Best Laid Plans

Hello my friends....

I'm sorry this post is so late, it's 

been that kind of day.

I know I promised yesterday

to show you the 2 new patterns

I've been working on.  And I guess

late is better than never ; )

So without further adieu.....

"Lancaster Co. Coverlet"    

  I created this adaptation from a piece of

an original coverlet from Lancaster Co.

dated 1861.

It's stitched on R & R 35ct French Vanilla

using WDW and GA floss.

I thought it would be different to 

mount it onto some stained matka.

I love how it turned out and 

decided to find a place for it on our

fireplace mantel.

x x x x x
Here is the mini sampler you've
previewed me stitching.
"Love for Labors All" 

Really one of my favorites.
I think this turned out quite sweet.
It's stitched on R & R 32ct Apple 
Brown Bindy using GA and 
Crescent Colours floss.

This sampler has some specialty
 stitches in the line borders.
Chain, Algerian eye, back stitch and
cross stitch over four.  

        x x x x x 
These designs will be on there way
to my distributors soon and can also
be purchased in my Etsy Shop

  Thank you so much for your
wonderful comments and emails.
Hope it was worth the wait!
Smiles, ~Nan
               

Looky what came in the mail today!

My dear and very sweet friend Nancy,

from Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe

sent me some of her new floss colors, 

fresh from the dye pots.

Along with a little note to make me

smile!

She dyed 18 more colors today that

you just have to check out.

Russets, which I LOVE,

more greens and blues.

I see some floss shopping in

my future : )

Thank you so much Nancy

for the wonderful surprise and

your kindness and thoughtfulness.

 Love ya. 

x x x x 

I do have a bit of a surprise for you,

but you'll have to wait till tomorrow.

I'll be revealing my mini sampler

that you saw a sneak of in a few 

previous posts, along with another 

finish.

Yes, I've been busy too :D

x x x x

I also want to show you

a Stitcher's Finish that 

Bonnie sent me a picture of

 the other day.

 

She stitched "A Bee's Blessing"

on 45ct. linen over 2 threads and then  

walnut stained it.    It came out to 

be 3 1/4" w x 2 1/8" h.

It's mounted on a wooden oval disk

backed with gold wool and trimmed

  with chenille.

What a great finishing idea.

Wonderful stitching Bonnie and I love

the staining too.

   Thanks for sharing it with us.

Many smiles,

~Nan  

              

Sophia Waters

Finally got her done.

And I just love her .

~♥~

~Sophia Waters~

R&R Reproductions ~ Sophia Waters

 I'm really happy with how the staining

came out on her.  She looks very old

and loved.  Click on the pics

to make them larger. 

~*~

I've been asked recently to share my 

technique on staining.

  I usually stain my linen before 

I begin to cross stitch my piece 

because I like to use a

lot of over dyed floss.  Even though they 

may say color fast, it's still possible for 

them to run and ruin your finished piece.

 Spray or soak the linen with water. 

Mix up a batch of strong instant coffee 

or walnut crystals with some water. 

Use a sponge brush to randomly brush 

the linen with the staining mixture. 

 I blow dry the linen to set the 

staining and it's faster, but you could 

also let it air dry. Repeat if needed. 

If you're using DMC floss you can stain 

your piece afterwards if you choose.  

~*~ 

 I hung her on my large antique bucket

bench in our sunroom.

I think she looks great hanging

among all of my garden prims

and mason jar collection.

x x x x x

By the way....I took a few more

pics of our bloomin' garden.

Front Side Yard

First Iris to bloom!

   Before I end this post I would

just like to say thank you to all

who purchased my Civil War 

Needlebook kit.  I am truly amazed

and very touched by your response.

I'm all sold out, but there may still

be a few left at Dyeing to Stitch.

Many Smiles,

~Nan

A Wish

This is the wish I wish for you today!

  Even if you are a Mommy to 

your fur babies, as I have been.

Wishing you a day full of 

sunshine, happiness and love!

~♥~

Thank you for following along

with me and for your constant

friendship. 

Hugs, ~Nan    

Yep....Another Start

I'm all done the last sampler 

I started.  I love how it turned out.

So old and loved looking.

  I don't want to 

show the finished reveal yet.

I've got to work on the chart

and instructions, but I should

have it all done very soon.

x x x x x 

Now.... I've started another new

design.  I have so many

buzzing around my head : )

hehehehe.

This is the other bee

design that I mentioned

awhile ago.  It was inspired
by our gardens, which will be
full of blackeyed susans in a
month or so.   

I'm stitching this on
32ct Creme Brulee by
R&R Reproductions.
"ooh la la"  
I've got a different kind
of finish in mind for this one.
x x x x x   
In between stitching I did some 

much needed gardening.  I'm late this 

year with all the stitching ; )

     but I'm getting there.  Just need
the weather to cooperate a bit more.
Lots of rain in the forecast.
  Here's some garden shots.

Scotch Broom

Lilac Bush

Sand Cherry

Redbud Tree Forest Pansy

 The Forest Pansy was a birthday 

present a few years ago from

my hubby.  He gave me a wonderful

red wheel borrow that year too : D

 As you can see, I'm not much

for fancy things.

I hope you've enjoyed the garden tour.

Until next time....

Happy Stitching!

~Nan      

Progress on the New Start

Today was just the most beautiful day here

in Philadelphia.  I sat outside for awhile

catching some rays, but mostly got

a lot of stitching done on my

new mini sampler.

Here's the progress I made.

This is very different for me as 
I usually don't stitch in such pastel
colors, but I like calming look of it. 
I have a few more alphabets to stitch
and then to work on the finishing.
So, let me know what you think.
x x x
While I was outside today I caught the
heavenly smell of our lilacs in full 
bloom, so I cut a few to bring inside
and put in the kitchen window.

   I put them in one of the old mason jars
I just bought when I was antiquing
in Mullica Hill, N.J. with my pal,  
Mimi and friends.
I love the blue color of the jar with
the reddish purple of the blooms
and oh, the kitchen smells so wonderful
every time I walk in there.
x  x  x
I hope you all had a wonderful day
and got to smell some Spring 

 flowers too.

Thanks for your visit!

Smiles, 

~Nan