Saturday, February 26, 2011

Something Different for Me

As you may or may not know, I'm a sampler fanatic. More specifically, I really love band samplers. Probably has something to do with the logical, sequential way my little brain works. I enjoy all sorts of samplers, but I don't stitch a lot of samplers with borders or motif samplers. Having said that, my latest start is "Hetty Child" by Brenda Keyes.

As you can see, I haven't gotten very far, but it took a while to find the right Soie d'Alger conversions for the DMC that's used in the chart. I'm stitching it on 35 count cream so it will be about 9"x9" when completed.  I will be paying close attention to my counting since I really don't want to frog that border!

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Hate It When Life Messes Up My Schedule

I fully intended to finish this Lily Sampler last Friday. It was a no brainer! Then the FLU took over my life for the four longest and most physically miserable days of the past two decades! Maybe I just don't remember being this sick or maybe I'm just getting old and can't handle it, but that fever wiped me out. I was a zombie. So I didn't finish the last band and personalization band until Tuesday night. The photos were taken before I added the recipient's name, just in case she's watching!

Working this piece by Amaryllis Artworks has been a joy. I found a couple of new stitches, at least one of which, I will not voluntarily repeat. But I figure that's all part of the process. You'll never know what you like and don't like until you try it. (That's what Mom told me about brussel sprouts. Guess which way I fell on that one!)

Now I'm onto something else. Don't know what yet, but you'll know as soon as I do.

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Ready for a Stitching Binge!

Oh, boy! I'm getting close. I always get excited when I'm nearing the completion of a project. Maybe because I work on one at a time and I know it's almost time to start something new. Anyway, The Lily Sampler is almost done. Only a couple more bands.
And I don't post a lot of recipes, but yesterday I tried this Portobello chili in my slow cooker. One of the best things about using a slow cooker is the wonderful aromas that fill your house as the day goes on. This was no exception. My mouth was watering waaaaay before supper was ready.  It was delicious and I promised some folks I'd share the recipe. So here it is. Now being the carnivore that I am, I will probably go half and half with the mushrooms and some Italian sausage next time.

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

At Least I'm Stitching

 I may not be very good at blogging, but at least I'm stitching. The Lily Sampler is slowly coming along. Some of these stitches are a bit much for 40 count, but at least I don't have to worry about coverage. LOL.

For instance, these flowers are done in cross stitch and arrowhead stitch, which has 3 legs so they're pretty dense. And that last dividing band is more of the French stitch that I complained about before...except this time there is a THIRD row! Every time I think I have it down and try to stitch without the magnifier I end up frogging! So back to the Dazor. Finally finished that band last night. I'm afraid to look ahead and see if there is any more.