Prairie Schooler ABC Stitching Bee

My Itty Bitty Start

2012-02-06T10:45:00.000-08:00

Prairie Schooler "N"
My picture is crummy and doesn't do the colors justice =(

I have had a slow start and even slower progress, but here is what I have so far.

I am stitching all of the letters on one piece of 25 ct Potato Lugana fabric, using the charted DMC floss in a 1 x 1.

I am finding this WIP to be a very fun challenge, and I can't wait to sit down each day to work on it some more!

I will keep you updated on my progress.

I am just awed by everyone's progress as I now see how much it entails, and I especially adore your personal touches....brilliant!

Thanks for allowing me to join you all.

S is for Sewing Complete

2012-01-18T12:54:00.000-08:00

Please excuse my happy fingers.

Prairie Scooler, S is for Sewing block.

I hit the idiot key on my computer and deleted my post.

(Jackie :-(

Hello!

2012-01-02T12:04:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all.

I live in Southern CT with my hubby of 27 years, in what is a basically emptied nest. I adore cross stitch, especially samplers...My blog is The Teakettle Corner.

I am so excited to be part of this Stitching Bee, and cannot wait to start stitching once my fabric arrives.

I will share my pics as soon as I have a start.
Karyn

Hello

2011-12-30T08:06:00.000-08:00

Hello All,

I too was tempted over at Vonna's blog. I've had the first three letters sitting in my stash for some time. I originally decided to stitch them individually, BUT; after seeing how lovely they look together; I have decided to stitch them as one piece. I ordered the fabric yesterday and will have it this week-end. I am super stoked! I will get started on January 1 (if the fabric arrives). If not, I will begin as soon as it does. I am excited to join in on the fun. You can visit me at My New Perspective. I am glad to meet you all ;).

Joy

Give me a "B"...

2011-12-24T11:16:00.000-08:00

I met my own challenge and finished my next block:

The Letter "B"

Here is my poor project to date:

Just to refresh...
I am stitching mine 1 over 1 on 25 ct. Lugana using DMC as charted. This project is much more beautiful in real life than any of these pictures are showing.

I am hopeful that I will have many more blocks finished in 2012 thank I did in 2011.

Merry Christmas to all!
~Vonna
the twisted stitcher

Update

2011-12-15T09:20:00.000-08:00

I just realized that I haven't posted in over a year! But I did some recent stitching on this beautiful project and have it on my 2012 To-Be-Finished List.

Here is the latest-

Prairie Schooler ABC's

24 ct Congress cloth

Custom conversion to Overdye cotton threads

I just added D and F blocks. Only 3 more and I will be able to move the canvas over! Click on the photo to enlarge.

Merry Christmas to All!
atwillowtreepond.blogspot.com

Priaire Schooler

2011-12-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

I have everything I need to get started and plan to in January. I am busy doing Christmas Ornaments right now.

This is my first blog and I can't wait to get involved.

L is for Leaves

2011-12-08T10:45:00.000-08:00

Finally, my third letter is finished! At this rate, I'll finish my ABC Quilt in about 26 years... but it's the process for me, and I'm still enjoying it.

Hello Everyone.

2011-12-07T06:18:00.001-08:00

I spotted this SAL Blog on Vonnas site and was taken with the pieces immediately. I have a couple Prairie Schooler charts already but not not spotted these ones so I'm thrilled that there will be lots SAL to them as well.

The charts are on order and I have the threads and I'm just trying to decide what way I'm going to stitch them, on one piece or individually...I'm leaning towards individually at the moment and then framing them in the same kinds of frames and hanging them together. This could change of course.

Looking forward to seeing all the work you have done and will do on your own pieces.
I blog over at http://ruthsrunningstitch.blogspot.com/ for anyone wanting to take a look.

Happy stitching,
Ruth

Hello There

2011-12-06T15:40:00.001-08:00

Hi Everyone, my name is Lucie and I gave into temptation via Vonna's blog and have decided I cannot live without these patterns in my life! I signed up for this blog and have already ordered the patterns - luckily I got them from a supplier in the UK so will soon have them in my little stitchy hands :)

After much deliberation and trying to work out a layout, I decided to stitch each letter individually and then I will make them into either a small quilt or a wall hanging, blocking each letter with a neutral fabric.

I blog over at Lucie's Stitching Journey - please come and take a look

I look forward to reading past posts and seeing how everyone is coming along.

L xxx

Renew...

2011-10-25T04:45:00.000-07:00

Stitchers....I'm getting my rear end into gear with this project. So let's all RENEW ourselves garner our energy, enthusiasm and revive our stitching on this most beautiful of projects!!!

I am setting myself a goal...I promise to finish my next letter by the end of the year. Anyone gonna join me? That's a good 10 weeks to finish just one letter!

Leave a comment to join the challenge!

:)
Vonna

Picture of everything so far

2011-05-04T20:20:00.000-07:00

I was playing with a digital camera this afternoon. I was able to get a picture of the blocks I have stitched so far.

I staggered my blocks because I have so many alphabet pieces going I wanted something different. I will fill in the spaces with other PS patterns. It's funny how small the picture is when the cloth is bedsheet sized.

Taking this out again makes me want to put this into a slot in my current rotation.

2011-01-08T17:26:00.000-08:00

Can you help us, please?

Hello, my name is Darlene and my daughter, Kristie wants to work on this project on one piece of fabric.

Can you tell us how big the piece of fabric needs to be if she's working on 28 ct over two, please!

We look forward to your comments and assistance.

In Friendship!

Rededications....

2011-01-04T17:07:00.000-08:00

I have been a pretty poor cheerleader for all of here at the blog over 2010...but with a New Year comes new resolutions and rededication. I am resolved to pull my Prairie Schooler ABC's out and get to work. I have some other projects I have to get finished up first and then its gung ho for me!

How about you? Anyone else rededicating themselves to this great project? I'm dreaming still of how great it'll look all finished, framed and hanging on my wall.....

So look out 2011, my needle is going to be smokin'!

Hugs to all,
Vonna

FINISHED!

2010-12-09T08:53:00.000-08:00

I finally finished my PS ABC a few weeks ago. Had worked steadily on it since the spring. Remember that I stitched it over one thread with a continental/half cross/basketweave stitch and other needlepoint stitches--not cross stitch. Took it up to my framer in Michigan last week. Have been knitting shawls ever since--for Christmas gifts. Enclosed are the rest of my pictures--not great as they were taken at our cottage where the light is not good--it snowed all day long. Nancy Sturgeon, Naperville, IL

Note that I added my name and the year I stitched this on her hoop.

I added my initials to her hoop too. Tried to use as many "different" stitches as I could to make the project stitch up more quickly and to keep my attention. I used only plain old DMC floss on 28 count linen. Am thrilled that it is completed. What should I start next...have Dutch Beauty in my stash!!!

A–U

2010-09-14T13:10:00.000-07:00

I've been trying to be able to post on this list and have finally done it! Thanks, Vonna. Been working steadily on this project all spring and summer. Am stitching it on 28 count linen over 1 thread and using half cross (continental/basketweave) stitch as my primary stitch with as many other "needlepoint" stitches as I am able. Cannot imagine how long it would have taken me using cross stitch. Try to stitch about 2 hours a night every night. Have used mostly the charted colors but have gone a shade or 2 lighter in the "letter boxes" that are filled in with black/brown. Need to be knitting a shawl for myself to wear to a wedding in October, but I hate to put my alphabet down. At this point I want to finish it. Hope you enjoy my pics. --Nancy in Naperville, IL

Posting Pictures (for Nancy) or anyone else.

2010-09-05T17:27:00.000-07:00

Nancy,
Go to the comments on my R is for Rabbit posting and I gave you the instuctions on how to post your pictures to this blog.
Deana

K is for Kitty

2010-09-05T08:51:00.000-07:00

No longer a freaky, alien kitty - here is my finished K. Two down, twenty-four to go! :)

R is for Rabbit......... FINISHED!

2010-09-02T17:23:00.000-07:00

My stitching has been moving along very slowly but finally....a finish.

It really looks wavy but it straightens out easily, just not when I want to get the picture of it.
We cut down frame moulding night before last so now I believe I have 4 or 5 Prairie Schooler ABC's to frame. I'll post a pic when I get them assembled.
Somehow I missed stitching Q is for Quilt so now I have to go back and stitch it.
9 more to go.
Happy Stitching
Deana

2010-08-14T07:05:00.000-07:00

Good Morning All,
I have not posted in soooo long. My mom passed away June 24th and I haven't done any stitching until about 2 weeks ago. I finally got back to my stitching group and have worked on R is for Rabbit. The first night back with the group I stitched most of the large green cabbage on the left. Then this last Thurs.night when we met, I realized it was a cabbage not a bush, so I had to rip it out and start over. I don't think my mind was on stitching the first night. It's good to be back stitching again. I'm enjoying all your pictures. Keep it up.
Deana

Really late to the game

2010-08-10T07:15:00.000-07:00

Hi! I got my ABC's charts for Christmas and hoped to start in February, when I could easily slot this project into my rotation. However it took me a little while to choose my fabric and fabric count. I finally went with Lakeside Linens Maritime White which is a nice creamy mushroomy colour. I chose to do a 40 count over 2. Unfortunately my LNS didn't have a big enough piece for me so I had to do a special order. This was in February. I finally got the call that my linen was in at the end of July! Does it always take that long? So, I hope to start this project at the end of my current rotation which should be right after Labour day.

Could I ask for some advice? Do you think I should use one or two strands of floss?

Prairie Schooler ABC Project Progress -July

2010-07-06T10:16:00.000-07:00

Here is O-not quite finished. And below, you can see L and M. M is finished! But, L is lagging behind with his friend the owl. Can I make excuses like I was out of town on vacation for 2 weeks in June? Pathetic, I know. :)

Come visit my blog to see a picture of the whole project so far!

June Update

2010-06-01T13:23:00.000-07:00

Here are my latest 2 blocks-L and M. I made a mistake counting early on in L and it was getting discouraging to continue on. So I thought I would let it set for now and work on M. M is coming along swimmingly :) To see a picture of the whole project so far, visit my blog.

R is for Rabbit

2010-05-31T08:48:00.000-07:00

Hi to all,
Hope your having a good weekend. I have a little progress to show on R is for Rabbit. But while I was stitching the other night with our stitching group, I realized I skipped over Q is for Quilt. So I have to go back and do it. I have been kind of jumping around lately, stitching on my Prairie Schooler only at stitch group.
A couple of hours a week there, doesn't make much progress to show off,but here it is. The picture makes it looked squiggley but it's just the way it is on the scroll rods.

I enjoy seeing all the progress we are all making.
Keep it up,
Deana

Kitty with a head

2010-05-25T13:00:00.001-07:00

Not finished, but no longer looking like an alien:

Progress report

2010-05-16T16:48:00.000-07:00

Hi stitchers, here's my latest progress. Not the one a month I'd planned but still enjoying (almost) every stitch.

On to D! Leslie

Freaky K is for Kitty

2010-05-09T17:07:00.000-07:00

Though it may not look like one yet, this is my progress on K is for Kitty. My husband said it looks like an alien at this point...

"G" is for Garden

2010-05-08T19:34:00.000-07:00

Here is the lastest letter that I have finished stitching. I have four letters done now and I'm really enjoying stitching this. I'm stitching one over one on 25 count Lugana with the called for DMC threads. I am still trying to get at least one letter done every month, so I guess I am on the two year (at least) plan with this project.

Happy stitching,
Brenda

April Update

2010-04-26T10:27:00.000-07:00

Here are my two letters for April finished. I am pleased with the way the overdyes are working out. To see my entire project so far, come visit my blog!

J is for Jack-o-Lantern finished (Happy Dance 1 of 26)

2010-04-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

I finished this about a week ago - my first ABC Quilt finish! It's stitched on 28 count light mocha lugana, over 2.

The Never Ending Pumpkin

2010-04-12T03:30:00.000-07:00

Over the weekend I picked up this blanket in progress. I continued work on the Never-ending Pumpkin on J block while watching a Deadliest Catch marathon. The pumpkin is longer than those Bering Sea fishing trips! The marathon is over but a little less than half the pumpkin remains.

The last time I spend so much time and thread seemingly going nowhere with as little feeling of progress was on Permin's Dutch Beauty stitching the fat lady holding a hat on a stick's skirt.

To get the feeling of gaining something I also worked on the leaves and I started the L block. I will post a picture when I have conquered The Pumpkin That Ate My Stitching Time.

I Now Have a "C"

2010-04-02T12:33:00.000-07:00

Here is my latest progress, I really enjoy stitching these which is a good thing considering how much more I have to do.

Happy Easter and happy stitching to everyone.

Brenda

Two More Letters Finished!

2010-04-01T11:04:00.000-07:00

Two more letters finished in March! My goal is two letters per month, but that obviously won't get me finished by the end of the year. So, I am trying to add a little bit more each month. So I also stitched the bottom of O--come visit my blog to see more photos. :)

Keep stitching everyone!

I have a finish! Woo Hoo!

2010-03-20T07:14:00.000-07:00

Good Morning to all,
I finished P is for Parrot, I wanted to do one per month but this one was a little late. This was really fun to stitch using more colors. I now have everything for Q is for Quilt pulled together except need to cut the fabric.
I love seeing what everyone is doing, keep up the posts.

It's snowing here in Mid Missouri, so plan to do some major stitching this weekend.
Hope you all find some stitching time too.
Deana

Progress report

2010-03-13T08:33:00.000-08:00

Good morning, here's a picture of my progress so far -- B and C. I used a shade lighter than called for on the C and then promptly forgot to repeat on the B. I plan to rip out the B and stitch it in the lighter shade but we'll see how bad it bothers me later. Hopefully I'll forget all about it!

On to A is for Anchor!

Have good weekends, Leslie

Happy Dance! - E is for Embroidery!

2010-03-08T04:44:00.001-08:00

Design: E is for Embroidery

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

Stitches: Half cross stitch, backstitch

Oops, I'm a little bit behind on posting my finishes. I enjoyed this, even though I was a bit worried about the seemingly complex design on the "frame". There are a couple of small charting errors on that section, but it all came together well in the end.

I got rid of the Embroiderer's cat - they aren't my cup of tea - and I added the date instead of a sprig of flowers.

This is how the five letters I've stitched so far:

I'm so looking forward to finishing the first nine and getting it framed.

March Update!

2010-03-02T10:34:00.001-08:00

Here's the latest on my Prairie Schooler progress: Letter X turned out just adorable and was stitched as charted--any differences are my mistakes ! lol

Letter U got some changes and became Umbrella instead of Unlock. What do you think? I thought the existing picture was very cute and required only a small amount of "tinkering" to use it for the new theme. And I left the little key under the letter.

Here is the entire project so far. As you can see the letter V also got started, but stalled because I felt the dog "overshadowed" the vineyard theme. Am I missing something here? Maybe the dog's breed starts with a V? I would rather have the dog in the background and the vineyard/house in the foreground.

Next month I am moving on to S and T and will revisit V in the coming months.

*On another topic, I finally got up the courage to start a blog of my own--atwillowtreepond Feel free to check it out and leave me some comment feedback. I am still struggling with the layout--this post is a perfect example!

February Finishes

2010-02-28T10:51:00.001-08:00

E and F have joined D for a total of six blocks! This is so much fun!

The Count is In

2010-02-22T04:04:00.000-08:00

This has to do with the correct width count of the letter charts. As Margaret stated back in December, GHI, JKL & PQR do not have their width correctly stated.

Specifically, H is 72 wide - the flower tips; JKL are each 72 - flowers and leaf edges; and P is 72 where bird tails and the bottom of the cage all extend beyond the cartouche. Additionally, I had discovered and noted that E is 71 where the top of the chair extends outside the design area. But, wait, there's more! Last night I found that N is really 74; birds tails again. I hadn't noticed it, but M goes over as well, by two, making it 72 - fingertips of the mermaid. O has leaf edge problems too, making it 72. V is 71 - upper left corner the leaf edge and vine go over. X is 72 with flower tips, table top and leg and again, chair top causing problems. And, finally, Y is over by one, making it 71 - the yarn loops take it outside area of the cartouche by one.

So, to recap, that's letters E, H, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, V, X, and Y that have problems with their widths. ALSO, L, J and H (caught by Margaret) are 101 high. I counted all the rest and only came up with U to add to that list. Thanks to Margaret and Nic for their help earlier.

Another Miscounted Chart

2010-02-21T18:15:00.000-08:00

Started working on N is for Nest today. Guess what? Says it's 100 x 70 stitches. NOT! It is actually 100 x 74. The birds tails actually extend out two stitches on each side beyond the letter cartouche down below. Since I am stitching each of mine separately as ornaments, I have simply extended the letter cartouche. However, this may end up being problematic for all ya'll who are stitching it as one piece. Hope this gives you enough advance warning. Tomorrow I am sitting down and counting all the other charts and will let you know what I discover - or not. Good Luck!

I've Gone to a Tropical Paradise . . .

2010-02-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

And thar be Marmaids! This is my letter M - for Mermaid. Obviously I've made several changes to the original design. I was SO excited about doing this letter! Details on the changes can be seen on my blog. This gal's got me looking forward to spring, so I've decided to change the colors on nest now. See ya in March!

D is for Drum

2010-02-21T06:42:00.001-08:00

Letter D, The Prairie Schooler D*E*F (Book No. 99)

25 ct Fairy Dust Lugana

DMC cotton floss

Yippee! Another letter completed. Now on to the letter E.

E is for Embroidery

2010-02-18T00:13:00.000-08:00

Even though I have UFOs to get cracking with, I couldn't resist starting the next block of my Prairie Schooler ABC, and this was after the first couple of sessions.

I've left out the cat - I don't really like cats, and there are two large ones in this project to come - I'll probably replace it with another spool of thread. I've also changed the design the lady is stitching to incorporate the year.

I'm not sure about the design to go in the frame, whether to stitch the dark background or not ...

B Is For Barely Done

2010-02-17T13:13:00.000-08:00

I completed "A" and was able to find little bit of free time to start on the letter "B" ~

PS Alphabet blocks A & B

D is for Drum Finished!

2010-02-17T03:14:00.000-08:00

Design: D is for Drum

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Threads: DMC

Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

Stitches: Half cross stitch, backstitch

I've finally finished this block! I think I was dithering over it because of the big changes I made. It seems ridiculous, but I wasn't hugely confident that my modifications would work, but now it is complete, I'm pretty pleased.

The flag was relatively simple (one of the reasons I chose the Scottish flag, not the British Union Jack!). The Bald Eagle became a Golden Eagle, just by subbing one of the existing colours in. There are quite a number of Golden Eagles in Scotland, although I've not been fortunate enough to see them in the wild. The design in the shield of the drum took more thought - I could repeat the flag motif, but I thought that a little dull. And then I thought about the Lion Rampant, the symbol of Scotland. It was a bit of challenge to make it recognisable and still fit but I managed it!

This isn't a design I would have stitched without the SAL, so thank you ladies for your encouragement!

O is For Owl Finished

2010-02-14T11:34:00.000-08:00

Hi to all,
I finished O is for Owl Jan 29th and am just getting around to posting the finished product.

I have started P is for Parrot with has been really fun to stitch with a little more color. It has been a cold snowy winter so I getting alot of stitching done.

I hope to continue stitching one letter each month so the series will be finished this year.
Happy stitching to each of you.
Deana in Mo.

I'm done for February!

2010-02-10T18:30:00.000-08:00

I just finished my second letter for the month of February! It's "B" is for Blackbird! When I signed up for this SAL, I said I would do 2 letters a month! Well, February is a wrap!

I'm looking forward to March for the letter "K" and "T" AND hopefully no more snow!

I did change one color...The red I used DMC 816...I did the same for the Letter "A"...

Keep the faith,

-Holly

February Update

2010-02-10T10:12:00.001-08:00

Hello, fellow stitchers! Here is the latest on my Prairie Schooler ABC project. There was a question on my last posting about the ecru Congress cloth I am using on this project. It is 24 ct. So I tried to take a close-up photo--this was the best I could do--hope it helps!

I was having such a good time stitching on this that I finished far more than I expected-E,N, & W. Plus a small start on V and X that I hope to finish by the end of this month.

On the letter E, I am debating about the background on the embroidery piece. The dark color wasn't working for me, so for now I have left it like an unfinished piece. But I might come back later and put in a background--what are you doing on this letter?

I just ordered the Pins and Needles Prairie Schooler chart. I am determined to use the P is for Pincushion instead of the P is for Parrot. But it will be later this year before I get to P, so I'm sure it will be a few months before I get around to revising the chart. Is anyone else planning to switch?

Guess What Letter

2010-02-07T13:49:00.000-08:00

I'm really changing this one up, so I thought, while I'm working on stitching it, maybe ya'll can guess which letter it's going to be from this little hint. Game?

Will You Be My Friend?

2010-02-07T13:45:00.000-08:00

My Letter F (F is for Friend) is finished. Our 33 inch snowfall gave me the opportunity to stitch a lot. I switched around some colors; already mentioned the hand. The biggest change was the green dress to Hyacinth. So that wouldn't stick out like a sore thumb I made the letter "F" and the flower Hyacinth as well. The other thing I enjoyed was changing the brick path between them from the same red as the houses to another color. I let the color name inspire this switch; it was "Brick Path". A no brainer, I know. It seems to me that using lighter colors for the letters is helping them stand out more. Colors used were Gentle Art Schoolhouse Red, Grecian Gold, Apple Cider, Avacado, Hyacinth, Blue Jay, Picnic Basket, Woodrose, Raspberry Frost, and Brick Path; Crescent Snowball and Black Coffee.

I now have a B

2010-02-06T17:47:00.000-08:00

I finally got the B finished. I don't know what it is about this SAL but I sure have made lots of mistakes. I had to rip out three days worth of stitching on this block :( It took me at least 5 hours to rip out because of course one over one on 25 count is not that easy to rip. Anyway I have put that all behind me and I now love this block. I especially enjoyed stitching the little house with the pie in the window. I made two color changes from the original, I changed the bird's eye color to blue (DMC 926) and I stitched the letter B in DMC 3722. I see that my B shows up so much better than my A, I may have to change that A at some point but will leave it for now.
Take care and happy stitching,

My Introduction

2010-02-05T21:10:00.000-08:00

Thanks so much for letting me join the ABC Stitching Bee! I've been collecting Prairie Schooler designs for several years, and recently completed my collection of the ABC set. I've read all of the posts and admired everyone's progress. WOW--there is some serious stitching going on here!

In reading all the posts, I've driven myself nearly crazy trying to decide on fabric count, 1 over 1, 2 over 2, floss choices, and worst of all--deciding the layout. I really want to stitch the whole alphabet. As I've been reading, I've drawn possible layouts all over both sides of several pieces of paper! However, after all this agonizing, I'm convinced I won't be happy unless stitch it in the 9 x 3 format like the wonderful photo is! I'm leaning toward 25 ct Lugana stitched 1 over 1 (now to order some fabric!).

While I love the overdyed conversion Katherine came up with, DMC fits my budget better at the moment. Also, thanks so much to everyone who have posted adjustments to the floss colors as they're stitching; I'm sure I'll be combing the posts for advice as I stitch.

Here's my confession: I'm a totally over-committed stitcher (serious inability to stop joining SALS!), have little experience with 1 over 1, work full time, and have lousy close-up vision (just got a pair of prism glasses with +8 diopter specifically for my stitching). I do not like using my Mag-Eyes or Dazor floor stand magnifier (altho I swear by the light it provides).

So, at the moment I have nothing to show, but I hope to be getting started soon.

Happy Stitching!

Vicki in CO

P.S. Vonna, after reading your blog this evening, I have already made out my 2010 Christmas Wish List---I would love of those Needlework System 4 floor stands! Looks so much more versatile than the American Dream Products one I have. How high will it adjust? I need the fabric 8-10" from my eyes to see it clearly, but I also love to be able to use both hands to stitch.

A Beautiful Bird.

2010-02-04T19:03:00.000-08:00

Despite me having to return to the daily work/school routine, I've continued stitching on this lovely project. I'm quite enjoying it, as well. The colors are just beautiful! I love how my birdie in the A block has turned out with the use of GA Toffee.

32 count R&R Reproductions linen

overdyed flosses over two

PS ABCs, block A

A bit blurry, but I did my best!

I have also been focusing on this one project, shocking I know! This SAL is motivating me to actually finish something. Thanks y'all! (:

By the way, does anyone have any suggestions to get better photos of my stitching? I can't seem to get the results I'm looking for. The photos I take always turn out blurry, dark, or just plain ugly.

Until next time...au revoir!

Jack in progress with Kitty looking on in shock.

2010-02-03T14:15:00.000-08:00

While still getting used to the mechanics associated with blog building, I am discovering that Google, Blog and Webshots are not playing well together. I will take a walk back through earlier blocks in later posts.

Meanwhile, it was a rough wrestle with the scroll rods and scanner bed but here is Kitty beside a growing Jack O'Lantern.

One of the overdyed oranges I am using just isn't different enough to work well. Since I will not be clipping it out, I will have to backstitch it to let the segments show up. That's what I get for not testing something out in the margins. One of the great things about Prairie Schooler patterns is the almost nonexistent backstitching.

Floss Skein Instructions

2010-02-03T11:49:00.000-08:00

I've posted step by step instructions, with photos on my blog for all those who want to do the floss skein like I did it on my Letter E (E is for Embroidery).
Hope this helps.

S is for "Snowing" not "Sewing"!

2010-02-03T03:18:00.001-08:00

Well, I'm halfway through my February goal of two letters! I had a snow day off from work on Monday and I was able to complete the letter "S". In light of all the snow we are having this winter season, I think we need to change this block to S is for Snowing!

It's off to start the letter "B"!

-Holly

Picking up after a couple of years

2010-02-02T17:18:00.000-08:00

I was so happy to discover this blog stitch along. I started my blocks several years ago on a full yard of 32/33 ct Belgian raw linen, using 1 strand of cotton, regular and assorted overdyes adding some textural stitches as I go along. I love these designs but I get distracted by other projects and the 36 inch scroll rods that this piece is on are not the easiest things to wrangle to put in just a couple of stitches.

I don't have a picture of the whole piece but I do have pictures of many of the blocks thus far.

Completed are A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, K. J is in process. This picture gives a better feel for the how these wonderful blocks stack. I loved tinkering with the Beeskeps and bees wings.

slow start--very slow start

2010-02-01T21:05:00.000-08:00

I'm still on the first letter. The first one is always the hardest, or so I am telling myself. I'm a cross stitcher who has lost her eyesight, so by the time I get all the lights, magnifying glasses and perfect glasses gathered, my time is limited. I'm getting with the program as you guys are inspiring.

Third time a charm....

2010-01-31T20:54:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,
I am really happy to be taking part in this SAL. I have had these charts for several years and was never sure what to do with them, I just knew that I loved them. I was speechless when I saw the photo on Vonna's blog that got this all started. I was thrilled to see this sal and many thanks to Vonna for doing this.
I am stitching this all on one piece of 25 count ivory lugana, one over one, with the DMC threads that are called for except for a few changes here and there. I did change the red 3857 to 221, except for the letter A and I used 3721 there.
This was my third start on this, the first attempt was on 28 count over one and my eyes did not like that. I then tried a different 25 count, can't remember what it was but it seemed hard to see and was rather fuzzy, then I finally started on the 25ct. lugana.
As you can see from the date on this from my camera, I had this much done by Jan. 17th, I now have quite a bit of the B done so I will hopefully post again within a week.
I am really enjoying seeing everyone's progress and the different layouts.

Take care,
Brenda

A Small Start.

2010-01-31T18:58:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd go ahead and share with you the small bit I've done on my A block.

32 count R&R Reproductions linen

overdyed cotton floss

Prairie Schooler ABCs, block A

Its not much, but I'm happy with it. I've chosen to leave only 3/4" as the margin for finishing because I'm doing ornies. For a list of my conversions, visit my blog under the post "cabin fever". They're a mixture of CC, WDW, and GA. Hope to be able to show you more next time!

Katie (:

Friendship

2010-01-31T11:43:00.001-08:00

Working now on the Letter F. Steady progress this weekend. Some color changes, particularly the hand/glove. Originally charted to be flesh colored, I thought that was a bit creepy - a dismembered hand? Oh, yeah, I'd want that to represent my friendship with someone! So, I've made it white, like a glove; because my friends have to leave their gloves at home before they come to my house. I'm too busy stitching to clean!

Finished with the Letter E

2010-01-31T10:10:00.000-08:00

Here's my completed E is for Embroidery. My favorite embroidery scissors are by Sajou; imitation tortoise shell. So, I redid the color scheme so they could be represented in this panel. I also substituted my initial into what she's working on.
Additionally, I wasn't crazy about the weird blob that was in the middle. Was that supposed to be a cat? Anyway, I was going to do a thimble, actually stitched it, but didn't like it so took it out. Then what to do?! It hit me this morning. A skein of floss! For those interested, I will put a brief instruction on how to do the floss skein and the overdyed colors list, mostly Gentle Art, I used on my blog.

Yet Another Newbie...

2010-01-29T15:11:00.000-08:00

Hello, everyone!

My name is Katie and I'm ridiculously excited to be able to be part of this stitching bee. I'm a fairly new stitcher, but I have dived in head first and find it to be absolutely addicting.

Today I traveled to my favorite LNS and got all of the charts, fibers, and fabric. I plan to do each one individually as an oversized ornament.

I also have a blog, which I just recently started, so its still under construction.

Once again, thank you so much for allowing me to be part of this SAL, and I look forward to getting to know all of you. (:

Katie

The Letter A

2010-01-28T11:22:00.000-08:00

I have completed "A is for Anchor" and I'm thrilled with the way it has turned out. I've decided to do A, B, and C as one and have it finished into a pillow. Still thinking on how I will do the rest of the alphabet so I look to you gals (are there any guys?) for inspiration.

Milly~

The Letter "J"

2010-01-25T06:33:00.001-08:00

Good Morning! I finished the letter "J" last night! I was busy cheering on the Saints to an NFC victory!

Well, I made my goal of stitching 2 letters in the month of January! Let's see if I can continue for February! I will start the letter "S" on February 1st!

In the meantime, I will go back to my Mary Pierce Sampler! I'm also working on an embroidered coat for my Bleuette Doll and an Elizabethan Tutor Rose piece using detached buttonhole!

Happy Stitches,

-Holly

Newbie!!!

2010-01-24T11:56:00.000-08:00

Hi all ,My name is Mary ,I am getting ready to start mine .What i am wondering is how is everyone setting up there as one big piece ,how is it you r lining up the letters .. i am trying to figure this out and was wondering what everyone else is doing , i have all the charts all i have to get is my cloth ,,

S is for Start

2010-01-24T10:11:00.000-08:00

Okay! S is for Sewing.
First, Welcome to all the lovely ladies that have joined on.
Second, all the stitching here is fabulous and enjoi looking at them.
and last, I made my start last week and did not get far. I will be traveling from left to right and up.

Jackie

Hi, newbie here

2010-01-24T07:36:00.000-08:00

Thanks Vonna for allowing me to join in this stitch along. I have been collecting some of this prairie schooler alphabet patterns for a while but as yet, need to get all of them. I am so glad I stumbled across this SAL. I didn't know that the letter N was a larger format and since I want to incorporate all of the letters in one framed piece will have to figure out what would be easiest to do. So I'm grateful to read through some of the postings and see what everyone else has done.
I have been a needle woman all of my life. Whether it is cross stitch, crewel, needlepoint, quilting and sewing, textiles have always been a good friend.
I'll share more at other times, I need to order the IJK, MNO, PQR,STU,VWX and the fabric to stitch it on. Any suggestions?
The smallest count I have used to date was a 32 count, but I recently acquired an up-light and have different choices of magnifiers to help with the vision so I feel ready to join my first SAL.

Jane, aka quiltsmiles

E is for Embroidery - Progressing

2010-01-22T08:14:00.001-08:00

We've had sleet, freezing rain and snow slip in overnite. I sat a little extra longer this morning working on this and wanted to give you a peek at how she's coming along. The woman's dress is done using Gentle Art overdyed floss - Blue Jay. What a lovely color that was to work with on this dreary winter morning.

Beat the Drum...

2010-01-20T09:20:00.000-08:00

I'm still working on this - not much, to be honest, because I'm working on my own freebie January Biscornu and Fob - and I had to take a break to do a bit of re-design ...

So far, I've been lucky - my borders have matched up first time on each block - hope this continues!

Slow progress... the colours on these pictures aren't great because of the artificial light - the low energy fluorescents give a very yellow cast...

This next picture shows the first change I've made - the eagle is now a Golden Eagle, and not a Bald Eagle. Apart from the fact that in the UK, we don't have Bald Eagles, I'm afraid I can't take them seriously - too much Muppet Show when I was young! Basically, I've swapped the colour of the eagle and the arrow - so this block with have less 3371 than most of the other blocks, but I don't think it will throw the balance off too much.

The other amendments I'm going to make are to put a Scottish flag in the box, and a Lion Rampant in the shield - these are all charted out, just need to be worked now!

And I'll buy a vowel please

2010-01-18T21:25:00.000-08:00

It is so cool to see so many different ways that you all are stitching these same designs. I've just read over all the posts since my last visit and all I can say is "OH MY!!". This is really fun to watch, thank you all for sharing not only your progress but your problems, suggestions and tips as well.

My charts and threads finally arrived the week of Christmas, what a really nice gift I gave myself. So A is for Anchor was one of two New Year's starts for me. Even with a nagging visit from the frog this one only took a couple of days to finish up. I was really surprised how fast it went. Like Vonna, I've set my goal for one a month because I have sooooo many WIPS that I really want to work on. But if the rest of them stitch as quickly I might revise that goal upwards a bit.

I've also been working on MaryWigham and was reminded by that SAL group that when I was young (in the very olden days) we used to dedicate our stitching to family members and friends. Since I've lost some really loved family and friends in the past couple of years I thought I might revive that tradition with a few of the ABC blocks. So I've put my uncle's initials in this 'nautical' block because he was a 'sailing man' all his life.

Thanks for sharing your beautiful works, I am so enjoying them all.

Happy Stitching
Yoyo

My Blog
My Photo Gallery

DRUMroll Please

2010-01-18T13:40:00.000-08:00

My D is for Drum is complete. Finished it up last night and this morning began on E is for Embroidery. I never did like how my eagle's beak didn't show up well against the fabric background, so this morning I gave it a little backstitch using GA Picnic Basket. Also, forgot to mention earlier that I'd turned the flag around right ways. Never did understand why it was like that in the chart.

Warning on E - note before you stitch

2010-01-18T13:22:00.000-08:00

I've just begun E is for Embroidery and I've noticed that the stitch count for that one is wrong. Although the chart says 70 - I've counted 71 across. Someone who has the chart, double check it for me and post a comment, please. I've counted this several times now and still come up with 71. The problem is the top part of the chair; it is one stitch over the 70. My answer to the problem is that I'm just going to move the entire chairback in by one stitch (taking a little off her butt - and what one of us wouldn't like to do that ourselves?) Hope that this helps.

Gim'me an A

2010-01-18T10:53:00.001-08:00

Here I am, the "leader" of this blog and I'm so far behind the pack it isn't even funny. But I'm living up to my goal which is to accomplish 1 per month (at least). Here is my first installment: Gim'me an A:

Prairie Schooler Alphabets ~ Letter A

1/1 on 25 ct. Lugana (Vonna's Bake and Basted Fabric)

DMC as charted

Advice for "Over One"

2010-01-18T05:10:00.000-08:00

If anyone's interested, I just found an article on the Cross Stitch and Needlework Magazine website called Tips for Over One Stitching. It's a PDF file that you can download and save on your computer. When the link opens, it's the 6th one down below "Freebies". Happy Stitching!

Color Changes

2010-01-16T05:58:00.001-08:00

Thanks for your wonderful comments. You inspire me - only 24 more blocks to go!!!
Here are the color changes I made to blocks M*N*O - not very interesting reading - grab your coffee or tea:
M BLOCK
Mermaid: hair 838 to 938 & added a curl, flesh 407 to 950, tail 3052 to 3013 Fish: 3011 to 3012
N BLOCK
Birds: 3857 to 3858, 838 to 839 3828 to 422, 420 to 680; Fledglings: 422 to 677, 3828 to 422 Nest: 869 to 3828, 838 to 839 BS: 422
O BLOCK
Owl: upper chest 3828 to 422, lower body 3828; Leaves: bottom right & left red leaves next to trunk 3857 to 3858 Letter Box: leaves around letter 3012 to 3013, 3011 to 3012, 3362 to 3052, letter "O" 3857 to 3722 Small Owl: 3828 to 422, 838 to 839

I started in the center with the letter N because it was the largest of the blocks - 74 by 102, stitched it and then roped off all the blocks in that size. I really like the dark richness of the Flickr photo and don't want to lose that look. As for the colors, you've probably noticed I've gone a shade lighter, not really deviating in actual color (exception letter "O" which might get ripped out later - UGH!). I pulled out my DMC thread chart, found the original color and went from there. I was concerned that the first stitchers were finding that the alphabet letters were not showing up. The color world has its own language and I, unfortunately, have not learned it but I'm trying to keep all the letters the same value and still be visible. In some of the posted photos, I really like the white space left around the letters. If I had seen that first, I might have done the same and left that area unstitched. Hope this helps - Happy Stitching!

Progress on D is for Drum

2010-01-14T12:39:00.001-08:00

I've been working on this since New Year's Day and can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our weather today finally allowed me outside for more than 5 seconds. We still have some snow on the ground and the Winterberry Holly looks great against it. I have changed to overdyed cottons and brightened or lightened the colors. I also switched some colors around so they'd stand out either against the coffee color of my linen or the dark brown (particularly in the letter block). I'm very pleased with the results. I am a member of the NSDAR and can say without equivocation that this is my favorite letter block of the entire alphabet. Overdyed cottons used are GA Presidential Blue, GA Schoolhouse Red, GA Grecian Gold, GA Dark Chocolate, GA Maple Syrup, CC Snowball, WDW Envy, and WDW Moss. I will post my entire color conversion chart on my blog.

Pins and Needles

2010-01-14T10:47:00.000-08:00

Does anyone have this Prairie Schooler pamphlet? I am wondering if this P for Pincushion could be substituted for the P for Parrot? What are your thoughts?

A Start

2010-01-13T10:50:00.000-08:00

I am amazed and inspired by all the beautiful stitching. I didn't get my supplies until mid-December and didn't get started until December 30. It's been slow stitching but I've managed to get 3 blocks done. Probably won't see that again but I'm hoping to stitch at least 1 block a month. Like Margaret I'm having trouble with the colors. I don't know if the photography/lighting of the leaflets made colors appear lighter or because I'm stitching on a smaller count that makes the colors appear darker. In any case, I seem to be making a lot of changes. Can't thank Barbara and Deb enough about the difference in block sizes and how to adjust. It saved a lot of frustration. I went ahead and 'roped' out the blocks to avoid counting when I'd rather be stitching. Here's my progress to date:

M*N*O by The Priairie Schooler

25ct (over1) Fairy Dust evenweave

DMC cotton floss

M is for Mermaid (I added a curl - couldn't help myself)

N is for Nest

O is for Owl

I didn't know if I should post my color changes or not. If you're interested I'll be happy to share.

D is for Drum

2010-01-13T00:56:00.000-08:00

I've not had a lot of time for stitching over the last few days as I've had work and Uni stuff piling up. This is where I'm at with D is for Drum, the next letter I'm working on. I have to confess this is my least favourite of the designs. It's just so very American and flag wavingly patriotic, and I'm not. I wish designers would realise that they sell to international markets ... Anyway, I have been working with my design software and have come up with some amendments. The flag is going to be a Scottish saltire, the drum will have a Lion Rampant in the shield (and that took some doing!) and the Bald Eagle will change species and become a Golden Eagle.

Coming out of hiding

2010-01-11T08:09:00.000-08:00

I have been lurking and watching the progress. You guys have been busy. I have started on the "N for Nest" in the big middle of this big piece of fabric. I have trouble starting a project, but I am coming along with this one. Thanks for the inspiration. Watching the progress makes me get on with mine. (Pictures soon.)

A is for Anchor

2010-01-10T14:12:00.000-08:00

I've finally started working on my alphabet and I'm really enjoying it. This is my progress so far. I'm stitching this one on 28 count lugana in Potato. Not sure if I will keep them separate, though I'm tempted to do A, B, and C together and finish it into a pillow.

Milly~

Stitching Obsession II

A is for Anchor

2010-01-09T02:10:00.000-08:00

I started this on the 28th of December, and finished it on the 5th of January, as I wanted to stitch my New Year's Day pieces too. Again, this was mostly worked whilst listening to the coverage of the cricket in South Africa - cross stitch and cricket go very well together!

This is how it grew:

And this is how the first row completed looks:

Apologies for the dark pictures - we have grey skies because of all the snow we're getting.

I didn't make any changes to this. Although I may go back and work two of the letters in the compass rose in a different colour, as N and W are my initials :o)

D is for Drum is taking slightly longer to work, as I'm doing a bit of a re-design - the flag and shield motif are being changed to designs more appropriate for someone who is not American, and the eagle is changing species too!

O is for Owl

2010-01-06T17:10:00.000-08:00

Just thought I'd post my progress with O is for Owl. Since I signed up for the stitching bee, I have been stitching a lot on this piece. I really enjoy everyones pictures that are being posted.

Until next time,
Happy Stitching
Deana

My New Year's Start!

2010-01-03T17:18:00.000-08:00

Well, I picked up my needle on New Year's Day and begin my Prairie Schooler ABC Project! As of this afternoon, I completed the letter "A". I am stitching on 25 count cream colored evenweave fabric with the called for DMC threads. I did make a change. I used 816 instead of the called for 3857 (red). I thought the 816 showed up a little better. I am doing the stitching over one thread. I like how it is turning out!

I plan to stitch 2 letters a month. I hope this won't be too ambitious. I won't be sarting my second letter ("J") until January 15th. I have several other projects I'm working on and I need to give them a little attention.

Thanks for looking.

-Holly

I'd like to buy a Y...

2010-01-02T13:21:00.000-08:00

over one on 30ct Legacy linen

With & and Z behind me, I'm moving on to Y. I'm procrastinating on this block because, well...it's my least favorite on the whole design. I should redesign it to say Y is for yappers, and add my Boston's, Ruby and Scarlett, instead of the cat. I'm really enjoying this project though. It's fun to see everyone's progress, too.

A Long Journey But I'm Here!

2010-01-02T12:16:00.000-08:00

Let me introduce myself--my name is Teresa S and I live in Kent, WA. Here is my New Year's start to this wonderful SAL. Love the no pressure aspect very much, Vonna! Hard to believe but this is my very first Prairie Schooler stitch.

It has been a long journey to get to this point. I ordered all the charts for this project back in late November from 123 stitch. They mailed them and the post office delivered them, but NOT TO ME! So, after they didn't show up, I contacted 123 stitch and they graciously sent me another set of the charts. Well, I talked to my post woman, my neighbors, and nobody had seen the original package, so I put the whole situation in God's hands. About 2 weeks after the first package had been "delivered" somewhere it showed up on my doorstep. Now 123 stitch has the original package back.

I am stitching on 24 ct. ecru Congress cloth and using continental/tent stiches. And, I wanted to substitue overdyes for the DMC threads and went thru the same dilemma that Katherine has so beautifully described on her posting. (Thanks for pointing the way, Katherine!) So it took most of December to get the overdyes situated and a large enough piece of Congress cloth to put all these letters together. (If anyone is interested in a list of the overdyes, email me privately and I will be happy to send them. kiddlady@yahoo.com) Now I have finally started in the middle with E, N, and W. I have a funny desire to check my margins when I begin stitching because no matter how carefully I count, divide, etc. sometimes I end up with an unhappy surprise regarding margins. So I started with 3 vertical letters. I am using stretcher bars and have rolled the excess canvas up on the right side and will stitch from the middle and move left, then shift the canvas over and stitch from the middle to the right. Does that make sense? Looking forward to watching everyone's progress!

My New Year's Start

2010-01-02T09:54:00.000-08:00

I'm starting my letters with the charts I have. That should take me a while to get through. Yesterday I sat down and began on the letter D. I have coffee dyed my 28 count Flax linen following Vonna's directions on Basted and Baked fabric. Except I tossed the wet grounds on my fabric when I put it in the oven which gave me the darker areas. I am stitching over one using the overdyed flosses I mentioned in my last post. Also, where I see a need for it, I am changing colors a bit. For instance, the eagle's head was to be done in "pale gold" (420 or 422 I think) and that was just not going to show up on my fabric. So, I changed it to white. Regrets - I didn't pay attention to where the dark spot was. Maybe it would have been better if I'd flipped it so the eagle was on the lighter portion. Also, sometimes I'm really SLOW to learn. I now know the reason why so many of you are stitching on evenweave as opposed to linen. I may change my fabric after this strip, or I may just follow on with this; depends on how frustrated I get with losing stitches over one. Have to work on other stuff this weekend, so I don't expect to get as much done as I did yesterday for a while. Happy New Year all.

Letter A Done - On to Letter B

2010-01-01T11:20:00.000-08:00

I met my goal of finishing A for the month of December, and then got carried away and continued on to the letter B. I think I was having too much fun! I'm planning on doing a letter a month, but may do more as my mood changes!

I'd like to introduce myself

2010-01-01T05:35:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to all. My name is Deana and I live in Missouri. I have been thinking about joining this stitch a long for some time but have hesitated because I started stitching the alphabet when it was 1st released a few years ago. I hope no one minds. I started with the A and I'm stitching on 28ct. Lambswool linen. Although I am pleased with the finished pieces, I wish I had started them on an evenweave and stitch them over 1 thread on 1 piece of fabric. I am on the O is for Owl and I think the support from the stitch a long will help me work on mine a little more often.
I have never joined any online stitch a longs before so this is all new to me. I have also joined a year long stitch a long from Needle Delights and will begin my project for that today.
I am a rotation stitcher and enjoy stitching on different projects.
I will take a picture of my current alphabet piece and post it soon.
Thanks Vonna for letting me join and thanks to all for the support.
Deana

Happy Dance! - B is for Blackbird

2009-12-31T09:10:00.001-08:00

Design: B is for Blackbird (from A*B*C)

Designer: Prairie Schooler

Threads: DMC as charted, modification noted below.
Fabric: 28 count evenweave, cream

Stitches: Half cross stitch

This is my final stitching happy dance for 2009. I finished it on the 28th, and I'd hoped to have had "A is for Anchor" done too, but work commitments have got in the way... sigh. It's not very flat, as I laid it out on my fluffy duvet...

I loved working on this, despite a visit from the frog. I only made one modification from the design as it was charted, and that was to turn the red eyes of the blackbirds into one of the gold colours, as blackbirds over here have yellow rims to their eyes. It was nice working on this to think of the nesting pair of blackbirds my parents' garden hosted - they used to make their nest in an old honeysuckle bush.

And is is how it looks with the first letter I did.

I'm so enjoying this, I'm not sure I'm going to want to knuckle down to my Year of the UFO project, but I must...

"A" Almost Complete

2009-12-28T14:26:00.000-08:00

Now that I have started stitching on the PS ABC's I feel like an official member of this group. After stitching the "A" I decided that the red (3857) did not show up well against the brown so I picked out the tiny stitches and re-stitched it using 815. It looked much better so I plucked out the red flag and compass and re-stitched those as well.

I am pleased that I am almost finished and I look forward to moving on.

B is for ... bumbling on

2009-12-28T05:42:00.001-08:00

Day 1

Day 2(under artificial light)

Day 3

The combination of a peaceful Christmas with no travelling and Test Match Special on the radio, with live coverage of England's cricketers taking on South Africa has given me plenty of stitching time until I start work again tomorrow (boo, hiss!).

So my Prairie Schooler SAL is growing apace ... of course, when talking about over one, 'growing' is a relative term ... but hopefully, I will finish it later today. I've had a visit from the frog, I miscounted the vine border and was one stitch out by the time I got to the top ... I've reworked the horizontal row at the top, but the leaves and berries I've left alone, it can be our little secret :o)

(cross posted to my own blog)

Overdye Conversions

2009-12-26T11:22:00.000-08:00

You guys are killing me!!!! Why was I so dumb as to say "I'm not going to start until January 1"???? Why didn't someone say, Katherine, you're going to regret that?????

Well, I do regret it. However, I have used my time wisely. Thanks to Beth, who posted the comprehensive list of DMC colors, I have been able to work on my conversions. Remember, I said I was going to do the ABCs in overdyed flosses. I don't have all my charts yet, so what Beth did was a HUGE help to me.

As I'm sure you all know, there is not a one for one conversion chart, anywhere, from DMC to any of the 3 main overdye manufacturers (GA, WDW, and CC). I did LOTS of research online last week on those conversion charts that are out there to be had (I will post my links to the converters on my blog). Then I had to do side by side comparisons of what the converters said. In many cases I could be overheard to say "Are they nuts!?" So, needless to say, the conversion charts are just suggestions.

Then I took out all my GA and WDW (I don't have a set of CC) to fill in the blanks or make replacements as the case may be. The thing I wanted to do was lighten up the colors (or maybe brighten up would be a better term) as was suggested by Margaret. I definitely felt that the designs overall had too much pink in them for me so I got rid of a lot of that pinky overtone. There is also another color substitution that I'm cogitating on, but I have a long way to go before I get to that letter. So here I've posted my picture of my floss rings. There are three of them because I have so many colors. I've got the original DMCs called for on the charts in the bags with the colors I'm substituting. I thought there was no way I was going to keep all this straight, so sat down and typed up a table of flosses that I'll use to cheat by.

Happy Dance! - C is for Cow

2009-12-24T05:49:00.000-08:00

Thank you for all your kind comments on this so far - you've really been an incentive to keep stitching, and now my cow is finished! I've been lucky in that all my Christmas preparations were completed early and so I've had time to stitch :o)

I can't promise I'll keep this speed up in future, but here's to starting B is for Blackbird later today!

A Little Progress

2009-12-23T10:16:00.000-08:00

I thought I'd be finished with the A block, but the holidays are really putting a damper on my stitching. I've also made a couple mistakes. I've got one too many rows (an extra row above the A) and for some reason the bird's tail went one stitch over into the margin. But I'm leaving four between each block going across and I'll just add an extra row to all the blocks going down to make up the difference. I'm planning on doing a block a month. I also changed out the color for the Letter A. I'm using 920 and it seems to show up better IRL.

And a little bit more...

2009-12-23T03:24:00.000-08:00

Doesn't my cow look docile, considering I've launched her into orbit round the moon? :o)

This is working up fairly quickly, and perhaps I can have a Christmas happy dance? Well, just for this part!

A start!

2009-12-22T10:17:00.000-08:00

When I posted previously, I said I was going to just stitch the little boxes with the letters, but that wasn't really working for me in the end. So, I decided to bite the bullet and go for the full blown designs! Eek!

I'm going to stitch them over one on 28 count evenweave, but only do a half cross stitch in two strands. I've done this before and liked the effect.

I'm going to do the alphabet in three pieces, so I will have a layout of 3 x 3 on each piece - it brings them down to a more sensible size for handling, I like working with a small hoop in hand.

So, here's the set up, with my lovely Prairie Schooler floss tag I received from Laurence on Hooked on Exchanges...

And this is after my first session on Sunday - I'm starting with C is for Cow, as there was a nice solid border on the right hand side so I could just measure and go ... well, calculate, measure, calculate, measure and go...

I'm happy with the coverage of the threads, on the whole. Of course, as it's going to be framed, it only needs to look good from a distance :o) It looks yellowish because of the lighting, unfortunately.

And this is how it looked after Monday night's session:

I did a little bit of frogging (and you can just about see the fluff left) as I felt that the C didn't stand out enough against the dark background, so I'm going to leaveall the letter spaces unfilled. For now... I may decide to do them in a paler colour later, I think I need to ponder on this a bit more.

I've counted all the grids on the charts, and I think for this section all are 70 wide, and there's only one that isn't 100 stitches high. I'm leaving 5 threads between each design to allow for 'leakage'.

My goal is to stitch this before the end of the month, and then to stitch one piece a month, as I'm also trying to get rid of all my other UFOs! I guess having to update you guys will keep me on the straight and narrow :o)

K and U

2009-12-21T06:18:00.000-08:00

Here are K and U.

And here is the whole thing so far.

I used 221 for the red in the K block. I also had to lighten up most of the colors in the cat.

Also, I don't know how many of you have been reading the comments. But Deb brings up a good point in the spacing of the blocks. (A bit too late for me, but I'll survive.) The N block is 74 stitches wide. Deb took the time to check the picture that we were all inspired by, and the spacing on that is to leave 2 stitches between the top and bottom of the blocks and to leave 4 stitches between the sides of the blocks. Where a block is 101 stitches tall (instead of 100), you just leak into the allowance up top. Where the block is 72 to 74 stitches wide (instead of 70), you overflow into the margins. Clear as mud, right? :D But I thought you all might want to know that. Thanks Deb, for figuring that out!!!

Happy holidays, everyone! I'm thinking about taking a bit of a break from the Alphabets, so we'll see.
Margaret

Received the rest of my charts

2009-12-16T13:21:00.000-08:00

I got the rest of my Prairie Schooler ABC charts in the mail last Friday, so I am all set (not like I was waiting impatiently - I had 6 designs to stitch before I NEEDED the others). But it's nice to see them all anyway.

I've also worked just a little more on J is for Jack-o-Lantern, and here's my progress so far.