Pat's Cross-Stitch Corner

Merry Christmas by Blackbird Designs

December 27, 2018 By patgeary

Merry Christmas is the final design for the Ladies Prim Society Club offered by Dyeing to Stitch. The chart is from Blackbird Designs for club members only at the present time. It MAY be released at a future date to everyone. It really is an exquisite design for the final offering for this club.

The kit came with everything included, chart, fabric, floss and finishing instructions. The kit included 36ct Patriotic Brew by R & R Reproductions. Because that is too difficult for me to work on with my poor eyesight, I substituted 16ct Aida in Bramble by Picture This Plus. While I used the called for colors, I used 2 strands of floss rather than the called for 1 strand. The finished dimensions of my pincushion/drum will be larger than if stitched on 36ct.

Stitch Count: 101w x 99h (top)
Design Size: 6.31 x 6.18 (top)

Merry Christmas kit from Ladies Prim Society.

Apparently I did not note when I started stitching but I finished on December 26, 2018.

Recommended Floss: Weeks Dye Works, Classic Colorworks, and Gentle Arts

WDW Baked Apple (DMC 221)
WDW Cocoa (DMC 839)
WDW Dirt Road (DMC 3862)
WDW Havana (DMC 869)
WDW Palomino (DMC 420)
WDW Red Pear (DMC 3722)
WDW Sage (DMC 370)
CC Pine Needles (DMC 3011)
GA Tarnished Gold (DMC 434)
CC Onion Skin (DMC 3864)

Merry Christmas top and band.

Merry Christmas top of pincushion.

And thank you to Vonna Pfeiffer, The Twisted Stitcher for her beautiful job of finishing this one as a drum.

Merry Christmas Drum

Miss Peepers by Little House Needleworks

December 13, 2018 By patgeary

When I first saw Miss Peepers stitched as a finished piece I knew I wanted to stitch it one day. It was bright and cheery and reminded me of Spring and was small enough to be a quick stitch.

Miss Peepers by Little House Needleworks

Stitch Count: 80 x 80
Suggested Fabric: 28 Count Lambswool linen from Wichelt Imports.

Classic Colorworks Thread: Pea Pod, Clay Pot, Sea Shelley. Weeks Dye Works: Sage. Gentle Art: Maple Syrup. DMC: 680, 712, 3371.

I chose to stitch this sweet design on a piece of 14ct Baby Pink Aida I had in my stash. I substituted DMC 3012 for the Gentle Arts Sage because I did not have it in my stash.

Started Stitching: December 1, 2018
Finished Stitching: December 7, 2018

Miss Peepers Finished

May 2022 – And here she is finally fully finished and hanging on my craft room wall. I used a wooden board 10 x 10 inches I bought from Michaels and the background fabric is from the new Threads That Bind series from Blackbird Design. Happy that she is out where I can enjoy her.

ye old crow sampler

December 3, 2018 By patgeary

I saw ye old crow sampler posted in one of the Facebook groups and knew I had to stitch it. The chart is by Heart in Hand needleart and comes with three tiny black buttons. I went looking for the perfect fabric to stitch this one and decided on rust/brown 5 offered by Kimberly Smith at To Dye for Fabrics.

ye old crow sampler chart

Stitch Count: 73w x 72h
Recommended Fabric: 32ct Autumn Field Vintage Belfast linen
Recommended Floss: Weeks Dye Works Onyx (2 skeins)

Started Stitching: November 24, 2018
Finished Stitching: November 30, 2018

ye old crow sampler stitched piece

Still needs to be ironed and the tiny buttons sewn on and then I will decide how to finish it. The actual stitched piece is about 4 1/2″ x 4 1/2″

Apparently, I forgot about the tiny buttons before I finished this one. Decided to use Vonna Pfeiffer, The Twisted Stitcher’s tutorial on a mounted flat ornament to finish this one. Happy with it although I may add some trim around the edge of the stitched piece once I feel safe shopping again.

Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring Sampler

November 27, 2018 By patgeary

Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring Sampler by Blackbird Designs was first presented at one of the retreats offered by Barb and Alma and was just made available to anyone who wants to stitch it. You can order it from your local Needlework shop or any of the many online shops that carry it. And I invite you to come and join us for a SAL (Stitch-A-Long).

Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring by Blackbird Designs

This is a BIG sampler with a design size of 273w x 275h. The Recommended Fabric is 36ct Oaken by Picture This Plus. I will be stitching mine on 16ct Sand Aida by Picture This Plus. I will also be swapping out the recommended floss for Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe floss.

WDW Baked Apple / VM Dried Rose Petals
WDW Bark / VM Rusty Nail
CC Blue Corn / VM Something Wicked
WDW Chickpea / VM Spiced Cider
WDW Cornsilk /VM Dried Hay
WDW Dirt Road / VM Primitive Tan
WDW Dove / VM Flying Geese
WDW Dublin Bay / VM Seafoam
WDW Mocha / VM Cocoa
GA Mountain Mist / VM Iris Leaves
GA Old Hickory / VM English Moss
WDW Palomino / VM Black Eyed Susan
WDW Putty / VM Dahlia Leaves
WDW Raspberry / VM Ohio Star
WDW Sanguine / VM Desert Rose
WDW Swiss Chocolate / VM Regal Brown

Fabric and Floss for Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring sampler

I’ll be posting my progress as I go along. Right now I am waiting on new scroll rods that are along enough to fit my fabric.

Progress on Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring Sampler

And now I have completed all of the various alphabets. I really do know my ABC’s.

Progress on Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring Sampler

Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring Sampler

And stitching is finished with the exception of adding the first initial of each of my five step-daughters and my two sons.

Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring stitching finished

First initials have been added for our seven children. Our initials are at the top of the tree for our surname and first initials at the bottom side. Now to figure out what frame to use and get it stretched and pinned to the foam core.

Started Stitching: December 27, 2018
Finished Stitching: February 14, 2019

And the frame I ordered from Graphic Dimensions (WX575 GLOSS CHERRY/ W GOLD LIP 18 1/4 X 17 3/40 arrived today (2/22/2019) and I am very happy with it. Now to get to work pinning and lacing so that I can assemble it.

WX575 GLOSS CHERRY/ W GOLD LIP Frame.

And it is framed and ready to hang.

Merrily, Merrily We Welcome Spring by Blackbird Designs

Needlework ABC’s by Little House Needleworks

November 24, 2018 By patgeary

Needlework ABC’s is another one of the long, skinny samplers by Little House Needleworks.

Needlework ABC’s by Little House Needleworks – Cover.

I really like them because they can go in small width wall spaces and not take up a huge amount of room. The recommended fabric is 32 Ct. Confederate Gray linen. I stitched mine on 16ct Cafe Mocha with the recommended Classic Colorworks and DMC floss :

Antique Lace
Calico Kitty
Cocoa Bean
Pebble Beach
Weeping Willow
DMC 422
DMC 951

Stitch Count: 39W x 311H

Started Stitching: November 10, 2018
Finished Stitching: November 24, 2018

Needlework ABC’s Finished piece

Fast forward to February 2021. I saw a finish on the Little House and Country Cottage Stitching Group on Facebook and decided to give it a try. Thanks to Vonna Pfeiffer, The Twisted Stitcher for the idea and to Janice Wright Greene for helping me with the instructions. First, I ordered the spool from My Stylish Market on Etsy and waited for it to be delivered. Then the assembly began. After several mistakes which included lots of ripping out, here is the finished piece. Not perfect BUT I am happy with it for my first try.

And I just ordered three more of the spools. This wooden spool is is made of one piece of hardwood, not glued, so it is very high quality. It measures about 4 inches (actual is 3 7/8″) high by just under 2 3/8 inches in diameter, and has a lovely old patina. They originate from a supplier in Maine. A set of three spools is $25.00.

Forever Love 50th Anniversary

November 10, 2018 By patgeary

I first stitched Forever Love by Silver Creek Samplers for my husband back in 2014. At the time, I knew I wanted to stitch it again for my step-daughter and her husband for their 50th wedding anniversary in 2018. The full verse is “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things” and is from 1 Corinthians 13:7

I stitched the piece on 16ct Aida (not sure what color, but neutral) but wanted to do something special with the framing. I intended to send it off to Jill Rensel so that she and Amber could work their magic. I saw another piece posted on their website that used a ceramic heart as part of the design. I asked the question where I could order one like it. SashleeCeramics was the answer so I wrote to her explaining what I wanted and ordered it.

Once the ceramic heart was delivered, I packaged it and the stitched piece and mailed it off to Jill and Amber. Their lead time is 2+ months so I sent it early enough to get it back in time for the August anniversary. I am extremely happy with how the finished piece turned out.

Forever Love by Silver Creek Samplers framed by Jill Rensel.

Sunflowers in Summer

November 2, 2018 By patgeary

Sunflowers in Summer is a chart by Country Cottage Needleworks. The chart is dated 2011 but I bought the fabric, floss and chart in April 2014. It has languished in the “To Do Pile” until October 2018.

Sunflowers in Summer by Country Cottage Needleworks

The suggested fabric was 30ct Cocoa Linen by Weeks Dye Works. I chose to stitch it on 14ct Mushroom Aida using the recommended colors:

DMC 434
DMC 436
DMC 3031
DMC White
Crescent Colors Sunflower
Gentle Arts Baby Spinach
Weeks Dye Works Dried Sage

Stitch Count: 143w x 143 high which made the stitched area 10 1/4 x 10 1/4 on 14ct.

As I progressed with my stitching, the lettering for the words, sunflowers and summer was too light so I added Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe Olde Gold to the CC Sunflower for the lettering.

Started stitching: October 20, 2018
Finished Stitching: November 6, 2018

Sunflowers in Summer by Country Cottage Needleworks.

Sunflowers in Summer Finished

Now to decide on how to finish it.

UPDATE: June 2019

I decided to have this one finished as a flatfold. Didn’t The Twisted Stitcher, Vonna Epperson Pfeiffer, do a wonderful job of finishing it?

Sunflowers in Summer. — Sunflowers in Summer

Documenting Your Stitching Projects

October 31, 2018 By patgeary

A link to this article was recently posted in one of the Facebook stitching groups I am a member of. I thought it was worth sharing.

“The following article was written by Debi Feyh of Nordic Needle and published in their weekly e-mail newsletter. Permission was granted by Nordic Needle to share this article in (Pat’s Cross Stitch Corner). For information on subscribing to their weekly e-mail newsletter, visit www.nordicneedle.com.
A free mail-order catalog is available to you upon request if you live in the USA or Canada.”

Should I include a signature?

Historically, sampler designs often included the stitcher’s name or initials and the year it was completed. Many famous stitchers included their signature on their needlework including Mary Queen of Scots. In addition, artisans in other media usually sign or mark their artwork.

What should my signature include?

This is a personal choice, one that artists struggle with even today. Here are some of the options to consider:

Your initials (2 or 3), possibly worked into a monogram.
First name & last initial, first initial & full last name, or full name.
Design a personal logo which you can work into the piece. Potters often use a special symbol to sign their work. James Whistler, the painter known for such works as Whistler’s Mother, used a stylized butterfly as his signature. The butterfly design changed over the course of his painting, which also provides a time frame for when the painting was done.

TIP: If you come up with a logo or signature you like, then graph it so you don’t have to reinvent the wheel each time

What if I am single, gotten divorced, or remarried, how should I sign my pieces?

One of the best answers I found was to sign your first name on the front and then include something on the back that includes your full name (at that time) and the date. This helps people identify your pieces over time.

How should you write the date?

You should always use all 4 digits of the year. Many of our textiles are being preserved and it is possible to have work from 1810, 1910 and 2010 but if the piece says ’10 it can be an arguing point.

Where should I put my signature?

Keep in mind how you are going to finish the piece so that your signature isn’t cut off or hidden by the finishing.
You don’t have to sign or stitch your name in the lower right hand corner. Find a place in the design and use a slightly darker or lighter thread color so that it blends in.
Perhaps there isn’t a good place for your signature. You can purchase personalized handiwork labels which can be tacked on to the back of your piece. Be sure to add the date with permanent ink before you attach it to your piece.
Create your own personal label on a separate piece of cloth and attach it to your piece, like the quilt labels.
If you do sign your work, it is suggested to use the same technique that the piece is done in. However, sometimes it is not possible for needle workers to stitch their signature in the design. You could sign your work with permanent ink, such as Elaine Keller from Candle in the Cellar does. Be sure to test your pen on a scrap of the fabric before you try writing it on the finished piece!
A trend in the art community is to sign the front but include more information on the back like the painting’s name, full artist’s signature, date, special artist’s symbol AND a fingerprint!! Pretty hard to argue with the fingerprint when it comes down to whether it is a forgery or not.

What if it is a piece from a pattern?

There are several thoughts on whether or not you should sign a piece that is stitched from a pattern or a kit. One of the prevailing thoughts is that most of us put our own twist on the design. Another idea is that it is okay as long as you aren’t selling your work. (That’s a whole other copyright issue.) I would suggest a compromise by signing your name but on the label or documentation list the pattern name and designer. That shows you are not taking credit for the design only the execution of it.

You can read the entire article, Documentation on the Nordic Needle website.

A Peaceful Life Chairarm Pinkeep

October 11, 2018 By patgeary

A Peaceful Life Chairarm Pinkeep by Heartstring Samplery is the latest offering from the Ladies Prim Society. The kit comes with everything needed to stitch this charming piece – fabric, floss, chart, backing fabric, instructions and even a needle.

A Thankful Life Chairarm Pinkeep Kit Contents

Stitch Count: 99 x 230
Recommended Fabric: 32ct Patriot’s Brew by R & R Reproductions one thread over two
Recommended Floss: Weeks Dye Works

Baked Apple/VMSS Dried Rose Petals
Chestnut
Dirt Road
Garrison Green
Oscar/CC Weeping Willow
Sanguine
Whiskey/VMSS Dried Cinnamon

I will be stitching this project on a piece of 16ct Doubloon by Picture This Plus. Since I will be using 2 threads to stitch this, I will be changing some of the colors since I don’t have enough of those recommended.

Started Stitching: October 11, 2018
Finished Stitching: October 17, 2018

A Peaceful Life Chairarm Pinkeep – one end stitched

A Thankful Life Chairarm Pinkeep finished piece

Now to decide which fabric to use to finish this one.

A Peaceful Life with pockets and pinchusion stitched to the front

August 5, 2021 This project has been stuck in the “to be finished” drawer for long enough. All that is left is to sew the two ends together and it will be ready to use.

Hear the Crickets Sing by Blackbird Designs

October 10, 2018 By patgeary

Hear the Crickets Sing by Blackbird Designs is #7 in the Loose Feathers For the Birds series. The suggest fabric is 36ct Ale by Picture This Plus. I decided to stitch mine on 16ct Regency by Picture This Plus.

Hear the Crickets Sing by Blackbird Designs

Design Size: 91w x 91h

I did use the recommended floss by Weeks Dye Works with the exception of Oscar where I used DMC 3011.

Caper (DMC 934)
Chesapeake (DMC 924)
Cocoa (DMC 869)
Confederate Gray (DMC 647)
Deep Sea (DMC 930)
Dirt Road (DMC 831)
Oscar (DMC 3011)
Pelican Gray (DMC 926)
Sandcastle (DMC 422)
Sanquine (DMC 407)
Schneckley (DMC 781)

Hear the Crickets Sing

Started Stitching: September 16, 2018
Finished Stitching: October 10, 2018