Mistress L

Lynn Jones and I have been steadily working on Mistress L by Lauren Sauer. We decided to work ours in silk - just 'cause we could and silk is so much easier to stitch with. It has been an adventure to find colors that match as much as possible. We did change a few colors because we wanted a bit more pink in the flowers.
Lynn has stitched a bit more than I have but here is part of my sampler.

 

 

Specialty Stitches - Queen Stitch Scissors Sheath

In March the guild is going to have a workshop about a couple of stitches that are often used on sampler to add a little something extra.
One is Montenegrin. This stitch us used to create stems and scrolls in bands. It is a reversible stitch and one that can be difficult to do.
The other is queen stitch. Queen stitch can be used as a single stitch or as a filling stitch. It can be worked straight and diagonally.
There are some tricks  and techniques that can help us improve both of these stitches.
As part of this class, Swans will hand out in class and later post the directions for  a scissors sheath that features queen stitches. Here is a photo of the finished sheath.

We will  suggest some thread colors but you will be free to choose your ground fabric and colors. You will need 3 flower colors, green, yellow and tan for the flower pot.

Ornament 2014

Ornament

One of the fundraisers that Swans have used every year has been the yearly Ornament. Sometimes these have had a Christmas theme but not always. The one for 2014 is a delightful, tiny sampler that should appeal to all of us who love samplers. It  has a number of fun and different stitches along with lots of over one stitching featuring some cute and unique animals and fruit.  A swan charm in either gold or silver is included with the pattern. It could hang on a tree but would be a charming addition to your sampler collection and enjoyed all year long. It can be a pin keep but could be a tiny pillow, cover for a book or even framed.
It is designed by Carolyn Standing Webb, one of our founding members who fondly remembers our goal of wanting to share samplers with all of those who share our passion. She hid her initials in the alphabet by stitching them in another color.

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!