Saturday, August 7, 2010

Doing It Well

Do It Well
Silver Creek Samplers
28 count light sand linen
DMC
My husband's birthday is coming up and I wanted to stitch something for him, but nothing was presenting itself until I stumbled upon this design. The verse reads:


Be the labor big or small
Do it well or not at all
When the task is once begun
Do not stop until it's done

The philosophy fits my husband to a T. Now me, I have a million projects in various states of completion, but he's a sequential kind of guy. Start it, finish it, move on to the next thing. It might take him awhile to notice that the grass is up to the rooftop, but once he does, he's on it, and he doesn't stop until the grass is cut to an inch of its life, and then he starts on the next part of the yard, and the next (we are lucky we live behind a stand of trees, though, since this diligence only happens now and then!)

I didn't stitch it exactly as charted - I left out a few extraneous stitches that seemed unnecessary and I didn't fill in the background behind the year, as I wanted a simpler look. The border was tricky - it didn't always repeat the same number of stitches, but I managed to avoid too many visits from the frogs. I liked stitching this so much I've ordered another chart by this designer, found here. My son is growing a dandelion in a pot, so guess what he is getting for his birthday? I'm hoping the chart arrives before we head to the Jersey shore for vacation next week. Right now I'm stitching LHN's Singing the Blues, but it's going more quickly than the vacation will. Oh is it nice to stitch with silk!

11 comments:

Sally said...

I LOVE your finish Michele! The verse is just perfect.

valerie said...

Great finish! Will make a great gift for your DH!

Carol said...

Great saying on your finish, Michele! And your stitching is wonderful, too.

How cute that your son is growing a dandelion!! Hope your family has a relaxing vacation at the shore...

Anonymous said...

Love the saying (and the finish). I subscribe wholeheartedly to the first. I have a bit of trouble with the second half, though. And since I'm already not getting enough sleep, I doubt that's going to change. LOL!

My current project is silk, and I love it. Wish I could stitch all my projects with silk!

Kathy said...

Love your finished sampler. Your husband will love it too. It seems that all true stitchers have many projects in various stages of completion. Keep up the good work.

Carol R said...

Lovely finish Michele! I look forward to seeing your Singing the Blues and maybe a dandelion or two!
Have a fun vacation.

staci said...

Love it! You're on quite a roll with the finishes!

Michele said...

What fun stitch! Love the verse and the other chart you ordered too .. it's perfect!

Sonda said...

Looks fabulous! I'm sure he'll love it.

Kim B said...

What a fantastic finish Michele! And this saying is excellent. That is how my husband operates as well!

Anonymous said...

What a beautiful finish! I just love it and I love the one you have ordered for your son. It is adorable. Thanks for sharing the link.