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.

A Vacation

I haven't posted for a long time. I have been reading, stitching, and just enjoying my summer. I went on a lovely vacation this past week-end to Wisconsin with some wonderful friends. I am also getting ready to read The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo. I have read so much about this book that I decided I need to read it. I have been stitching Tea with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl. The rabbit is one of many who have taken up residence in my yard. They let you get fairly close to them. I love the rabbits.

Idelia's Skating Sampler 1908

I am working on Clara's Skating Sampler 1891 by The Sampler Girl. Since I don't have anyone in my family named Clara, I am going to personalize it with my Grandmother Idelia's name. My grandmother was born in 1891, so I am going to use the date 1908. I think she could have skated with her sweetheart at the age of seventeen. I unfortunately never had an opportunity to know my maternal grandmother. She died before my mother got married. My mother told me a great deal about my grandmother however, and I feel that I know her. I have always felt a strong connection with her since I was young. I don't really resemble Grandmother Idelia in looks, but I hope I have at least some of her inner strength and fortitude.

This sampler is stiched on 32 ct. Antique Ivory Belfast Linen. It calls for Gentle Arts and Crescent Colors. I hope to have my sampler finished by the end of next week.