Back from the framers

Ellenor Wykcs and EK 1653 (now known as Three Sisters) are back from the framers. 

Ruthy Rogers is progressing and I am loving stem stitch. It is so fluid.

I was definitely out of my comfort zone to start with but this stitch is well worth having a go at. 

It stitches up very quickly. 

My other start is a hardanger place mat for my WI group.

The inner sections are not finished but I wanted to try the buttonhole edging. It is a padded one which I had not heard of before. You stitch satin blocks then work the buttonhole stitch over them. It does create a nice effect. Hopefully, if all goes to plan this will be very pretty.

The challenge is to have the back looking as good as the front.

The postman has been with a new spool caddy. I cannot resist collecting them. Richard Hyers makes such beautiful stitching accessories.  His website is well worth a visit.

http://www.hyerswood.com

Archie continues to grow and he is now very mobile on his own two feet. Chris and Kate have been having some decoration done to the house and he is fascinated with paintbrushes. The decorator gave him one and at the moment it is going every where with him !!

I hope that all my American followers have enjoyed their Mothering Sunday today.

Two finishes and a new start

My needles have been flying and I have finished EK 1653 and Ellenor Wykcs both by The Scarlet Letter and stitched on Floba 35/6ct with AVAS.

Ellenor was such a pretty sampler to work on.

EK 1653 has quite a few similarities to Ellenor and I found that switching back and forth between the two worked quite well.

I adapted my EK from the original by inserting the lines of a favourite poem that means a great deal to me and my sisters.

My new start is Ruthy Rogers also by The Scarlet Letter

Ruthy is quite a different sampler for me and I am out of my comfort zone.

After seeing Barbara's stitched Ruthy I just had to have a go at stitching her.

Didn't Barbara do an amazing job on hers?

I will post again when Ellenor and EK are back from the framers with detailed photos.

Band 2 Ellenor Wykcs

After a busy week I was pleased to find time to finish band 2 on Ellenor. This is such a pretty sampler. Although the colours in the photo are vibrant it does not do the actual sampler justice - in real life they just glow.

This band on Ellenor is so similiar to the last band I stitched on EK. It has been a coincidence stitching them one after the other but it did make it easier.

As I type I have two pairs of eyes looking at me pleading to go for a walk. It is raining and the wind is blowing hard so I am trying to talk myself into getting on some wet weather gear and wellies. 

I will be glad when this winter is over, it is feeling like a very long one.

Saxony Band Sampler, EK 1653 and Ellenor Wykcs

I have three needlework projects on the go at the moment. This one - Saxony - is a SAL that I work on once each week. I am using a conversion kit from The Attic and am so pleased with the look of the sampler.

Ellenor Eykcs being stitched as a SAL too. This band stitched with AVAS glows and brightens up the dreary winter days.

My main project 

Ek 1653 I am personalising with the verses of a poem splitting up the bands. There will also be a further three sentiments between the bands as well.

I am really into band samplers at the moment. I saw another one mentioned on Facebook a few days ago - Dorothy Ward and fell in love with her

After a search of the internet to source the chart I realised that I had it all along. It is included with the Feller Book version I. If you take off the dust jacket and open it up the chart is printed inside. I guess you should always read a book not only from cover to cover but inside the cover too !!! 

Some Advice !!!

The last official band for Rachel is complete and I am now adding some personalisation to make her mine.

The white work band was a fun stitch and worked up quickly.

The silks have arrived for Ellenor Wykcs and I am itching to start her but I will finish Rachel first.

I wanted to share some advice I came across.

Funnily enough I agree with the advice if I ignore the dress, powder and lipstick.  I even have wet wipes  to "periodically wipe my hands - should I be worried ?

An Invitation - Ellenor Wykcs a 17th century band sampler

I have fallen in love with band samplers after seeing Tommye, Nupur, Barbara H & G, Bhooma and Kate stitching theirs.

I have been apprehensive about some of the speciality stitches they require but I realise that with the knowledge we have in the group their is always someone who is able to help.

Would you like to stitch a band sampler?

Ellenor Wykcs is a great one to start with (no trellis or detached buttonhole) - enlarge this photo and see just how beautiful she is.  The stitches used are cross, double running, counted satin and Montenegrin cross. For me I worry about turning in curves not corners on Monetenegrin but I have decided to put my big girl's blouse on with my Proper Stitch page (23 to 29 bookmarked) to hand and stitch this stunning sampler.

Kate and Krista are stitching with me and we would like to invite you to join us. 

Ellenor is stitched on 35 ct and measures 7.5" x 29" and will be a great addition to your sampler wall.

I will post close up photos of each section as I stitch them. 

Will you join us?