Sunday, March 20, 2011

BOAF Happy Hearts...Progress Report

Have been working on BOAF Happy Hearts sampler this week. Please forgive me for not pressing the linen before taking this photo. The picture is a little crooked too; photography is not my thing!




I'm a little frustrated with my WDW Chesapeake which is used for some of the letters in the alphabet (WDW Onyx is used for some of the letters too.) The skein of Chesapeake that I have is too dark and there's not enough contrast between it and the Onyx. The Chesapeake should be more blue, closer to DMC 924.

Now you might be wondering, why did I keep stitching the alphabet if I wasn't completely happy with the color of the Chesapeake threads? Good question. As my friend Joan will tell you, I am a "rule follower" - I tend to always use the linen and the fibers that the project calls for. It's rare that I ever deviate from the pattern!

In this case though, I think I might have to make an exception. I'm just not happy with that alphabet. For now, I'm going to put this piece away. Next time I am at Stitchville I will take a look at WDW Chesapeake and see if I can find a better skein. If I can't find a lighter skein of Chesapeake, then I am going to switch to GAST Brethren Blue or DMC 924. And yes, perfectionist that I am, I will frog the letters that need to be frogged and re-sitch them in the right color of blue!

Speaking of my friend Joan - she was traveling this week with her husband while he was on a business trip. He always allows time to stop at needlework stores and/or quilt shops along the way. On this trip they made a stop at The Inspired Needle in Lemont, IL - check out the post from Cathy at The Inspired Needle. What a nice LNS this must be; I wish they were closer!!!

I added a countdown counter to my blog earlier this week - I'm impatiently anticipating the Stitchville Spring Fling retreat -- just 18 days away now!

Have a good week and thanks for stopping by.

19 comments:

pj said...

Cathy, it looks good from here but like you said, camera doesn't always tell the true colors! This is a darling sampler and has always been a favorite of mine. I like that you are mixing old and new patterns in your finishes. You are getting in alot of stitching these days. I just remembered that I need to send a note to Joan too....take care and keep the needles flying!!! pam

barbara said...

My skein (partially used) of Chesapeake is indeed much bluer. Good luck with your decision. I think it looks great, but that's just me. ;)

Margaret said...

It's looking great! I think it looks fine -- but I hate when a skein isn't the color you expect it to be. I had that problem recently too.

Linen Stitcher said...

Cathy, I had the very same issues with the WDW Chesapeake when I stitched this piece, so I also switched it out. I spent a good long time in front of the floss display at an LNS one day and finally decided that Crescent Colors Deep Fennel was the perfect substitution. The skeins I ended up with had nice variations of dark and light shades, and the color looked great with the recommended colors from the pattern. Good luck with your substitution.

Myrna said...

It looks fine to me... but, if you don't like the color, you would be happier switching it out. I know I have done that with some of the overdyes.

Have a wonderful time at your retreat, as I'm sure you will!

Happy Stitching...

Berit said...

I understand about wanting the blue (would feel the same), but it does look fabulous!

This is another one that I really want to track down and stitch. ;)

Unknown said...

I do know how you feel about being a rules follower. I am usually an obsessive rules follower. However, having spent some time with a group of stitchers called the PALS, they have converted me to actually changing flosses. SCANDALOUS - LOL! Go with what you are going to be most happy with. Personaly, I don't like to work with WDW Mascara, it seems to knot up on me a lot.

Unknown said...

OOPs! I hope Onyx is better to stitch with than Mascara. Should have read closer, HUH?

Lois said...

It's lovely Cathy! I'm like you, find it difficult to change things. For me I ended up not using Kudzu as the skein I had just blended into the fabric. I ended up going with Hunter which was another conversion suggestion for DMC 520 and I've been happier with how it's come up.

Siobhán said...

Cathy, I think it looks great! I had to laugh at your rule follower description of yourself. I'm the same way, and it takes a lot for me to trust my own instincts and do something different.

staci said...

Lovely wip Cathy! I've always been a rule follower too, but now I'm a rule bender, LOL!

Yvonne..... said...

I understand completely about being a perfectionist and rule follower when it comes to stitching. I'm excited for you and your upcoming retreat at Stitchville. I have visited them once in my life - about 12 years ago and it was a great shop. Make sure you tell us all about it when you get back!

Diana said...

Happy Hearts looks good to me! Sorry you're not happy with the Chesapeake. Happy frogging!
I have been to "The Inspired Needle" and it is very nice. Cathy the owner is really great! It is a little ways to drive, but I would love to take you there if you ever come to visit me.

Sue said...

I love your piece. I'm like you I tend to follow the rules ;)

Sue said...

I love your piece. I'm like you I tend to follow the rules ;)

Katrina said...

Cathy, I would probably look for a better dyelot or change it but that's me. I do think it looks great as is but I am always stuck on how I picture the piece in my mind.

Have fun at your retreat.

TeresaB said...

Not being a rule follower I would switch it out with something I have that would give me the look I wanted. Hopefully you can find a skein that is the right color, but if not make the change so you'll be happy with the end result. (Oh and I'd frog all the ones I'd done as well.)

Lynn said...

I know the camera doesn't always give us the true colours but it looks great to me. However if I was in the same situation it would bug me just enough that I'd have to do something about it. Trust your instincts.

Sally said...

I think it looks lovely Cathy but as you say the camera doesn't always show the true colour. I've had problems with skeins not looking as they should too.