June 21, 2009

I'm a Yankee Doodle Dandy

I feel like stitching patriotic/summer themes (for my separate, also imaginary, patriotic themed sampler wall) around Independence Day. It's sort of a race to see how much I can get accomplished before the end of July. I started this on Friday evening, after tearing apart my stitching room looking for this Shepherd's Bush chart, which I knew I'd purchased from Ebay sometime last year. It came with the remnants of the original stitcher's fibers (mostly Silk 'n Colors), so I was able to use the ones I liked, and substituted other SnC from my stash when I ran short. I finished it yesterday--such a feeling of satisfaction to start and finish something all in one weekend, even if it is this tiny. SB's "Tiny Flag" stitched on 32 ct Lakeside Linen in lentil, stitched over 2 and also over one in the "America" line. I'm actually going to get it framed, because I like it so much. It calls for a charm to be attached on the blue field at top left, and I thought of looking for one when I was at the LNS yesterday, but decided to let it go. The suggested charm is a little pewter colored shield with "US" on it. Doesn't do anything for the design, I think, although I thought of subbing a gold or red star button.

That done, on to other things! I've started "July" from Prairie Schooler on 40 ct Ricamo linen and DMC from my stash. I'm missing just three colors, so I'll need to pick those up somewhere. I like PS designs, but I prefer them (and LH designs also) on a high count fabric or over one. It sharpens them, somehow. I didn't need to start in the upper left-hand corner of this, but I find myself doing it more and more because, like a lot of us, I prefer stitching top-down/left-right, and if you start in the center, a certain amount is always going to be up and right-left. I also subbed brighter colors of the red, since IRL the DMC colors were a little duller than the photo.

The question is...should it hang on my imaginary beach-and-maritime sampler themed wall, or on my imaginary patriotic sampler themed wall?

When I was at the LNS yesterday, I picked up this hilariously perfect chart. I pulled the called for fibers (GAST) and then subbed AVAS for them--I thought the GAST colors were a little subdued. I'm going to stitch it on 40 ct Ricamo also. It's called "If I Can't Stitch," by The Sunflower Seed.

I spent a good bit of time on Christinia as well. I had a small disappointment when one page of the chart disappeared--page 1 (of 12), where I had about 15 lines of stitching to go, but those lines started a new part of the design that wasn't readily readable either from other pages or from the tiny photo of this sampler on the cover. I had been stitching on the bus, and realized that my stop was coming up quickly, so I stuffed everything in my bag, and it must not have made it off the bus with me. Bummer. I felt bad about it--I pictured it shouting to me in a tiny voice as I went down the aisle--"waaaaiiit....come back!" Someone at the bus company probably picked it up and threw it in the trash when they cleaned out the bus overnight. Deciding it was gone for good, I ordered the whole darned thing over again from Homespun Samplar. Fortunately, it's not an expensive chart, and it's still in stock, and I got to discover a couple of new designs that jumped into my cart when I ordered Christinia. Note to self: make a working copy, Dummy! This is page two. When the chart comes in the mail, I'll finish page one.

Here's a two-fer of dandies saying happy Father's Day, happy week ahead, and always check the seat before you get off the bus!

23 comments:

Colleen said...

I love your patriotic pieces. I have one that I bought specifically to get done for the 4th and I put in my CS basket and forgot about it! Thanks for reminding me :)

Melissa said...

Wow, lots of great patriotic stitching going on! I must say there are a lot of great designs to choose from. I just wish we had some for Canada too.

That new design you got with the bunnies - isn't that perfect?!!!

karenv said...

I love your patriotic stitching, particularly the SB finish, very cute!

Siobhán said...

Super cute finish! I love SB's patriotic pieces. Love the WIP pics, too. I agree about the PS designs being sweet on higher count fabrics. I keep meaning to stitch them but so far just collect the charts. Sorry to hear about the lost page--AGH! I hate it when that happens.

Love the new chart with the bunnies! It's perfect for you! :)

Andrea said...

Your little SB Flag is adorable! I loved stitching that one! A little star button would be just perfect :-)
Love your PS start, that chart is so wonderful....can't wait to see your progress on this!
Cute bunnies! We have one too, Tober...he's orange....we had a black and white one named Annabelle, but she went over the bridge a couple of years ago, she was 8. Bunnies are fun!

Tammy said...

UGH about your chart! I used to commute to DC for many years and I just mostly slept, lol. I could have gotten lots of stitching done probably! Your SB flag is so pretty! You could do a big straight stitch star right over the blue stripes and that would be pretty! Otherwise, you could just leave it, or find a pretty star button or something, like maybe at Joann's?

Margaret said...

What a bummer that you had to order Christina again! Oh well. At least you got a couple other charts in the bargain. :D I absolutely love the SB design!!! I don't think it needs a charm or anything at all, it's perfect the way it is! I love the PS design too. Can you hang it sort of in between and have the two walls abut each other? :D

Daffycat said...

Great patriotic stitching! The buns look comfy in the hay bin!

RG said...

Good recovery on the lost directions!

We have a room that is all cross-stitching and watercolors of lighthouses! Some years ago one daughter stitched this set of small west coast lighthouses. She usually gave one or two for Christmas. Invariably when she came on Christmas eve she had to sit and visit and stitch with the material and her hands in a big paper bag in order to finish!!!

Hi E and P ... looking good, sharing the box!

mainely stitching said...

All the stitching looks fab! And those cuddle bunnies are so ... cuddly! :D

AuntSuze said...

Your patriotic pieces are great!! Which reminds me to get back to my free bird pattern, lol. And the new PS could certainly go on either of your sampler walls.
Happy Stitching!!!

Jan said...

Love the lil Tiny Flag, Glenna...I need to dig that out of my stash and stitch it too. What is it about this time of year, that makes us want to stitch these things? I love your PS chart start too, and I totally agree, I think they look great on the higher counts!!

Love the bunny design that is perfection, specially for you!!

Sorry you lost a page, but glad you were able to attain a new chart, and yes, do make that working copy!!

Kellie said...

I am racing around trying to stitch some patriotic things as well. I love both of the ones you are doing as well as your progress on the other wips you pictured. I think I would hang the PS design on my imaginary patriotic wall if it were me. I think the flags and americana symbols are more predominant than the beach/nautical stuff in that particular design...but that's just my opinion. :) It will look great regardless of which "imaginary" wall you decide. :) Have a great week!!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

That chart is great and I'm sure the bunnies approve.

I hope no one you knew was on one of the trains that crashed today. I've been on that red line before and can't imagine how such a mistake could happen.

Barb said...

Nice Patriotic piece. Great job on them.

Deb said...

I love your little SB finish. I think the piece is perfect without any additions to it. And I love your start on the PS Schooler piece. I'm in total agreement with you that they do look best on the higher count fabrics! Can't wait to see more of your progress on it. I love that chart you picked up too. I have one similar that says needles and pins, needles and pins, when a woman marries, her troubles begin. Don't think DH likes it too much!

Deb Cushman said...

We felt like saluting! Wonderfully patriotic!

The Scarlett House said...

You know, I was just thinking that I should be doing something with a patriotic theme. Nice choices there. Can never go wrong with anything PS. I love everything she does.

Loraine said...

Wow, what great stitching you have! I'm so thrilled you will be joining our SAL, because I can't wait to get to know you better. Darling stuff!
Sorry about the lost page. Oh, brother, what a pain.
I'll add you to my blog roll, and keep in touch. Thanks for finding me.

Maren said...

As if all those wonderful designs weren't enough, you had to go and show a pic of the bunnies. lol Just tooo cute!

Sherry said...

What a great patriotic piece

Dani - tkdchick said...

Great patriotic piece! The flag is lovely. Lovely progress on both of your projects.

quiltcat said...

That little flag is nice, and congrats on getting it all done! I love Prairie Schooler patterns...have tons from back in my cross-stitch addiction days.

The bunny boys in the litter pan are adorable!