The first are two small finishes. Both of these bluebird designs are freebies and are available on the blog Le Chalet des Perelles. I think these designs are just beautiful!
For the little pillow I used a combination of overdyed threads that I had in my stash and enjoyed going through my small supply of beads for the finishing. For the pinkeep I used the recommended DMC threads and a pretty daisy trim given to me by a blogging friend a few years ago.
For the backs I used a brown with blue polka dot cotton and pink linen.
I have two samplers in the works. The first is Watermelon Garden by Ewe & Eye & Friends. I'm stitching this one as a SAL with blogging friend Carol. Like her I wish we were sitting together stitching it rather than being so many miles apart. I'm using the recommended threads with the exception of the black and the red for the house. The black is Anchor floss, and I think it covers a little better than DMC. The red is Garnet and is a Carrie's Creations thread. Can you see the two tiny buttons in the photo? They came with the chart and will be sewn in the lower right hand corner of the sampler. Since my husband loves watermelon this one will be for him!
The other is Marlene's Sampler by Romy in Austria. I won this beautiful sampler pattern from Melissa on her blog giveaway. I don't have any Olde Willow threads so I chose to use the DMC conversion, and I really like the colors. The alphabet called for one strand each of an icy blue and cream. I didn't want to use that so I stitched it in just the icy blue. I didn't like that either so I ripped it out (except for the last few letters you can see) and decided to use the cream color.
With both of these samplers I made personal choices on some of the threads. Don't ever be afraid to make substitutions with what you already have on hand. Personal choices make a sampler uniquely yours, and it's fun to go through all the threads looking at all the wonderful colors!I hope everyone is enjoying the beginning of summer, and thank you for stopping by!
31 comments:
Your bluebird finishes are lovely!
I'm not completely comfortable making color substitutions but it is something that I hope to get better at it.
Very pretty finishes, and great sampler WIPs.
My goodness, how pretty! ALL of your projects.
I love the little bluebird finishes Nancy they are so cute. Your new projects look pretty and I shall follow your progress with interest.
Have a good stitching/Gretchen minding week.
Love Hazel C (UK)
What lovely, delicate finishes - they are so pretty. I know what you mean about making a design your own.
Your bluebird finishes are both so pretty. Love also your samplers. Marlene is such a lovely sampler...every time I see it I want to go and order that chart
Wow, I love those bluebird designs and the way you finished them! Thanks for the link. Love your WIPs as well!
Love your little bluebirds. So perfect for this time of the year.
And both SALS are looking good. Seems like I hardly ever go with the recommended colors!
What darling finishes! They are so tiny!
I like your WIP's too. I agree with making substitutions. I used to NEVER make substititions until one day I was forced to use what I had on hand. I really liked the result and now have no fear!
Thanks for sharing!
Your finishes are so dainty and very pretty!
Those are the cutest finishes! Adorable! :)
Isn't Watermelon Garden a fun piece to stitch, Nancy? I just finished the little tree and it looks so cute with it's Smyrna stitches... Yours is so pretty--I do love the red you've chosen. And guess what--I found the buttons after all!! They were way down in the bottom of the envelope.
Your two smalls are adorable and so nicely finished and your start on Marlene's Sampler is gorgeous. I've gotten much braver at changing colors and even design motifs to suit my mood through the years :)
Have a wonderful week!
Beautiful little finishes! Love the WIP's
Both the bluebird pieces are beautiful, and your WIPs are lovely. I love the Romy sampler
The bluebird designs are very sweet. Congrats on your finishes. You've got a good start on your WIPS.
Those little bluebird finishes are adorable, Nancy, I just love them!
Nancy, I've had Marlene's Sampler in my stash wanting to stitch it for my LNS owner whose hame is Marlene. The old willow thread is what stops me every time. I'm going to try my luck at picking colors and see what happens. Do you think that's ok when it's going to be a gift? I don't care about it matching. good to see ya'
babs, who loves the bluebirds
How pretty works!
The Marlene's Sampler is amazing!I love the colours!
Have a nice week!
Lovely, Lovely stitching Nancy! I adore the two finishes you did - so pretty.
Your WIP's are looking wonderful too. I can't wait to see more of Romy and the colours you will use!
you work is beautifull
congratulation
bye
fiore
www.fiore-crea.blogspot.com
Two sweet birdie finishes and such lovely wips.
Thank you very much Nancy for the links to the freebies, they are wonderful!
Sweet finishes! And I love your platter. :) The WIP are looking great!
Your finishes are so nice! The birds are so lovely! And I like your WIPs!
Nancy - I love your two finishes - just darling and finished so creatively as usual! I have never seen that watermelon house before - what a great SAL piece - tooo cute ! and the Romy sampler is neat too - hope you enjoy them both Melody
Beautiful bluebirds! I agree...one should not be afraid to use colors of choice.
I like your small ornaments. They are really pretty!
Both little pillows are gorgeous and I love the finishes. Nice progress on Watermelon Garden and I'm your husband will love it very much. Marlene's Sampler is beautiful too, lovely!
All beautiful - lots to keep you busy! Love it all :)
Tanya
Both your finishes are so beautiful. I have already downloaded Manka's design and will stitch it in the near future as well.
Great WIPs, Nancy. I'm not very good at making colour substitutions but I'm learning. When I pull out a small design I try to take the threads that are in my stash and hey, it's working. But with my bigger projects I still stick to the threads and colours the pattern asks for.
I love the two little freebie finishes and am very tempted to stitch the one with the cherries.
You did such a lovely job on stitching and finishing them
What a lovely chart you won and great choice on the SAL piece. It is looking beautiful already.
Margaret
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