Sunday, August 14, 2011

Jenny Bean No More

My title sounds like I lost Jenny Bean's Christmas Sampler, but fortunately that is not the case (though I remember with a shudder my temporary loss of Sew Spooky). As I came into the home stretch on JB, I realized that I didn't want someone else's name on my work. Maybe this is why I haven't yet tried stitching a reproduction sampler, in spite of often gazing with envy at the beautiful work of others. I've never changed anything before, other than floss colors, but with a little bit of guilt, I charted my initials instead of the name, and added the little motifs on either side. While I was at it I made a few other alterations - I didn't like the eyelet B, so I made up another letter style, and I changed the block shapes on the front of the barn (I'm into symmetry, I guess). I dated the sampler with the current year. Oh, and I removed the extra W and X in the alphabet - I couldn't figure out why they were there other than to fill in space, but I think it looks okay without them. So here's my version of Jenny Bean's Christmas Sampler, sans the final border - I ran out of Rose Garden and had to order another skein - don't you hate when that happens?
I've done a few other little things lately - this is Blue Moon, a freebie by Brightneedle:
And here's August's owl:
Last but not least, I was lucky to get to sign up for the iStitch Mystery SAL, and just completed Part 1 this afternoon. It's my first project with 40 count linen, and I'm using HDF Beleaved - the greens are a little darker than they show up in the picture. I'm so excited to be participating in this, and am determined to keep up!

The only other thing I'm working on right now is Snow White, by Little House Needleworks, which I'm actually stitching in blue. But I just kitted up a project that will be my first foray into using black linen, which may make for some interesting challenges. I hope to get started on that one soon.

9 comments:

Nancy said...

Lovely finish! Your changes are fine, they personalize your work!

Michele said...

Love your finishes :) That Blue Moon freebie is adorable. Do you have a link to it?

I'm doing the mystery SAL too .. just haven't decided on color yet.

Lesleyanne said...

Lovel your finishes, especially Jenny Bean. I like how you have personalised it.

Sally said...

I love Jenny Bean. I think there is something so special about these designs.

Love the colour you're using for the mystery SAL. I finished part one last night.

The Brightneedle freebie is lovely and that owl is so cute.

Carol said...

I think the way you've personalized JB looks great, Michele! And I love the color you've chosen for the mystery SAL. Somehow, I missed the signup for that...too bad, it looks like fun! I'll have to be satisfied with following along with all of you.

Siobhán said...

Fantastic finishes! Shedang, but you're zooming along there!! I think it's great that you changed the name. I had planned to do that on my JB Halloween but by the time I actually got to the end, I was too tired of stitching it to think about recharting. I shouldn't admit that but there it is. I don't mind keeping the original names on 'real' reproductions, but when they're new samplers made to appear as old, I think it's more fun to put in my name or the name of a female family member.

Marilyn said...

Nice finishes Michelle.
Love the Jenny Bean.
Marilyn

Sharon said...

Beautiful finishes! Love the Brightneedle!

CATHI said...

Wonderful finishes, especially the Brightneedle design!

Cathi