The Secret's Revealed

The secret is finally out!!  Now I can share with you a very fun project I was invited to participate in last year.  It's been really hard to sit on this one but it turned out so nicely!  I'm sure it was well received too.

As you know I've been stitching the Hornbook Bestiary as part of Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year.  Last year on February 24th I received an email inviting me to make a square for a special quilt for Nicola. It was presented to her this year as a birthday gift and a big thank you from all of us stitching along with her.  We wanted to give something back to Nicola for her generosity and to celebrate her bringing us all together on this Scarlet Letter journey.

We were asked to stitch a 6" square using a motif from the Scarlet Letter sampler we are/were stitching and include a post card with good wishes we wanted to share with Nicola.  The cards would go into a memory book for her.  I think I had the easiest choice since my sampler was charted in blocks already.  I picked the "N is for Nightingale" block!  Let's have a look close-up.

 

Design:  "N is for Nightingale" from The Hornbook Bestiary

Designer: The Scarlet Letter

Fabric:  32 ct. cream

Floss:  DMC as charted

Started:  3/7/13

Finished:  3/25/13

I had to make a little creative addition to this block thanks to Ms. Shelby.  If you look at the block below and compare it to this one, you'll notice there are a few more leaves.  That's because someone decided she wanted Nicola's block and pierced a hole in it with her teeth!  I had to wrestle it away from her, wash it, and reweave a couple of linen threads in there.  Then I covered the weaving with some extra leaves.  Talk about heart failure!  I love my girl but some days...

If you'd like to see the whole quilt and a cool video of all the blocks, pop over to the Our Scarlet Letter Years blog and have a look!  My block shows up around 2:49 on the video.  There are 48 squares in the quilt.  There are 9 countries over 6 continents represented!  Australia, Canada, France, Scotland, Spain, Mexico, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, and 21 States in the US.  How cool is that?! You can also click here to see Nicola actually receiving her gifts.

Thank you to all who had a hand in the making of this surprise quilt.  It turned out lovely!  Also, special thanks to Nicola for inviting us all to come along and share the journey through your Scarlet Letter year.  Every big-0 birthday should be this much fun!

Thanks for dropping by today for a visit.  I'm so glad I could finally share this year-long secret with you.  Hope everyone is having a good week so far!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Hornbook Bestiary Progress

I've made some more progress on the Hornbook project.  I'm really excited to share a picture I left out last time too.  I've been on a roll with this one and have two blocks to share with you today!

 

This was the picture I had intended to post last time.  When I got to roll out more fabric for the next row's boxes, I snapped this picture.  I hadn't seen it all unrolled in a while.  It was pretty exciting to see it actually looks like something now.  I'm past the halfway point now! Yay!

 

Progress as of 12/31/13

 

Progress as of 1/18/14

This was the last check in with this one at the Stitchaway Retreat.

 

Progress as of  1/20/14

Here's a close up of the "O is for Owl" block!  It only took a couple days to finish it up after the retreat.  I was on a roll again so I kept on going and started the next block the same day.

Progress as of 2/1/14

Here's where I stand as of this past weekend.  I finished the "P is for Parrot" block!  Now I'm halfway though this row and soon will be ready to add the next to the last row.  That is just so exciting.  At times it felt like I'd be working on this forever.  Then there are some days I wish I could just sit and stitch on this project all day long.  Unfortunately, I have to work to support my needlework addiction passion!

~*~*~*~

I worked a bit on the Snooty Parrots over the weekend too after I finished up the Parrot square.  Hmm...must have been a Parrot weekend.  Maybe it's a sign I'm ready for warmer weather!  I heard the rodent saw his shadow yesterday.  Drat!  Six more weeks of this nasty weather.  Oh happy joy!

I hope everyone had a great weekend and got some stitching accomplished.  Thanks for visiting and have a good week!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Hornbook Bestiary Progress

I'm back with an update on the Hornbook Bestiary. I'm really excited to share it with you all since as I mentioned last time, it's a special block.  Let's take a look!

 Progress as of 11/16/13

 Progress as of  12/23/13

I present to you, "N is for Nightingale!"  I like to think of this block as Nicola's special block.  Since "N" is also for Nicola and she's the reason I'm stitching this piece for the Nicola's Scarlet Letter SAL (you can click the link in the sidebar for more info or click here).

 Here's the block up close.  I like the way the bird is sitting on the branch in this one.  This pic is a pretty good representation of the true colors too.

 Progress as of 12/31/13

I reached an exciting point on this one where I got to roll out some more fabric for the next row of boxes.  I've found that stitching the whole row of boxes instead of block by block seems to work better for me.  Now I'm ready to stitch "O is for Owl."  He's a chubby little fella.  I can't wait to show him to you next.

Well folks, as promised, I wanted to catch you up on this one.  Nicola, I hope you enjoyed seeing your special block stitched up.  Thank you all for the well wishes and for your visits.  Hope you are staying warm and safe!

More next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Hornbook Bestiary...more progress!

As I mentioned in my last post, I had another mini-finish at the retreat!  I'm so pleased with this one.  This square is one I've been itching to finish.  Let's have a look!

Progress as of 11/12/13

Progress as of 11/16/13

I started the outline for the Mermaid on the 12th.  I began the fill-in on Saturday afternoon after we came back from the stitch shop and ate lunch.  Around 11:00pm, I put the last stitch in it!  It was a good thing because I was starting to get bleary eyed but I was determined to finish it up before bed.

I'm just so thrilled with this block.  It was one of the ones that drew me to this sampler.  Isn't she pretty?!

Now there's only one more block in this row left to stitch.  It's a very special block. It's the "N is for Nightingale" block and I like to think of it as Nicola's block.  After all, she is the reason I'm stitching this sampler.  If it weren't for her Scarlet Letter Year, I wouldn't have even gone looking in Marsha's catalog!

So this next block is dedicated to Nicola!  I hope you enjoy seeing it when I'm done, my friend.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing my mini-finish!  More to come...hopefully soon!  Have a great weekend.


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Hornbook Bestiary Progress

This past weekend I decided it was time to give the Hornbook some attention.  I've been pretty bad about not working on it since the Tiara Retreat.  I knew I'd have some uninterrupted time at the guild's stitch-in on Saturday so I made it a priority to take it with me.

Progress as of 9/28/13

This was my progress from the Tiara Retreat.  I managed a start on "K is for Kitten." This is pretty much where it sat for a while too.  I worked on the background fill two Saturday's ago and hadn't picked it back up until this past weekend.

Progress as of 11/9/13

Here's where I left off at the end of the day Saturday.  I got the last of the Kitten's fill finished and began the start of "L is for Lion."  That's the lion's feet you see there in the corner.  Let's have a better look at that Lion!

Progress as of 11/12/13

I got on a roll this weekend and finished up "L is for Lion" too.  Actually, I've even got a start on "M is for Mermaid" already.  I finished up her outline last night and started to fill her in before I had to quit and go to bed.

Here's a closer look at these two cuties!  I really enjoyed working on these blocks.  They truly are like mini-finishes.  I can't wait to show you the Mermaid block.  I wish I could only work on this sampler but Christmas ornaments must be stitched too.

This sampler has definitely been a test of patience and perseverance for me.  I can say with confidence that this one will not see the WIP pile!  I am going to press on until the very last stitch.  I know I will be rewarded with a stunning sampler when it's finished.

I hope you enjoyed seeing my progress so far. I wish you all could see this in person. My pictures really don't do it justice as those who have seen it can attest.  Thanks for visiting with me today.

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Hornbook Bestiary progress

I realized I hadn't posted an update for the Hornbook Bestiary lately.  You'll notice there has again been much progress made in a short span of time.  I really do get on a roll with this one.

 

Hornbook progress as of 5/6/13

 

Hornbook progress as of 5/18/13

 

As some of you so correctly guessed, I couldn't resist changing the dog on this one.  I just had to stitch it in black and white like my Shelby girl.  I deviated a bit from the charted placement of the spots and she turned out great!

 

Since I was on another roll with it, I went ahead and stitched in the second row's boxes and filled in the borders too.  I really should devote one day a week to this one.  I bet I'd get a lot done!

 

New Lokscroll Frame

 

You'll also notice I've switched from the Q-snaps to a Lokscroll Frame.  Once I'd made it across the first row of boxes, I noticed it was starting to warp a bit.  Since this is going to have a total of six rows of boxes and I'm going to spend some time on this,  I could only imagine the warping getting worse.  I decided I needed to try something different.

Several ladies in my local guild have the Lokscroll frames and really sing their praises.  As much as I would have loved to have splurged on the Millennium frame, it's just not in the budget right now.  I'm not even sure how I'll get on with this one yet.  I've never worked with a scroll frame.  I'll let you know how I like it after I've logged some hours with it.  It just arrived last Friday. 

Well folks, that's all I've got for now.  Thanks for popping in for a peek.  I always appreciate your visits and comments.  I hope the rest of your week is splendid!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Hornbook Bestiary progress

It's time to give you a progress report on the Hornbook Bestiary.  I'm pleased to show you much progress has been made this past month.  After I finished working on John Foster on Sunday, I switched over to the Hornbook. 

Progress as of 4/10/13

 

Progress as of 5/6/13

 

B is for Butterfly is now finished and I have started C is for Cow. 

 

I've decided to stitch the backgrounds as I go or else I can see myself procrastinating on them.  I'm also going to stitch the dividing lines between the squares as I go too.  It's incentive to get to stitch the next block.  Yep, I have to play mind games set mini-goals sometimes.  I bet you do too!

 

I've also found that now my eyes are adjusted to seeing the single thread as opposed to pairs of threads it goes pretty quickly and I can get on a good roll with it.  Soon I'll be ready to do D is for Dog.  I'm planning a slight change for that block.  I bet you know what it is too!  Stay tuned...

 

Thanks for stopping by and for your incredibly sweet comments.  You all are just so nice!

 

 

Until next time,

 

The Inspired Stitcher

 

 

Hornbook Bestiary milestone

Okay folks, I couldn't wait to share the news.  I've hit a milestone!  Yes, I finished the angel aka pinecone aka the flying monkey.  I couldn't be happier with it.  I feel like doing the Snoopy Dance.  Just look at all those teeny tiny over one stitches! Whew!

Progress as of lunchtime 4/10/13

I made it my mission during my lunch hour yesterday to get it finished and I'm pleased to say I did.  It was super hard to go back to work afterward.  I really wanted to keep stitching and start the "A" box.  I've used the angel as my motivation to get to stitch the letters.

A is for Ape

When I got home last night and couldn't stop thinking about this project.  I just had to start the "A" block!  I'm not quite finished with this cute little monkey or I should say ape.  It went a lot faster compared to the angel.  I worked on it some more at lunch today.

I'm so thrilled to be starting the letters now!  I'm even more motivated than ever to keep going on this one.  I'm thinking I've found another one I'll have a hard time putting down.

I just had to share my excitement with you all today.  It was hard not to spill the beans yesterday.  I'm hoping to get a couple more projects finished soon.  That is if I can tear myself away from this one now.  LOL!

Thanks for stopping by and sharing my excitement today.  I can't wait to post another update on this one.

Until Next Time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Hornbook Bestiary progress...

Hi there, remember me?  LOL!  I didn't mean to go missing on you.  I've been busily stitching and finishing two exchange pieces so I haven't been able to share anything lately.

The one for the Seasonal Exchange is now in the mail winging its way to its new home.  Hopefully it will be received soon.  I'm going to do the finishing on the second exchange this weekend.

I did manage to make a little progress on the Hornbook Bestiary for the Scarlet Letter SAL.  Let's take a look at where I was last time we visited.

Progress as of 1/24/13

Progress as of 2/6/13

 

The linen color in the first picture is more true to life.  It's difficult to get a true picture in this winter light when I have to use the lamp instead of natural lighting to get a photo.

 

Here's a better close up so you can see all the over one stitching in this baby!  I stitched last night until I was bleary eyed.  It looks good when it's done!

I'm hoping to get the last three circles filled in soon and then I'll start on the wings.  I'm itching to start one of the letters  too.  I may do the black outlines in one of them just to see how it looks.

Well folks, that's all I've got today.  I'm hopeful I'll receive my exchange piece soon so I'll have something more to share with you or maybe mine will be received then I can show you that one.

Thanks for stopping by for a visit.  I'll try not to be a stranger here.  LOL!  Have a great day!


Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

 

Santa was good to me

I'm back as promised to share what Santa brought to me this year.   I had a very stitchy Christmas!

First up, the new book I've been reading!  It's called Berlin Work: Samplers & Embroidery of the Nineteenth Century by Raffaela Serena.  It even came with the full size chart of the cover piece.  It's a juicy read packed full of history and really beautiful charts!  Needless to say I'm in heaven.

Having just finished my own Berlin work sampler, I'm hungry to devour all I can find on the subject right now.  I really enjoyed that piece and can foresee myself stitching more in this style.

Speaking of stitching, Santa hooked me up with a wonderful silk floss toss for my January 1st start!  I can't tell you what it is yet.  It's a surprise.  I can tell you that several of my peeps are going to join me in stitching this one.  It's going to be a fun project!

I was also gifted with the Hornbook Bestiary Sampler kit by Scarlet Letter.  I chose the silk version! The colors are just wonderful!

Here's my progress so far!  I spent Christmas evening and all the next day stitching on it while it snowed!  It's worked over one in tent stitch on 35ct. linen.

My honey says the angel looks like a flying monkey.  He's so silly!  It won't look that way once I give the angel some hair.  LOL! I chose to work some outlines first and then I'll go back and fill in the colors.  It kind of reminds me of a coloring book page at this point.  It's been a fun stitch so far!

I was invited to join Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year SAL and this is my piece I'll be stitching on.  It's my first ever Scarlet Letter too.  So stay tuned, you'll be seeing more of this one and the one I'm doing with the peeps!

Well folks, that's it for now.  I'm going back to my stitching nest to put some more floss into linen.  I hope you are having a great day today!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher

Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year

I've been invited to join Nicola and Jo over at Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year blog.  Nicola is turning the big 5-0 this year.  So to celebrate she's invited folks to come stitch Scarlet Letter samplers all year long with her!

I've had several on my wish list for a while now.  This was just the kick in the pants I needed to get one off the list and into my hands.  So which one did I pick you ask?  Well first let's look at the contenders!

Country Life - 1783

Ann Smith 1767

Dorothy Walpole 1774

Ruth Bacheler 1717

There is something special about each of these and eventually I hope to at least own the charts.  Maybe even stitch them someday.  However, there is one that really tugged at me and ultimately is the one I declared "the one" for me!

Hornbook Bestiary Sampler

I have a thing for hornbooks, I always have!  So it was a no-brainer that this was the one I chose.  I've always loved it and now I can't wait to stitch it.

 

I plan to ask for this for Christmas.  If I don't get it at Christmas, then I'll order it on my birthday.  Yep, having a birthday at the holiday season can be a curse most of the time.  However, in this case it might work out to be a blessing or at least a second chance to get this kit/chart.  LOL!

 

I've already got another sampler in mind to start in the new year with some of the peeps as a SAL and I didn't want to commit to another BAP on top of that.  I think this will fit the bill nicely.  It seems to me to be a manageable size.  It's also got the colors of my living room in it too so I know exactly where this will hang when it's finished.

 

The invitation to join this group comes at a good time too.  I just printed off the last "assignment" for my Ellen Maurer-Stroh BAP.  I hope to get a lot of stitching time in on it this weekend.  My goal is to have the BAP done by next Saturday.  Now I'll have the Scarlet Letter Hornbook to fill the void.

So there you have it folks, that's what I've been up to.  Have you started thinking about what you'll stitch next year?  If you have, tell me in the comments.  I'd love to hear all about it!

 

I hope everyone has a good weekend and gets some stitching time in too.  Thank you so much for visiting with me today!

Until next time,

The Inspired Stitcher