Tulip Manor is another beautiful chart by the ladies from Blackbird Designs that is unfortunately out of print. So many of there charts are and go for such a high price on eBay that unless you are rich, you have no hope of winning the bid on them. Thankfully, there are stitchers who are willing to loan their original charts out so others have a chance to stitch them. I was luck enough to find another stitcher who was willing to loan Tulip Manor to me.

Fabric

The recommended fabric is 28ct Goldfinch from R & R Reproductions. I chose to use my favorite fabric to stitch on 28ct antique white Monaco.

Floss – Gentle Arts Sampler Thread and Weeks Dye Works

• WDW Brick
• WDW Peach
• WDW Rum Raisin
• GAST Flax
• GAST Cornhusk
• WDW Hibiscus
• WDW Caper
• WDW Bright Leaf
• WDW Schneckley

NOTE: No DMC conversion is included

Progress March 24, 2015

Tulip Garden by Blackbird Designs

Finished March 28, 2015

Tulip Manor by Blackbird Designs

Now to mail it off to Jill Rensel for framing.

The beautiful finished piece by Jill and Amber.

Tulip Manor framed by Jill and Amber of Rensel Studios.

Many of you know that my husband has been very involved with two Civil War Organizations. First, he was the Executive Director of Virginia’s Civil War Centennial Celebration and after that job ended, he went on to be the first Director of the New Market Battlefield State Historical Park.

When I first saw the chart, Seeds of Freedom by Silver Creek Samplers, I knew I wanted to stitch it for him. The recommended fabric was 32 ct. Golden Harvest Lugana from Silkweavers. I tried to order it but it was delayed for such a long period of time, I finally cancelled the order. I chose instead 16ct Chocolate Milk Aida from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie.

I am using the recommended floss which is a mixture of Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Arts Sampler Threads.

• WDW Crimson #3860 (2 skeins)
• WDW Citronella #2210
• WDW Seaweed #2159
• WDW Graphite #1154
• WDW Pebble #1151
• WDW Michael’s Navy #1309
• WDW Grape Vine #1273
• WDW Chestnut #1269
• WDW Cocoa #1233
• GAST Honeydew
• GAST Onyx
• GAST Grasshopper
• GAST Chives
• GAST Banker’s Grey (2 skeins)
• GAST Wheat Fields
• GAST Portabella
• GAST Baked Clay

The Stitch count is 94 x 242.

Progress March 11, 2015

Seeds of Freedom by Blackbird Designs

Not even half way finished and already ran out of WDW Crimson so need to order more. I will make note of any that you need more than one of as I go along.

I had to move the QSnaps this morning so decided it was a good time to take a pix of my progress. The empty space needs Crimson to stitch so that will have to wait.

Seeds of Freedom by Silver Creek Samplers

Finished Stitching April 13, 2015

Seeds of Freedom by Silver Creek Samplers

And here it is framed.

Seeds of Freedom framed.

Be Kind and True is another of the out of print charts by Blackbird Designs. Shows up occasionally on eBay but for way more than I am willing to pay. So I borrowed it from one of the gals in the Fans of Blackbird Designs Facebook group. I ordered the recommended threads from an online store while they were on sale but got to impatient to chart stitching so decided to substitute the suggested DMC colors for those I did not already have on hand.

The suggested fabric is 35ct Marva’s Blend by R & R Reproductions. I chose instead to stitch the piece on 28ct Rose Monaco.

Suggested floss:

DMC 838
GAST Dried Thyme (DMC 937)
GAST Strawbonnet (DMC 3865)
WDW Caper (DMC 3021) – DMC 3021 almost identical to WDW Caper.
GAST Antique Rose (DMC 223) – Antique Rose is more of a rose color than DMC 223 which seems more mauve colored to me.
WDW Crimson (DMC 3802)  – The DMC floss is a slight bit lighter in color but hardly noticeable.
GAST Woodrose (DMC 950 & 3064)
WDW Cherub (DMC 3774) – very good match
GAST Chamomile (DMC 372)
GAST Briar Rose (DMC 3726)
WDW Teal Frost (DMC 807) – The DMC is lighter and brighter than Teal Frost. Wish I had waited on this but am not going to pull it out and redo.

I started stitching this on Wednesday, November 26th and finished it on December 15th. 2014

Progress as of November 28, 2014

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs as of Dec 5th

Progress as of December 14th

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs as of Dec 14th

Be Kind and True – Finished!

February 23, 2015 – Just back from the finishers!

Be Kind and True by Blackbird Designs

When I first saw a picture of the finished piece Their Song by Blackbird Designs, I knew I wanted to stitch it. Trouble was it is another of the Out of Print charts and very difficult to find and expensive when you can find it. I added it to my wish list and went on to other   things. On one of the Cross Stitch Facebook groups, someone mentioned a shop in Mesa Arizona (Attic Needlework) who might carry some of the OOP charts. I called them and Their Song was one of the charts she had along with Under the Sunlit Sky. I purchased both of them for $18 each plus shipping.

Their Song begins the 2007 Loose Feather patterns. It is #24 in the Loose Feathers series. I selected 28ct ivory Monaco to stitch the piece along with the recommended Weeks Dye Works floss. Design size is: 126w x 150h and measures 9 x 10 3/4 on 28ct.

I value my garden more for being full of blackbirds than of cherries, and very frankly give them fruit for their songs.

The verse that is part of the chart is by Joseph Addison (1672-1719), an English essayist, poet, playwright, and politician.

Recommended Floss Weeks Dye Works (5 yard skeins):

• WDW Havana 1230 (you will need additional floss) DMC 610
• WDW Pelican Gray 2201 DMC 3023
• WDW Moss 2201  (you will need additional floss) DMC 580/730
• WDW Olive 2211 DMC 732/733
• WDW Red Rocks 2240 DMC 918
• WDW Charcoal 1303 DMC 3021
• WDW Aztec Red 2258 DMC 3831/221

I started stitching this piece on October 30, 2014.

Progress November 7, 2014

Their Song by Blackbird Designs 11-7-2014

Their Song Completed

Their Song by Blackbird Designs

And the final piece inserted in the frame.

Their Song by Blackbird Designs framed

Updated October 1, 2014

Earlier this year I discovered a new designer, two actually – Barb Adams and Alma Allen who are Blackbird Designs. I kept seeing pictures of Loose Feathers – Summer, Autumn, and Winter which was a sampler in three parts released by this team. I just had to stitch it and did. It now hangs framed in my bedroom. Thus began an addiction to some of their designs, many which are now out of print.

As I looked for other projects of theirs to stitch, I saw a picture of the finished sampler shown below:

The photo is courtesy of Vaida Balaseviciute

The Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler is comprised of bonus charts that were included in the Loose Feathers charts 31 – 34, in 2008 and 2009. It can be stitched in parts on separate pieces and colors of linen and then sewn together OR as one piece. I plan on stitching it all as one piece on 28ct Antique White Monaco.

Charts

Blessings and Kind Wishes, Loose Feathers #31  with Bonus #1 (75w x 120h)  & #2 (60w x 120h)
Beyond My Heart Loose Feathers #32 with Bonus #3 (79wx 120h)
Keepsake Box & Pinkeep Loose Feathers #33 with Bonus 4 (60w x 120h)
Two Hearts, Loose Feathers #34  With Bonus #5 (75w x 120h)

Fibers

GAST Mulberry (DMC 3857) – 2 skeins
GAST Gingersnap (DMC 400) – 2 skeins
GAST Flax (DMC 612 & 613) – 2 skeins
GAST Peacock (DMC 3768) – 2 skeins
GAST Shaker White (DMC  822) – 1 skein
WDW Basil  (DMC 3041 & 3051) – 1 skein
GAST Roasted Marshmallow (DMC 3865)
WDW Charcoal (DMC 844) – 2 skeins,
WDW Moss (DMC 469) – 3 skeins
WDW Olive (DMC 732) 2 skeins
CC Caterpillar – (DMC 801 & 3371)
NOTE: You may choose to stitch the flowers that are Shaker White in Flax as suggested by another stitcher. Where more than 1 skein is listed, it comes from someone who had already stitched this.

Fabric

Overall measurement for Mystery Sampler is (stitch count 349 x 120h)

30ct 23 ¼ x 8  plus 4” all around – cut fabric 32 x 16 ½
28ct 24 7/8 x 8 ⅝ plus 4” all around – cut fabric 33½ x 17

Mystery Sampler Progress Jan 1 2015

http://dragonxser.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/blackbird-designs-mystery-sampler-finish/

http://blackbirddesigns-stitchers.blogspot.com/2010/08/mystery-sampler.html

Started stitching January 1, 2015
Finished stitching Part 1 January 5, 2014

Part 1 Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler

Progress January 13, 2014 Parts 1 & 2 finished

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Parts 1 & 2

Progress February 14, 2015 – Parts 1, 2, and 3 finished.

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler Parts 1, 2, 1nd 3 finished

Progress March 17, 2015

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler.

Completed stitching May23, 2015

Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler in 5 parts.

And here is what it will look like framed. Still have to pin and stretch the piece and get the glass. While the mat looks blue in the picture, it is a deep mottled green.

Loose Feathers Mystery Sampler framed

After stitching Loose Feathers – Summer, Autumn, and Winter I decided I had to stitch more of the projects by Barb Adams and Alma Allen who are Blackbird Designs. Most of the ones I really liked were Out of Print so I went looking to see what I could find. The prices on EBay are RIDICULOUS, at least for the buyer. I found some of them for what to me was a reasonable price (no more than $20.) I chose Sunflower House to stitch first and ordered some fabric and the required floss. I am stitching this one on 28ct Blue Monaco that I bought from a fellow stitcher using the called for Gentle Arts Sampler Threads – Mulberry, Butternut Squash, Sarsaparilla, Grecian Gold, Brandy (2), Deep Sea, and Burnt Orange.

Blackbird Designs Sunflower House.

Forgot to note when I started stitching but believe it was Monday, September 8, 2014.

Sunflower House floss and fabric.

Progress September 26, 2014

Progress October 7, 2014

Blackbird Designs Sunflower House.

Finished October 27, 2014

And finally, here it is June 2022 and this one is finally fully finished and ready to hang on the wall.