My 17th c. English Band Sampler (WIP)

This is the Scattered Motifs section from my WIP:I took an ICC course, 17th c English Band Sampler, thru EGA to learn specialty stitches and the various techniques used during that time.
I am sharing this section as it has several motifs that are filled with queen stitches(As always, click to enlarge)The flower petals (picture above) have tons of queen stitches, upright & sideways, over 4 threads or more. Using several shades of silk, one strand, the flowers have a beautiful textureAnd, I am still not finished with the motifs!
Pictured above, the queen stitches are the same size; however, with the different colors of silk, create a wonderful repeating pattern in the large motif -- and awesome texture in the thistle & lady bug.
The largest motif in this photo (green,blue,red,gold) is solidly filled in with queen stitchesIf you get the chance, try grouping the queen stitches together to fill in an area. The results are beautiful - IMOI was so attracted to this course and enjoyed learning how to create all the bands & motifs. The course material has patterns taken from real samplers and it was delightful to make stitch samples.And, one of these years, when I feel more ambitious, I just might get around to finishing this monster sampler.It has sections of White Work; Alphabets; Double Running Patterns; Scattered Motifs; Variations of cross stitch; and finally (still working on this part) - embellishments & finishing

queen stitch motif

As requested, here is a close-up of the queen stitch motif:It is a motif taken from a C Street Samplerworks project, the cover sampler from SAN-Q Magazine:I had stitched this last Summer for a NANI demonstration, post HERE.Since I had some odd threads on my desk, and more room on the 28-count waterlilly fabric, I decided to stitch up another one!!

Not much time for the computer -- will catch up later this week : )

Doll Show Finds:

I attended the Valparaiso Doll & Bear Show yesterday morningWhat a fantastic display of dolls from all eras and all price ranges. The antique dolls were beautiful. Among all the clothing, dolls, + accessories ... I found these dresses made from antique handkerchiefs. And, they are a perfect fit for my Penny Wooden Doll
Other than the doll dresses, I didn't find much in the way of doll making supplies -- just a snipet of lace
I did stitch up a quick fob (on the left) side of the doll. I have stitched this motif once before. I used the over-dye fibers I had after stitching Free, Shep Bush Freebie design.I have not decided on finishing for the S.Bush design - probably a small pillow.

Shep Bush Freebie + List of needleworkers w/blogs

Barbara, please don't fall off your chair : ) and Kathy, I stitched the stars again -- you were right, the blue looks the best!I decided to use GAST Tarnished Gold for the windowpane -- or the boxes. IMO - the design just needed some gold or yellow. The blue for the stars was supposed to be DMC 823. I originally used GAST Royal Purple & took it all out. Just wasn't the right color. I found some GAST in my stash called Black Crow, a nicer navy blue. Keeping my fingers crossed this looks good in daylight -- & I"ll sew on the flag button -----------Have you visited The Passion of my Needle blog lately?

Tracy put together a list of bloggers who are active needleworkers. She has put together an awesome list! Information: HERE.

Stitching Blogger Links HERE

Thx Tracy : )

Rip it, rip it, rip it out ...

I was catching up on blogs this week ... and, read a post by Anna about a new, great, time-saving, needlework new thing. Ok, Anna, go ahead, correct me -- but I think "needlework new thing" describes it well. I followed the link in her post, read the article, watched the video & burst out laughing ... there goes several minutes of my life I'll never get back. Then, thud - slapped my forehead. Something about all that basting with red nylon thread ... yeah, I just knew there was a special pattern in my basket -- started -- and set aside because I was not confident about the color choices I made ...
This is Free c.2008 Teri Richards. This is a photograph of the freebie from the Shepherd's Bush web site: It is supposed to be stitched with overdyed floss by Crescent Colors (DMC number provided) on 28 ct linen - with tan lines. I was given the pattern & the flag button. Naturally, I found some linen in my stash & pulled out fibers and basted the areas where the tan lines were supposed to be & started stitching. Selecting the blue (lettering) & red (flag) were easy -- then, finding a good green, red (same as the flag), pink for the vine -- ok, going well. Pulled out some yellow & gold -- just not sure about the dark blue stars. That navy blue ... nope, not right. Set it aside.

As I said previously, after reading Anna's post, I got this out again & started removing the navy blue stitches -- I removed the blue stars (corners of the flags & two of the now empty squares). And, IMO - this project is ready to FINISHED ... and I am thinking to follow my first instinct, to make the stars GOLD or YELLOW - instead of the navy blue suggested. Might perk up the piece. Last, I'll get the grid around the motifs stitched in -- I'm thinking to use london fog or something that looks good with the linen + motifs.
Stay tuned. - - - - - - -
The Valparaiso Dolls & Friends are having their annual Doll & Teddy Bear Show 9/7 at the Porter Co Expo Center (Valparaiso, IN)10am-4pmEntry $5.00 Per the newspaper: " There will be more than 100 tables of dealers with all kinds of dolls from antique to modern and lots of bears. Proceeds benefit local, regional and national charities. Phone: 219.923.3803."

Needlework & book news:

IMO, the Flowers & Friends Stitching Club patterns are great. Not only are the designs delightful, the patterns are large, diagrams are large, and who could possibly resist the little birds?Forest SongDesigned by Elizabeth Fosterc.2000 Elizabeth's DesignsI used suggested fibers on 25-count raw linen by ZweigartBarbara, the green leaves are stitched with Sheep's Silk Dark Moss (The Thread Gatherer). That fiber & charm were with the pattern.Imagine this little thing has been sitting in my closet for eight years, and is finally STITCHED! I have too many WIPs tucked here-n-there!- - - - - - - - -
Is the lace being read, bobbin lace?? Sounds like it might be... Has anybody read this one yet? I've heard a lot about it & read an excerpt / first chapter. Sounds like there is another book, sequel, being released, too. Please advise if this is a no-miss!!!Web Site here
Blog here
I cannot help wonder how much is about bobbin lace making vs a mystery or whatever. Next time I'm at the bookstore, I'll have to look this one up. The library has it on order and a ton of requests.Like I need another book on my pile of must-reads!!! ---------- Looks like the next novel in this series is a story that includes recipes.
It is being released in October. The Quilter's Kitchen by Jennifer Chiaverini

Forest Song

Forest Songc. 2000 Elizabeth's DesignsI did have time for some stitching this week-end. I have some stitching (maybe tomorrow) before completing this wonderful design---------I enjoy Martha Stewart e-mails & this was yesterday's organizational tip of the day ... how cute!!!Sewing Kit in a Jar

Maeve Binchy

Whitethorn WoodsI really enjoyed all the stories which were woven together for this novelMore information HEREWhat a storyteller!Book Excerpt on the web site