O.K. So I've changed some pictures, and now I'll start posting.

I wish everyone a Patriotic Memorial Day. I plan to start posting updates on my stitching and other ventures that I may embark on this summer.

Updates On My Stitching

I have really been stitching this year. I am loving being a part of Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year. It is so much fun seeing everyone's starts, progress, and finishes. I love SDW by The Scarlet Letter, the sampler I am working on now.

I love the pop of blue that is so unexpected on the flower. I believe this is the first horse I have ever stitched, and it so much fun.

I am making some progress on "Baby, It's Cold Outside," by Heartstring Samplery. I love this sampler. I am going to try to work on it more this week. I plan to go stitching with my friends on Friday night, and I work on this sampler while I'm stitching with them.

I especially love the fabric I am stitching this sampler on. The color is Ale, and it has a beautiful shade of pink that shows up in different places. It is a really lovely piece of fabric. I have had it for a while and, luckily, this is the color that the sampler called for. It is a 32 ct. instead of a 36 ct. that the pattern suggested, but I'm fine with that. I really like stitching on 32 ct. better.

Finally, I am going to get a finished piece framed this week. This sampler is called Clara's Skating Party by The Sampler Girl. I changed the name to reflect the name of my maternal grandmother, Idelia. I never knew her, but I feel connected to her in so many ways. I hand dyed the linen for this sampler.

I like to imagine that my grandmother went skating with my grandfather George. I think they probably did. I can just see her with her pretty hat on and her hair flying behind her.

I hope everyone has a warm and safe week. We are expecting some ice this afternoon, but it hasn't started yet. I wanted to get a few pictures of the ice on the trees, so I hope if it comes, it comes in the daylight. Take care. Keep stitching. Stay warm.

Scarlet Letter Samplers and Progress, Edited

Thank you to "Jo who can't think of a clever nickname" who told me to try changing my browser from Internet Explorer. I used Firefox and was able to upload my pictures.

My samplers arrived from The Scarlet Letter. They arrived separately because I placed two orders. After hearing how large SDW was, I decided I needed a smaller one as well, and so I ordered Margret Lawrance. I love both of them.

The SDW has so many beautiful motifs. I decided to use the DMC threads. I had almost all of them, which is shocking because I usually only have about one or two of what I need. I still have to find a piece of fabric for this sampler. I am going to my cross stitch shop tonight for stitching with friends and will look for a nice piece of fabric. Because of the size of this sampler, I will definitely need to get at least a 34 or 35 ct. I know that 34 ct. is more difficult to find. Question? The instructions that come with the sampler say to use two strands of DMC and one strand of silk. If I get a 34 or 35 ct. piece of fabric, do I still use two strands of DMC? I really love the colors. They are so rich and will look so pretty. I have to find the right piece of fabric.

My second sampler is a new one from The Scarlet Letter, Margret Lawrance. I got the entire kit for this sampler. I really love the silk colors, my colors! Lots of shades of pinks and greens.

I can't wait to start. I plan to start this weekend. I go back to work on Monday, which means I have to allot time for stitching. I hope to post in a few days my starts on both samplers.

I have been stitching "Baby, It's Cold Outside." I have a picture of my start. It is a fun piece to stitch.