Walls for the wind and a roof for the rain and drinks beside the fire ~
laughter to cheer you and those you love near you and all that your heart desires.

Sunday, February 10, 2013

Some days...

Have you ever had one of those days when everything goes straight into the dumpster? I had one yesterday. I was stitching my Hannah Canting and was wondering why the rows on the top half were not extending all the way to the edge (I had basted in the right and left margins, as well as the centre.) I kept checking my pattern, and it was what was charted, but it felt....wrong. I got out my copy of Edwina Ehrmans book The Judith  Hayle Samplers, and Hannah Canting is on the cover. The chart was not matching up with the picture. There seemed to be about an inch, give or take a few stitches, missing from the end of the rows of the top half of the sampler graph. I started to add to the rows using the picture as a guide, but the pic is really small, and my eyes were starting to hurt. Starting and stopping threads in order to add such a short section of stitching was also a problem. I then sat back and took stock. Did I really want to do this? I have been unhappy with Hannah this week because, for some unknown reason, I had started her on 40 ct instead of 32. Some of the thread colours were also not showing up on the fabric (I was using antique ivory, probably my favorite linen for repros) and I was wishing I had changed them. I went and took a shower and while the water was smacking me in the face came to a decision. I trashed Hannah. I cut the stitched section off and will use the fabric for something else. So I am back to square one, trying to decide on a sampler for Nicola`s Scarlet Letter Year blog.

Lord help me!

Here are the samplers I am considering:

Margaret Gatis, or:


Ruth Bacheler, or:

 The Unicorn Sampler, or:


Dorcas Haynes, or:

 Mary Moyse.

These seem to be the main contenders. I think i`ll sleep on it and do a little (a lot!) of cleaning and organizing in my sewing room while I decide. I am leaning towards Mary Moyse, Ruth Bacheler or Dorcas Haynes as these are all kitted up. Hopefully I can make a decision soon.

Keep stitching ladies!





9 comments:

Cindy said...

I have decided to do Ruth. Ordered her at The Attic this week.

Chris said...

Tough choices! They are all gorgeous. Sorry about Hannah.

Kerri said...

I think you made the right decision. Your time spent with a needle should be enjoyable not work. I think any of these SL charts are wonderful - my fav is Ruth Bachelor. Someone is almost finished with the M. Gatis one and she said the satin stitch areas were difficult.
Good luck with your decision.

Peggy Lee said...

Sometimes you just have to kick it to the curb and start something else that gives you those warm fuzzies we feel when we are really enjoying the design! Good for you!!

Oh my...all these are gorgeous. Like the comments before me, I like Ruth but the Unicorn is catching my eye because of the part at the top.
I am anxious too see which you will choose.
~hugs

Nicola said...

I am so sorry but this is meant to be enjoyable. I really admire those who stitch on 40ct but I know that I would struggle with my eyes.

All the samplers you have chosen are beautiful. We have very similar tastes. I have all of them except one which I will now be adding to my stash.

Tommye said...

Great choices! I'm working Margret Gatis now and once I got past the over three part, it started sailing along.

Ruth is a lovely sampler. Enjoy! I look forward to watching your progress.

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Pam Tanner said...

All your future choices are really pretty! I have considered a few of the charts myself, as in the "I want" category. I know the feeling of giving up. I did that on Moira Blackburn Three things sampler. Huge sampler and unfortunately I had completed so much it wasn't worth tearing out, I just tossed the whole thing. Felt sick to do so!