Progress Report, Some Giveaways and Sleeping Dogs

      It's time for a progress report. I decided to stick with Elizabeth Smith and here's where she's at as of today. I just have the border left to complete. I should be able to stitch those repetitive flowers in my sleep... although they are not all exactly the same. I'll do a few close-up photos of the flowers when the sampler is completed.
      I love they way Elizabeth stitched her Adam and Eve. I've been referring to them as the robotic A&E's. Either by choice or because of limitations, Elizabeth created her rather large sampler using only twelve colors. I'm very impressed with her skill at creating her sampler with a limited color palette. Her name is stitched in rice stitch.

 Elizabeth Smith 1811

The Scarlet Letter

40 ct. Lakeside Vintage Light Examplar

DMC

      I received a lovely package in the mail from BrendaS.  I was the lucky winner of her giveaway. 

  I got all excited when I saw that the Birds of a Feather chart came as a kit. The linen and strands of Belle Soie and Gloriana silks were included along with the chart.  It's stitched on 36 ct. Lakeside Vintage Luna linen. I haven't decided how I want to finish this piece. I was thinking of a needlebook or perhaps a fob. Any suggestions?
      I think there is enough leftover silks to stitch this design again. I'd love to pass the chart and silks along to someone who would like to stitch the design. Just leave a note in the Comments section if you'd like it. If more than one person wants the chart I'll put the names in a hat and select a winner.
      I have been the recipient of many giveaways and it's time for me to have a few giveaways of my own. I couldn't make up my mind what chart I wanted to giveaway... so I decided if one giveaway was good... then three giveaways would be even better.
      I would like to gift three of my readers with their choice of one of the following:

1) Jane Atkinson - The Scarlet Letter with some additional goodies.
2) Mary Ann Gollins Sampler - Cross Stitch Guild of the UK with some additional goodies.
3) L'arbre de Noe - Julia Line (US readers only)

If you would like to receive one of these giveaway items please leave a Comment and indicate which gift you would like to receive if you should be the winner. I have to restrict the Julia Line book to US readers only due to the weight of the book and the high cost of international postage. Both the charts and the book are brand new items. If you prefer not to leave a Comment you can send me an e-mail. The only Rule... you must tell me which gift you would like.... don't leave it up to me to decide! If no choice is given you won't be included in the drawing.


Emma will be selecting the winner of the Jane Atkinson chart plus extras. Owen will select the winner of the Mary Ann Gollins chart plus extras and I will select the winner of the Julia Line book. All names will be placed in a bowl and the first name drawn by either paw or hand will be the winner.

The giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. February 29, 2012 Central Time. I'll post the winners on March 1st. 


Emma mentioned to me that she is willing to accept bribes! I'll have a long talk with her about her willingness to cheat. Owen can not be bribed... he takes his duties very seriously. 


      Nicola is having a fun competition. She's asked us to post photos of the funniest sleeping positions of our pets or our people. Emma and Owen want to be included in the competition.

Emma on the chair... Owen on ottoman

Emma

Owen... my very serious boy!

Final Sunday January Challenge and Stitching Plans for 2012 and Beyond

      I'm late with my blog post but many events conspired to keep me away from my blogging duties. The most pressing problem is that my computer no longer recognizes my digital camera. Please pardon the less than ideal photos of my latest sampler start. I had to resort to using my scanner, which is not my first choice, but it's better than nothing.
      I chose another 'Smith' sampler as my final Challenge project. It's Elizabeth Smith and here's my start.

 Elizabeth Smith 1811

The Scarlet Letter

40 ct. Lakeside Vintage Light Examplar

DMC

      I struggled with the DMC  and had problems with the thread knotting. It was getting exasperated, but finally, with just a little twist of the needle after every few stitches, I seem to have resolved most of the knotting problems. I love the color palette of this sampler. Little Elizabeth only used twelve colors in stitching her masterpiece.

      I've enjoyed my Sunday January Challenge and have plans to do another Challenge in January 2013. I hope some of you will join me in 2013. I hope that I'll also continue to post blog updates on a weekly basis. I'm going to try... give me a nudge if you too much time passes before my next update.

      For those of you who would like a review of the projects I've started... I'll begin with my Christmas start, Emma Miles, followed by Rebecca Cullin, Frederick, Ann Smith 1767 and the Sampler Stocking.

I plan to continue working on all these projects this year, but I also want to return to some works-in-progress from 2011.

Starting at the  top left: Jane Atikinson, Ann Grant, Elizabeth Sheffield and Brown Egg Farm. Oh, I can't forget Garden Glade.

Of course I have a half dozen more samplers waiting to be started... so much stitching to do and only so many hours in the day. These days it's my eyes that grow weary way too soon.

      I'm looking forward to my stitching journey in 2012 and I'm looking forward to seeing where your stitching journey will be taking you this year.

Emma and Owen don't seem too interested in stitching journeys but they sure know how to nap.

I am grateful for my scanner.