A January Sunday Challenge Detour

      OK... I have a confession to make... I'm not very good at sticking to stitching plans. It probably comes from my desire for my stitching to be fun rather than another chore. I know I was supposed to start my Fourth January Sunday Challenge last Sunday, but I didn't. Instead I stitched this lovely, sweet, small sampler that was included in the Blackbird Designs Winter Loose Feathers chart. I will probably finish this piece as a small cupboard pillow stuffed with either vanilla bean mulch or wool roving with lavender buds.

  Selura Simon

Blackbird Designs

40 ct. Lakeside Examplar

Hand-Dyed Cottons

      I did start a new project for the Challenge... just not on Sunday... it was more of a Tuesday start. This was the second time I started Sampler Stocking. My first start was shortly after the chart was released back in 2004. It was my first attempt at stitching on 40 ct. linen and I chose a piece of linen that was very tightly woven. I hated the linen, the project got put aside and when I realized I was never going to finish that stocking I finished off part of the design as a cupboard pillow.

I thought it was time to give Sampler Stocking another go. I chose my linen more wisely this time around. 

 Sampler Stocking

Carriage House Samplings

40 ct. Lakeside Lentil

Needlepoint Inc Silks

      I have fallen in love with alphabets done in eyelet stitch. I had a wonderful time stitching the alphabet on Sampler Stocking. I can't believe I was once intimidated by stitching eyelet alphabets... I love planning a stitching route to complete each letter without crossing over the center hole of the eyelet.

      The postman brought me a lovely package from Faye this week. I was the lucky winner of one of Faye's beautiful pouches. I decided to store my tapestry needles in the pouch. It's so much nicer than storing them in a plastic zip-lock baggie. Thank you Faye.

      I hope you'll stop by next week to see what I chose to start for my final January Sunday Challenge project. I'll also be chatting about my plans for February stitching and the rest of 2012... and perhaps what's in the works for 2013. 

      Enjoy your week!

I am grateful for handmade gifts.