Dreaming Girl

 I really enjoyed stitching Dreaming Frida. I also have Dreaming Girl. I needed the fabric for it because it is a deep blue(Azure blue 32 count Lugana).  I ordered some from 123 Stitch and it came right away. 

I have a good start on it. I started on the right side and am working my way over to the most interesting part which is the face. My friend Stasi did this one and it was gorgeous.

I saw another Dreaming Girl pattern from Barbara Ana that is a circle shape. I may have to get it. 

It's a hot one today. I gotta go walking.

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Zoom Weekend

 I signed up for a zoom class that was this weekend. Then Sunday afternoon was our sampler guild meeting which was a scissors fob class. I got kits for both these projects in the mail. If you give me a kit and say don't do this until class time, you know what's going to happen. I am unable to resist starting and I had both projects done a few weeks ago. I didn't Zoom the class because my project was already done. I did Zoom the sampler guild meeting anyway.

The class was Crowning Glory by Beth Seal through Sassy Jacks. 

I like the crown pin cushion. The kit was great because all the parts were included, even the PVA glue and a brush to put the glue on with. All the batting pieces were cut. There was a box to cover with paper. I did it but don't think I'll keep the box. 

The sampler guild kit turned out so cute with that tiny tomato on the end.

 I'm not a beader but the directions were great and I finished it with no problem. Love it! This was designed by Robin Shappell for the Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild.

What does this week hold? Haul and new starts. Sounds good to me.

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Of A Saturday

 I didn't intend to work on this today. I guess I was feeling brave and thought I would just try. I drew the scrolly pattern on my queen. I thought if I mess this up I can rip it out or cut it off. 

Then I went looking for gold thread. I found two that I think would do so I decided to try the most sparkly one which is called gold wire.

 Now, which stitch to do? Plaited braid or chain? I started with chain stitch but wasn't sure it would fill up the space drawn for it. I need to add black on either side and then see what it looks like.

On the other side I tried the plaited braid but I had to teach myself how to do it again since it has been almost two years since I figured it out at a Jacqui Carey class. Luckily I have her book to go by.

 The plaited braid looks a little messy. Is it too wide? The jury is still out. 

I've got to think about this for a while.

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I Was Thinking

 DH hates to hear me say "I was thinking. . ." He's afraid of what hair-brained scheme I've thought of. I was trying to remember if I had stitched a Long Dog Sampler design. I know I have about 14 of her designs, but have I stitched any? I don't think so.  They are usually quite large designs. One time there was a sale on a set of 10 LDS designs and I bought them. I have Death by Cross Stitch and I bought the latest one Quinto Acuto. I was wondering if part of Aquinto Acuto would look good on the back of a casket. So I thought I would stitch a bit of it to see. I cut a piece of 36 count linen slightly larger than the back panel. Then I started in the middle with my favorite section. This how far I am:

I decided to use The Thread Gatherer Silk 'N Colors Acorn Woods. I liked that it was dark enough and variegated. I admire people who can pick out great colors instead of just stitching in a solid color. 

I'm not sure about it yet. I need to stitch some more.

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Terrible Horrible Very Bad Day

 I had a bad day yesterday and didn't even post. I couldn't even stitch because of the pain. I should have just stayed in bed all day. But as Sister Anthonita says, tomorrow is another day. She was one of our teachers in Montessori training. Many of the things she taught us have resonated with me. That's what you tell a disappointed child who didn't get a chance to be chosen or do something they wanted, tomorrow is another day. And indeed, this is my tomorrow and I am better today. Thank goodness!

I got the Jane Zimmerman book I had eagerly awaited. It is a big thick well done book. It has a lot in it.

 Unfortunately it does not have the sampler pattern I was looking for. So on to Plan B. I have a photo of the sampler. I tried drawing it. Not very good. So I tried printing out the photo.

I'd like the photo to be about an inch bigger. But I have to figure out how to do that first. 

There is a very similar design in the book. But it needs to be just a bit smaller to use as a pattern. I've spent too much time trolling Pinterest in search of a similar pattern. 

This is a project I did on my last tour. I dug it out of my curio to see if I think it is the right size of gold scroll. It would be easy to do a reverse chain stitch in the scroll. A bit more challenging to do the plaited chain stitch. But I have Jaqui Carey's book to go from. 

How did I do that edge? I don't remember but I bet it is in Jacqui's book too. I like the use of three colors woven.

I have to think about my next step. I also have to remember that I can take out what may not work. Or I may surprise myself ii all turns out!

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A New Start

 I got a good start on Tomayto, Tomahto.

It is an easy stitch which is all I can handle at the moment. I like the fabric and the Weeks Dye Works colors. How have I not used Bullfrog before? it is a good strong green. Red Rocks is a great color for the tomato too. I bet I can finish the stitching in a day or two. 

It was the perfect day and temperature to walk this morning. 

Have a fun day!

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All you Ever Wanted to Know

 I got a great new book today. It is all a person would need to know for how to do blackwork.  It is Blackwork Embroidery  Techniques and Projects by Jen Goodwin. 

This is a really complete explanation of blackwork. From setting up, transferring the design, to using a slate frame, all the information is there. 

Tons of blackwork fillings patterns are included.

This is what I want to do, blackwork with gold.

How to finish a design is also shown. 

There are a few projects patterns included. This will help me a lot. Just knowing the order of doing the blackwork is helpful as well as how and where to start a blackwork project. I'm expecting that Jane Zimmerman blackwork book this week too. 

FaceTimed the grandkids yesterday, They sure do like Minecraft.

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