Thanks to all of you for the compliments on my new look. I am so in love. And it’s weird to look at my blog and not see Botticelli’s Venus looking back out at me. But, that’s ok. I love the red. So, in my last post I mentioned that two of the three pieces that were WIPs in that first post of mine in 2006 are still WIPs. The two are Mystery IX and Bay Sampler. Well, after writing that post, plus seeing that blank spot on my bedroom wall staring at me, I decided to pull out Mystery IX and work on it a bit. I am currently working on Part 8 (of 12). I have two of the four artichoke beds still left to finish. So, I’ve been working on it the past couple of nights and I’m making a bit of progress.
The blank spots you see in those right hand beds are for the specialty stitches and beads. I’ll do that once I have all the cross-stitching done on the left two. I’m also missing the bugle beads around those yellow beds. Bugle beads can cut the thread you’ve sewn them down with because of their sharp edges, so I’ll wait until the end to add them, along with the larger crystals. If you want to see my last progress photo of this, you can see it here. I’m stitching this on the 32ct Lavender Mist linen that was called for with the recommended silks. It is so hard to tell in the photos, but the fabric is really the palest of lavenders. You wouldn’t know it unless you held it up against something white. But, it is not the bluish/greyish color it appears here. That’s just 7am light through the window. I love this piece so much, but I just can’t seem to stick with it for very long. And I have the incentive. I’ve promised myself it will go to Jill Rensel for framing and I have the space picked out in our bedroom to hang it. I’m anxious to finish up part 8 and move onto part 9.
And remember that crappola of a week I was having? Well, on the very worst day of that week, look what arrived in my mailbox! Sweet and thoughtful Anna sent this sampler chart to me as a new addition for my A&E wall. So fun! Thank you, Anna!! And, of course she sent along one of her beautiful handmade cards as well. She is talented in so many areas! [Although I wish she’d send her framed Anna’s Bird to me…I covet it.] Anyway…thanks again, Anna! You made my week!
And here we are again with the yeti fabric. I haven’t made much progress on it since I last showed it to you, but I am liking the progress I made. I saw Andrea’s finish of this on her blog and she also subbed out the Sable thread. I think I am going to do the same, because I hate mine. So, the h, i, j may be coming out to be replaced with a better brown. I want my bunny to be a pretty brown, when I get to him, not this weird-o brownish blackish greyish color. I don’t have the GAST Cinnamon she used, but I’m sure I can find something that works.
And I’ve also got some progress to show you on Dorothy’s Garden. As I mentioned, I finished the alphabet and started on the border.
This piece is just so dainty. It’s a lot of fun to work on, but I am really dreading that house. I’m gonna have to just suck it up and do a little at a time. Here’s the whole thing…
I also bought a new stitching bag, which I was in desperate need of. I’d been using this fabulous woven bag, but it’s just gotten so much use that the material it’s made from is starting to wear down. Which is a shame. So, I saw that Silver Needle was having a sale on Vera Bradley bags, and I ordered one. I decided on the Miller bag, in the retiring fabric “Night Owl”. I just fell in love with the little owls! The bag is freakin’ huge, but it is wide enough I can fit my 17 x 17 q-snap in it with no problem, which I suppose is a good thing. And it has a ton of pockets around the perimeter of the inside, which is nice. I’ve never even really looked at a Vera Bradley bag before, so this was a new adventure for me.
I have also signed up for a 5k in August, and have been training for two Saturdays now. I’m excited about it, and looking forward to it. My plan is to walk it, but last night I made my first venture into running, so I may end up doing a walk/run. This morning I probably walked close to 3 miles, so I don’t think the 5k is going to be any problem. I’m tired though, so I think some serious stitching/couch time is on the horizon for me this afternoon.
So, that’s all the news from around here. Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!!
I am grateful for losing two pounds this week and pushing myself to run last night. Yay me!
Good for you on the 5K walk/run! Wow! I couldn’t run even if I wanted to — I have bad knees. 🙁 I love your WIPs. They’re just gorgeous! That Mystery IX is spectacular!
The 5K walk sounds like fun, and your stitching is absolutely STUNNING! Michelle you do such beautiful work, and I can’t wait to see Mystery IX framed. This will be something to greet you every time you go into your room.
Is your UFO Bay Sampler the one by The Workbasket? If so I had that as one for a few years now, but the last couple of weeks I have been stitching it and loving it!
Happy weekend!
your WIPs are so gorgeous – each one! How nice of Anna to send you the chart – what a thoughtful thing to do.
Good luck with the 5K!
All your WIPs look gorgeous. Dorothy’s Garden is just stunning over one! I used CC Cocoa Bean for the brown in my Earth Sampler and I think it worked really well 🙂
Yay you on all counts! Love the projects, and you caught just the right photo angle so we could see the sparklies.
You can’t have the bird. We found the perfect place for it. I do know how you can get one, though. Good for you for running. I bet you can run a good portion of that by August. Good luck!
Congrats on your weight loss and good luck on your 5K run, YGG!!
Your stitching is really beautiful, I especially love Dorothy’s Garden! The over one stitching is just gorgeous!
I can send you some Cinnamon if you’d like 🙂 Your ES is coming along nicely, I really enjoyed mine a lot!
Have a good Sunday!
xoxo
I love the new background.
I have quite a few Vera bags–I have some for my stitching and some for knitting and the Miller is my favorite(I have 3). I hope you enjoy yours 🙂
Lovely WIPs and congrats on your weight loss and training for your 5K.
Wow, all your WIPs look great. Love Mystery IX. Good for you for getting out walking and challenging yourself to a 5k. You’ll do great!!
Woohoo! Running a 5K is such a good goal.
Love all you stitching, especially the guild piece. It’s so pretty.
Miller bags are my favorite, I have a summer one and a winter one :-).
Wow girl you have been busy! I love the new RED look! My favorite color.
I so love your Chatelaine. They are so beautiful when done. Your’s will have a place of honor I am sure.
Congrats on the run the other day. And a big pat on the back for the 2 lbs.
Your WIPs are fantastic! You have made good progess.
Way to go on the walking/running! It does sound like the 5k will be a breeze for you!
I love your new blog look, Michelle! I’m behind on blog reading so missed the first post of the new look. 🙂
Beautiful WIPs! The mystery is gorgeous; so is Dot’s Garden. 🙂
YGG on the 5K!
Your wips are looking lovely especially Mystery IX. Good for you on the 5K
All of your projects and stitching are beautiful!!! So inspiring!
Michelle, your Mystery Sampler is looking GORGEOUS!! I hope you keep with it, till it is finished, it will be lovely on your wall!
Other wips are great too!
That is certainly a great thing, to do the 5K and congrats on your running last night. I need to at least start doing some walking, goodness. Just need to set aside some time to do it each day!
That was sweet of Anna to send you an A&E chart!
your stitching is beautiful.
Way to go on the walk! I need to get back in gear and lose some weight! I am feeling like a tugboat! Sounds like we have bad knees in common.
I love your WIP and the gift chart is wonderful!
Oh my gosh, I can’t believe how much work goes in to that Mystery piece. It will be all worth it when you’re done though. Thanks for the heads up on the Vera Bradley sale.
Awesome job on the weight loss and the walk! Your WIP’s look amazing! Gorgeous stitching you do!
What amazing projects!
Your WIP’s all look wonderful – love how the Chatelaine is coming along 😀
Congrats on your progress– your stitching and losing 2 pounds! It is hard to run in the heat!!! Keep up the great work on both!! The burgundy background looks fabulous!
You’re making lovely progress Michelle – beautiful pieces! I am glad to see someone stitching a Pat Rogers design, I haven’t seen any of her patterns in a long time but she did some marvelous ones. GOod luck on your 5K – wish I was as ambitious!
Wow all of your WIPs are gorgeous. It’s so good to see the Chatelaine out again:)
Your WIP’s are coming along very well. You’ll love the Miller Bag. About 5 of us in the sampler guild have this bag and it is awesome. Holds many projects, magnifiers, lap stand, light, glasses, lotion, box of tools etc. all at once with great handles to throw over the shoulder. It’s fantastic.
Good for you on the weight loss, and kudos for the 5k commitment.
When I first logged onto your site and saw that first photo of your Mystery IX, it was like falling in love. I have yet to meet a Chatelaine that I didn’t want to stitch, and true to form, those artichoke beds are calling… lol
It’s great to see a Mystery IX WIP resurrected! Great stitching so far, and lovely work on your other WIPs too.
You have some great WIPs on the go, particularly the resurrected one, lol.