Don’t let me confuse myself again! Who am I kidding? I stay confused. 🙂
The name of this sampler is New Year Sampler and I don’t have a clue why because it’s obviously Christmas. Denise and I decided to start it on Christmas Eve and invite friends to join us so I accidentally started calling it Christmas Eve Sampler. I really do want to stick with New Year Sampler just to avoid confusing others but . . well, I’m sure I’ll have everyone confused before this piece is finished.
If anyone wants to join us, the pdf can be purchased through Owl Forest Embroidery. According to my conversion (check for yourself please), it’s about 8.18 USD. Also, make sure the link goes to the English version unless you just want to challenge yourself with the Russian version. 🙂
So, today I will start this chart. The first thing I always do is puot the numbers in a cross stitch calculator. While I won’t worry so much about having the recommended 2 extra inches for each side border and 2 extra inches for finishing (I’m good with 1-1/2 to 2″ on all sides but I do my own finishing). I’m using XJuDesigns fabric and hers is always cut very straight so I’ll be happy with a 15″ x 18″ piece of fabric. Got that.
Here’s where I will tell you that the easy way to start a new project is to order a complete kit – floss, fabric and chart. I never liked working from quilt kits and I”m the same with cross stitching. I spend a lot of time finding the linen I love and that I think would work for the project. Then I will pull the called for floss and see if any of those colors need to e changed. My way may not be the way you choose to do it but for me, it’s part of the planning process and I love that as much as the stitching.
For floss, I’m using Vikki Clayton Silks. The chart lists DMC colors and I used the list on Vikki Clayton’s sight to do a conversion.
There are a two bobbins of one of the greens and two of one of the golds. The flesh color in the front left . . I doubted that was going to work with any of the fabrics I chose so I pulled a deeper peach (back of third row) just in case.
Next was to choose the fabric. I have the called far fabric but it looks so flat to me.
It isn’t nearly as dark as it looks in this picture but I don’t love it for this project.
There were several fabrics that I wanted to use but ruled out for various reasons.
This is the floss on Wren by Picture This Plus (40 count). I think that’s what I’m going to use. It has just a bit of variation in the color and I believe that’s something I need . . always! 🙂
The light peach (left) is probably not going to work unless it’s surrounded by other colors but just surrounded by the fabric, it isn’t going to show up so I’ll use the “Mystery” color on the right in places where it will stand alone on the fabric.
OK . . all set. Ready to get started as soon as I get a minute. Chad and Nicole are coming today. I have no idea when but I’ll be cleaning the house, baking a cake and getting everything ready for tomorrow. Once the get here, get Addie and leave, I hope to be able to make a few stitches before bedtime.
Joyce in Iowa says
I made one little motif… an excuse to test out the silk threads, but am also busy most of today. I’ll stitch tomorrow. 🙂 I’m looking forward to seeing this project grow.
Kim Webb says
I got the threads for this one from Russia with the pattern. The threads are just gorgeous. Can’t wait to start it today.
judy.blog@gmail.com says
Please share your progress along the way!
Liz says
First of all – Merry Christmas and Happy & Healthy New Year to everyone!
Then, I’ve lost track on when you will be working on this pattern – obviously you are starting today. Will you work on it for the week and then start the Elizabeth chart on Jan 1st? So, when do you go back to this one? Is this part of the WIPGO?
It’s supposed to be 81 today!!! I’m planning to start a temperature quilt so I need to finalize my fabric temp scale, what block to do and the layout. I can then start on cutting the fabric and do some blocks in advance. I pulled data from the OK Mesonet a few months ago so I have a general idea of the color combinations. This should be fun!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
You haven’t lost track. I haven’t talked much about what happens after I start the projects. I’ll do a blog post about it this afternoon. I do kinda have a plan but it isn’t written in stone. But . . which of my plans are written in stone? 🙂
justquiltin says
I need to pull out my project bag and make sure I decided on which fabric I want to use. I think I was waffling between two different ones. For once I didn’t start on a project before it’s actual start date even tho I was up in until 3AM stitching. Got a couple things to get accomplished this morning and then I can start on this.
justquiltin says
And for got to add — those silk threads are looking seriously gorgeous!
Cindy F says
I can’t wait to see your progress on this…it’s a beautiful chart and that floss and fabric combination is wonderful!
Rebecca says
-Regarding the flesh color: on the site, Santa’s face doesn’t look any different from the background!
judy.blog@gmail.com says
On the pictures, it’s often hard to tell what the true colors are but if I’m going to stitch it, I want it to show.
Kathleen Hayes Schwitzner says
I bought this chart based on your recommendation and it will be my only new start for XS in 2022. I don’t like alphabets in a row; this is more fun! Prepping the project tonight!