Loara Standish - another WIP unearthed

I started stitching Loara years ago, reversibly and over 3. Then, because of a friend's request to stitch it together and because she disliked stitching over 3, I switched to over 2, still reversibly. I just set up the bands giving her a chance to catch up so we could stitch together and focused on other projects in the meanwhile. She gave up after multiple trials and so my projects languished in the WIP drawers for 8-10 years. Now, thanks to a Group on Facebook, I have decided to finish both next after Frances Cheyney. I will only devote 2 or 3 Sundays to this project though so progress reports will be slower and reports further apart.

Serendipity / Quaker mystery SAL

Now that I am participating in this impromptu cross stitch Mystery Quaker sampler stitch a long I have also been reading up on what 'being a Quaker' meant.

I found two ideas attributed to the 'Quakers' and thought I would share them here .... 

These are universal truths in my mind expressed in many parts of the world and seem most appropriate in this age where we are surrounded by so much 'noise'. 

A fun little break! Serendipity..

I have been having a lot of fun with all my projects but last weekend I realized that all of them are 'intricate and serious' ones...and all of them take lots of time and concentration.

I was getting a bit envious of the 'fun little pieces' (some of which are in my stash) and 'all done' posts in various groups on Facebook.

 I even looked through all my 'easier' projects but did not dare start any since all of them were fairly big and I did not want to add to the WIPs - just was itching to stitch a fun piece this summer.

Now,  as luck would have it, just by chance, the administrator of one of the Facebook groups announced earlier this month that she would be offering a 'Mystery sampler stitch along' and that if one is interested one needs to sign up by the deadline.  So, throwing all reason to the side, I signed up right away!  I wondered about this since I have never done a 'mystery' sampler or a stitch along yet ... Some of the details were released once the deadline had passed. I read all the posts and the color choices everyone was posting with interest. It was going to be a Quaker style sampler and I have some larger ones in my stash and I always wonder about getting 'Ann Grimshaw' from The Scarlet Letter... 

And finally today the first page was posted.  You have to finish stitching the page, email a picture to the administrator and then she will email the next page to you - kind of a neat concept!  But it pushes me out of my comfort zone big time!!!  

I had been thinking of color schemes all these days and had some ideas in mind BUT today I decided to just open up only two drawers for linen (32ct and 36/40ct.) and for silk/floss each and make a decision on the spot  and just 'go with it' since I did not need another project to spend energy 'thinking about things'.  All I knew was that this mystery sampler was going to be in the Quaker style... 

Within 5 minutes all decisions were made! 

 I found a perfect left over piece of linen in the 32 ct. drawer - antique white ; pulled a few silks out and then my eyes fell on two cards of 100% bamboo floss (in a dark taupe green - sort of 'Quakerish' don't you think?) ... I had bought these for one of my Mastercraftman designs and then decided to stick with traditional silks for the submission ... 

So, just within 5 minutes I came down with my linen, thread and hoops (!) and even pulled my book on Quaker samplers off the bookshelf.  I had not read or looked at it for ages!   

I tried convincing myself that I could just get started without too much preparation and that I should just try to make this a project that is very portable - either stitch in hand or with a hand held hoop.

Well, that started me thinking ... Mystery sampler, no preparation on the linen, stitching in hand or  holding the hoop in one hand...perfect way to 'mess up' what was supposed to be a simple and fun summer interlude!  So, you guessed it, I resolved to at least grid the linen in hand so that I could see if I could get used to it some more.... Took 'forever' or so it seemed, I tried ignoring the wrinkling  and the edges .... And right after I gridded things I marched back upstairs, put the  hoops back in their drawer, serged the edges of the linen, picked out the right size scroll rods, ironed my linen and framed up ... I wasted more time trying to 'work in hand' than just doing things the way I always do!  I will still try the hoops with this project but just wanted to get the page stitched today!

I already have a name for this sampler - I will call it 'Serendipity'; I also know how I would like to finish this ... And possibly even what may be my additions to this project... So this will remain a mystery to you for a while ....

 I love the fact that I am using items I already had... I could have used a thicker linen also - but this fit the bill as it made me use something I had opened and cut a piece from  in 2006... 

Since this is a mystery sampler I cannot post pictures here ...  Here are pictures of my materials gathered up ... And the backside of my project about 15 minutes in....I think that may be okay ... 

So now I await the second page ... 

And am going back to Frances Cheyney while I wait for the email....

A Quaker Mystery Stitch a long

Continuing on with the last band of Frances

It has been a while since I last posted ...

Have been busy with life and my silk embroideries lately.

Just decided to sit down and watch some movies on Netflix and work on finishing up this sampler. Hope you all have a good long weekend (Memorial Day in USA).  It is a busy weekend with lots to do but I am looking forward to working on this sampler this weekend and enjoying some movies in the evenings.

 Here is a picture of where I left off months ago : 

My Version / adaptation of Frances Cheyney

A finish while thinking about the last band on Frances - Ann Bowers by the Examplarery

I had to "think" about the last band on Frances Cheyney... My gut feeling on it was that there were nuances in technique that required some thought. This also coincided with some bright,almost Spring like days so instead of just letting things sit I decided to finish the over one stitching left on the verse of Ann Bowers instead...the colors mirrored the warmer temperatures outside. I still have to decide if I want to incorporate my initials into the sampler but here is Ann Bowers by the Examplarery... The first finish of the year:

Ann Bowers
AVAS silk & linen provided in the kit by The Examplarery

A dusting of snow outside matches the whitework of Frances ... Winter is trying to still hang on for just a bit longer. The time away from Frances was good - I was able to figure things out and returning to all the whitework on Frances while things are white outside once more.. Feels right....

Frances Cheyney - continued

Finished this band with the mother, child and cat in time to celebrate my mother's Birthday. It was an intense amount of stitching with lots of finer points to be figured out. I didn't stick to the instructions or the pictures provided and changed some elements, added others and at present I am not planning on using the colored silk to stitch the facial features ..seems a bit odd to introduce color in an otherwise all white sampler. I had contacted the museum and Margriet in hopes of getting a better picture of the original sampler but have not received such information yet. After I finish stitching the last band I will revisit some of the 'liberties' I did take and decide. This sampler is a lot of fun to stitch and I am intrigued by the various ways thread and needle have to be manipulated to give various effects with very simple stitches.

My design interpretation instead of the scary severed head  on the original sampler 

Close up 

Close up of my needle lace design

POST SCRIPT dated February 24,2016 :

Thank you all so much for your most enthusiastic support - needlework brings a special joy into my life each day and I am glad if this small sample of my stitching brought you some joy too. 

There are a few questions that keep cropping up so I thought I would address them here:

1.  I am using the materials provided in the kit from Essamplaire (40ct. Linen and Linen threads of two weights)

2. I posted the following as a reply on another Facebook group but since this question seems to crop up often I decided to post it here  also.

This sampler  uses various whitework techniques like Drawn thread, Pulled thread and Needlelace techniques.  In this area for example I am removing the foundation fabric (linen), leaving a few threads behind which are then wrapped or woven. This grid then allows me then to put in a scaffold of sorts with thread and then using either detached buttonhole stitch, picots, needleweaving etc make a design.  There are also some other stitches like dove's eye, spiderwebs etc (hardanger techniques).  

The result of using basically a buttonhole stitch is similar to crochet - you create a new 'fabric' from thread like in knitting or crochet (which I also love) but this is all created with a tapestry needle and thread.  Hope this helps understand the process a bit more.

Thanks for all your compliments but it may look complicated and the kit may be marked as "for very advanced stitchers" but it is actually quite easy...it challenges your patience though;) I do hope you try your hand at some of the whitework techniques and suggest trying a simple band or project first if you have never done this or hardanger.

3.  I have been asked to give an opinion on this sampler /chart etc. many times now. I will address this after I finish the last remaining band of this sampler.  I am working on the last band now so I hope you understand and can hang in!

Still continuing on with Frances ...

Decided to work out some of the areas in one of the last two bands left.  I am teaching Japanese embroidery this weekend so will switch to other things after that....the really interesting parts and the reason this sampler intrigued me are left to do ... Lots to figure out which is really fun!

Close up on Frances Cheyney

Another band complete

Frances Cheyney - Nupur 2016

Finished up this band tonight.  Lots of picots and lots of distractions with the Australian Open Tennis championships!

At this point I will be putting this sampler aside to focus on other projects.  It is hard to do this right now when the remaining bands are the ones that are the most interesting ones, technique wise, but I do have to be disciplined about my time allocation.

Thank you for taking the time to comment here on my blog - I really do appreciate it.  Thank you all for the likes and comments on Facebook also.  Please follow my progress on my blog because I will post interim progress here    only.

Here is the recently completed band 

along with the other band.

Frances Cheyney - Nupur 2016

Another band complete

This was a time consuming, intense band, mostly needle weaving, picots and Hollie point stitches.  It required some thought to make sure it was reversible.  I chose to change the orientation of the Hollie point stitched diamonds and stitched individual 'petals' so that visually they look a bit Iike petals of a flower and added a bullion knot cross stitch center.  The instructions say to stitch Hollie point stitches horizontally across the diamond and add picots to the top half.  I chose to eliminate the picots on the flower diamonds ... It was becoming a bit too frilly for my taste and did not look balanced.  I also chose to vary the number of picots in various design elements to add some interest through  repetition.

So here is the progress to date...

Frances Cheyney - Nupur 2016

Close up, Frances Cheyney - Nupur 2016

Another Close up - Nupur 2016

Would love to see your comments appear below instead of in the various groups on Facebook- will prove that some people do follow this blog once in a while! 

Frances Cheyney progress

Continuing on with Frances Cheyney... Needleweaving in various shapes with subtle technique applications that are fun to figure out!

Needleweaving, Picots and developing the design

having fun !

Frances Cheyney (1664) - December- progress report

This sampler is proving to be a lot of fun to stitch!
The band below was really fun to work out even though it was time consuming.  I am finding it hard to keep to the time allotted and stop working on this sampler now that the bands ahead are even more intriguing but I know I have to get back to my other stitching.
Here is the sampler showing the past weekend's progress:

Frances Cheyney - buttonhole stitch in all it's beauty

Thanks so much for all your kind comments and 'likes' on Facebook as well as here on my blog.  It would be great to see them here so I could thank you all personally.
A number of you apparently have this chart/kit in your stash but have not started it yet - all I can say is that this sampler has been an enjoyable one for me to stitch so far - it demands you to be patient and not get too bored with the repetitious nature of some areas; it requires a methodical approach and accurate attention to tension of stitches, has a variety of techniques.   

Frances Cheyney 1664 - November- progress report

Here is the progress on this sampler to date.  I will be focusing my attention mainly on other projects and will continue to put in about 20 hours or a weekend each month on samplers and other projects so my progress reports may be spaced out a bit.
This has been enjoyable stitching so far although the repetitious nature of Band 1 was a bit boring.

Wishing you all a peaceful Thanksgiving holiday - I know I am thankful for all the ways my needlework enhances my life...it is a quiet haven for me in these changing times. 

Closeups of Frances Cheyney's bands 

www.thesongofmyneedle.blogspot.com

A really enjoyable sampler !
 Frances Cheyney

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.

Traveling with my needlework

Since my post with pictures of my large hardanger tablecloth project, many of you wondered and asked how I take such a large frame with me everywhere.
Well, we just got back from another flight to Florida and I wanted share these pictures with you to show you how portable things really are!

This is ALL I take with me : the tube contains my horizontal bars with my fabric rolled onto it;  the zippered pouch has the everything else, the magnifier fits into the padded pouch next to my laptop in my carry-on;  if my project is smaller then it fits into my carry-on and I do not need the tube. 

Just a few items to travel with

All set up in less that five minutes and ready to go!

I have tried to stitch in hand and with just a hoop also and so far I am not so sure if I like the results so much - I guess I have been used to scroll bars and stretcher bars and the drum tight feeling of slate frames or similar frames like the Millennium frame above.  It is less 'hassle' for me to have the frame set up and have both my hands free to stitch;  I also prefer less wrinkles and 'handling/crumpling/rolling/holding' things  in one hand and stitching with the other.  The sewing method is not as accurate for me so far - the threads sometimes twist or my needle sometimes pierces the thread of the previous stitch etc. I guess I still have to practice and perfect the technique of sewing in hand or with just a hoop.  I prefer the control on many things that a frame affords me - I can concentrate on the stitch and the tension and texture with a frame but find myself fidgeting a lot with stitching in hand.  I will keep trying but I suspect that my conclusions will be the same as many times before.  It is a matter of preference of course but I do want to continue practicing in hand for a bit longer this time. 

Good things....

Well, lots of good things happening in my little world :
- I am finally fever free and feeling 'normal' since Saturday
- my frozen shoulder is definitely a thing of the past - most range of movement has been restored thanks to Indian acupressure techniques and daily, gentle movement
- all tests I had them do to try and get to the bottom of these cough/fever/cold episodes revealed ALL numbers well within the range!
My final conclusion : refocus my mind and find a different way to deal with things.  So, I am on that quest now discovering all sorts of new things!

Since Saturday, I have continued my refining and editing of my needlework stash area AND I finally 'found' the sampler that I had slated to start this year... it was very logically kitted and placed in the 2015 folder but then had been placed back in the old system!  So, I will start this on my birthday this year instead.
It is very therapeutic to just play with stash... after the 'fun' times these past years,  I am finally resetting my goals and daring to plan again!
I am continuing to try my hand at stitching in hand, watching the U.S.Open tennis matches and organizing/playing... just enjoying the Labor Day weekend at home.
More travel planned... my father-in-law's issues remain and will continue to impact our lives... but that is okay - he needs our help;
Thank you all for all your encouraging words.... and look for more needlework related posts on various topics from now on!
"Savor each moment!" was my motto at the beginning of the year ... plan to do just that!  

Stitching simply? Needlework essentials - a matter of preference...

These past few days I have been thinking about how I am so used to always taking a "few" needlework things with me when traveling  anywhere.  I do not even consider them as 'weight' or 'cumbersome'; they are for me more precious than my clothes actually.
With all the travel this summer I had decided to work on a Hardanger tablecloth and here are some pictures my husband took of me working away in the hospital (some without my even knowing!) In case you wonder - I am wearing a mask throughout because I was running a fever, had a cough and cold and am still dealing with the aftermath of all the 'fun' we have been having this summer...

I have been wondering why I could not have just taken the project, a hoop and maybe a book-light/small magnifier combo with me - didn't need any books etc. since I was developing the design.... I realize that over the years I have just become accustomed to a frame, two handed embroidery and good, magnified light along with good tools (scissors, tweezers, thimbles, laying tool, good needles and pins) and find I do not stitch at all otherwise.

I do have all the various types of paraphernalia as you may suspect in my stash and have been trying to convince myself all last week that I need to perhaps try out my hoops, sit on hoops, hoops with lap stands or clamps etc. and simplify things a bit.  I have even taken them all out but then keep hesitating! I have not even tried them again yet because I do not want to crumple up my fabric!

I posted a question on this same topic last night in a few Facebook groups because I wanted to see what the majority of people use : a hoop, a frame, a stand or in hand when they stitch samplers or work on hardanger type projects.
I am intrigued by the answers so far - most seem to use smaller hoops or Q snaps or just stitch in hand and some use frames only for larger projects.  
So, I am not sure if becoming so pedantic about things is such a great trait - after all, beautiful needlework can and is done all over the world with simply needle and thread! 

I'm still around!

Life has been busier than planned with activities that are quite different to the ones we originally thought we would be busying ourselves with.  Since May it seems we have traveled all over the East Coast!
Just wanted to let you all know that I am still here and that I am still stitching - various things are being lugged around on the plane to give me something to keep busy with - in May it was Bead embroidery, June and July it has been mainly Hardanger (a tablecloth)... I used to think that only filament silk reflects your inner thoughts and calmness in the shine and evenness of each stitch... not so,  even Hardanger reflects the inner calmness or turmoil... lots to worry about lately - been in a strange bubble of  ICU/hospitals/nursing homes with perhaps tough decisions ahead.  The summer is  marching on relentlessly and I still have to plant the petunias and tomatoes plants I bought at the end of May!
This entry is most appropriately described by a word in German "Lebenszeichen"... it means a sign of life... I am still here and still stitching....my thanks to all of you who emailed inquiring how I was doing.... oh yes, all those Indian acupressure techniques and stretching exercises are finally showing good results - I am able to move my arm and shoulder up quite a bit more for the past few months!

Healing properties - not just in foods and medicines...

Have not posted for a while - life has been a bit of a challenge lately.  The 'flu' with all it's complications has been an uninvited guest. Anyway, I have not been able to do much of anything but decided last weekend that I had to 'do something'.... so here is a glimpse of what I have been trying to focus on - again, I find that Japanese bead embroidery has such charm and the beads have healing properties all their own - the glistening beads, the texture - you cannot help but feel better! 

JAPANESE BEAD EMBROIDERY - trying to focus one bead at a time