Frances Cheyney (1664) - moving along

Seems like this sampler generated a lot of interest.  So far I have established all the parameters and started stitching some of the bands.  Here is the final band that is composed of predominantly satin stitches and detached buttonhole.  The smaller three pronged detached buttonhole areas would lend themselves well to bullion stitches or combination of detached buttonhole on the side arms and bullion in the middle but I have decided not to change too much on this sampler. 
My plan from now on is devote approximately 20 hours to 'other needlework' per month... so I will post periodically as I finish bands.
So here is a picture of the band I just completed.

Projects & plans for 2015 : New start - new goals

These past months I have made good progress on the Hardanger tablecloth.  I cannot post things here since this will be my EGA Master Craftsman submission; I hope to submit it in Spring 2016.  I am enjoying the MC programs again ever since I made the decision to not impose deadlines on my submission times - it freed me up to enjoy the process again especially in these stressful times.

On my birthday, I decided to start working on a sampler that has intrigued me for a long time.  At the same time for years I wondered if I had the skills necessary to do this sampler justice.  Well, it is time to find out... this will be one of the samplers that will occupy my time in the upcoming months.  I will also add one sampler from my WIP (works in progress) pile to the mix for a bit of variety should the need arise.
My primary goal, however, now that I am feeling better and am free of the shoulder issues, is to devote the majority of my time back to silk embroidery again.  The MasterCraftsman submissions will be another priority and the third area of my attention will be to add other types of needlework (samplers, researching techniques, WIP etc.) into this mix.  Looking forward to resuming my 'old' ways again after such a long spell...

So, without further ado, here is the sampler started on my birthday earlier this month :

Frances Cheyney (1664) - a kit by The Essamplaire
Thank you, Margriet Hogue for allowing me to show my progress here on my blog.  Please respect copyright - we rely on designers to allow us to reproduce such lovely works.

Frances Cheyney - The Essamplaire 

The Start of what promises to be  an enjoyably challenging Journey!

Starting to see it come alive

Plans and schedules are meant to be changed it seems...

Thanks to all of your well wishes on my birthday - I was amazed how many of you remembered!  We made a glorious 3 day weekend of celebrating the day since Monday was Columbus Day.  
I really wanted to stay home this weekend since we have hardly spent time at home lately.  The weather was absolutely excellent - beautiful Indian summer days that add to the celebration each year. We had planned to go to my parents' home for dinner but as I stepped out of the house I seriously twisted my ankle...got in the car anyway but then the pain was too much to deal with so we turned around after just  a few miles on the highway... spent Sunday at home too with my foot elevated ... BUT I didn't mind because I had finally started a sampler that has been in my stash for years!  Initially, this sampler, though intriguing, intimidated me a bit... now I find myself looking forward to the challenge ahead!  My plan had been to post things on my birthday in the evening but that changed; then I planned to post about my progress to date this weekend but that too will have to wait... we got a call from the doctor this morning and head back to Florida tomorrow instead of the latter part of next week as planned.  I will take this project, along with the Hardanger tablecloth with me but I suspect that our time will be spent differently this time...things do not look good with my father-in-law's health.
Plans this year seem to be elusive in our lives ... rolling with the punches is a better description of our life lately.
Here are just a few pictures showing some of the colors of Fall in New England - the colors are not as brilliant this year because of the dry summer and we are not yet at peak color - maybe by this upcoming week but Fall in New England is quite special every year.