June 10, 2007

Long Dog, Short Weekend

I've had this in my stash for a while and ran across it the other night when I was cleaning out the sewing room. I've had the urge to put it in order, both because we're having all the floors re-done in the house, and that involves picking stuff up off the floor and putting it away--somewhere. I've also bought a blouse pattern because I was in Exquisite Fabrics in D.C. Friday, and they were having a sale on the most gorgeous fabrics. I bought a bit over three yards of seersucker, only what's different is that the seersucker is silk rather than cotton or cotton/poly. I'm excited but a little hesitant about sewing garments because of the whole fitting thing. I usually don't do that kind of sewing--I'm more comfortable with home dec sewing. But I'm tired of what the stores have in stock, and tired of what I wear all the time (mostly silk sweaters with black pants). I have blouses, but nothing really dressy, and everything out there that's dressy seems sheer. So I'm going to try it--it's a wrap blouse with a graceful neckline. We'll see how it turns out--I'll show you pictures as I go. That project will have wait probably until late July when I take two weeks of vacation at home so I can hang around the house while the floor installers are here. Can't wait--it's been a long slog since my last vacation. I may try to squeeze in a quick trip to the Cape to see my parents as well.

Anyway, this is Long Dog Samplers' "Bagatelle." I saw it stitched in one of my LNS' a couple of years ago and couldn't resist.
This is R&R's 32 count blue spruce fabric with Needlepoint Silk's white (2 strands)--I had the NPI in my stash also, although the pattern actually calls for DMC. After stitching the design, you apply a kind of netting effect by back-stitching about a million miles of a gray silk (or cotton, if you're using that).

The weekend is just too short for trying to get everything done, isn't it? I think I could spend half my time doing needlework and crafts and the other half the time gardening. Here are two fun flowers I've gotten lately; I'm using them both in containers. The first is lantana, which I've just discovered. I love the way it starts out one color and shades into others as the flowers mature.

This guy is a petunia. I love the ruffliness and the purple-and-white flower.

10 comments:

Anna van Schurman said...

I spent a lot of time in the garden this weekend too. I'm looking forward to stitching next weekend!

mainely stitching said...

Oh, you are ambitious with that project! Can't wait to see more progress. :) Your flowers are stunning!! :D

Margaret said...

Wow - this is a great pattern and you've made a good start. Looking forward to progress pictures. Love your pretty flowers. Isn't summer wonderful!!

Sue said...

That is a beautiful pattern and you're starting out very nicely ;)

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Your stitching is wonderful and the flowers are gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

That's a beautiful pattern... but I'd be frightened of all the backstitch!

Michelle said...

Gorgeous start on the Long Dog! Can't wait to see your fabric for the blouse, it sounds exquisite.

Wendy said...

Bagatelle is an awesome project, Glenna! And those flowers are beauties.

Anonymous said...

Bagatelle is gorgeous and I'll enjoy seeing your progress on it. Good luck with your garment sewing - that's something I've never had any luck with!

Beautiful flower pics - thanks for sharing. :)

CraftyPretender said...

seeing this has really made me want to work on my bagatelle again, too! I've done about.... 200 stitches into it. EEK! Thanks for the reminder!