My First Shepherd's Bush - Evening Sampler

My, how long it's been since my last post. I must apologise for the absence but to tell you the truth, I haven't felt like stitching or blogging lately. I guess we all go through these moments but mine seems to be going on for a while. Just as a fill-in I have something to show you from many years ago.

Shepherd's Bush - Evening Sampler

Stitched in 1994

This one is going back sixteen years to 1994. It was my first Shepherd's Bush pattern that I stitched. Designed by Tina Richards Herman in 1991, Evening Sampler is one of many of her creations that I like. I worked it using mainly the recommended threads except for the house filled in with a purple colour instead of a grey. The fabric was a Lugana 25ct in Mushroom or Bone (can't quite remember now). I used two threads for the most part and one for the words and other details. Plenty of beads are used throughout as well. This design is still available at Shepherd's Bush and takes you back to their earlier style of patterns.

There's a house to call home.

Children playing with their kite.

A verse to read with ducks a waddling.

The frame I chose for it is red wood with an aqua colour filled around the edges to tone in with the aqua in the stitched piece. I had this framed many years ago as well, not just recently.

These earlier patterns of SB come with more than just one design. Evening Sampler includes three small patterns that they placed on fabric blocks. They also have a needle roll shown that they've taken elements of the main design to create. Lovely little bonuses from the one chart. The needle roll would be nice to do one day. This picture I've taken from the chart.

It's Winter time here so I thought I'd change my blog background to coincide with it. We're getting a proper Winter with cold mornings, cold days, and cold nights. It's just so cold! Rain and cloudy days are the order of the day. I go into hibernation mode like a grizzly, old, bear. Maybe not so much the grizzly, hopefully not the old, but definitely bear like behaviour by trying to keep warm. I just dream of those of you who are in the northern climes and are getting some sunny weather now. Enjoy those warm days ahead. I'll just snuggle up with my mohair blanket and crank the heat up!

A Quick Finish ~ Buzz Buzz Bee

Instant satisfaction with this one! Only a day's stitching involved and already a finish is created. I stitched this small kit on Saturday and here's the end result.

For me to stitch this in a day, it has to be small. The design size measures 1" x 3 1/2" approx. which makes it very tiny. Done in silk threads with a gorgeous bee charm to add.

As mentioned in my last post, this little kit is a Shepherd's Bush exclusive and can be purchased via them direct only. The kit comes with the surrounding mat and all that it needs is the frame.

DESIGNER ~ Shepherd's Bush

PATTERN ~ Buzz Buzz Bee (shop exclusive kit)

FABRIC ~ Shepherd's Tan 32ct hand-dyed linen

THREADS ~ Au Ver A Soie & Silk Moire (1 over 2)

EMBELLISHMENT ~ Bee charm

STARTED/FINISHED ~ 22 May 2010

I knew I wasn't going to get through a bigger design very quickly and I wanted something that would be quick to do, so I knew I could count on a SB piece to suit. Unlike me, I haven't done any of their designs this year so I needed to rectify that. Now I'm happy, and I have another finish under my belt (albeit a small one) and I can do a little happy dance!

So small was this one that I could even use my mini hoop to stitch it up. So cute!

I hope you've had fun drooling over my pictures, and as always, thanks so much for dropping by. Until my next little adventure... happy stitching!

I Had To Add The Words

I had planned on posting a lot sooner than now, so I'm sorry if you've been waiting for the surprise I mentioned in my last update. I said you'd probably see Ah, 'Tis Spring pop up again and here she is. All finished with the words added. I know I could have left it as it was but I felt that the words complimented the folksy feel of the piece. I also added the bunny's nose and mouth.


I actually got this finished at the start of the month. Then for the past week I've had an eye infection and have hardly been on the computer at all. I'm still needing to take drops for my eye but it's a lot more comfortable than what it was, though still a little sore. So I thought I'd update my blog before more time passed.

Now onto my finish. This was such a fun pattern to work on and I've loved the colour changes to the original pattern. I can't take credit for coming up with the different thread choices though. They have been worked out by the lovely ladies at Shepherd's Bush. Lots of variegated colours in cotton threads, using assorted brands, but still in keeping with the original colour scheme. This is my version of Ah, 'Tis Spring...

DESIGNER ~ Notforgotten Farm

PATTERN ~ Ah, 'Tis Spring

FABRIC ~ 35ct Sand Linen

THREADS ~ Sampler Threads, Crescent Colours, and Weeks Dye Works (1 over 2 - except for the pocket and carrot sticking out, which I did with 2 over 2)

STARTED ~ 17 March 2010

FINISHED ~ 1 May 2010

So I promised I'd list the threads once I finished this one and here they are.

DMC ~ SUBSTITUTE

310 ~ Wood Trail (Sampler Threads)
434~ Onion Skin (Crescent Colours)
610 ~ Dublin Bay (Crescent Colours)
611 ~ Bunny Honey (Crescent Colours)
612 ~ Stepping Stones (Crescent Colours)
644 ~ Linen (Weeks Dye Works)
730 ~ Pea Pod (Crescent Colours)
732 ~ Bean Sprout (Crescent Colours)
733 ~ Guacamole (Weeks Dye Works)
758 ~ Sand (Weeks Dye Works)
783 ~ Copper Penny (Crescent Colours)
921 ~ Clay Pot (Crescent Colours)
3013 ~ Bean Sprout (Crescent Colours)
3021 ~ Picnic Basket (Sampler Threads)
3848 ~ Dove (Weeks Dye Works)
Ecru ~ Linen Weeks Dye Works)


The changes to these that I made was the carrot tops in the grass at the bottom, which I did in Guacamole. I thought they stood out more using this than the darker green would have. I got the symbols mixed up and did the basket pattern in Bean Sprout rather than Onion Skin. I quite liked it so I decided to leave it that way. The last change was with the wording. SB had chosen Dublin Bay which is a darker blue. I wasn't going to be comfortable with that and chose Onion Skin instead. The original chart had called for a 'drab brown' colour and thought Onion Skin fitted nicely. I'm so pleased with the result. I also wanted to take the opportunity to say a big thanks to Loraine for helping me with the threads too. She was my angel in need with this project. Please take the time to drop by her blog if you haven't lately, as she's just been on a short trip which is so interesting to read about, and is also working on Ah, 'Tis Spring (with a different colour palette).

A few more photos for your pleasure.


I haven't started on anything new as I haven't felt like stitching with my sore eye. I'm seriously considering working on the latest Stacy Nash Group project I received in the mail recently (see last post). I really like it! Whatever I do, it will be something small. I'm just not stitching a lot lately to get through a bigger piece.

Thanks for your dear comments and kindness, my stitching friends. Have a lovely week and I do hope those mothers out there who celebrated Mother's Day this past Sunday, had a wonderful day.

Another Finish ~ Angel In Your Heart

I finished Angel In Your Heart today and have been a bit creative with my completed piece. See what you think.

After placing French Knots throughout the Angel's dress, it began to look like she had chicken pox! So I had a thought and came up with the idea of adding some Lazy Daisy stitches to some of the French Knots to make flowers. I may pull out some of the French Knots as I still think it looks a bit busy.

I also put a Seed Bead in the centre of the flower at the top of her dress. This was left blank on the chart so you could do whichever you wanted.

Then I stitched the year and my initials down the bottom right of the design. There was a bit of a blank area which made room for this. In the same area I added a Mother of Pearl button in the shape of a heart.

So with these changes and different threads I used, I've made a few modifications compared to the original design. I've still tried to keep with the original colour tones though.

DESIGNER ~ Ewe & Eye & Friends (Twisted Threads)

PATTERN ~ Angel In Your Heart

FABRIC ~ 35ct Weeks Dye Works Linen

THREADS ~

Gentle Art - Cidermill Brown, Avocado

Crescent Colours - Prickly Pear, Little Pink Peony

Weeks Dye Works - Snowflake, Whitewash

DMC - 677, 3348

EMBELLISHMENTS ~ Mill Hill white seed bead, and Mother Of Pearl button

STARTED ~ 26 January 2010

FINISHED ~ 13 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa on BK&BT in between)

The only original thread I kept was Avocado for the border. The rest I substituted mainly because I looked at what was in my stash rather than buying the called for threads. The Cidermill Brown was for the words and eyes, Prickly Pear was the darker pink, Little Pink Peony was the lighter pink, Snowflake was for the Angel's wings, Whitewash was for her face, 677 was for the stars, and 3348 was for the French Knots.

My favourite part of the design has to be the Angel's wings. They're done in Smyrna Crosses and give a great effect.

I've loved stitching this piece and I hope you've enjoyed my progress on it just as much.

My next project will be Ah, 'Tis Spring. Although it's Autumn where I am, I love the bunny on it and with Easter coming up, it's a perfect time to stitch it.

Three finishes for the year so far, so I'm on track for a finish a month. Not that I'm aiming at that, I just like to stitch at an unregulated pace most of the time. Enjoyment is the key.

Thanks for stopping by and looking at my latest finish!

Be Kind & Be True ~ Finished!

I've now come to the end of my SAL with Melissa. We worked together on this project with much delight and both enjoyed it immensely. A lovely design, great company, and a wonderful ending. Thanks Melissa, for joining me on this journey and encouraging me to work on it quicker than I would have on my own. Here's the final result...

DESIGNER ~ With Thy Needle & Thread (Country Stitches)

PATTERN ~ Be Kind & Be True

FABRIC ~ WDW 35ct Linen

THREADS ~ recommended DMC (1 over 2)

STARTED ~ 20 February 2010

FINISHED ~ 8 March 2010

SAL ~ with Melissa of Words And Blooms

Linen choices and thread thickness were the main decisions for me at the start. I decided on WDW 35ct Linen because I had it in my stash, and it looked similar to what was used on the original design. Being 35ct I normally use one thread so I went with this theory on BK&BT. Looking back I think two threads would have been suitable for this design, but I'm still happy with the result that's been achieved. I stayed with the recommended DMC threads because I liked the colours of them, which was part of the appeal of this pattern.

My least favourite part (if there is one) were the leaves. I just didn't enjoy stitching them as much as other things. Maybe it was the quantity - you know, novelty wore off after a few. My favourite was the woman with her pantaloons. They're only peeking out from under her dress but I love the look of them! Simple but effective.

Can't forget the man with his big pants.

Now to how I'll finish this stitched project. I'm still tempted to stain it with Walnut Crystals and if I do I will show you the end result. I will also get this one framed in the future. I've been buying too much stash lately to get anything framed just now though.

Thanks for coming up with a great design, Brenda. I love your patterns and will stitch many of them in the future. Thanks also to those who have followed Melissa and I on our SAL. We've enjoyed your company.