Another new project and a SALE!

I did make a tiny bit of progress on the Bargello needlecase Monday night, but finally, after almost two weeks, my 20" Evertite stretcher bars showed up in yesterday's mail. Last night, I managed to mount the canvas for Carolyn Mitchell's My Way and organize some of my stitching area. Tonight, I'll start this - the third new project in a week! (And remember, I've already finished one of them!) From all reports, a lot of time is needed to finish the pre-work on this, and I have just over three weeks to do it.

Of course, the overflowing stash (and WIP/UFO) piles won't prevent me from ogling the lovely items being offered as part of Gay Ann Rogers's "E-week" sale. Gay Ann, a noted national teacher, sells some of her old class pieces, some as instructions only, some as kits, only for one week a year. That week started TODAY. If you liked my Strawberry Girl, the pattern is for sale again this week. As I have many of Gay Ann's designs, both from last year's sale and from eBay and other online stitcher-to-stitcher sale, I'm trying to limit my purchases. Right now, the only piece I'm sure I'll pick up is her Almost Whitework sampler. Why do I always like the BIG and COMPLICATED pieces? :-)

Happy Dance: Strawberry Girl

Yes, she's done! Actually, I couldn't put her down Saturday night, and ended up finishing the pulled work on the petticoat at 2AM Sunday morning!

This piece was a lot of fun, but I'm going to wait before starting any of the other girls. I need to finish too many things, plus I've got some pre-work to start for a class with Carolyn Mitchell in November.

On my lap stand now: my project from seminar, Chris Berry's Tudor-Style Purse.

Lower skirt progression

All this week, I've been working on Strawberry Girl's lower skirt. To break up the detail work of the strawberry band, I've been alternating pieces of this with the bottom trellis-patterned area.

First, the vines, strawberry caps, and the first row of the trellis:Mmmm, strawberries! (And more trellis.)
Leaves, and yet another trellis row...
Flower centers, and yet more trellis:
Bullion knot strawberry blossoms, and the center of each trellis pattern. I love how these blossoms came out!
Not much more to do! I should be able to finish soon!

Strawberry Girl continued

Just a quick note this morning. Strawberry Girl has continued to hold my attention. The upper part of her skirt is now complete, except for the band with the strawberries, leaves, and flowers. I've also started the patterned section at the bottom of the skirt.

Strawberry Girl progress

Up until Wednesday evening, I hadn't touched my barely-begun Strawberry Girl since the last post I had about her. I finally finished the outlining on Friday, and then it just took off. I couldn't believe how quickly the patterned areas (the kerchief, bodice, and sleeves) filled in. Her hair and basket took a bit longer, but all in all, I made great progress this weekend!

I still have one final step to do on the basket, but I'll finish that up tonight and start on her skirt. I love how quickly this is stitching up and how much fun it is!

Strawberry Girl begins

Thanks for all of the wonderful comments on ScottLee. I certainly will share a picture of the finished tea tray, but first I have to find the right handles (drawer pulls) and frame. Since these aren't found in the same store, it might pose a bit of a challenge! (By the way, Jane, our mutual friend told me about your request to have the tea tray and her tote bag placed together somewhere from which they might easily be stolen by you. Keep trying!)

I have since moved on to a NEW project! Here is the beginning of Strawberry Girl by Gay Ann Rogers. I'm hoping that once the outlines are done, the worst of the counting will be over!

I'm also trying to finish up the final three stitches in the online notebook class The Sky's the Limit, authored by Suzanne Howren and Beth Robertson and sponsored by the Shining Needle Society. Once I get this canvas off of my 10" stretcher bars, I can move on to the latest in Jim Wurth's dodecagon series. The kit arrived this week.

As you can see, there's a lot going on here, and that's not even considering the fact that I leave for seminar in just 8 days!

Happy Dance: ScottLee

Yes! It's done! I made one minor adjustment after finishing the waves. I changed the four little triangles (two on each side) that pointed into the middle from navy blue to the medium red. The blue just seemed a little distracting to me.

Here is ScottLee, designed by the amazing Jean Hilton, with some minor tweaks by me. Please click on the picture for a larger view.For any that were wondering, yes, I have offered the pattern to another stitcher. I hope she enjoys it as much as I did.

Anyway, now I get to start Strawberry Girl from Gay Ann Rogers!