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....