Welcome 2023.....

 Happy New Year one and all!!! We managed to stay up until midnight...actually 1:30...to finish watching the series 1883...we couldn't go to bed with just one episode left!!! That allowed me to complete my final finish for 2022, which I can't share since it's a gift. We were signed up to do the New Year's Eve hike at the state park, but it rained all day and into the evening and we figured it would be a muddy....and likely slippery.... mess.

I spent some time yesterday deciding on what to pick as my New Year start. I chose a project I have been hunting for for over 15 years, Sailor's Valentine by CA Wells. A group of us was scheduled to take this class at Salty Yarns back in 2007, but CA cancelled at the last minute saying the group wasn't BIG enough to warrant her time. Long and short of it, I've been trying to find it and finally posted on one of the ISO pages on FB. A friend saw my plea and gifted me her used chart. I'm admitting up front...this is going to be a challenge!!! It's a terrible chart to start with and instructions are extremely limited..... I know it's pre-computer programs..... but I feel I can fall back on the experience I've gleaned from all my classes with excellent teachers. So, here's issue #1.....the chart itself is like one I've never seen. When I counted out the stitch count I came up with a number, chose a higher count fabric because I wanted it smaller, and cut my fabric accordingly. However, upon further investigation, I noticed she leaves a row of blank graph paper squares between each row of stitches. This made the size of the finished piece much smaller than I thought. So, I had to change my fabric..... and I had already cut it into four pieces..... or the piece would have been too tiny. Is this clear as mud??? Bottom line...thank goodness another friend had sent me photos of her finished piece and I saw, in time, the error of my...or should I say CA's ways!!! LOL    So, I hope you'll come along for the wild ride and be safe from my future cursing!!! In the end, I chose 32 ct White Chocolate linen with a combo of silks.

 

I hope your new year is off to a good start with lots of wonderful stitching opportunities. Thanks for stopping by and your "twisted threads" of friendship!

Stasi