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Saturday, March 3, 2012

Taking Up with Frances

Just before Christmas when I first became obsessive with started looking at everyone's stitching blogs, no matter where I looked, one piece kept turning up - Frances Eden.  The more I looked, the more I spotted her.  And on further inspection, I started to notice something else....even though the shape was drastically different, the motifs and overall feel of her put me in mind of And They Sinned.  Well, those of us that have been around for awhile have heard many many rumors about a companion piece for ATS, but unless I've completely missed it, said companion has yet to materialize.    And I knew I had the chart for Miss Frances buried away somewhere.   Hmmmm....the wheels began to turn....

A quick plunge into my stash hoard turned up the chart.  I then whipped out my box of Sampler Threads and pulled those that had been used for ATS.  A ransacking of the linen pile yielded a suitable piece of mystery linen...and yet another BAP was born.  I was thinking I'd start Frances as a New Year's project, but after plundering the hoard and finding all the stuff, I couldn't stop myself.  Work began on Christmas Eve.  

So without further ado, let me introduce my start on Frances Eden, stitched on mystery linen and a color palette that corresponds to ATS:

   
Normally, I'm a right to left, top to bottom sort of gal, but after a fast start, I began to worry that in my excitement and haste, I had misjudged the length I needed and would end up running out of linen before I reached the bottom of the chart.  So I headed in a straight stitch downward, just to see if things were going to work out.  You can see here I think I've made it by a hair, but it remains to be seen if I can actually work the final over one verse at the very bottom.


In the first few motifs. I tried to match the colors the chart indicates to my options from the ATS palette... 



...but began to feel there was no adventure in that! Throwing caution to the wind, I just started choosing colors as I went along. 



My favorite motif so far?  Well, I've always had a weakness for flying naked babies....


So this is where she stands as of this afternoon.  I'm not 100% certain I made the best floss choices for the brickwork on the house, but probably don't dislike them enough to make it worth starting over.  What do you think?

And last off, I'm grateful today to have such a wonderful forum for feeling the sampler love with other stitchers!  Many thanks to all 5 of you (especially to Lois!) who have signed on as followers to this blog.

13 comments:

Margaret said...

I like the colors you're using -- so pretty!!! Seems ATS can transfer over pretty well. :D I'm glad Lois mentioned your blog -- you stitch wonderful projects!!! So is your ATS all done? Ah ATS. I need to get back to that. Jean Rattray is on my todo list. And that chest you have -- so full of treasures! Amazing what we can cram into small spaces, huh? lol! Love the pic of your kitty. So cute! And love your header pic -- it's Brightneedle, right? Love it! Welcome to blogging!

Margaret said...

Oh, and I forgot to say -- loved The Thousand Autumns of Jacob de Zoet! (Did I get the title right?)

Deb said...

I really like the colors you're using for Frances. I have her started but I have a hard time working on her because I used the recommended colors and it's a little bright for my taste. Your colors are a lot better.

Welcome to blogging Mary!!

Krista said...

Hi Mary, Welcome to the blog world. I am pretty new to the scene too, I started blogging around the start of the year. All of your projects are beautiful. Lovely stitchings, great stash cabinet, and your kitty Mo is ADORABLE! :)
Enjoy your Sunday!

Krista
www.juststitchingalong.blogspot.com

Cathy B said...

Welcome to blogland Mary. I found you from Lois' blog where she included a link. Enjoyed looking through your recent posts!

Erica said...

I think your colors are wonderful choices. I always obsess over the colors too, but when it's finished, you will be pleased.

Jackie's Stitches said...

Welcome to the world of blogging! The best part was very unexpected to me - the friendships that are formed.

Loving your Frances Eden! I'm horrible at color selections and couldn't ever envision doing what you're doing and getting such wonderful results. It looks fabulous!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Love your colors on Frances and I think the house looks great. I'm so glad Lois directed us this way! Welcome to blog world - I hope you'll stop by my little piece of the blogosphere when you have a chance.

Debby said...

I love Francis and your blog is beautiful! I'm a follower:-)

greetings from Debby,
www.crossstitchstyle.blogspot.com

Mindi said...

Many thanks to Lois for directing me to your blog, you have some fabulous projects you're working on. Love your Frances Eden, the colors are looking great and I love how you're trying to coordinate them with ATS.

teresa said...

Mary ~ you have a nice blog ~ I found you from Lois' blog ~ Frances is looking great!

Siobhán said...

I think your color choices look great! I love the original colors for Frances, too, but always think they're a bit odd. I have to wonder what little Frances was thinking while she stitched her sampler. It was clever of you to switch over to ATS colors!

mary's blog said...

Tell me if my comments work! I hope so--love the blog!