Tuesday, April 12, 2011

A change of plans

After I started stitching Ann Rayner, I learned that a friend had stitched hers on 40-count with one ply of DMC. She told me that to blend thread colors she did the first leg in one color and the second leg in the other color. Hmm... why didn't I think of that? (Thanks, Pam.)

So I've changed my mind on using the 32-count linen for Ann. I decided that I didn't like the way the two plies of DMC looked, and I knew I'd soon get tired of all the railroading. I'm now using one ply of DMC on 36-count Pecan Butter from Lakeside Linens and where necessary am blending threads using the method Pam told me about.

Here is Ann as of this morning.  She certainly liked to use bright colors, didn't she? I can hardly wait to get to the house and people.
Don't know if you can tell in the next photo that all of the colors are the result of blending as described above.

Quite a few of you were taken with my idea for a thread card that easily identifies the threads for a particular project. I print mine on a color laser printer. If you use an ink jet printer and you are going to be putting your thread card in a bag with your linen, make sure that the ink won't run if the thread card should accidentally get wet. You certainly would be a very unhappy "camper" if that happened.

I love reading the comments in my blog. Thank you so much. I read every one, and if you have a question I try to answer. However, when I don't see your email address I can't respond. If you have a question, please make sure your email address is visible in your comment or email me directly.

The With My Needle Facebook page has reached 1000+ people. To celebrate this, I've decided to have a give-away on the Facebook page. I'll post the information there in a day or two. Don't worry if you're not on Facebook. Later I'll do another give-away here on the blog. If you are both a blog and Facebook reader, you double your chances of winning. Good luck!

12 comments:

woolwoman said...

Don't you love that pecan butter Ellen? I'm doing the Attic SAL on it and I love it. Glad you found a solution - Ann Rayner is a beautiful sampler and you are making lots of progress. Melody

Mouse said...

love the progress you've made and the blending looks lovely too .. good idea that you got given :) love mouse xxxx

Margaret said...

Oh I'm glad you upped to 36ct. lol! I know I'd be a lot happier and I'm sure you will be too. The blended colors look great! I have a Facebook acct but I rarely go there. Pretty silly, I suppose, but such is the case. :D Looking forward to seeing more Ann!

Paula said...

Beautiful work! Once you receive all those tips of photographing your work, could you share them with the rest of us in a post? I am also curious as my blogging days are soon to begin. And great photos are simply the best!! Thanks!

Nancy said...

Ann is beautiful! I have not been brave enough to try stitching on anything higher than 32, don't think I could see it well enough. Maybe after my eye appt in June I may give it a go. I am sure I need new glasses, hopefully they will help me focus on the small stitches.

samplerlover said...

Ann is looking wonderful. She is in my "to do" pile and I hope to do her one day. I think working on 40ct with 1 strand of DMC looks so much better. The work is so much finer and you don't have railroad problems. = Sandra.

Sandra said...

I never use two strands of thread Ellen, even on 32 count, but the coverage may not be to everyone's taste, but I like it. Can't stand using two strands - hope I don't have to in May!!

Starry-eyed stitcher said...

It is going to be wonderful I think. Could any non-stitcher have any conception of the thought processes and trial and error attempts stitchers go through to produce a piece of work?
You mentioned in your last blog you are choosing a project to take to England? That's because you are coming to see me. Well... I will be in the group at Fobbles. I can't wait, I am so excited. Irene xxx

Siobhán said...

Oooh, I love your Ann Rayner! She's in my to do sooooooon pile. Love the Pecan Butter. I have Buttercream set aside for mine but might change that as the time comes. I'll e-mail you with some things that helped me with making my pictures bigger.

Nancy said...

Ann Rayner is a beautiful sampler Ellen! It looks so fun to stitch with the beautiful, bright colors!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Ann is looking beautiful, Ellen! I think I'll do your blended technique on Isabella Johnstone since I'm stitching her with 1 thread on 36 count.

marylin said...

you have advanced your beautiful embroidery
very soon