Well, my hope of starting the new project I mentioned in my previous blog entry came around sooner that I thought. Initially I said wasn’t going to start this piece until I finished the exchange piece I have due on June 15, but I just couldn’t resist. I started my version of the Mary Wigham 1790 reproduction sampler last night. I’m stitching her on 32-count Legacy linen from Picture This Plus using the recommended DMC fibers.

I’m so very pleased to see how much this SAL has taken off thus far. Jacqueline Holdsworth has done a wonderful job of organizing things on the Needleprint blog. There are coordinators in place for several countries, and many of them have set up sub-blogs so that the stitchers of the various countries can interact more and get to know one another better. The coordinator for those of us living in the United States is Shari. She has set up a blog for the U.S. stitchers which can be found here.

In related news, I was speaking with the owner of the LNS tonight and mentioned I was starting a new Quaker sampler. She immediately chuckled and asked if it was 24″ square. I told it was and then looked at her rather quizzically wondering how she knew. She told me that I was the third person she spoke with today who is stitching this sampler. The other two stitchers had been in the shop today purchasing the fabric & fibers to get started on it as well.

As for the rest of my day, I had a really nice evening with friends. It started out with dinner at a local Mexican restaurant after my physical therapy appointment. After dinner, we all headed over to the aforementioned LNS for an evening of stitching. As always, I had a blast! There’s nothing better than good food, good friends, and time to stitch.

While at the LNS, a couple of us who are taking an upcoming counted canvas class (Plum Blossom Kimono by local designer Margaret Bendig) picked out our fibers since we wanted an alternate colorway. My kimono will be done primarily in shades of green (to match my stitching chair) with burgundy, blue, and gold accent colors. I’m hoping to pick up my kit on Saturday during the monthly all-day stitch at the shop so I can start the homework stitching soon.

I also have to admit that I also succumbed to a brief lapse of willpower in my 25 project challenge. The shop currently has a Lizzie Kate trunk show going on, and all the LK charts are on sale. I ended up purchasing two charts (Fall Crazy and Just Text Me). I’m hopping right back on my no-stash train though! I won’t be purchasing anything else until I have completed my challenge. Promise!

Until next time …

Write a quick comment | View 2 more comment(s).

I was stuck at home all weekend nursing my injured knee. It started aching a bit last week, but then gave way beneath me on Wednesday when I was out running an errand. It gave way beneath me again on Thursday morning, so I called my orthopedist to have him check and see why it was acting up again.

I was very fortunate and was able to get a work-in appointment for Friday morning. The ortho checked it out and said that it was just a flare-up and that those are very common when dealing with a torn meniscus. He said the best thing I could do was stay off of it for a few days, take pain medication as needed, and keep it iced to reduce the swelling. So, my weekend was definitely uneventful.

Between bouts of loopiness from the pain medication, I got in some good stitching time. I finished up Part 1 of the Mini Mandala Mystery IV from Chatelaine Designs that came out earlier this year.

Mini Mandala Mystery IV
Designer: Chatelaine Designs
Fabric: Silkweaver 32-count Peaceful Waters Lugana
Fibers: NPI, Silk ‘n Colors, Waterlilies, Petite Treasure Braid
Progress as of May 31, 2009

This photo doesn’t show off the fabric very well. I took it last night right before I headed off to bed. It’s not long available in their Lugana line, but they do still offer it in their Classic Linen line. Here is a more accurate color sample from their website.

Finally, as if I don’t have enough stitching projects going on already, I’m really hoping to start another one very soon. Jacqueline Holdsworth of Needleprint is going to be offering the Mary Wigham 1790 sampler as a free download on the Needleprint blog as part of an international SAL (stitch-a-long). Here is a photo of this lovely reproduction sampler:

On one hand, I’m very happy that she is offering the chart for this SAL for free. Yet, on the other hand, I’m saddened it’s having to be done this way due to the fact that the sampler was charted and sold commercially by someone else without license or permission.

The chart will be released in sections beginning today. The sections will be released weekly until the entire design has been made available. While donations are not required to download the chart, participants are encouraged to make a donation to the Ackworth School if you download the chart. This money will be used to help with the costs of conservation and possible purchase of more of these beautiful old samplers.

Well, that’s it for now. Until next time …

Write a quick comment