2014 Swan Stitch-A-Long

Swan Stitch-A-Long for 2014

 

Fall is here, and it is time to announce our next Swan Stitch-A-Long.  We want to thank Linda Schmunk for leading our SAL for 2013.  It was “Past and Present” by Rosewood Manor.  She did a fabulous job encouraging us along, and it is such a gorgeous piece.

 

For 2014 our SAL piece will be “Emma Rose Friendship” by Tree Of Life Samplings.  The stitch count is 230 x 130 and the pattern calls for NP Silks (there is a DMC conversion), and 40 ct Lakeside Vintage Buttercream Linen.  The NP Silks called for are:  202, 206, 207, 208, 222, 225, 226, 301, 303, 325, 332, 473, 663, 664, 692, 766, 767, 851, 957, and 993.  I am thinking about using a comparable overdyed silk for the solid yellow house and the solid brownish/red house next to it.

 

If you know me, you know that I really love patterns with houses, and I also love the “friendship” theme in this beautiful piece.  I will probably add some initials to my piece, of friends that have made a difference in my life.

 

We encourage you to buy your pattern and supplies at your local brick and mortar Needlework Shop when possible,  to support our local small stores.  If you have any questions please email me at brendastitch@mileshouse.org

 

Brenda Miles

Your Sampler Story!

Hey everyone!  It's time to get our charting going for the "My Sampler Story" Challenge.  There is now a link on the left navigation of our website for "My Sampler Story Challenge" and a corresponding web page.  I've posted a file with sampler resources and the slide show that framed our discussion at our May meeting on this page.  These are for all of you "Away Swans" and those locals that couldn't attend!  The slide show provides the guidelines for the challenge, and the very basics of creating a sampler of your own.

At our May meeting, we were able to look at Brenda Miles' sampler of homes that have meaning in her life.  I'm not sure she's officially named it, but it was beautiful!  We also talked about what we might include in our own samplers, and discussed several examples of samplers (found in the slide show).

If you're having trouble coming up with a theme, here are some questions that you can answer that might get you thinking!

1. Where did you grow up?

2. What was your first childhood memory?

3. What did your house look like?

4. Where did you attend school?

5. Where have you lived?

6. Does your nation’s history have special meaning to you? What events?

7. Did you have a pet as a child?

8. What is your favorite color?

9. What is your favorite flower?

10. Did/Do you have a favorite holiday?

11. Did/Do you have a favorite family tradition?

12. What things do you and your family enjoy doing together?

13. Do you have hobbies or creative pursuits in addition to needlework?

14. Did you play a sport in school?

15. What is your favorite song?

16. Do you have a favorite quote, poem, or verse?

17. What is your favorite season?

Please post your ideas on the comments section of this blog post, or on the Yahoo group discussion board!  

2nd Quarter Newsletter is on the Website!

Hello everyone!  I hope that you are getting plenty of stitching time in and enjoying the change of seasons, wherever you are.  I have posted the latest newsletter up on the website, so take a look!

You'll find it at http://www.swansamplerguild.org/pdf/2ndQtr2013newsletter.pdf .

If you have trouble downloading it, just let me know at stitchinmaniac at msn dot com .

January's Stitch-In

Several local Swans met at Sandra's home on the 5th of January to stitch and enjoy each other's company.  There were several who brought items that were completed in 2012.  Some were part of their UFO challenge, but some were not!  Here are the photos... part 1!

The two Cathy's!

Brenda's ornament - a beautiful ornament stitched over one.  This is "The Three Wisemen" from Blackberry Lane Designs, one design in a series of 6. 

I didn't write down whose wonderful work this was... ladies, let me and I'll edit this post!

Linda's Liberty Hill box and needlecase, and two additional pieces she brought.  One is our biscornu project!

The rest of the pictures for today are close-ups of the beautiful piece by Diane Clements stitched by Carolyn...

I'll say it yet again, the photographer just couldn't capture the beauty of all of these pieces. Stay tuned for more!

Past and Present Update & Assignment

Linda sent out the assignment for January on the 5th, and I'm a bit slow getting it on the blog.  But, here are some pics of Linda's progress!

I think I need to get a mini tri-pod!  I'm sorry for the bit of blur, but we thought you really needed to see some close-ups of this beautiful sampler.  Linda's assignment for us this month is as follows:

"For the month of January we want to get the broken line directly below the darning patterns in as well as the medallion on the left hand side. Also get the flowers and vine that are directly above the hardanger stitched. I did not run into any problems with the charts except that the medallion is on several different pages. To make it easier, I made copies of all the pages and then taped them together.   This month should not be hard to get the assignment finished."

Watch for pictures from our Jan 5th Stitch-in and Show and Tell!  I'll be posting them in a day or so.

Stitching Adventures - 1st Quarter Newsletter Bonus Pictures

The first quarter newsletter is hot off of the press... well, my little editing, cutting, pasting, and inserting fingers.  Not really the "press".  Our new feature "Stitching Adventures" was submitted by Lynn Jones.    You really need to read Lynn's story.  Okay, you need to read the entire newsletter, but for now, here is some eye candy:

We thought you may want to see some detail of Lynn's "DH's Sampler" and look at this wonderful work in higher quality images than we can post in the newsletter.  You can read all about it in our 1st Quarter Newsletter, found at www.swansamplerguild.org/pdf/1stQtr2013newsletter.pdf .

Sandra Ball told us about her stolen Toy Chest Etui and happy endings last newsletter, when the feature began.  It's been fun! Please share your story with us!  If you have one you'd like to submit, send it to the editor at stitchinmaniac @ msn . com (no spaces).