E*X*P*A*N*D*I*N*G

Little House Needleworks (Diane Williams)

Two Red Houses Copyright 2003

Mystery Stash Linen (Overdyed with walnut stain?)

DMC Fibers

(My framer is going to hate me for the margins)

AppleJack and I took a road trip last week and there was catching up and shopping but not much stitching.  Was it a hot Fourth of July?  I can't say driving west in 95 degree heat is my cup of tea.  It rained on Friday and the rain brought much needed relief from the temperature and humidity.  Progress is being made on Two Red Houses--three fences, two saltbox houses, one tree and almost one-half of the alphabet.  Do I see a finish in the near future?

One of the first things I do when traveling is look for needlework/quilt/wool shops.  Yes a 50 mile radius is considered "within the area."  There are TWO wonderful needlework shops within the 50 mile radius parameter.  The shops are The Stitcher's Garden in Conway, Arkansas and Shepherd's Needle in Little Rock, Arkansas.  Both shops are filled with so much goodness and both are E*X*P*A*N*D*I*NG.  Isn't that the best news?  In this age when LNS/brick and mortar shops are closing exponentially, it was a shot of encouragement to see TWO needlework shops growing and doubling their retail space.  The Shepherd's Needle was preparing for a two day workshop with Shawn Williams from Threads that Bind.  Shawn was teaching a workshop on July 25th and July 26th and a second workshop on July 27th and 28th.  Darn, due to poor planning on my part, I missed her workshop two years in a row.  If you are in the Little Rock/Conway Arkansas area, plan a visit to these wonderful shops--linens, walls of fibers, models, the latest releases, and all the things--you will be so happy you took the time.

So what did I purchase?

Plum Street Sampler (Paulette Stewart)

Sheep Heap

36 count PTP (Picture This Plus) Oaken

Sarah Jane Grant 1845 Deconstructed

Summer House Stitch Works (Beth Ann Seal)

36 count vintage pear Lakeside

This was released at the Nashville Needlework Market in Nashville.  This linen is awesome, I see more of it in my future.

Mary Barres Sampler 328 x 355

Stacy Nash

36 count Weeks Dye Works Parchment

Mary Barres is a big girl--another beautiful linen.
See that label on the linen?  The shop owner has written the count, manufacturer and name of the linen. She also included the name of the design, thread count and size of the piece of linen.  This is such a nice touch.  

A Sampler Study 1802 Sampler Reproduction

The Primitive Hare (Isabella Abbiati)

40 Count Olde Massachusetts linen

40 count is not one of my favorites.  However, it is a lighter piece of linen, I am hoping it will be easier to see.  When framing this piece, The Primitive Hare had used a piece of lace at the top of the house--I thought this was a cool idea and I happened to have a piece of lace in my stash.

TWO expanding needlework shops made for a great (hot) road trip. Neither one of these shops know me from Adams house cat, if you are in the area--treat yourself, you will be so happy you did.

Sampler Sunday: Two Red Houses

Little House Needleworks (Diane Williams)

Two Red Houses Copyright 2003

Mystery Stash Linen (overdyed with walnut stain?)

DMC Fibers

The other day I was searching for something in my stash and I came across this red saltbox house.  I looked at it and it spoke to my stitching heart and I asked myself why I had sat it aside and maybe it was time to give it some love and stitching attention.

It didn't take me long to figure out why I had abandoned this piece.  It is not centered on the fabric and I clearly did not use my corner gauge for measuring.

There is barely one inch of fabric on the left side of the fabric and will be about three-four inches of fabric on the left hand side.  After a consultation with my framer, who is a miracle worker, says it can be salvaged.  Thank goodness I like my needlework framed tight.

The other reason this piece was set aside is because it is stitched with two strands of fiber.  While the coverage is nice with very little shine through, I do not enjoy stitching with two threads.  I am constantly asking myself if my threads are railroad (lying side by side).

I seldom use needle minders, but this little Stitch Dot made by Needle Nannies has been very useful.

One of the changes I am considering is changing the checkerboard underneath the alphabet to a grass stitch using a scotch stitch.  AppleJack had not seen the photo and asked where does the grass go?  Since I am not a big fan of the checkerboard and with AppleJack's question, I see grass in this samplers future.

Two red houses:  simple, primitive, timeless saltbox houses, I'm glad this small sampler is finally getting the love and attention it deserves.