Welcome to my January post for the Just Nan SAL organised by the lovely Zeb.
I'd also like to say a big hello to all my new followers :D Thanks for joining me on my stitching adventures. The Grow Your Blog party was such fun and I have lots of lovely new blogs to read :3
So, on to my update!
First, I had to decide on which design I was going to stitch. Last year I managed to collect quite a few charts - here is what I had to pick from...
All samplers except for 'High Hopes'.
In the end I went for 'Queen of the Needle' as if I remember correctly, this was the first Just Nan chart I collected. It was love at first sight *lol*
I have decided to stitch on 28 count Zweigart cashel linen in pastel pink. Originally I was going to use Jobelan Honeysuckle pink which I had got as a Christmas gift, but decided I wanted to stitch on linen instead. I really did consider getting Au Ver A Soie threads, but it would have cost about £80...and I just couldn't bring myself to do it. The guilt would have been unbearable. So I am using the DMC equivalents.
I wanted to try and make this last for the whole year so that I would have something to update with each month, so I thought that I would aim for one band a month. There are 14 bands! Oh noes! Some bands are really tiny, so I could try and do two or more of them in a month. Ideally I'd like December to be free of any actually stitching on this so that I can take my time adding the beads and charm.
I think it's about time for a photo, no?
Band one complete :)
When I took this out of the frame to take the photo I realised that I had stitched on the fabric the wrong way ^^; So when I've finished I'll have quite a bit of leftover fabric that won't really be big enough for anything useful. I must stop getting myself so excited with new starts *lol*
And here is a nice angled shot. I think the colours are so pretty. I really enjoyed working with the perle thread too. I hadn't used it before so I was a bit worried I would make a mess, but I'm really pleased with how it's turned out ^^
I've had a look at a few of the other SAL posts...and there are so many pretty stitches! Quite a few small ones too that I will have to add to my collection!
If you would like to know more about the SAL or would like to join in the fun, all the details can be found here.
♥
Great choice of design for the SAL & a lovely start!
ReplyDeleteGreat start on this gorgeous JN design.
ReplyDeletebeautiful design, beautiful stitched ♥
ReplyDeleteThis looks so wonderful.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful choice for the SAL, and I love how your choice of fabric is giving this a different look :)
ReplyDeleteLURVE your stash photo too! I'm busy drooling XD
p.s. I hear you about the silk kits that come with some of Nan's designs. It's so tempting, but I often weigh up the cost with whether it's actually worth stitching the design in silk. If it's an extra special design that the silks would enhance, then yes, silks are the way to go. Only problem is that I'll take ages to stitch the design cause I'm saving up for the silks XD
This is lovely! I will enjoy watching this one grow each month :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovely piece and I really will enjoy watching this one take shape. And I'm thrilled to know that I'm not the only crazy one that stitches the wrong way even after careful measuring.
ReplyDeleteBTW, Just Nan is located here in my town of Cumming, GA just right down the road from me but I have yet to meet her. I've told hubby that one day I'm going to just walk up to her house, ring the bell and introduce myself to which makes him shake his head and swear he won't come bail me out of jail if she calls the police.
Donna
That is very lovely...I am sure the silks couldn't be any prettier! =)
ReplyDeleteHello Miss Lilly, I'm a new follower of yours - I began blogging to keep track of my cross stitch projects too, so I look forward to following your progress. My blog is at xstitchibrarian.blogspot.com.au if you're interested... Great progress on this JN design.
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for stopping by :)
DeleteI like your blog too (new follower ^^). I love Oh Holy Night :)
I am so glad I have this beautiful chart in my stash! Every time I see someone's beautiful stitching of it, I want to start it - RIGHT NOW! I missed January because I had convinced myself I didn't have enough time to stitch any Just Nans' in between my other commitments. But after seeing everyone's post for January, I caved. I have chosen Strawberry Summer as my project to start off with. But I think the very next one is going to HAVE to be Queen of the Needle! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteMichele
It's such a pretty design isn't it? I can't wait to see yours :)
DeleteWhat a beautiful design... Looking forward to your updates on this very pretty design :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful start! I love the design, may have to add that to my wish list. I'm looking forward to seeing more.
ReplyDeleteLovely start, and an awesome plan :) I'm sure you could combine a few bands, and the idea of leaving a December (which is busy anyway) free for the beading and the Grand Finale is genius :) And I'm forever overestimating fabric - after I had a few mistakes *underestimating*, I'm happy to have extra to cut off LOL!
ReplyDelete