Sunday, July 9, 2017

Tea and Cake, Band Sampler & Condolence Card

So this is a catch-up post. Blogging has taken a real back-seat these days as it has with many others. Actually, I just like it to record my projects.

 Lakeside Needlecrafts recently sponsored a 6-week free SAL designed by Durene Jones.  It was hosted on their Facebook Group.  The theme was "Tea and Cake".   The fun part of these mystery SAL's is anticipating each installment and seeing everyone's interpretation with varying threads, fabric and design adaptations.   This is not a design I would have chosen to stitch otherwise, but the process was fun.   I kept up on time through part 4.   And then life interfered.  But I finally completed it and made it into a large coaster or small mat yesterday.

It is stitched on 28 ct Jobelan over-2.  The fabric color is  "Twilight Mist".  The threads are the DMC suggestions except for the border where I used Carrie's Mardi Gras cotton floss.

I changed the wording a little also.


A close colleague, friend and mentor passed away recently.  I made this little condolence card for the family using a motif from the "Dear Rine" sampler SAL.   This is another free SAL hosted on the Dear Rine FB group.  I'm not really doing that SAL, but some of these circular animal designs are quite charming and useful when you need a small generic design.

I also decided to so some of Pam Kellogg's Never-Ending Band Sampler SAL.   I don't think I ever stitched a band sampler, so I wanted to see what I had been missing.  This is another free SAL with a Facebook group, but the patterns are all on Pam's Blog.  I started with the second panel and did half of it.  Each panel is about 18" long on 28 count over-2 fabric.  I enjoyed doing this, but half a panel was about all I wanted to do before I wanted to move on.  This on a light beige Jobelan fabric.  I don't know if I will ever do anything with this piece, but I enjoyed it.  

The patterns are all black and white so everyone chooses their own colors.  Stitchers on the FB group have shown some lovely color choices.  I had no idea what I was doing, color-wise.  I just jumped in and decided colors as I went along.

13 comments:

Robin in Virginia said...

Annie, each one of the SALs projects you shared are super. I really like the round design you used for the condolence card. Do you know if there is a way to participate in the "Dear Rine" SAL without belonging to FB? Enjoy your Sunday!

Vickie said...

Your Tea and Cake piece turned out very nice Annie. The condolence card is very good. Wow! The band sampler is so pretty.♥

Mii Stitch said...

Both SAL pieces look great. I love how you've finished tea and cake. The condolences card is a lovely thought with personal touch. I am sure it will be treasured.

Mini said...

Have I mentioned that you finish the free SALs in most unique ways?

Lovely lovely Tea SAL finish.
Thanks for the link to freebies.
The band sampler is looking beautiful.

Jane said...

whether you're blogging about it or not, it's good to see you still stitching. I do like the band sampler, looks very delicate

Carol said...

I'm glad you ended up finishing the Tea SAL because it sure turned out cute, Annie! The colors are so cheerful as is the fabric you edged it with. I'm sorry about the death of your friend--the pretty card will surely mean a lot to his/her family...

Your color choices for the last sampler are all so pretty. Love the birds, the little house, and the pretty hearts and flowers. I'm sure it was a fun one to stitch up!


Margaret said...

Love your SAL pieces. Both are wonderful. I'm sure the family of your friend appreciated your thoughtful card. So sorry that you have lost a close friend and mentor.

Sheryl said...

Love your Tea and Cake piece Annie, what lovely colours you have chosen. The band sampler is looking lovely too - I gave up on mine after three starts and stops.

Hetti said...

There are so much Sal's and other fun projects at the moment, it's difficult to choose. They are so lovely, especcially the condolence card, so sorry for the lost of your friend Annie.
XXX Hetti

Brigitte said...

These are two great SAL pieces, Annie. I particularly love that band sampler with all the colours you chose. Such a lovely piece. And it looks finished although on her blog I saw that she is adding more bands to it. It must be a real fun project. If I didn't have too much to stitch already I'd join (not on FB but I think it's great that she also offers this SAL on her blog).
I love the way how you finished the Tea and Cake SAL. The fabric for the "frame" goes so perfectly with the colours you used for the stitching.
And a very nice card although for a sad purpose.

Julie said...

The Pam Kellogg is a lovely design. I did a few of her mystery SAL's some years ago. Great finish on the cake, everyone loves cake!
A nice condolence card, something handmade is always a treasure to receive.
Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a comment, its always nice to have new visitors stop by.

Astrids dragon said...

I love your finish of Tea and Cake!
Sweet condolence card, sorry for your loss of a friend.
What a fun sampler, your colour choices look great.

Desiree Ehleiter said...

All three of your projects are lovely. I really admire your band sampler and choosing your own colors. It looks so beautiful, I would have no idea how to do that... It would be bad... Great job!