happier with her now!
I thought I would share a couple of photos as well. The first is of the toss of my final floss choices and my fabric. I may still have to make a couple of substitutions because I’m not sure a couple of the colors will show up on my fabric using just a single strand. I’ll make those decisions as I go along. The second shows my progress as of last night when I put her down.
Both pictures may be clicked to see a larger version. The colors aren’t 100% true due to the photos being a bit dark. I took them last night right before I headed off to bed.
I’ll close by saying thanks for all the blogiversary wishes! Sadly, I got so engrossed in working on Mary yesterday that I completely forgot to take the photo of my blogiversary giveaway package. 
I’ll try and get to it in the next day or two. Promise! 
I think those are all great choices! I can see which fibers you might be concerned about, though. Can’t wait to get my own fibers picked out
I had a most excellent time on Saturday 
I love the colors. That is going to look so amazing when it is finished!
Mary is so nice over one. Glad you’re happy with the thread and fabric now.
Nice new start on Mary! Love the colors…so happy you are loving stitching on her now.
your mary restart is looking great.
Lovely – truly lovely colours and so delicate. This will be stunning when done!
Love the new start. The muted delicate colours are perfect for that fabric and she’s going to be a beauty.
Next time you meet up with Darla, please give her a big hug from Claire in England…she’ll know who it is
Very pretty! Love your start. I am waiting to get going on mine, it’s my Sampler Guilds stitchalong project this year.