Monday, August 9, 2010

The bosom of my family

Well, with the new kitten around, there hasn't been much time for much else but being with my family and taking care of Mia.  She's settling in nicely though, and growing like a weed.  Mia has been kind enough to take long enough naps while not on my lap that I've been able to start a small piece in hopes of getting her used to fabric and thread.  (No success so far with her napping ON my lap.  lol!)  It's called the Family Sampler.  Here is my progress so far.


It's tent stitch over one on 40ct silk gauze using Belle Soie silks.  I figured the small size would be an advantage with small Mia being interested and curious about what I'm doing. 

Here's a picture of what the piece will look like when finished.


I love the saying by Thomas Jefferson on it.  The whole background is filled in with basketweave stitch.  But it seems to go fast since it's not a whole cross.

I suppose I could show a greatest hits piece as well.  Let's see what's in the vault.


This piece is what first got me back into stitching and started my second stitching life.  It's Paradigm Lost by Long Dog Samplers.  When I stitched it, I didn't know anything about Vierlanden Samplers.  Now that I know about them,  I'd love to do a real Vierlanden someday, but I don't know if I have the patience anymore.  lol!  Monochromatic samplers aren't my cup of tea these days.  Paradigm Lost was stitched on 36ct Antique White with GAST Black Raspberry Jam (I think).  The frame was done by Primitive Traditions.

In other news -- well, there isn't much.  The girl child is finished with her internship for the summer, so it's lazy days right now.  Trying to fit in those last minute doctor appointments before the kids head back to school.  The boy child doesn't go back till September 2.  The girl child has classes starting on September 16.  So a while yet, but it's getting closer!  I'm hoping Mia will settle into a real routine by then.  Mia is over 9 weeks old now!

Thanks as always for stopping by and saying hi.  I really appreciate all your comments.  It might get boring around here stitchingwise, but I'll do my best to entertain you.  Oh, and btw, you might want to check in the comments on my last post.  Terri of Chocolates for Breakfast, Stitching for Lunch made up a poem for me!  I'm so honored!  I love it, Terri!  Thank you!

Have a great week, everyone!

39 comments:

Annie said...

That sampler will be gorgeous when you are done.

Terri's poem is just too cute!

Ranae said...

Love the Family Sampler. I love to stitch alphabets. I like that saying too by Mr. Jefferson
Kellie starts school the 18th yes! this month

marylin & poussy said...

Oh which beautiful room(part,play) of embroidery! All this frieze which beautiful work of patience! I admire your work! Thank you for being faithful to my blog, I consider you as an invaluable friend!
Big kisses

Deborah said...

You are better than I. 40 ct gauze is not in my radar. Your smpler is just gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

Oh, the silk gauze is beautiful. I'm assuming this will be a small piece when finished?

Lovely sampler as well- wow!

Bertie said...

Wow Margaret, 40 ct gauze, your eyes must be superb!! looks like it's going to be another artwork :-))

valerie said...

Family Sampler is looking great! I think you're very brave to stitch on silk gauze! Love your Paradigm Lost! The jammy color is wonderful!

natalysneedle said...

Your sampler is coming along beautifully!

Sylvia said...

That sampler was calling to me - I really like it, so I will have to see how yours is coming. My Mia always wants to climb up on my lap when I am stitching - it does not really work well. When it is hot she lays under my chair, which I like better.

I went back to read Terri's poem - very cute and original.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Love your new sampler start Margaret.

Andrea said...

Your samplers are so gorgeous! I can't imagine stitching on silk gauze though, omg!

Just love the name Mia...a coworker of mine just had a baby a couple of months ago and named her that...such a beautiful name!

Nancy said...

Nice start to a beautiful sampler! I also love the saying and the flower vine beside the house. I admire you for stitching on 40 count gauze! I don't even think I could attempt that.

Give Mia kitty hugs from a fellow cat lover!

Jan said...

That sampler is going to be stunning when done, Margaret!! Tiny for sure!! Love your Paradigm Lost!!

Liz said...

That's going to be fabulous Margaret, I love the Paradigm Lost but I can see why you might not do another!! It's funny to hear that your summers nearly over while we are waiting (not so patiently) for spring and warmer weather...
Lizzie
xxx

Cathy Lloyd said...

I'm behind on posting and blogging! Love your darling little Mia...so cute! I can tell you guys are all just so smitten with her. Enjoy all your days with Miss Mia! Oh I have never tried stitching on gauze, but I have 3 kits just waiting. I love tent stitch...humm...maybe someday! Envious of your Merry Cox piece!

Karen said...

Your WIP is so pretty! Good luck with stitching with the kitty....interesting to see how long it takes her to lose interest in that thread!

mainely stitching said...

Oh what a stunning sampler you're working on (when you're allowed to, that is, LOL!).

Jackie's Stitches said...

Your sampler is gorgeous! You're making good progress. Paradigm Lost is gorgeous. I've not stitched anything monochromatic. This one looks big!

No Mia pics?! :)

Sampler Lover said...

Beautiful sampler. It will be gorgeous when completed. Love the verse.
Paradigm Lost is also lovely. I have always liked this sampler, but I feel the same about doing this type of sampler as you. - Sandra.

Anonymous said...

Love the new piece that you are working on. Was it your choice to work it on the silk gauze or was it called for.
I have never worked on silk gauze but have several small pieces in my collection along with a large bolt supply of gauze that I purchased when a local needlework shop was going out of business.
I am just a little nervous about it but want to tackle it one of these days. Do you like working on it? Have you worked on it before? Looking forward to seeing your progress. Thanks for sharing, it is going to be lovely.

Anonymous said...

Over one on 40 cnt? Hmm, your eyes are better than mine dear lady. :o) That design is so beautiful. I just love the quote.

All your stitching is exquisite!

I also have Paradigm Lost in my stash. (sigh) I even have fabric for it but if I ever get to it, I may change my mind. I have a deep hand dyed purplish fabric. I thought I'd use ecru coloured thread on it. (shrugs) Who knows what it'll be when I get around to it. ;o)

Enjoy your 'lazy' days. Sometimes they're hard to come by.

Brigitte said...

Margaret, your new piece looks gorgeous. And very interesting. I'm looking forward to seeing it finished (which won't take long seeing your stitching speed, lol).
PL is a fantastic piece and looks very elegant in this frame. But I can understand that you won't be willing to start another big monochromatic piece so very soon. They look wonderful when finished but when stitching with only one colour for a long time you feel bored every once in a while, don't you.

Cari said...

Love your new sampler start. I think stitching on silk gauze is fun. It's quite amazing how fast it works up. And I love your Long Dog Sampler...just beautiful!! Enjoy baby Mia and the dog (or cat) days of summer!! Hugs

Carol said...

Well, you had to do it Margaret--make me add yet another chart name to my "must buy and stitch" list! Oh, I love the saying on this one and it is going to be incredible over one... You are quite the enabler :)

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Well Margaret, I've been looking (and looking) and looking again at this Family Sampler and then here you go and show your own :) I may fall prey to it yet....
I think you are doing a lovely job of it! It will be gorgeous!!!

And your greatest hit's peice this time is totally stunning! Gorgeous! Awesome! And has me salivating for more Greatest Hits!

The French Bear said...

OMG that is beautiful! You always have such interesting tidbits of information....I really appreciate that because I am so new to stitching....love the black piece, I have never heard of that either so I will have to research that one. Your new header and layout is nice, of course I hope I didn't miss it last time.....the whole surgery thing has caused me endless moments of forgetfulness!!! Ha ha, maybe it's age too.... that could be why I am in awe of the tiny stitches you do!!!!
How do you see it? I have tried but I am not sure I could do it!!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

LOL, Margaret! I'm so glad you liked your little poem!

Your gauze sampler is gorgeous and I love TJ's quote as well.

I agree with the monochromatic samplers - love the look of them (and yours is stunning), just way to boring for me to work on!

Nicole said...

Family Sampler is gorgeous Margaret!! I love it! I also love Paradigm Lost - I hadn't realized you stitched it. It's beautiful!! I'm glad Mia is settling in. We need more pictures!! :)

Littlebit said...

Love the sampler, Margaret! Oh my, your Paradigm Lost is magnificant! I have that one to stitch, just have not had the guts. You know, I like smaller things like Ann Grimshaw! LoL!

Berit said...

Love it! What an ambitious piece; and your "Greatest Hit"--woah!

Sounds like Mia is adding some excitement to your dog days of summer. I was amazed to hear that some places down south started back to school already this Monday!

woolwoman said...

PL is probably one of my favorite pieces you've stitched - although there have been so many "greatest hits" in my book. Silk Gauze aaacckkk - I can't believe how easily you stitch on those fine counts - it looks so lovely - the colors are gorgeous. Enjoy the last days of summer with the kids. Mel

mm said...

the 11th mommy!
love you :)

Giovanna said...

Oooh, that sampler is going to be great! Nice start.

Lois said...

Oh, I love your new start although 40ct gauze would even be something I would contemplate to try to stitch on! It's a beautiful sampler though and I love the saying. Your Paradigm Lost is wonderful!

Enjoy the last few weeks before the usual routine kicks in again. Glad Mia is doing well.

Sherry said...

A new pet always takes up alot of time. The Family Sampler will be lovely. I can't wait to watch your progress on it. You did the Long Dog sampler? wow! That is one I could never have the patience to finish up.

Karoline said...

Family Sampler is looking lovely, great start

Deb said...

Margaret - I just love, love your new sampler - but on 40 count gauze! Oh goodness, but what a stunner it's going to be. Glad to hear that Mia has settled down a little bit and you're able to get stitching done while she's down for a nap!

Kellie said...

I love that sampler! The saying by Thomas Jefferson is my favorite part... what a great quote! The Long Dog sampler is beautiful. I love the look of monochrome samplers. Your kids are fortunate to have more summer left. We started back on August 5.

Hope you have a great weekend!

Michelle said...

Your new start is gorgeous!!! Love it!