After classes closed on Monday, I worked on assorted projects, including Ann Smith:
Late Thursday I picked up Mary Ann Gollins from In Stitches, returned home and have barely put her down since. What a fabulous project Mary Ann is. The photo on the cover of the chart pack is of the original sampler, so it's not a lot of help, especially since it's pretty blurry on details, but I like a mystery--like to see it come alive. The sampler is charted for DMC or Madeira floss. I pulled the DMCs and did a preliminary conversion to AVAS. I have been adjusting here and there because my fabric is a nicely mottled 36 count Picture This in Heritage (I think) from my stash. I'm using a couple of overdyed silks also, because the colors tickled me; I have dialed up the intensity of the colors a bit so the floss isn't overwhelmed by the fabric, while sticking to the overall subdued green/gold/brown/beige autumn tones. Don't you love the black-and-ecru bird? This sampler is full of surprises! I've tweaked some stitching elements as well: I am not doing the letters in satin stitch, because I think coverage over 6 threads would be skimpy. Also, the alphabet line dips and bobs; I'm taking mine straight across because I think it would look "off."
The little admonition on the front of the chart ("Not for the Beginner!") cracks me up. You can do it, even if you're a beginner! There's nothing I hate worse than being told something's too difficult for a beginner to master. How do you learn to do things if you don't push yourself a little? In fact, I've long wanted to take woodworking classes, so I'm investigating that now. Time to learn something new!
Elvis: Eat more salad!
Happy week ahead!
30 comments:
Those are beautiful pieces!
Glenna, you've just been blowing me away with your gorgeous samplers...I mean they are all just gorgeous!
Glenna,
you are making progress! Both of these samplers are beautiful. I really enjoyed your January posts.
Have a great week!
Oh Glenna....both of your samplers are just lovely...beautiful!! Have fun stitching!!
I had never seen Ann before or at least I don't remember - I LOVE it - gorgeous and I have Mary Ann on order. Your conversion is looking lovely. enjoy! Melody
Your samplers are beautiful. I think it is so cool that you have the eye to switch colors and really designs and it still comes out gorgeous. Great work!
What beautiful colors in those samplers! They are going to be gorgeous.
Glenna, I love Ann! I'm glad that I don't see reproduction charts every time I turn around or I'd be in worse "stash" shape than I already am. But I must say, I may have to keep my eyes open for this one! I will enjoy watching it grow under your able - and quick - fingers!!!
I like the colors and linen you've chosen for your Mary Ann G. sampler. It's going to be fun watching your progress. Poor Ann S. must be feeling very neglected.
WOW that's gorgeous!
I laugh at the whole nonsense of beginner, intermediate and advanced. We can do anything we put our minds to!
Both these pieces are just beautiful Glenna. I think need to do both of these you know. I always get so enabled by what samplers you're doing!!
And woodworking - I think that would be a great new things to learn!!
Both are oh so beautiful! I love the black and ecru bird. And, I'm going to take Elvis's advice!
Oh my! Both are gorgeous! And you've done so much on Mary Ann!
Both are so pretty....kudos on your progress!
Two beautiful samplers!
I agree, don't tell me something's too hard for me... that only makes me dig my heels in. Ann is so gorgeous!
They're both gorgeous, great going!
Ooh, love both pieces. I like the changes you're making with Mary too. Love that black and ecru bird!
Oh I love both of these- the colors on Ann are amazing, and Mary Ann is just fabulous :) I just got her as well, and I am tempted to start her-- but I will wait to finish 1 and start her as a reward. I agree with you, on the 'beginner' comment. Why scare off stitchers? Most charts that have special stitches offer very clear explanations in them, and nothing is too hard!! YGG!!! Looking forward to more and seeing what comes about with the woodworking class!
Beautiful progress on both samplers Glenna! Can't wait to see more!
P.S. my kids think Elvis is pretty cute!
I bet Elvis is good at woodworking.
Beautiful stitches! I think I need to adopt the eat more salad motto!
The Limelighters!
Elvis!
(All the good ones!)
Both pieces look great!
Both pieces are gorgeous!!!! Love them :-).
Oh, beautiful!!! Gorgeous, Glenna--both of them. I can't believe how much you've gotten done on Mary Ann. YGG!
Absolutely gorgeous samplers, Glenna! You have such a great eye for picking out the most beautiful things!
Your MAG is stunning! Can't wait to see more.
Simply lovely stiching, Glenna! I think the best thing about needlework is learning new stitches and being able to modify patterns to suit your own taste. It it fun to be challenged!
Oh Glenna, Glenna. Whenever I come to your blog I see one of your terrific samplers, either one you are already stitching or a chart that you are about to start. And then I'd like to get to my car and drive to the next LNS and buy all the projects you show. But then I remember that I don't have any LNS, that I even don't live in the US. And then I remember the fact that I wanted to stitch from my stash until a good part of it is done. Sigh ...
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