A Letter a Day in May {Finished}

So here it is all finished!  I decided that I wasn't really wanting to put 30 little holes in the wall, so I mounted it on an old piece of fencing.  I added the {AND} and some little flowers here and there so that I had 30 little hoops to give me a deconstructed sampler.

Last night, I started on a new scarf in the seed stitch pattern.  I am thinking of making it random stripes.

I am actually thinking about combing the content of this blog to my Vintage Junky blog.  So, if that happens, I will just redirect this one there.  It is more to keep up with than I thought to have 2 blogs.  I thought keeping things separate would be easier, but it is just one more thing online to keep up with.

A Letter a Day in May {X} {Y} and {Z}

The 26th day of May and I finished letter {Z} right on time.  We went out for much of the absolutely beautiful day yesterday, so I decided to post the last 3 letters all at once.

I really enjoyed making this sampler.  I now just have to block everything and get it mounted.  I plan to work on that today and tomorrow and have the final sampler finished early this week.  

Next month, I think I may try a new stitch a day.  I have a vintage book full of different stitches I haven't tried yet on any sampler.  Also, I have a pattern from purl that I want to start.  Plus, I have loads of pretty yarn just begging to get on needles.  So, I will definitely have something started soon.  

A Letter a Day in May {W}

So, I forgot to post {W} yesterday.  I get so distracted with stuff that I remember to take the photo once the letter is finished, but then don't remember to do the post.  I still will be finished right on time with the letters though.  This weekend in fact! I am pretty excited about that!!  I still haven't decided what my *challenge* will be for myself next month.  I really want to knit some things and that takes me so.long.  I try to not have more than one knitting/sewing/stitching project going at once because as much as I like the process, I also like having something finished and moving on the next project.  

So, I am off to finish up {X} and will probably post that tomorrow with {Y} since I am running out of daylight.

A Letter a Day in May {V}

{V} is for very close to the end of the sampler and my May project.  This was a simple, curly sort of letter that I stitched in a stem stitch.  

that's all!  {W} tomorrow~

A (couple of ) Letter (s) a Day in May {T} and {U}

So, I got distracted by watching the last episode of The Office on hulu last night and completely forgot to post my letter.  {T} was created by using the fly stitch... I think that is what most people call it anyhow.  It is one of my favorite stitches, especially when it is spread out along a line.  I added little wheels using the blanket stitch on the ends.

The {U} was created from a blanket stitch, chain stitch, stem stitch and back stitch.  I am hoping that once I block it the crowding on the right side will even out a bit.  If not, it was a pretty easy letter so I will just re stitch it.

I just got in a sampler from purl soho and some absolutely delicious yarns to make more scarves.  I am nearing the end of my Letter a Day project and have enjoyed keeping up with something nearly every day.  I may do a stitch dictionary next month.... one line of the same stitch each day and switch up the stitches... there are still a few that I haven't tried yet, let alone mastered.  

Back tomorrow with  {V}

Home Sweet Home

So, I finished my BIG project that I have been stitching.  It is a 15" vintage hoop with some happy colors and a simple sentiment.  I had originally planned on hanging this on the front door instead of a wreath, but I get a little wacky when watering my ferns, so I will need to put something a little more durable.  I only really like traditional wreaths at Christmas anyway, but I still like to have something on the blank blackness of my front door.

I stitched some parts really loosely and others more tightly.  I wanted it to look really sketchbook-y.

When I saw the cover of Country Living a few months ago with Reed Van Brunschot's work in embroidery and cross stitch, I knew I wanted to create something large.  Mine still isn't on the same scale size wise or artistically (I feel his are a little tongue in cheek *wink*)

And, I was also inspired by the lovely work of Anna Rifle Bond I love her florals and her colors that she uses.

I have to resize this pattern before I can make it available for all you stitchers out there.  I think it looks best BIG, but the hoop I had was a vintage and you don't find that size everyday.  Back later with my letter {T}

A Letter a Day in May {S}

I finished up {S} today.  I may go back and clean up the edges a little of the satin stitch..... I didn't notice it as much until it was blown up to this size.  Ahhh.... the satin stitch and I aren't really friends when I am being rushed to go out and fight dragons with my little man.  I DID finish my other big project and will share tomorrow!  

A Letter a Day in May {R}

Today's letter is {R}  Just a little bit of criss crossing as an accent.  Pretty simple.

We had a fun day vintage hunting and I looked through stacks of vintage embroidery for inspiration.  There was quite a bit of cross stitch used and it is something I haven't tried yet.  So, I may try a bit of that for fun after I am finished with my current stitching projects.

A Letter a Day in May {Q}

I finished {Q} during a quiet, rainy spring day.  I have always liked the letter {Q}  It is like the sassy sister of {O}.

I used stem, back and a sort of fly stitch on the middle of the {Q's} swoop.  And, speaking of flies, I am battling what I think are fungus gnats on some succulents in my house.  Grrr..... looked up a few natural remedies and hoping that diluted dish liquid and cinnamon will do the trick.  These gnats are driving us batty!

Back tomorrow with {R}

A Letter a Day in May {P}

Hmmm.... what to say about {P}  immediately I think of the word Peachy.  And Perfect.  Which makes me think of Mary Poppins... Practically Perfect in Every Way.  I like this letter.  

I am getting close to the end and will soon be able to finish my other Big Big project.  I love summertime stitching!

A Letter a Day in May {O}

Finished {O} outside under the string of lights while it was getting dark.  I simply stem stitched the whole letter in white.  It was a pretty night to stitch.  

I haven't had much time to put into my other big project and I have yarn on the way too.  New yarn that I am super excited about.  And some other stitching patterns.  I can't wait!

A Letter a Day in May {N}

I don't have any sentimental attachment to the letter {N} but this is one of my favorite designs so far.  I used the same type of flower design as letter {D} 

After today, I will hopefully be back on track with the posting.  I have {O} to complete for the day. 

A Letter a Day in May {M}

Well, I totally forgot to post the past 2 days letters.  {M} is for my name, so I chain stitched it in my favorite color and added a little yellowy splash.  I am about halfway through and I am so glad I chose May to do this little project.  Summertime seems like stitching time.  And, I have a few extra days in case I forget to post after a lovely day that we spent out in the sunshine.

I restitched my {L} as I mentioned in the last post that I wasn't entirely happy with it.  I modified the design while I was stitching it the first time and I should have gone with the original.  Here it is in it's original design with different stitches and I like it much better.

A Letter a Day in May {J, K, L}

Hello~  I stayed on course with stitching, just not posting the letters this last week as it has been a bit hectic.  I love how {J} and {K} turned out, but {L} is my least favorite so far.  I loved the sketch of it before I stitched it, so I think it must be the color or maybe not the right stitch choice for the design.  So, it may get changed in the future.  I am kicking myself for not getting a cool old owl crewel kit while antiquing today.  Tomorrow I will be back with {M}

A Letter a Day in May {I}

I have to be honest.  I don't LOVE the satin stitch.  It seems a little tedious and even though it is simple, it isn't easy to make it look nice.  Which is probably why I like working with crewel wool... it fills in the area so nicely and quickly too.

So, here is my little {I} today.  

A Letter a Day in May {H}

I like the letter {H} due to my last name.... or the last name I took.  So, I did this in a happy little chain stitch with one of my favorite color combinations.  I

I am also in the midst of working on a big sampler/ design that I hope to be finished with next week.  It is one of the largest that I have tackled.  And, I have some new yarn and square needles calling my name every time I pass.  Oh, there is not enough time for all the things my hands want to do!

A Letter a Day in May {G}

It was late and dark when I finished up this curly -twirly {G} I kept this one all in white so it reminds me of lace or doilies.

A Letter a Day in May {F}

Simple stem stitched {F}  pretty easy!  I think I am finished adding colors and will just be repeating colors from the other letters from this point on.

A Letter a Day in May {E}

I finished off {E} after a long day at the workshop cleaning and organizing.  Just some chains and some lazy daisies.  Be back tomorrow with {F}

A Letter a Day in May {D}

{D} took me the longest so far of any of the letters.  Which was perfectly fine on this cold, rainy day today.  I used a swirly stem stitch for the flowers to give them a rose like look and added little leaves all around. See you tomorrow with {E}

A Letter a Day in May {C}

I can't really talk about this letter without singing.....

C is for Cookie, that's good enough for me
C is for Cookie, that's good enough for me
C is for Cookie, that's good enough for me....
OOOOH cookie, cookie, cookie starts with C

I think that is how is goes... that is how we sing it here.  Any whoo, This little {C} was a vine-y little flower stem.  I love doing vine-y things and leaves.

A Letter a Day in May {B}

Today I chose my favorite shade of yellow for {B} Mustardy, wool-y yellow floss.  I simply backstitched and it was complete.  I had to hold myself back from moving right along to {C} Tomorrow will come soon enough *wink*

ps. For the floss, I used Appleton Crewel Wool

A Letter a Day in May {A}

This is a little project that I have wanted to start for awhile and I finally got it together to start it at the beginning of the month.  So, if I keep up with it, I can have a finished sampler by the end of the month. And, one letter a day is totally doable.  And I am happy I waited until May so I could rhyme it! I haven't really planned out colors totally and stitches, but I do have the typography I want to use for the whole month.  Back tomorrow with {B}