January 03, 2012

WIP 3: Catharine McNeal 1843

Hi, all! Welcome back to my embarassingly large catalogue of unfinished samplers. Goal for the new year: start some more! (I'll be showing those interspersed with the WIPs, just so you all can shake your heads over my tragic lack of self-control.) What has made it all so much worse, of course, is that I work part-time at In Stitches in Alexandria, VA, and when not actively waiting on customers or cutting fabric (the scariest part of the job), I'm roaming around, exclaiming enthusiastically over the new merchandise or discovering old classics on some below-eye-level shelves. It's enough to make a girl giddy. And since we sell needlepoint and knitting yarn/supplies as well, I'm getting sucked into those worlds, slowly but surely.

You may remember Catharine McNeal 1843 by Samplers Revisited. I love it to pieces, and wouldn't have stopped stitching it except that I ordered WIP #1 (The Essamplaire's Elizabeth Easdon) and when it arrived, so many of the colors were similar that it didn't feel "fresh" to stitch both, so I temporarily shelved Catharine. Something else: I mislaid the symbol key. Whoops. It's around here somewhere and as I straighten up the various rooms I use to store my charts, fabric and fibers, I'm sure to come across it. In its present state, this sampler is about half done. Maybe a little less than half--there's considerable over-one stitching to be done yet.



I'm stitching her on 40 count Picture This Plus in Legacy, using the called-for NPI fibers. Although there is a fair amount of satin stitching in this sampler, particularly in the border thistles, I elected to use cross stitches instead. While I love the look, I don't enjoy doing the long satins.


Marly asked if Elvis is always ready to rumble, and the answer is "yes." He's the most intense and emotional bunny I've ever seen. He's also the only rabbit I've ever had who makes noise: he grunts fiercely when he's unhappy, and he buzzes when he runs. He's unbearably sweet, but a lot of trouble; if he were a human adolescent, he'd be the guy happy to pick up grandma and her friends and drive them to church in his souped up car--and he'd get a ticket along the way for running a red light. Elvis is a lionhead rabbit (I suspect mixed with something else--maybe jersey wooley), and they are known to be stubborn and difficult. Here he is snoozing in Pink's box while Pink (not seen in this photo) is looking unhappily along. First he threw all of Pink's hay in the air, then peed in the box, then settled in for his nap.


See you tomorrow!

19 comments:

Margaret said...

I'm going to enjoy seeing all these WIPs again! Plus new pieces too! I'd be in such big trouble if I worked at In Stitches. lol! So do you use floss away bags? I just ask because I do, and I just write the symbol for each floss color right on the bag so I don't have to have the color key by my side. :D

Looking forward to your next piece!

Chris said...

I love this sampler. I just got this chart.the colors are so funky. I love In Stitches. Whenever we get to DC I try and get by. It would be killer for me to work there. I would have to have another job to support my habit.
Sorry Elvis is being stubborn, maybe he will grow out of it.

Linda said...

Love the sampler, but love Elvis more.

Linda

Karen said...

Love looking at your samplers, Glenna! Catharine is one of my faves. We just bought a house in the eastern panhandle of WV and a visit to In Stitches is high on my list of things I want to do once I get moved there!

barbara said...

I have some poultry like Elvis. If he ever wants to come meet his chicken cousins, they can all hotrod around town and keep the local police on their toes. ;)

Laurie in Iowa said...

I love the border on Catharine... I like 'different' flowers. Elvis may be difficult, but he sure is a cutie pie.

Catherine said...

What a fabulous piece! And your comments about Elvis made me chuckle!

Cari said...

I LOVE YOUR WIPS !! I can't wait to see them all...again !! And Elvis...gotta love a rumbling rabbit !! Hugs...

Jan said...

Well, I hope you find that key soon so you can get back to stitching on this one.
Why is it that while I was reading about Elvis the Donna Summer song "Talkin bout that bad boy..." was running through my head!? LOL!

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

So Beautiful Sampler!! I would love to work in a needlework shop!! I just would have so many started projects! lol Like I don't now.. lol Elvis is so cute!!

marly said...

A gambler working at a racetrack..
An alcoholic working at a bar...
A chocoholic in a candy store...
Glenna at In Stitches! LOL!
Enjoy your passion.

Gabi said...

Glad that Catharine came out of the shelves. What a beauty she is. Crossing fingers that you'll find the color keys soon.

Sylvia said...

I love seeing your WIPs, Glenna, but even more so, I love the pics and stories of your bunnies. They are so precious, and Elvis is my favorite.

Mouse said...

oooooooooooo eye candy and lots more and ooo can we come and help you look for things sounds like you need a wee bit of organisation :) and awwwww naughty elvis .. poor wee pink ... he is trying to be the boss ?? love mouse xxxx

Siobhán said...

I would be toast if I worked at In Stitches--Ellen would send henchmen to break my knee caps because there wouldn't be enough hours in a year that I could work to pay back what I'd owe. I am enjoying seeing your WIPs! I just read what Margaret does with writing the symbols on her floss away bags. Could this be the secret to her turbo speed?! I should try it.

Katrina said...

Ohhhhhhhh, why did you get Catharine out???? You know how much I love her and now I want to go dig around in my stitching room and put her back in the bag, LOL.

Elvis sounds like he's a hoot ;-).

Giovanna said...

You're doing great on your WIPs - what a wonderful start to the year!

Karen said...

My Lion Head Kirby was like that so high strung and spastic he wanted to be a cuddle bunny but just couldn't handle it for long. I always thought if Kirby drove a car it would be a Mini Cooper. When ever I see one I think of him.

Michelle said...

Oh I forgot about this one! I love the border on her. I hope you find your color key in the organizing! I'm really enjoying seeing all of these!