Tuesday, January 12, 2010

Pinhead man and a dog outing

The man went from headless to pinhead. He has such a peculiar body. He reminds me of Napoleon. Maybe he's just some dude with his arm in a sling. Ann Rayner is such a joy to stitch, with one exception. I think the chart directions for the couple could have been grafted better. The heads are over one, which is okay, but the blending of the body and head are confusing. There's also a beard, hair, and a hat done in straight stitch. I decided to modify my guy and omit all of that. I've been working on the house, but when I need a break from all the bright colors and perkiness of this sampler, I switch over to this one. It's the 1827 Mary Ann Selenah Mott Sampler from S&AN winter 2009 issue. I admit that at first glance, it didn't do much for me. It's all alphabet and border. But, it was pointed out to me that it would look really nice with salt glazed pieces. I hadn't thought of that, but it sealed it for me. Actually, the more I work on it, the more I'm starting to love it. I plan to hang her in our bedroom where the colors are similar, and the decor is more primitive. When I finish it, I'm going to age it more.

I'm sure that those of you who are freezing in the snow and cold will hate this, but over the weekend, we visited a new park near our house. It has a nice bark park area. The girls were beside themselves. They chased their ball from one end to the other. They weren't intimidated by the other larger dogs one bit. If I could only bottle some of their energy...

They even made a friend. This Boston, who's name is Otis, loved running after the ball, too. He didn't seen interested in bring it back though. Maybe he was just chasing the girls.

25 comments:

Unknown said...

Yep, thanks so much for posting a picture of your self in short sleeves and no snow in sight. We are all feeling lots better knowing you are enjoying wonderful weather while the rest of us FREEZE :-)

Love Ann - she is quite beautiful and you have made so much progress. Your alphabet sampler is wonderful as well - haven't seen this one and I look forward to watching your progress.

Deb said...

Can I come to where you live. The pictures of you and the dogs and you in short sleeves is making me green with envy. It's so cold here.

I'm just loving Ann and I'll make note of what changes you made just in case I ever get mine (still waiting after a month).

I like your alphabet sampler - very nice colors.

Glenna said...

Tanya, I am so sorry that you were so HOT that you had to take off your jacket and wear it around your waist. Could you send it to me? The four I wear when I go outside aren't enough... Hah!

Love Ann--you are making great progress. Bummer about Pinhead's charting stuff. Maybe we need to import a different head from some other chart? Nah, probably be even more problematic.

Sharon said...

Tanya, you never mind about them ladies remarking about your warm weather. You deserve it. Now that I have kissed up, can I please come stay in your warm neck of the woods. I am freezing up north here. LOL
Your work is gorgeous. You have a lot done. Good for you. enjoy!!

JoAnn said...

Tanya: I love reading your blog and seeing your progress on your samplers. How is Harriet Burry coming along? Were you able to finally work you way thru the satin stitched windows?

I do have another question: Could you please educate me as to what salt glaze is? Your stitching on the Mott Sampler looks so nice and I would like to start it, but don't know what SG is? JoAnn

Margaret said...

Beautiful!!! I see what you mean about pinhead man, but he still looks good anyway. :D Ok, so call me stupid -- but are your dogs Boston Bull Terriers? Can I just say that besides pugs, your dogs are my favorite kind of dog? It's true too! They're so cute with their new friend! I'm not even going to mention the short sleeves and lack of snow on the ground......

Sandy said...

Nice looking family!

I'll bet the girls really had a blast at the park. We've been to a lot of dog parks, but we've never witnessed a Boston Bull Dog afraid of anything. They've all been so friendly and confident. I think that's because they knew they could always out-run and out-jump any other dog there.

Napoleon Pinhead came out very good, IMO. The whole sampler is looking just beautiful, Tanya. And now you've started the Mott sampler ... another pretty one I need to do. I'm amazed at what you get accomplished!

Melissa said...

Tanya, notice the 'little' bit of sensitivity over the weather by some people! ha. I had to laugh. I got a bit of razzing about that last week but it was all in good fun. I will say quietly that it is pretty mild here too though we are having lots of rain!

Pinhead or no, Ann & co are looking good. I'll have to check out my winter 2009 issue (think I have it) and see what the alphabet sampler looks like.

Love to Stitch said...

Great progress on Ann, I just ordered that pattern-- thanks to you for enabling!!! Glad to see you are enjoying the warmer weather. I hope to be soon too:).

Laurie in Iowa said...

Yeah for the new doggie part. Scarlett and Ruby look like they're having as much fun as you are... and they got a new boyfriend too.

I love both the samplers you're working on. I'm going to have to go back and check out the sampler in my SANQ.

Siobhán said...

Great pics, Tanya! I sooo wish they did bark parks here, but I guess since most people just let their dogs run free, it doesn't matter. :P The pups look like they're having a blast!

Your samplers are gorgeous!! Maybe if I stitched the SANQ one, then I can say I need more salt glazed pieces to go with it, huh?? ;) Love the pinhead man!! LOL

Georgie said...

I love your man!!!! He's superb....It's been 40c here down under (but it is Summer) which would make it about 105f for you guys

Sherry said...

We haven't had any snow but the weather is still pretty cold. Supposed to warm up a bit.

I love your little pinhead man! And that sampler is coming right along. The one for the bedroom is beautiful. I love the colors. I can't wait to see more progress.

Nicole said...

Both of your samplers are just beautiful Tanya! I really like the new one you are stitching. I'm definitely going to have to get that issue of SANQ!

woolwoman said...

Oh how exciting that the girls picked up a new fella at the park. Your Ann is looking great but those colors in that sampler are a little perky for me as well - I've never embarked on Ann Rayner for that reason. A friend in the sampler guild was stitching it but also had to put it away for the same reason - just SO bright. I'll have to look back at the SANQ one - I don't remember it at all but I love it so far. Mel

Michelle said...

I love the colors in your sampler.. pinhead made me laugh. Your other sampler is beautiful too. It looks like a fun day at the park for all!

Karoline said...

Great wips, they both look lovely

Michelle said...

Ann and Mary Ann both look lovely. The colors in Mary Ann remind me of Siobhan's Thankful Wheeler.

Deb said...

What a great picture of your stitching on "Anne.." I love your Pinhead man descriptions...keeps us stitching to have such humor, doesn't it?! :p Tanya, are you still painting and selling your stitching tool sets? Could you email me: interiorsbydeb2@aol.com
Thanks, Hugs, Deb

samplerlover said...

Hi Tanya,
I have been chuckling about some of the girls comments regarding your photo in shorts. Maybe they should come where I live. I'm complaining that it's been to hot and sticky. No good for stitching.

Love your pin head man. Ann is as lovely as I thought she would be. Your alphabet sampler is going to be beautiful as well and will go so well with your salt glaze. I know what they are. Have never seen them in Australia though - Sandra.

Irene Jones said...

Tanya I am so so jealous to see you outside with your babies I took mine( a Beagle named Skeeter )walking this morning 10 degrees with a wind chill factor that made it seem 10 below. I just love your sampler Ann and the new one you are stitching from the magazine as well. You get so much done in so little time and it is just perfect. Inspiration to us all thank you.

Tammy said...

Having a little head gives him charm! Great progress. Oh the dogs are SO adorable!!

MyLifesAStitch said...

Progress is looking fabulous as always, Tanya! And, I won't hold it against you that you posted a picture of clearly warm weather - short sleeves in January?? :( J/K! Can't wait to see more progress... I must admit, his head does look a little odd! Maybe he escaped from a witch doctor in the middle of them shrinking his head?

danasmith said...

I have totally fallen in love with your Ann Rayner Sampler...love the reds! I have spent a couple hours online looking to purchase the chart/kit to no avail. Can you please direct me to where you purchased yours.
Thanks bunches
Dana in Virginia
dls5775@aol.com

Loraine said...

Oh, I love this sampler! the colors are so cheery. Thanks for sharing. He does have a funny head, but I think it makes the sampler even more fun to look at!