Monday, February 1, 2010

Meet Henry

Here's my new baby boy. His name is Henry Blue, but just Henry for short. He has settled in quite nicely. The girls aren't totally taken with him yet. They don't like to sit or sleep by him unless I make them stay. Notice Ruby in the next photo. He loves to play, and is bigger and stronger than Scarlett already. I, of course, am absolutely smitten with him already. I give it a week, and I think the girls will be, too.

Here is my progress on Ann Rayner. I took the photo when there wasn't much sun. She's a beauty with all those bright colors. I started Sarah Woodham over the weekend. We just updated our guest bathroom, and I've decided that she would look great in there, so I'm anxious to get her stitched.

Thanks for the wonderful comments about Mary Ann. I was asked how I age my pieces. I have a couple of ways. If I'm trying to make my plain linen look more vintage, I use a few drops of Ritz liquid dye in a sink filled with about 2-3 inches of water. I prefer the tan and yellow colors.
For Mary Ann, I got the piece wet and rubbed it with Distress It. It's sold in a spray bottle at needlework stores. Originally, I didn't like the stuff. If you just spray it on dry fabric, it looks too speckled. But, if you wet your fabric first, then spray some on a cotton ball and rub it right on until it looks aged enough, it works much better. I've tried tea and coffee, and I never seem to get the look I want. Email me if you have any questions.

30 comments:

Deb said...

Henry is precious, Tayna. I just want to kiss his cute little face! I'm sure that the girls will warm up to him quickly. How could they not?

And you're making such great progress on Ann. I finally received mine in the mail and I'm really anxious to start her. I just love the colors. And I'm glad that you posted your secrets for aging your fabric. I have to agree with you on the Distress It. I'm going to try it with the cotton next time. I'm sure that I'll have better results.

Melissa said...

Welcome Henry! He looks like a big lad! The girls must be wondering what's going on! I'm sure they'll playing together soon.

Ann is looking wonderful - the colours are beautiful. I look forward to seeing how Sarah comes along. I haven't started mine yet.

Thanks for the tip re Distress It. I have a bottle and know what you mean by using it on dry fabric. I will try your trick soon.

Catherine said...

The pups are oh so precious! I am sure that the girls will adjust quickly to Henry!

Your progress is lovely! I've heard of Disress It, but have only used coffee and tea so far.

Margie said...

Welcome Henry! I'm in love with him too! :-)

Glenna said...

Henry Blue is such a cutie--what a face!

You are making wonderful progress with Ann--love the sheepies and all the colors.

Michelle said...

Welcome, Henry Blue! He's adorable. And Ann is looking fabulous as well. Can't wait to see your Sarah start (and the guest bath).

Unknown said...

Henry Blue is so handsome (and big)! I bet the girls will cozy up to him in no time.

Tanya, Ann R. is so pretty - you have made quick work of this one. I look forward to seeing Sarah - I am still waiting for my fabric on this one.

Enjoy your week.

missy said...

Henry is beautiful!!!! It's my dream to one day have a Henry of my very own. We plan on moving this summer so I think in the fall of this year I may be settled enough to adopt a Henry or Henrietta.

Your Ann is looking stunning.

hugs
-missy-

Kelly said...

Henry is adorable!! Your samplers are beautiful as well.

Theresa said...

Henry is absolutely adorable!!!! I'm sure the girls will warm up to him very soon!!!!!
Love your progress on Ann, the colors are so pretty~~~~~

Andrea said...

Henry is such a handsome boy! I just love his little face, so sweet!
Your sampler is just gorgeous!

Sherry said...

Henry is a handsome fellow! I am sure the girls will come around in no time at all! Your progress on Ann is just stunning! I can't wait to see you work on Sarah. I have the pattern but haven't thought of starting on her yet.

Margaret said...

Henry is so adorable! I bet the girls will take to him really soon. They all look so great together! I looooove your Ann. But you already knew that, didn't you? lol!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Welcome to your new home Henry Blue... you are one very lucky boy.

Kim said...

He is adorable! And your Ann is gorgeous!! You'll be done in no time!

Sandra said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Sandra said...

Pleased to meet you Henry, what a handsome boy.

Rowyn said...

Henry is adorable! (As are Ruby and Scarlett). Congrats on the new addition to your family.

Your Ann Rayner sampler is looking beautiful. I love the colours, they are so warm and pretty looking.

Nicole said...

Henry is so cute Tanya and Ann is looking great! I love it!

Siobhán said...

I am just in love with your little guy! His sisters are pretty sweet, too. :) I even did a search on Boston breeders in Ireland--just to be nosey. ;)

Your Ann looks amazing! I can't wait to see your Sarah, too. I just sorted my threads, but want to get a few more things finished before I start a bigger sampler. I hope you'll share pics of your bathroom, too.

On Louisa, I converted the threads from DMC to silk. In some cases, I didn't have an exact match so I went with what I had on hand.

Valerie said...

I have recently found your blog and I have thoroughly enjoyed reading your posts. The Mary Ann Mott Sampler is lovely and your progress on Ann Rayner is wonderful. What a neat sampler!

Henry Blue is ADORABLE! Congrats on the new addition. I am sure the girls will come around, eventually. Thanks for sharing!

Kellie said...

Henry is so cute!!!!! He looks sad in in the second photo...like he just doesn't understand why she won't be friends. :)

Ann Rayner is GORGEOUS!!! I love the house. Very pretty! I am always amazed and how fast you seem to stitch such big beautiful samplers.

Looking forward to seeing your Sara Woodham start.

Have a great rest of the week!

Dona said...

Ohh, Tanya. Henry is very handsome! He looks dignified in his first picture. I'm sure the girls wonder what in the heck their mom was up to.

Your progress on Ann is so pretty. Every time I see a sampler you're working on, it makes me want to stitch it!

Linda said...

What a handsome fella Henry is, a nice addition to the family. It won't be long before the girls will be romping around with him

Ann Raynor is awesome, wonderful colors and beautiful stitching. Thank you for the aging tips...hugs, Linda

Katrina said...

Your babies are so sweet. Hope the girls are all warmed up to their little brother :-).

Ann is so pretty and I love Mary Ann too. Can't wait to see your Sarah.

woolwoman said...

I thought Henry would be a little bitty baby - he's a straping young lad already ! so darling.

Your Ann is looking great - I had to pull out my SANQ and look at Mary Ann again - your finish was so much more impressive than the one I skimmed by in the mag. I;m glad I did because I know Pat Veasey - the woman who wrote the article about southern samplers and I somehow missed reading her very good article that accompanied that sampler. Now she is on the "must do" list. Melody

Alice said...

Henry is such a cutie!! Girls will be girls. : ))My five girls give old Oliver a hard time, poor fella. He has learned to just turn his head when they pull his lippies. Smart guy. ; ))
Ann is such an amazing sampler. I will have to put that one on my wishlist. I just adore all samplers with period clothes and this one is truly amazing. I managed to find some tan material dye in S.A. but have not had the time to test it on any material. That will have to wait for summer I am afraid.
Alice

samplerlover said...

Love Henry and the girls. They have such cute little faces.
Ann is looking amazing. I am enjoying watching your progress on her. Looking forward to seeing your progress on Sarah.
You have such an amazing sampler collection - Sandra.

MyLifesAStitch said...

OMG... Henry is just TOO cute!!! He will have the ladies eating out of his paw in no time, I'm sure!!

Ann looks fantastic! Every time you do another design I think -'Oh, that's my favorite yet', lol!

Please do share pics of your bathroom!

Kathy said...

Henry is a cutie. Just want to hug him. The girls have to figure him out and then they will love him too. I love Bostons. They are the best. Mine is getting old. 12 1/2 years.