iStitch

Tuesday, 5 May 2009

A new start, a gift and some good news!

A week of no stitching as I could not decide what to stitch - shall I continue with Beatrix Potter which, since stitching Petites Lettres Rouges, now seems absolutely enormous? Shall I continue with my miniature stitching? Good idea but I am still waiting on Needle Needs for the lamp/magnifier I ordered ages ago but they are having problems sourcing bases or shall I start something new? And, as you can see, I chose the latter. This is a Dutch Band Sampler, from the Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly, reproduced by Katie Trendell of An Elne of Lynnyn. Although it was recommend to be stitched on 36ct puck hand-dyed linen from Elne of Lynnyn (I did purchase this fabric but used it for Beatrix Potter) I chose a 40ct flax Edinburgh linen. It was charted for either Gloriana silk floss or DMC but as I do not have many skeins of Gloriana (not my first choice for silk threads), I firstly sorted out the DMC threads and then matched Au Ver a Soie silks of a lighter hue. I think I am going to enjoy this one.

Last week I received a delightful gift. A beautiful fabric pocket and inside a gift of 'something to do with scissors' but 'not quite scissors' - it was a perfect size for the pocket! Also enclosed was this fabric heart - so perfect, so lovely, merci mon cher ami!

Edgar is having his second year blogoversary giveaway this week. You have until May 9 to leave a comment and then post on your own blog about the giveaway - simple! And let me tell you Edgar puts together amazing giveaways with heaps of goodies and a piece of his incredible stitching. I should know as I won his first blogoversary giveaway (here)

Kirby had great news for us last week - she has got into Loughborough University for her degree course in Fashion and Design. Well done darling, we are very proud of you and love you lots!

Thanks to all who left such great comments on the Petites Lettres Rouges post. I really enjoyed stitching this sweet little sampler even if I didn't win the contest! I have been thinking of stitching one with my mother's name and DOB and framing them together and then I thought why stop there? Why not stitch one with my own name and maybe another for my daughter and then Kirby too or do you think I will be sick of it by the time I get to Kirby? But wouldn't it make a fabulous family heirloom?

Thanks for visiting

Take care

Labels: Dutch Band Sampler, Gifts, Kirby

17 Comments:

On 5 May 2009 at 11:07, Kim B

A beautiful new start and big congrats to Kirby!
On 5 May 2009 at 11:14, Nina

Yes, this is a very nice start! :)
Have a great day ;)

Hugs,
Nina
On 5 May 2009 at 11:48, JillMN

Glad to see your hand is much better, as you are stitching more. I love your new start--I might have to look that one up sometime. Take care.
On 5 May 2009 at 13:57, Choco*Mint

Wow, beautiful.
I think I should have new glasses for stitching with linen....
On 5 May 2009 at 16:27, Yuko

SMILe, as for me I haven't started Beatrix Potter Quaker yet!!!
I don't know why but I don't feel like stitching it now... maybe later!

Your Dutch Sampler looks gorgeous!!
And your French friend gave you such lovely gift!!
It's so lovely!!!
On 5 May 2009 at 16:33, valerie

What a beautiful start! Love the Dutch Sampler and suck a lovely gift! Congratulations to Kirby...that's wonderful news! Yay!
On 5 May 2009 at 17:35, Deb

Congratulations to Kirby. And that is a beautiful start on your sampler!
On 5 May 2009 at 18:03, mainely stitching

I love your new start!!
On 5 May 2009 at 19:10, Patti-Rocky Mtn Stitcher

Seems we have the same tastes! :) I am wanting to do the Loara Standish also just have to pull it out and focus I guess. Thanks for sharing your lovely works
On 5 May 2009 at 19:38, Cindy F.

Love the colors in this one!

Congrats to Kirby and yes! I think stitching all those samplers would make wonderful heirlooms!
On 5 May 2009 at 21:18, Patricia Lessell

I knew that was Katie's. She is just such a really really lovely girl (ok young woman) and mother and is a member of the Sampler Guild - in fact she was one of the first member and I love your stitching of it. I will have to do this too. I always love what you stitch and what you get as presents too. I love that little hear and the bag they are both gorgeous and you use them in good health. Lots of Love Patti xxx
On 5 May 2009 at 21:49, Daffycat

Oh, it drives me crazy when I can't decide what I want to work on. I love the project you chose!

The fabric pocket is darling ~ enjoy!
On 6 May 2009 at 02:01, Theresa

Love your new start!!!!! And such a wonderful gift you received~~
On 6 May 2009 at 06:18, Anonymous

oh, oh, I like your new start, can't wait to see more.
All the best to Kirby, of course ! I can tell you are very proud, and with reason !
You know, I also thought I would stitch another PLR - but then I thought of all the patterns cluttering my cupboard and I came to the conclusion "Maybe not"... Only "maybe"...
On 6 May 2009 at 08:37, temari by the sea

Gorgeous new project!
On 6 May 2009 at 22:45, Michele B.

The Dutch band sampler is so pretty, and I love the bird at the top. It would make a nice bird for your next BBD sampler (what a great idea to do more). That's wonderful news about Kirby - she is so talented and a course will only make her more so.
On 7 May 2009 at 04:01, Michele

Love your Dutch Sampler start! Very pretty :)

Big congrats to Kirby!

and I'm drooling over your gift .. what a special friend :)