February 12, 2009

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.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

The stitchy stuff is quite lovely but Elvis is the most gorgeous by far!

Melissa said...

Glenna, the cream on blue linen looks lovely. I can see why you just want to keep stitching and stiching. The 'whale' sampler looks almost finished (?). Lots of enticing things from Nashville Market to keep us all in stitches!

Siobhán said...

Glenna, I think your LD WIP is gorgeous! Could you leave the gray grid off of it? I know it's like icing on the cake, but even w/o it, the sampler is gorgeous! I love love love your Whale Hunting!! GMTA! I've been jonesing to stitch that for awhile. I'm so glad that you hooked up with Drema; I've always been happy with her services. I've ordered from her for years and been to her shop a couple times, including this past summer (I'm from northern Delaware, btw).

Love the new LD, too--you have to stitch that for Elvis!! He's adorable!

I am soooooooooo tempted by the A&E sampler by Praiseworthy Stitches. I'm trying to be good but oh my gosh, I love it. Why did you have to point it out to me?!? LOL

d. moll, l.ac. said...

I do the see the resemblance ! can you change the legs a a bit too? It must be rather frustrating for Elvis to know he is rabbit but for there to be no images of of him or his ilk, thank goodness you can start to rectify this imbalance. Ah, yes, the woodwork, I put some duct tape over a few places and that helps, a bit. They actually seem a bit better now that they are older......but still we a few a secrets from BF....

Sandra said...

Look at all that solid stitching on Whale Hunting!! It must have taken forever, but it's looking great and you should definitely try and finish it this year.

Tammy said...

Those are all beautiful--but I cannot see myself stitching a Long Dog, lol. They are exquisite to look at but I'm just not there yet and may never be! Beautiful work!

Laura said...

I remember your Whale Hunting WIP. It is so pretty, I am glad that you are going to pick it up again.

I have used that Bitter Apple stuff successfully to keep puppies from chewing on woodwork and furniture, but I don't know if it would work with bunnies.

Coni said...

Oh, such pretty things! I've just kitted up my very first Long Dog Sampler and am going to take a deeeeep breath and jump into it this weekend! Thanks for the inspiration!

Annemarie said...

Hooray! Whale Hunting is back! I almost forgot about that one.
I didn't know about the Long Dog one, but it is beautiful! I would never attempt it myself, but if you can do Whale Huntin, I'm sure you can definitely do this. Repat after me: "I can do this, I can do this..."
Really had to laugh about the bunny in the new sampler. I'm sure Elvis will be thrilled!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

I love the Whale Hunting sampler! It reminds me of summers on Cape Cod. :-)

Always happy to see Elvis, too, but that goes without saying.

RG said...

well, just send pink, elvis and peaches out to work .. that is all there is to it ...

MyLifesAStitch said...

I just saw your blog via the link on Margie's blog, and am so happy I came across it! You're whale watching looks fabulous!! Dorothy's Garden is absolutely gorgeous!! And your bunnies are oh so sweet - I love Elvis' "do". Coolest of all, you live in my neck of the woods... I live just ouside Fredneck, MD. I know it was bound to happen sooner or later (that I'd see a blogger nearby - other than my "live" friends) but this is the first time, so it's cool. Anyway, great blog and nice "meeting" you!

Kellie said...

Love Whale Hunting! It looks like you are close to having it finished. It's gorgeous. So is Elvis. He's such a cutie! :)

Michelle said...

I just talked to Drema myself for the first time - have some NPIs coming my way for Shores. I love that Long Dog you're doing - gorgeous...but wow, what a lot of work. Yes, those models do me in too - that's why I decided to do Dorothy over one - the designer's model. Ugh. What was I thinking?! I think Elvis' Sampler will be wonderful too - great choice. Yay for Whale Hunting being back - I love that one!