Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Barb is spending some quiet time at night working on the above sampler. It's "A Quaker Study" by Carriage House Samplings. Jeanne Horton from Country Sampler in Spring Green, WI came up with the colors -
Barb is using one strand each of Weeks Dye Works "Lancaster Red" and Crescent Colours "Used Brick." These are her favorite colors this week! She likes to stitch a bit each night. Helps her wind down after a busy day at work. This will be her Christmas sampler this year.
Barb's idea for Day 4: Save a bit of time each evening for stitching.
I find there are some people who are "real stitchers" and some who are just "wanna-be" stitchers. I think Barb fits into the real stitcher category and I'm a wanna-be. Barb stitches each day. It's part of her daily schedule. It's relaxing for her to pick up a needle and work on a project.
I like to think about stitching....I might look at projects and want to stitch them....but just never get around to it. I have stitched quite a few samplers .....but only when there is a deadline or if it's January. For some reason January seems like the perfect time to stitch a sampler to me. Usually I can finish several in the month.
My Idea: Spend 30 minutes looking through your patterns and choose one you would like to begin in January. Here is my "Pandora's Box". Inside I have my collection of cross stitch patterns. When I feel like "working" on a new pattern, I open my stash and look at the one's I've saved through the years. After looking, I feel more relaxed and even a bit excited. I've forgotten some of the designs and it's like seeing them all again anew.
I'm going to open the box now....but you have to pinky swear you will never tell anyone how many patterns I have. And here is the shocking part! I really feel no obligation to stitch all of them either. I just love looking at them.
Wish you were all here and we could go through them together!
Thinking of you all and hope your're enjoying the season!
Oh....I wanted to answer a few questions about the cookies...
Lynda....I flour the molds so the dough won't stick. I also use the recipe from the book that comes from the molds. Let the cookies dry out several hours on the cookie sheet before baking. I've made them from Gingerbread dough too. But the white ones are my favorites. Use a very deep mold for Shortbread cookies. They typically will not hold a molded design well. Click-on the word Gingerbread dough and it will take you to my web-site showing the darker colored cookies made from Gingerbread.
Until tomorrow!
Alma
24 comments
I didn't realize that we were supposed to stitch all the charts in our stashes!
ReplyDeleteI've got my January sampler all picked out... but I'm keeping my pick a secret until New Year's Day.
Supposed to stitch all our charts! LOL I'm going to start a sampler Jan. 1 for the Kansas Stitchers SAL. I love your "Pandora's Box", it's so much prettier than my Elfa drawers.
ReplyDeleteAlma, I love your box. When I first saw the pic, I couldn't tell what size it was, then you showed a pic of it open. Wow, I want one! Maybe I'll find me a nice sized box to cover with fabric from your tutorials to put my stash in. I would love to be there and go through your box with you.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad to know that we don't have to stitch everything in our stash. I know I enjoy looking at it quite a bit and dreaming of stitching them.
I do the same thing. I have more stash than I could ever finish, but I sure do enjoy just looking at the charts and lovely colors.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Barb -- stitching is important for relaxing and feeling happy with the world. lol! As for your stash of charts, ahem! That's nothing! lol! I've got way more than you do! That box is wonderful, so pretty. I'm enjoying the suggestions you and Barb are giving, such fun!
ReplyDeleteYour Pandora's Box is wonderful. I don't have a lovely box for my stash but I have a ton of wonderful charts...I love to just enjoy them too. Sometimes I say maybe be I'll just frame the chart...I know pretty silly. I love samplers and I like the idea of starting the year of stitching one...enjoyed today. hugs, Linda
ReplyDeleteDo people really stitch everything in their stash!?
ReplyDeleteI also love looking at all my beautiful charts, I could lose a full day doing so. The chest is very pretty...is there a story behind it? Did you embellish it yourself?
Truly enjoying your recent posts.
Chris in NY
I am so glad you shared your Pandora's box with us!! Now I no longer feel guilty about my own stash hihi! Agree with Barb! It relaxes me and there is no time to think when you do x-stitch. Still stitching on your stockings, love them all!! Hugs
ReplyDeleteAlma your box is fantastic...
ReplyDelete;)
ciao Maria
Last year when we moved I divided up my pattern and chart stashes to two boxes...one for quilting and one for needlework. I need to find some fun boxes like yours though....
ReplyDeleteI wanted to stitch today, but couldn't think of what i wanted to make. But, looking at those stitched tags gave me an idea. I patterns for those, so perfect idea for some little sticheries.
ReplyDeleteDebbie
I am also a wanna be stitcher, oh yes I have stitched some amazing things (mostly smalls) but I give them all away as gifts. I have hardly anything that I have stitched for myself. But I have the sampler I am going to start in Jan, Sarah Tobias!!! Thanks Alma for getting back to me with the name of the samplers. I dont know if I will ever be able to find the older Loose Feathers pattern!!! Thanks Again!!!
ReplyDeleteOh, I would LOVE to sit and dig through your stash with you. :) And I want to know about your box... it is spectactular? Is it old, or a repro? Do tell...
ReplyDeleteI just like to dream about stitching everything in my stash. I feel no pressure to try and do it. I do have a question about a sampler you showed awhile back. I think it was Beatrix Potter? Is that the name or how can I find it? I would love to do that one. If anyone else reads this and knows I'd love for you to email me. Thank you Sandi szil949@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI love patterns too!!
ReplyDeleteCalling all bloggers I am having a huge giveaway on my blog and will add a new item everyday until 12/24. Go check it out.
OH MY you just helped me discover "why" I love to collect patterns, books of patterns, and magazines--just to look at them---I will take pleasure in that from now on and not feel so "guilty" about my reading stash!!! Thanks!
ReplyDeleteHugs, Di
Hi Alma,
ReplyDeletecan I ask you a question?
I've bought the fabrics of the Old Primrose Inn for a new project of mine, but I need more different fabrics for this. Do you know a fabricline that fits perfect by the Old Primrose Inn?
I hope you have an answer for me soon,
kind regards Anne from Holland.
Barb's WIP is beautiful! I love the colors in it.
ReplyDeleteLove the Pandora's Box... it's so much prettier than a Rubbermaid container!
What a beautiful stash box! I adore stash - it's so much fun to rediscover your treasures. Your Pandora's box is stunning and a lovely box for your stash. My friends often discuss all of the wonderful stash they are hoarding and will occasionally even admit to a number ....
ReplyDeleteBarb's Quaker study is beautiful. The thread colors are rich and warm. Do you know the fabric she is using?
Enjoy your stash contemplation!
Alma: Thank you for admitting you don't intend to ever stitch them all! Now I feel better about my stash which is monster sized!
ReplyDeleteHappy to stay home here and quilt today - we are having wind and ice pellets; but inside, my woodstove is cranking heat, the Christmas music is playing and my coffee is yummy.
Merry Christmas to all.
Janet in Nova Scotia
Gosh it's wonderful seeing another stitches stash of patterns, it makes me feel far more normal. I too enjoy looking through my patterns and I know it will be impossible for me to stitch them all!
ReplyDeleteThis is a very interesting post, and the comments are also fantastic to read. I’ll have to have a little re-think about my own contact form on our new website, as this poses some interesting questions!
ReplyDeleteIT provider
Alma, where did you get those fabulous molds?
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful box! What fun it would be to go through your stash with you! I also enjoy just going through mine and choosing which one to do next.
ReplyDeleteNote: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.