Tuesday 14 January 2014

Off to a good start!

The new year is off to a great stitching start. I think one of my most productive periods always occurs at the start of the year and over the next couple of months as we hunker down during the bad weather. There's nothing more comforting than sitting beside a cozy fire with the cat at my feet, a cup of my favourite chai or mint tea beside me and stitching in hand while the winter storms whirl around the house. 




You may remember that last year at this time I started in on Heartstring Samplery's Baby It's Cold Outside, pictured above. Last week I dropped it off at my framer and courtesy of a Christmas gift from my MIL, I picked out what I hope will be a fabulous frame for it. It should be ready in another week or so. I'll post a pic once it's back home on display.

As the milder weather melts all that white stuff outdoors, the landscape is turning into a mucky, charcoal gray mess. It's a stark contrast to the lovely pastel shades of my new year start. Here's an updated pic of The Pink Sparrow Sampler.






I've made one substitution so far. I've swapped out the requested Lexington Green with a Gentle Art Special Edition April Showers that I had in my stash. The Lexington Green was more of a gray colour rather than the blue colour which appeared in the cover photo. I know that these cover photos are often not a true representation of the colours in the completed pic but quite often I like the shades I see in the cover photo. Also there is the matter of colour changes in the dye lot which has thrown me on more than one occasion when stitching something. 
I know that I'll also be swapping out the Cornhusk for a different colour. It has more of a gold-green look to it whereas the photo shows a muted softer colour approaching a mint green. All in all though I'm pleased with the looks of this one so far. Kind of reminds me of spring and Easter!

I've finished the stitching on two smalls for my SAL commitment at the end of the month. Photos to come at that time.

Last week I pulled an old friend out of my neglected projects. 




Can you believe it? It's A Mon Ami Pierre Paradis Perdu. I haven't touched this one in nearly a year! I do enjoy stitching this but I think it's the larger Q-snap that's holding this which bugs me. On the weekend I completed the basket motif above, a couple of the tempting apples in the tree and the year, which is intended to be the stitcher's year of birth. Fortunately for me, my birth year is the one which was charted for this pattern. I really want to try and stick with this one more than I did last year if at all possible. The problem is that too many other projects are calling my name!

I also wanted to show you a picture of the lovely gift I received recently from my friend Anne. I met Anne shortly before Bob and I got married. Her husband and mine are close friends and when we finally met we were delighted to find that we both shared an interest in needlework. Anne knew that I like The Primitive Hare designs and so she stitched up this ornament for me from the JCS 2013 Ornament edition.



Thank you so much Anne! I love it and have left it up for a little longer to admire it.

I'm going to try and join in on my Tuesday night stitching group tonight. Last week the weather kept me home and it's been a few weeks since I've seen the gang. My BIL has been visiting for the past couple of days which has been great but now he's returning home and the house is quiet once more. Sometimes just a little too quiet!
I hope the winter weather woes are not giving too many of you trouble and for those of you on the other side of the world with summer well underway, I wish I was there! Whatever your season, keep on stitching.

I forgot to add my Happy Birthday wishes to my eldest son. Can you believe it, I'm the mom of a 33 year old?! I'm so proud of you and the incredible father that you've become. Enjoy your day honey and we'll visit you again soon!

22 comments:

  1. Great finish on Baby It's Cold, and looking forward to seeing it framed. Your WIPs look lovely too, nice going.

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  2. I just bought a 11x11 Qsnap frame last week. Well like you too large to hold to stitch so back to the 8x8 qsnap frame. Too funny. Beautiful samplers for your wips. Lovely ornament by Anne. Santa brought me the mug of your Baby its Cold Outside sampler. I love it. Pretty color swaps you chose. Love Annette

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  3. Pretty finish, Lynn! Lovely projects you are working on. And good for you on the color changes. That is something I would like to get better at. :) Sweet ornament from Anne.

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  4. Great finish, and I love the little ornament!!

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  5. You've been productive! Great stitching - ove the ornament.

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  6. Oh yes, the beginning of a new stitching year is always my most productive period as well. I love to start new things and I always do when a new year starts. And even the old WIPs and UFOs have a different look when I pull them out after a long time.

    I do love both your WIPs. The Sparrow sampler looks gorgeous with that pink touch. That colour makes me look forward to spring.

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  7. Lynn, your Baby it's cold outside finish is lovely. You certainly seem to be settling down and getting your stitching done, I wish I could find the time. Happy Birthday to your son, mine is also 33 and became a Dad for the first time last July to a beautiful daughter. I am having a wonderful time being a Grandma for the first time! Keep warm x

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  8. The colors in Pink Sparrow are just so pretty!

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  9. You are off to a good start this year, Lynn! Love the color changes choices and am anxious to see the framing. Nice job!

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  10. Baby Its Cold Outside is gorgeous Lynn! Can't wait to see her framed up! And I love the Peace ornament from your friend! How lovely :)

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  11. Great stitching - lovely colour choice too.

    Happy Birthday to your DS

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  12. Baby Its Cold Outside is one of my favourite songs, so I love your latest finish! Such a sweet gift from Anne too. It's nice to share a hobby isn't it?
    Best wishes.

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  13. Lovely stitching, and beautiful finish!

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  14. ooOoo! Both those samplers you are working on are going to be gorgeous!

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  15. Your stitching is lovely, Lynn!

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  16. Congrats on that gorgeous finish, Lynn! You've got lots of great stitching on the go. Paradis Perdu is so cute - I've never seen it before; must go and check it out.

    Happy Stitching!

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  17. Your stitching is wonderful, but I really LOVE the pink sparrow sampler! Who is the designer? I'd love to have this one!

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  18. OOps! I found the answer to my question on your previous post! Off to purchase it soon!

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  19. Love your latest finish, Lynn! Hope you're staying warm up there :)

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  20. Love the finish, congrats! Great progress on your other projects.

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  21. A beautiful finish, can't wait to see it framed. Great progress on your other pieces too.

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  22. ~A super finish and nice projects you've 'found' again.
    A pretty ornament from your friend too.

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