August 22, 2010

Scarlet Fever II

I've put quite a few stitches in Ann Smith this week including lots of over-one in the words and area beneath the words. I love this Scarlet Letter sampler, and in fact I'm a huge fan of Scarlet Letter's approach to selling her wares in general. What I especially like about the Scarlet Letter is that most of her designs are sold not only as kits but as separate charts too. I look at her very good website and pore over her printed catalogs as well: they are absolutely gorgeous, and pure needlework porn.

Here's my latest Scarlet Letter obsession, which I ordered today in chart form-- Catharine Metcalf--and in spite of the strict stash diet I've tried really hard to follow. Just look at these photos, borrowed from the Scarlet Letter's website:

How can anyone resist this spotty cow with the bullion knot tail?

Or this cheerful-looking serpent with his pink forked tongue or the Adam and Eve as played by Brad and Angelina?


I've gotten a couple of questions lately about my stash. My header photo is La Famille Lapin, but I'm forgetting who the designer is. I believe I bought it at In Stitches in Alexandria, VA, and you can try calling them--it seems as if I've seen the chart there fairly recently. Their phone # is on the link.

Someone else asked how many WIPs I have. Well, I counted my project bags--almost all of my projects are stored in those nice mesh bags--and it seems as if I have 48 project bags. As I look through them, there are a few I will not continue because I've fallen out of love or my interests have evolved more into the historic sampler reproductions, but I probably have a good 40 WIPS that I would be happy to pick up and work on and someday even finish. My "rotation" is loose: at any given time I work on about my six favorites in a rotation of about three weeks on each project until I get tired of it and put it away until later. I'll pick up and restart an older one to put it back in the more immediate rotation, and I'll start a new one from time to time and add that to the rotation also. It's very fluid and frankly, I don't worry much about whether I finish something or not; for me, it's about the process. It has occurred to me that I need to make some provision in my will for passing them on to someone(s). No one in my family would be even slightly interested or would even know what I had. Maybe I should have a contest for being in my needlework will? LOL!

Pink and Elvis: "We're irresitable too!" Right, guys, but none of the critters on that Scarlet Letter sampler are likely to doot on the floor!


Happy week ahead, all!

28 comments:

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

I love your theory about WIPS, I agree it's about the process and the love of stitching, go with your heart. That's alot but I bet if I counted I probably have alot of WIPS too! Your furbabies are so cute!

Those samplers are divine, intricately divine.

Jennifer
Feathers in the Nest

Caroline said...

The colours in Ann Smith are gorgeous - beautiful work you are doing indeed! I laughed a wry little laugh over your "needlework will".......... 44 project bags sounds about right. It really is about the process isn't it? the little frisson of excitement over a new project, the delight over new colours..... I love it!

Daffycat said...

Lovely stitching, Glenna. It's interesting to hear about your WIPs and rotation. Maybe you could pile them all on the table, take a photo and let us look? We stitcher's are such visual creatures, you know!

I've actually worried about what happens to my stash when I die. DD assures me she will keep it even tho' she doesn't stitch. ROFLOL

Anonymous said...

Love your works in progress, exspecially Ann Smith.
I most often start my projects in the middle, then work out to an edge and go from there, never quite fell comfortable with starting at on edge. However, your work sure has me wanting to go the other method like you. I really like the fact of all the color that you have done on the linen in the beginning. Does it help you to stay with a piece or have you ever thought about this? I will have to try this on the next large piece I start.
Thanks for the inspiration. It is beautiful. I really like the spotted cow myself. Have you seen the Antique Sampler and Needlework issue that is full of the cow samplers. I think that one is similiar to one pictured that has a spotted cow, it may even be that sampler? I will have to get my copy later and compare.

RG said...

Put me in for Pink, Peaches, and Elvis!

I would laugh about the WIPs, but I suppose I have about that many here and there about the house, yard, and barn!!! But I DO finish one now and again!

Margaret said...

Glenna, I'm going to have to stop reading your blog. You are one enabler extraordinaire! I just love your Ann soooooooooooo much!!!! And Catherine Metcalf! I'm hoping that it's in my stash because otherwise I'm going to have to order it too. lol!

Nancy said...

What a gorgeous sampler! I love the parrot and the beautiful shade of red. That spotted cow is too fun!

Hi to the bunnies!

Ann (bunnygirl) said...

Pink and Elvis are in good company today, even if it's just a cow.

Anonymous said...

Ann Smith colors are gorgeous as is your stitching. Sorry to see Catharine Metcalf. Looks like I'll be purchasing another chart I'll never stitch. I have the same dilemma regarding where my samplers will go after I'm gone. My instructions are for an appropriate auction to sell them with proceeds to my animal charities.

Cari said...

Your Ann Smith is just beautiful. But then, all your stitching is beautiful. And I too love the Scarlet Letter. I have their catalog and love looking (drooling) at it all the time! Hugs to you and the bunny-kins and have a great week!!

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Lovely stitchy stuff! Kisses to the bunny babes!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Love your new stash purchase... all those lovely critters. Great progress on your Ann Smith.

Deborah said...

Your ann Smith is stunning! I will be going to the Scarlet Letter web site. I've been told that my stash will probably go on Ebay. Oh well.

Karen said...

You've made great progress on Ann and she's beautiful! I'm with you on Scarlet Letter -- I like that she offers a chart-only option. Very practical.

I went through my WIP basket the other day but I didn't count. I did find a couple I'd almost forgotten about, though :-) Oh well, I'll get to them eventually. It's all about the journey.

Siobhán said...

Love the new stash! I had to laugh at the A&E as Brad and Angelina. I abhor that couple but might just have to make an exception in my disdain to stitch that A&E--too cute. Love your WIPs! Sarah looks great, as does Ann.

Berit said...

Oh, how gorgeous! Thanks for sharing all that stitchy goodness!

Seems a little morbid to have a will contest; BUT at least you can know that those things will be in the hands of one who values them instead of chucked in a rummage bin. :/ And failing to plan is planning to fail and all that.

Hearing about your 40+ pile of wips makes me feel a bit better about mine, lol! I'm probably about 10-15 strong in WiPs that are just about UFOs. Ooh, there's an even more fun idea--what about having a giveaway for the partially stitched things you've "moved on" from since your tastes changed (or you could also offer them for sale.)?

Brigitte said...

Oh yes, I agree, it's all about the process. And about stitching the projects that you love. That's why I'm not overly thrilled when it comes to finish-finish one of my projects, lol.
Your work is gorgeous as always and yes (the second 'yes'), the new chart in your stash is nearly irresistable. It has so many sweet details. If I weren't on a stash diet myself I'd order some of the charts you're stitching or owning.

Stitch By Stitch said...

I have to add my voice in agreement with the others that it is about the process and the love of stitching. I too am a fan of the Scarlet Letter!

Phyllis said...

I'm Glenna's sister and I love to tease her about her stash of unfinished projects - but I hope she leaves them all to me. They are wonderful and quirky, just like Glenna!

Melissa said...

You Enabler you, Glenna!!! You know I keep a little notepad by my computer and I jot down interesting things I see online. For SOME reason, a lot of these jottings of samplers I like have your name beside them. lol. I love the piece you are stitching, and I also love Catharine. I have never seen her before and will have to check her out!

Funny thing your comment about wills. I was just thinking of the same the other day.

Katrina said...

Oh I could do that kind of a rotation :-). Love Ann!

Sampler Lover said...

Hi Glenna, Ann Smith is coming along beautifully. I have had my eye on both Ann and Catherine.
I also love Scarlet Letter samplers and I love the way that I am able to buy the graphs. - Sandra.

mainely stitching said...

Oh, that cow's tail just kills me!!

Wonderful new stash purchase, as always - you have amazingly good taste. And forty WIPs seems very reasonable to me. ;)

Cara said...

Floor doots are cool.

Michelle said...

Love your progress. It's nice to just pick up a WIP (or start something new) with the sole intention of just enjoying your stitching. Your new purchase will be a favorite, I'm sure!

Alice said...

Gorgeous samplers! I agree with Daffycat! I'd love to see those WIPs. I also love the idea of a stitchy will contest! lol.

Nicole said...

Oh wow Glenna!! I'm really loving this one. I may copy your linen choice! It's perfect!! I'm definitely a process stitcher too!! :)

Roni said...

I have been think who is your inspiration in coming up with such beautiful project... your rabbits. Now I know why you don't keep them in your rabbit hutches when you work. What a beautiful inspiration you got.