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No Focus - Easily Distracted!

It seems that I have not been able to focus on a single project lately. There always seems to be something a little bit more intereseting to stitch than the current project I am wanting to finish.

Apologies in advance for the quality of the photos - for some reason the pictures look more gold/yellow than they are in real life...
In the past month I have worked on Scarlet Letter's Coraggio.  I have had this chart in my stash for a few years and thought about it when it was mentioned by someone on a board a vist every once in a while. I am working this on 40-count Lakesde Linen Pecan Butter using a combination of Au Ver a Soie (AVAS) and Hand-Dyed Fibers (HDF) silks.



Coraggio by The Scarlet Letter
40-count Lakeside Linen Pecan Butter with AVAS and HDF
I started work on the mermaid but I need to re-think the recommended process of outlining and then filling in with the stitches.  Doing it this way tends to lose some of the definition of the outline.  I guess I could go back around the outline after the fill in is complete. I really like this one and I am looking forward to doing the bargello or flamestitch.

I have also started Mexican School Girl Practice c1830 by Sampler's Remembered. This is being worked on 40-count Lakeside Linen Porcelain using a combination of DMC and Waterlilies.  Afer it is completed I plan on aging it with Walnut Crystals from Stacy Nash.  This is a fun piece since it has some bright colors and fun motifs.

Mexican School Girl Practice Sampler c1830 by Samplers Remembered
40-count Lakeside Linen Porcelain with DMC and Waterlilies

And if that was not enough, I have also started Christmas Garden by Blackbird Designs. Nicole inspired me on converting the recommended Gentle Art Sampler Threads to silks. I decided to work mine in Thread Gather Silk N Colors and Glorianna silks on 36-ct Picture This Plus Heritage.

Christmas Garden by Blackbird Designs
36-count Picture This Plus Heritage with Thread Gatherer Silk N Colors and Glorianna

A fellow male blogger and stitcher-- Edgar -- also inspired me to get back to my Shores of Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings. I really like this design and always wonder why I always but it aside.I am going to personilize this with the dates that I was in the US Navy.  I am using DMC on 40-count Lakeside Linen Examplar.


Shores of Hawk Run Hollow by Carriage House Samplings
40-count Lakeside Linen Examplar with DMC floss

Hopefully, I will have something finished to show you in my next posting instead of just some works in process -- unless I find something else to start and add to the never ending list of projects!

Happy Easter, Passover and Spring -- Thanks again for stopping by and visiting.

Comments

Margaret said…
Oh my gosh, I've always wanted to stitch Corragio! lol! I swear you're always stitching things I want to stitch or have stitched etc. Am thinking about that Mexican Schoolgirl Sampler too. And Shores looks great! I'm feeling very scattered these days as well. It's awful. Maybe it's spring fever??
Laurie in Iowa said…
All three of your projects are great choices and I can understand why you're finding it difficult to focus on just one. I have a feeling that seeing your progress on Corragio is going to encourage me to start this sampler too!
After starting a new project every Sunday in January I'm once again back to focusing on one project at a time. It is lots of fun to start a bunch of new projects though.
There's just too many wonderful designs out there - I'm in the middle of a huge clear out of stitching stuff and I'm being ruthless!!
dixiesamplar said…
Wow Robert...you weren't kidding, were you?? They are all so beautiful that I can certainly see the problem of sticking with just one :o)
MoonBeam said…
You have some amazing WIPs there. Keep up the good work.
Krista said…
Lots of great stitching! Each one better than the next! I love the HRH patterns too and the colors in the mexican sampler are gorgeous!
Wonderful progress on all of them! I would think it would be difficult to outline first for the very reason you mentioned. I think I'd have to fill first, outline last unless the intention is to have the outlined blurred! I love the idea of personalizing shores with your career! I will look forward to seeing that (and all the others) as you get them finished.

Happy Easter!
Deb said…
You have some wonderful projects going! Like you, I've always rethought outlining something and have always outlined last because it seems that when I'd sew close to the outlining it would get lost. Outlining at the end looks better.

I love the colors in Mexican School Girl too. I think I have to give that sampler another look and add it to my collection.
Lisa V said…
Some wonderful progress on your WIP's.
Barb said…
Wonderful WIP's. I love the colors you chose for the " Christmas Garden"
Catherine said…
What wonderful projects!
Kathy A. said…
No wonder you can't focus. You have all these beautiful pieces calling to you. I admire you for picking such challenging pieces and making such wonderful progress.
Melissa said…
Even if you feel they are just a bunch of WIP's, they are gorgeous!
Michelle said…
Seriously - I could have used the same title on my post. I can't seem to focus on ANYTHING! I love all the pieces you're working on though. They are fantastic. And I'm glad to see your Coraggio got some more progress on it. I love the Mexican Sampler, and I think I have that one in my stash to stitch. And of course, you know I have Shores started too. Ack! Too many fabulous projects!!!
David said…
The projects you are working on are really beautiful. I admire that you work on many different big samplers! Reading your posts has always been very inspiring.
Daffycat said…
Mmmm, delicious stitching! You have so many nice WIPs!
Kerri said…
I seem to have the same stitching ADD lately. I love all these pieces and have Shores kitted but not started. It looks wonderful.
There are just too many great projects out there. I need to stop reading blogs that enable my wallet to be emptied!
Michele B. said…
Robert you do the most inspiring stitching!!! After looking at your new starts I need to add to my stash! At least I already have the SoHRH. Its great that you are going to personalize it from your Navy days...that will be a wonderful keepsake.

Michele
Dansville, MI
Anonymous said…
HI Robert

Thansk for your lovely comment on my Blog about Pompejian Garden, would love to see your wip progress on your piece.

You have some gorgeous pieces on the go, just stunning.

Looking forward to seeing more

Kathy xxxxx
Vanessa said…
Love your start on Christmas Garden. The fabric you are using is beautiful and so are the threads. All your projects look gorgeous. I finished Christmas Garden a couple of months ago. If you would like to check it out my blog is One X at a Time @ wordpress.com

Keep stitching!
Louisette said…
Oh Robert, nice work, greeting from Belgium, have a nice spring.
Ezia Gladstone said…
wow!! i just found your blog!!! very beautiful!!! you wife must be very proud of you! she is a cross stitcher too?
i will definily come back!
Ezia.

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