Thursday, September 10, 2009

English Whitework Sampler




School has started again for almost everyone by now right? I was at Target on Monday, the day before the official first day back, and I was watching everyone get last minute supplies, looking for favorite colors, fancy pens and pencils, backpacks or totes. I remember thinking about my first days of school. First of all, I do not wish I was going back to school, just about the the first days :). I remember going with my mother to get my new supplies for the year, and just loving all the 'new-ness' of everything. I love office supplies, new pens, new pads of paper, loose-leaf paper, notebooks, staplers (I do have a red swingline..), paper clips. All the new ways to organize. I love to organize, create lists of things to do, or not to do. Wish lists, stash lists, grocery lists. Isnt it amazing to think something so silly, could make you so happy?!!! LOL.. I know, crazy right? I happen to know several gals who feel the same about office supplies, and all the new things that I wish I had when I was going back to school. Looking at all the gadgets, it seems like if we could have purple push pins, or different colored sharpie markers--in different sizes?! WOW!! But, it is fun to think back. The best part is now, I can purchase those great things now, and I dont have to worry about my homework!

Speaking of homework..... My Whitework Sampler from Needles Prayse has official been started. I have never done anything like this before, and when I opened the pattern, I thought I was crazy for sure. I had never seen anything like this before. What are all these stitches, and graphs and charts? Over 4? On everything? Calm down, breath... it is soooooo much easier then I expected. My good friend sat down with me, and very, very patiently showed me each and every step to this pattern. Even taught me how to do the stitches. (Thank you, Thank you!) My first go around with four-sided stitches went perfectly. I know how to start and end threads. I am very excited with this project, the first night I could hardly sleep. I wanted to work more on it!

It calls for 40ct, but, loving a challenge, (and believe me, this is a great challenge for me to stitch this piece, instead of a traditional cross stitch pattern) I chose to use 45ct Bisque from Lakeside Linen, with 80 and 100 Cordonett Special thread in White. I have it on scroll rods, and I think that there are 11 rows, each seperated with a 4 sided stitch. On 40ct the completed size is 8 3/4" wide; stitching on the 45ct it is 7" wide. It is so fabulous, and so tiny! I have about 2 inches stitched on the 1st official row. Lots of work to be done, but this will be one piece of work when it is done. So you think I can get it done in a year? I am hoping!

13 comments:

  1. Oh, my goodness-brave girl! It's lovely though, so well worth it. I'm going to go look it up and see what it looks like in total--such a lovely stitch.

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  2. Ohhhh, your whitework piece is going to be gorgeous! Too bad you're going to be blind by the time you are done!!! :)Seriously, 45 count white on white? I get a headache just thinking about it!

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  3. ohhh! Look how petite and pretty it looks. Looking forward to seeing this progress.

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  4. OMG--are you doing the English Whitework Sampler? I just went looking on the net. Oh, boy, oh boy, oh boy..... Can't wait to see more. I could so get sucked into this.

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  5. Shannon, I just love your excitement!! Yes, I too love office supplies, have to curb myself whenever I need to visit Staples, to just get what I came for. But more often then not, a new gadget or cute notepad comes home with me. I should have been a school teacher!

    I love this, not something I have ever done, but knowing you and your stitching, it will be drop dead gorgeous!! Keep on! (^-^)

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  6. Lists! I just love lists - they make me very happy. The best thing is making a to do list and the feeling of accomplishment as you cross things off.

    Your white work is so pretty.

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  7. Lovley start. There is just something about white on white. You are brave to use 45 count but it is sooo pretty.

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  8. Good luck with it -- it's pretty so far!

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  9. You're doing a great job! Keep up the good work. I can't wait to see progress pics! L

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  10. 45 count! OMG! You do love a challenge. I'll watch from afar with my jaw dropped to the floor. It is absolutely beautiful so far. I can't wait to see more!

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  11. I am going to love watching your progress on the Whitework Sampler. I have it in my stash but was not brave enough to get the 45 count, your eyes must be better than mine!!!! It is a gorgeous sampler!

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  12. It's going to be a work of art. Great start!

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  13. It looks beautiful and also like a project that requires a lot of focus. Good luck! I'm sure it will come out wonderfully. I do like the tone on tone with this a lot.

    I can relate to the excitement about organization and office supplies. I'm still going to school and its all I can do to not go overboard every fall.

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