Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Switching gears

When I last posted, I was just starting The Green Linen Sampler. I didn't have the perfect green linen for it but, I went ahead and put a few stitches in the piece I had. Big waste of time. I hated it. It was a teal colored 36 ct. It was stiff, the edges kept fraying, and it was just plain yucky. Having been used to the wonderful softness of Lakeside Linen for so long, I just couldn't make myself stick with it. I eventually found another piece of green linen in the old stash, and I'll restart it sometime. It's a different shade, but if I choose my own thread colors, it will be fine. In the meantime, I got a little side tracked and went off into other directions. I've long loved the Bird Sampler by Birds of a Feather. It's all done in Sampler Threads, which I rarely use anymore. I have them though, so it's good to use them up. I recently heard that BoaF have quit designing. What a shame, I always thought their stuff was kind of funky and fun. I had to dye some linen before I could get started. Here's a little of my start.

Then I got side tracked further by the Blackbird Designs freebie. I'm a sucker for red...so I off I went. I love the idea of making it your own, and here is my version. I used vintage Lt. Examplar linen and Gloriana's silk in Poinsettia. Another good way to use up old stash. I chose to stitch my Mom's name and birth year. The other requirement was to add a bird. I did my two over one. I think their idea to do this was really fun. You still have time....

22 comments:

Margaret said...

Tanya, love your BOAF start, and your BBD freebie. I did the BBD freebie too! Hope you enjoy the Green Linen Sampler once you get going on it again!

Deb said...

Tanya - I love your start on the Bird Sampler! It looks like it will work up pretty quickly. I agree with you on the BoaF designs. Some of them were downright quirky, but really nice. It's too bad they don't design anymore. And I love your BBD finish. I'm plodding along on mine - I shouldn't have though - I wanted to finish up my block of Shores and get back to putting some stitches into my A&E. I keep going back and looking at your beautiful finish and it prods me to pick it up again!

Julie said...

I had not heard that about BOAF - that is a shame though.

I'm currently working on the BBD freebie contest piece. Not sure if I'll get it done for the contest, but it is a sweet piece to work on. I'm going to use my late grandmother's maiden name and her birth year as well. I'm just using regular DMC and have picked 28 ct Antique White. I possibly may dye it when I'm done. Don't know yet.

Yours looks so beautiful! I like what thread you used.

Tanya said...

I love red too! Your BOAF is coming along nicely. I hated to hear they weren't designing anymore. Good luck with your BBD.

Theresa said...

I love your BOAF start!!!! And your Blackbird Design sampler is wonderful!!!!
Sorry to hear you had to restart on a project, I hope it will so smoothly this time~

Melissa said...

Oh, nice start on the BOAF Bird Sampler. I have that one but haven't started that yet. It looks lovely, as does the BBD freebie.

Yes BOAF sold their business quite a few years ago and the original designers retired (I suppose). The new owner is focusing on needlepoint. It's really too bad and I miss the old designers terribly!

Thanks for the email and I'll get back to you soon.

Daniela said...

Nice start on your BOAF Bird Sampler. I'm looking forward to see some progress on your Green Linen Sampler as well.

samplerlover said...

Tanya, I love your BBD freebie. It is lovely. Looks like a lot of people are doing it. Your BOAF start is lovely.
It's a pity with your SL start. If things don't feel right. It is no use continuing.
Thank you for your comments re my OOP charts. If you want send me an email - sandra.moffitt@gmail.com.

Sandra said...

Great start on your Bird Sampler, I must do that one too some day. I'm still busy with my Blackbird Design freebie, just have the year to put in, which I'll do tonight. I think there are going to dozens of entries.

Alice said...

I love your bird sampler Tanya. I am also tempted to stitch birds lately and really want to start on Ida Mae Crow - a personalised version lol. Everything looks very pretty.
Alice

Laurie in Iowa said...

I'm a big fan of BOAF designs too! Of course I always seem to come late to the game and now I've been trying to collect the OOP charts. Great start on the Birds. Your BD sampler is so charming... love the wee little birds over one.

Sherry said...

Tanya, the Bird Sampler is looking great! I love BoaF designs. How sad they quit designing! Your BBD sampler is wonderful!

Michelle said...

I love your red sampler - I'm stitching it too! Your BOAF start is wonderful too. I'm so sad too that they quit designing. Isn't it fun to get side-tracked on new designs though?!

Nicole said...

Your BOAF is looking so pretty Tanya and your BBD freebie turned out beautiful1 I love the over one birds - they're so sweet!

Nicole said...

P.S. Glad to know I'm not the only one that throws away her linen!! :)

Siobhán said...

Great BOAF start, Tanya! I am another fan who was sorry to hear that they stopped designing. They were the perfect mix of quirky and folk art.

Love the BBD finish! YGG! I want to do one as well, but probably won't get it done in time for the contest. Great idea to do your mother's name on it. I always think grandmother & older, but it'd be nice to put my mom's name on something.

Jan said...

Ack...everything is wonderful, Tanya!! I love that BOAF bird sampler, and had forgotten all about it, luckily it is in my stash. You are such an enabler!:)

Andrea said...

Oh I love your BOAF start, that's one I've always wanted to stitch and just never gotten around to it! Will be happily following your progress!
Your BBD finish is just gorgeous! It's so neat seeing these being stitched all over the blogging community, what fun!
xoxo

Dona said...

I am so glad you are working on the BOAF design. It is really nice. And your BBD freebie is so pretty. That is such a great red!

Brigitte said...

Oh, I love that BOAF piece, it's so so nice. And yes, it's a pity that the company quit designing.
Very nice finish of the BBD freebie. Looking forward to seeing your finish-finish.

Tammy said...

I love your Birds of a Feather. I feel the same way. I was so bummed when they went away. Drats! Your blog is lovely, and I will certainly be back. Your stitching is awesome!

paru's_circle said...

love your piece, and the story, tribute.. your adam and eve is awesoem!