Friday, February 24, 2012

IHSW and TUSAL

So this past weekend was IHSW. It ended up being a busier weekend than I had planned. Of course...doesn't that always happen?! I did go to stitchy group on Saturday and it was great to see all the ladies and gab, gab away. When I wasn't gabbing, I was stuffing my face with dessert first and healthy stuff later. But I did get a little bit of stitching done on my Merry Be.

I decided to stitch this with 2 threads over 2 which means I am running out of a couple of the colors. It just seemed like 1 strand over 2 was too skimpy on 30 count linen. I really have to remember this when I buy these Shepherds Bush kits!

I pulled out Merry Be because Jingle All the Way was throwing me off. I got the reindeer stitched but when I went to the sleigh, I was stitching with orange and lime. See picture to see what I'm talking about.

Um...orange and lime sleigh. I don't get it. When I look at the cover, I know that the designer tea dyed it after stitching but I'm not sure how I feel about tea dying lakeside linen. So I am left with doing substitutions which I hate doing especially when I'm all frazzly. I did see a photo of it finished with what looks like the recommended threads and I liked it. Maybe I just need to get over it? What do you all think? I'm going to sit tight and ponder it a little more.

Here is the cover photo as a comparison:


It was also TUSAL report time. My little jar is filling up little by little. The threads from this month were from the two projects above.
Just a quick post today. I'm still peeved about the things I discussed in my last post but I'll get over it. The weather is beautiful and it's FRIDAY! I'm trying to keep things quiet this weekend and just stitch, relax, do laundry and see the Oscars (and not get annoyed with any stupid men). I'm hoping that I make it to the gym. I've fallen off the wagon and am sooooo unmotivated and I find every excuse not to go.

Hmmm, maybe if it's quiet enough, I can actually write another of the many posts that are only residing in my head at the moment.

Hope you all enjoy the weekend!

Until next time...

22 comments:

Ruth said...

I have to say I'm with you on the orange and lime sleigh. I wish you luck on your hunt. Colors aside all the stitching looks great (I'm also with you on the SB coverage question). I think it must me some rule of nature that an IHSW comes at the same time as a dozen other things--- I'm always footloose and fancy free the weekend before and after. lol

Danielle said...

Valerie, I always enjoy your posts, stitchy or personal. Whenever I see you in my Google Reader list, I always click on you first! LOL. I have to say orange and lime seems a bit off. Maybe a red and brown or a red and green? Play with some colors, don't fret (hilarious, I know, coming from me).

Ann at Beadlework. said...

I feel the same way on two counts. First the single strand thing doesn't work for me either and second changing colours on a design always seems to give me issues. Enjoy your weekend.

Margaret said...

Nice stitching. I hate using 2 strands so I'm usually fine with SB kits. lol! As for Lime and orange -- well, I don't mind it myself. I'm into weird colors sometimes. :D

Giovanna said...

I can't really say much on the orange dilemma, I just can't picture the final result well enough. You've made nice progress on the WIPs. Have a great weekend.

Catherine said...

Not sure what I'd do on the color dilemma! I change my colors all the time, as I have found that what sometimes shows as a cover photo is no where near the called for colors, so I match them to the cover photo instead. Have you considered dyeing just the threads before stitching with them?

Olivia said...

Cute stitches!

Theresa said...

I actually don't mind the orange sleigh~ To me it kind of goes with the whole color scheme of the design. Bu I also hate changing colors, so maybe it's just me convincing myself...
All the troubles aside, your stitching looks really nice~

Cole said...

Cute projects Valerie, you're sure making progress in your ORT jar!

I <3 Fridays too ~ enjoy your weekend!!

Sally said...

You're making great progress Valerie. I rather like the orange and lime sleigh but in the end it's how you feel about it:)

Have a great weekend!

cucki said...

aww very sweet stitching projects..
lovely orts xxx

Carol said...

I always like my threads to appear nice and plump on the linen so I would be using two threads as well, Valerie--think it is looking great that way. I change colors all the time and sometimes feel guilty, but you are the one who will have to look at it hanging in your apartment, so you should be the one who is happy with how the end result looks! Good luck--experiment with a few and see which one makes you smile :)

Hope you have a great weekend...

Daffycat said...

Oooo, I hate making decisions like this...but the orange in your stitching looks almost the same as the model, or maybe a little darker? You might try a slightly lighter orange.

Pretty ORTs!

Natasha said...

Your doing good on your Merry Be. I personally like the orange sliegh, it goes with the whole color scheme.

I enjoyed Saturday, even though I did'nt get a stitch done. I enjoy talking to much to focus on stitching LOL

Have a good weekend.

Julie said...

I like the model, looks quite groovy.
Have a lovely weekend xxx

Melissa said...

I hope you are having a good weekend. It's blustery, rainy and snow is predicted here!

Lovely stitching - I feel like I should be hearing Christmas music! ;-)

Have fun watching the Oscars tomorrow night!

Melanie said...

Ugh. I've had that happen to me before with the Shepherd's kits. I want to know how they get their models to look so durn good sometimes because when you go to stitch.............they come out different is all I'm saying. (Not that I don't adore them - I have more SB pieces on my walls than other designers!)

The orange probably wouldn't bother me.............maybe. I would maybe do the bottom part first so the sleigh was done last so I could judge it better? If it bothers you that much though just whip out an warm brown instead?

Anne said...

Looks like you had a good hermitty weekend (I'm a bit behind in the blog reading...can you tell?!) I'm liking the stockings a lot! Too bad that you are running out of colours :( The Jingle all the way pattern is one I have added to my wishlist. Good to know that the orange is super bright! It might turn out okay though. I'm like you when it comes to colours that don't work (remember my green situation with Jane?!) Perhaps change it to a lighter, more muted orange?

Those little dolls are adorable! Do they come from Japan?

Glad to hear you are washing him outta your hair!!

Veronica said...

Love those cute little stockings! Yeah, I don't like the look of one over two for 30 count either but what can you do when the threads provided are not enough for two over two stitching :(

I think the sleigh looks alright. Hope you manage to decide what to do about it soon.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Pumpkin said...

I think it looks alright in the picture. I say go for it :o)

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

Such lovely stitching. Maybe try a red and green?

Berit said...

Two awesome projects! I love the funky houses and colors in Jingle; seems traditional and modern, too!