The Elvis Sampler

Siobhan mentioned that since my LNS didn't have the colors of AVAS that I'm running out of for Dot's Garden, I might try ordering from Drema. I'd heard her mentioned by other stitchers as well, so I gave her a call. The fact that she's in Baltimore makes it even nicer! She was extremely kind and thinks she can get them for me fairly quickly, assuming the company (gulp) is still making those particular colors. I won't think about that eventuality. Thanks for the idea, Siobhan! Also, Siobhan mentioned Elizabeth Talledo's "Whale Hunting." Funny you should mention that. I probably should finish it up. Small world! Here is is where I left it last probably over a year ago. Thanks for reminding me; now I'm enthused about stitching on it again. I have about 1/3 of the chart yet to go.


Speaking of enthused, I've seen some fun stuff come out of Nashville. Here's one of the charts: "Tyler's Lion" by Long Dog Samplers. I'm going to call it the "Elvis Sampler." Elvis is very excited about finally being on a sampler; he says it seems to him that normally the rabbits who appear on samplers are pink-and-white rabbits like Pink, or spotty rabbits like Peaches who have traditional fur and the jelly bean shape. Where are the lionheads, he always asked me. (If I stitch it, I'll have to leave off the long tail.) What I particularly like is the blueprint appearance of the houses.

I think there's a strong resemblance, don't you? "What do you mean IF you stitch it?" (Diana, see what I mean about the woodwork?)

Well, here's the problem with stitching another Long Dog (whose designs I like). I've started one and should probably finish it. It's "Bagatelle." It's an exercise in self-flagellation. First you stitch all the white design (I'm using NPI silk). When you're through after many many many hours of stitching and no doubt thousands of yards of silk, you then stitch a grid of gray threads over the whole thing (can you see the grid in the picture?). Ponderous. Very nice looking though, when it's done. I got sucked into it upon seeing a finished model at In Stitches in Alexandria. Those finished models will do it every time.

Picture taken in the evening, so the pretty blue of the (I think) 32 count fabric doesn't show up. Sigh. The whole thing makes me want to take a few months off and stitch.