My last new start for January was Blackbird Design's Christmas Garden. What a fun, fun piece. I just love the colors and all the motifs. The border is wonderful, it repeats itself which means once you know the pattern it's easy stitching :-).
As pretty as the Christmas Garden was at the bottom, it just wasn't working for me. Every time I saw that sort of stylized alphabet I couldn't help but substitute the word "beer" for "Christmas", LOL. I also thought it would bother me to leave it out year around with Christmas stitched on it so I determined I was going to change it. Initially I tried to convince Paulette that she should re-chart it for me, she very sweetly declined ;-). I thought about what to do for a few days, reworking a design is not my strong point. I also tend to be a bit of purist which means I need to use Blackbird motifs and alphabets so that it is still their piece. I considered stitching a favorite sampler verse and while I was pondering that I realized there was such an easy solution, just add an alphabet :-). I am very pleased with how it turned out.
So now it's back to stitching whichever design is calling my name the loudest. I am determined to finish a couple pieces so that Natalia and Jen can teach me how to frame my own work. I am so excited to learn.
It always makes me smile a bit when I am showing my stitching to someone and they ask me if they can touch it, LOL. Not that I don't wash my hands before I start stitching and I generally try to be careful with my pieces but I don't worry too much. Chloe in particular likes to lay on my work if I leave it on the ottoman :-).
Hoping everyone is enjoying winter, we got dumped on yesterday, and finding lots of time to stitch!!!! Thanks so much for taking time to read and comment on my blog. Speaking of which, I thought it was time to change my look :-). I am hoping to continue updating regularly but I hate to make promises, I don't want to jinx myself, LOL.
Happy Stitches,
Katrina
p.s. I am happy to share the alphabet particulars just be sure if you are no reply you leave me an email in the comment section and I will send close-ups of the stitching along with a general outline of how I stitched it. I did a lot of counting and no charting, LOL.
p.s. I am happy to share the alphabet particulars just be sure if you are no reply you leave me an email in the comment section and I will send close-ups of the stitching along with a general outline of how I stitched it. I did a lot of counting and no charting, LOL.
114 comments:
What a pretty piece. I love the colors too and your change is perfect.
Love your stitching companion.
Very pretty, Katrina - you are making great progress.
Chloe is sooo cute!!!
I really love how that alphabet came out at the bottom. The little sprig of holly or whatever it is at the end of the first line is so sweet! Love the pic of Chloe -- so cute!
Love your Christmas Garden. Would you share your alphabet? Chloe is such a cutie too!
I really like your change, Katrina! The fact that it said Christmas kind of kept me from doing it - I don't like to do seasonal pieces especially. Your solution is perfect. May I copy you?
Chloe is adorable - looks a lot like Sophie.
Your bravery paid off~~ the bottom of the sampler is perfect now....I would love to do the same thing! If thats ok..... Little Chloe is just too cute!!
Take care, Faye
How pretty....I just love your "making it your own" with the alphabet. happy stitching....
Ingenious. I like it better than the original. Beautiful colors too.
Nice job! The Christmas reference is exactly what kept me from ordering this one. Your alphabet seems to be very popular. I, too, would love to have it if you're sharing.
I like what you've done a lot Katrina. The alphabet is a perfect solution. Your piece looks wonderful and Chloe looks wonderful too!
You have a wonderful start on Christmas Garden. And I love your change...I think you are starting a trend here. I never would have thought of that, but I sure do like it. Keep up the good work!
Bobbi
Love your alphabet change. So creative! I actually just ordered this pattern finally today after seeing others with their WIPs. It is growing on me more and more.
Laughing about beer garden! Now that's all I'll be able to think about while I stitch it. Your solution is great and I'm trying to decide if I'll do something similar or leave it as is. While I want to leave it up, the Christmas part doesn't bother me, especially since I like the illuminated type capital letters. Your stitching is so pretty, and I love your blog wallpaper.
The alphabet was a great idea for Christmas Garden. It is such a lovely design!
Wow! You have really gotten a lot done! Love your alphabet and Chloe is such a cutie on your piece! Can't wait to start stitching this one!
What a clever idea! I love BBD designs - could you plese send me the info/pics on how you did this? I'd love to stitch this sampler and keep it up all year round. Thanks!
Nice job on the revamp! I have plans to change up the bottom too...and the Christmas tree...it won't be in mine!
Your work is always so lovely - and I really love the scissor fob! I know that wasn't the point of this post, but I have always loved them and never done one myself, but I really like yours.. guess I'll add that to the list of 'want-to-do'!
Beautiful piece of work Katrina and I would love the alphabet particulars. nwatkins2@centurytel.net
Not sure if I am no reply or not. What color linen did you use on this? It really is beautiful!
Oh my gosh Katrina - I might have to copy you too! What a great idea! It's looking great...
I love your changes and would like to copy what you did. Thanks. sammi916@comcast.net
What a wonderful BBD's sampler, the colors are so beautiful, congrats for this choice ! Happy stitches...
Absolument beautiful !!!
I love the lovely dog !!
marylin FRANCE
Awesome start Katrina! I really like the colors in this piece and you had a great idea changing "Christmas Garden" to an alphabet! Chloe is a cutie!
I think your change looks perfect. I like personalising designs and think that you should go with your own creative ideas.
Chloe is such a sweetie, just look at this eyes.
Looks great! I would have perhaps gone with a larger alphabet (like the one on the latest Loose Feathers) on this huge piece, increasing the border's length if necessary - but that's just my taste :-)
oooo I have just ordered this chart and am itching to get it ...lol love how you have changed the bottom of it and may just squeak to you when I finally get round to stitching it ... I have to laugh when folks want to look at the back of my work too ... and awwwww Chloe looks adorable :) and nice fabbie in the back ground too :) love mouse xxxxx
It looks great, Katrina! Nice progress--and the alphabet looks like it was made for that spot! Love the picture of Chloe. I think she is hoping to get some of the attention you'd been giving to Christmas Garden. ;)
Isn't Christmas Garden the loveliest of stitches?! I love your idea with the alphabet. Like you, I haven't been totally taken by the wording but had only got round to thinking that I'd leave that section out and not what I'd do in its place. The alphabet was an inspired thought!
Great progress and wow, I love how you added the alphabet to make it your own!
A wonderful process! Such soft colors of thread! I love it!
aww so beautiful..
stunning..
chloe is such a cutie..
big hugs xxx
The alphabet looks perfect, Katrina--that must have taken a tremendous amount of work to chart it out so perfectly... Wonderful stitching :)
Hey Katrina! Thanks for the offer of the alphabet! If you could please send your close-ups to
Mikes1mom@gmail.com
Thanks so much!
LOVE IT! I think I'm definitely going to have to copy you on this one. I love how it looks with the motifs. Beautiful. Now...tell me about that little strawberry on your floss ring...
Hi! Just browsing thru your beautiful site - ran across the Reproduction Round Robin - Is that a piece that many contributed to or is it a piece that comes as a chart? I don't know the name of it and it is just beautiful! Please elaborate! Thanks, Jeanie Guhl
Rxlady8265@gmail.com
Gorgeous! I love that it's more 'year round' your way. I'd love to hear how you went about it - is it alphabet in the chart, or another BBD? Great creativity! Hope you and Chloe enjoy the snow and a day of stitching! By the way, your WIP display on the side bar are real enablers to me!!
It looks wonderful Katrina - I like the alphabet and the fact that you can leave it out year is a bonus.
Love, love, love the alphabet you added! Like many, I was on the fence with this design. While I thought it was beautiful, I was reluctant to stitch it in its charted-form. Thank you for your offer to share your alphabet knowledge. Now I will be stitching this beauty. (erdurden@att.net)
Oh, and Elvis (my stitching-buddy-cat) sends his regards to Chloe--almost cat-like in her choice of nesting places, he says.
Regards, Ralee (and Elvis)
What a great idea for an alternative to the "Christmas Gardens" words! It looks great!
Stunning Katrina! I was planning on leaving the wording at the bottom out altogether, but can see I might 'borrow' your idea instead, if that's OK?
It looks stunning. x
The alphabet looks like it belongs there, Katrina. You did a great job!
While you're learning to frame from Jen and Natalie, will you teach about blogger???? I'm so a novice and haven't had time to play around with cool backgrounds and awesome header displays!!
Katrina,
Love what you did with the pattern. I also did not want to do it because it just shouted
Christmas and I want to leave it up all year. Would love if you would share with me too. Also what pattern is the scissor fob? I LOVE it. Thanks so much, Jo Ann
jaomma1@aol.com
Hello Katrina love your changes, what count and color fabric are you using? gwen19072002@yahoo.com
Hi Katrina,
Lovely work. I would love to have you share the alphabet portion with me. mtjacobi@chorus.net
Teri
Looks like it was meant to be there. Lovely. CJ in OK ;-)
Gorgeous !
Your Christmas Garden stitching looks absolutely gorgeous!
Could you please share the alphabet particulars with me? This piece is on my to do list, but the wording has been bothering me.
Thank you
Michelle
mwmisti@gmail.com
Beautiful. Your Alphabet looks great. Can't wait to see this one all done.
The alphabet is perfect. Good choice. It's going to be a beautiful piece to keep out all year.
Thanks so much for your kind comments on ATS.
I really like your alphabet solution. There have been so many times when I have wanted to change the wording. It can be a real hassle with the space issue though, especially with a border.
Lovely "beer garden"...great job on the change.
Love your creative changs. Alphabets are my favs so hope you will share this tip with me.
pjstitcher@mchsi.com
pj
Hi -- I love your "re-design" of Christmas Garden. It is the perfect solution, Please send me the particulars of the alphabet you used. Is it from one Blackbird Design pattern, or several?
Many thanks. Your stitching is beautiful.
Sharon
Your BBD piece is gorgeous!! I didn't buy the chart because of it being so "Christmas" but you solved that problem for me!! I would love to have a copy of your alphabet too!! Pretty Please!!!! LOL
email:
yvonne (dot) jhc @ comcast (dot) net
Katrina ~ I would love a copy of your changes ~ just great! I already started this but I was on the fence about The Christmas Garden part of it ~ thanks so much
Katrina, you have completely intrigued me with your changes to Christmas Garden. I love this design but do not need another massive Christmas piece to be displayed one month a year. Love, love, love what you are doing with this and would love for you to share your design tricks with me. :)
Chloe is such a cutie!
I love your changes to Christmas Garden. Like others, I was on the fence about the design because I didn't want to put all that work into it only to have it up about six weeks a year. I would love information on how you added the alphabet. My email is anniesmom57@hotmail.com (Thanks much!)
Terri in Illinois
I love the change you've made to this! It just looks so pretty and though it was meant to be. I don't have this design as yet but am intent on purchasing it later this year so please could you share your alphabet info :) Thank you.
Chloe is so cute!
Hi, Katrina, yes, I would like your alphabet for the Christmas Garden. I was thinking, Peaceful Garden, but I like your alphabet..more samplerish! my email is sisterstitcher@gmailcom..thanks so much!!
Sorry Katrina, I'm a little behind on my commenting. You piece is so beautiful!!! What a great solution! I'd love it if you'd share the particulars with me!
Linda
I would like your alphabet also.
I have been thinking about putting my last name. I like your idea better.
mickeyb77@gmail.com...thank you
Katrina - Love your alphabet! That turned out beautifully! I would love to know the particulars. You can email me at kcarr@schwabe.com. Thanks so much. Kate
Oh I love this sampler! I just bought the supplies for this project this weekednd. I love the idea of adding an alphabet. Please share with me what you did! Hiddenheart@kellerits.com
LOL about Christmas looking like beer. I don't think I will ever be able to stitch that again without thinking of you! :)
Have a great one.
I am just lovin' the change to an alphabet... if it's not too much trouble I would love to see the particulars about how you made it.
Thanks!!
edgar
edgar matt @ g mail dot com(no spaces)
Oh, Katrina, like some others, I may have to follow your example. Your alphabet looks perfect in that spot, and I think that using a BBD alphabet was especially smart. Your start is just gorgeous.
Very nice progress Katrina and I love the change that you made! Great idea:)
Chloe is a cutie!
Love your change. It is perfect. Please share the details. I commented earlier and neglected to leave my email address: sharon at heisel dot org
Many thanks,
Sharon
Hello again Katrina - I was wondering if you could tell me which design or chart you used for that fantastic scissor fob. It's beautiful! Thank you, Kate (kcarr@schwabe.com).
So pretty, Katrina! Your alphabet looks as if it was specifically designed for the piece! So nice!
I love your blog backround, too. It's perfect with your name in it.
Chloe is adorable! Miss Kitty likes to sit in my stitching tray on my work, too.
Can't wait to see your progress on your beautiful WIPs.
Sorry this comment is so late, but I had to tell you how much I love your Christmas Garden!! I just gorgeous! I always look forward to your posts! :)
Katrina, I love what you did with this piece! Can't believe how much you have already stitched. I, too, am not going to put the words Christmas Garden into it as I will hang it all year round.
Katrina, I love the background picture on your blog. (I can't seem to get enough A&E patterns!) What pattern is it from? Thanks,
Gorgeous BBD design!! I love the colours!! That tiny little fob is amazing!! Did you make that one? Cute doggie too :D
Katrina, I think the change is perfect and the alphabet looks like it was made for that spot !!! I think it is going to be gorgeous in the end :-)
The change you made has worked out so well. Your little dog is looking very comfortable there guarding your stitching:))
Chrissie
Katrina, your Christmas Garden with the changes you made at the bottom is just fabulous! Love it, I hope you don't mind if you see that again. I had not purchased that piece for the simple reason that it is Christmas and one month to display would not be enough.
Hi Katrina, word verification giving me fits lately, thought I left this for you yesterday. I also would much appreciate the alpha change you made on BBD Christmas Garden. Really enjoyed this post, love your coffee trick:)
Also would appreciate a moment of your time off blog, when you've a moment? Can't find an email for you in your profile.
Thx much.
stitchin sweet sue (at) gmail (dot) com (no spaces)
I'd love to have the information about the addition of the alphabet. It absolutely makes the piece. I commented earlier but didn't add my e-mail address so I'm sharing that with you now. You're stitching is so beautiful that I always want to stitch what you've done. Thanks so much.
jherring 002 at woh dot rr dot com. (no spaces)
I would love to stitch your alphabet. I think it is beautiful! Just started this piece today. Thank you so much for sharing!debrahscott@yahoo.com.
Love the way you changed it. I am going to stitch this piece to, but do not like the words that much either.
Do you share the alpabet and how you at it to the design?
whitess@home.nl
I love the alphabet!! Your finish is beautiful... I would love a copy of the alphabet if you are sharing.. Thanks.
p.matejcek@yahoo.com
Your sampler is gorgeous! Like a lot of other stitchers, I love the change you made to the design - it makes the piece suitable for year round display.
I would like more information on the alphabet you used.
Thank you for sharing!
Margaret C
Your progress on Christmas Garden is gorgeous! Love your changes, those alphabets look great! Would love to have the information on the alphabets, thank you for sharing!
Hugs,
I find your wonderful changes, so is this beautiful work is not seasonal, and you can enjoy every day.
Would I of the changes you have received?
Thank you very much.
Ans
roodbeen765@kpnmail.nl
I like your idea a lot!!!
Karin :)
in NY
Are you willing to share the alphabet that you used on this piece? I absolutely love the finish this way
Love the changes you made to the design. Could you send me a copy of the alphabet - lora.otoole@gmail.com. Many thanks!!
Katrina,
Please can I have your alphabet paticulars for the chart as I would like to do it the same way as I love your idea.
That is if it is ok with you?
Of course there is so much on my plate that I will not be doing it right now but love it & have the chart.
Karin :)
in NY
Katrina,
My email is karinlv675@gmail.com
I would love to have your charting for the alphabet if it's ok.
I just love it.
Karin :)
in NY
I love your idea about the alphabet!! Can I please use your alphabet on mine too? Thanks!
Kim Hart8ak@comcast.net
Hi Katrina,
I would greatly appreciate the alphabet changes you have made. Thanks for sharing,
Dorothy
dmorton001@indy.rr.com
Katrina,
I really like the changes you made to Christmas Garden. I would like to get the information from you to make the change also.
Thank you,
sandyxstitcher@gmail.com
Oh, please would you share the info on the alphabet on the bottom of Christmas Garden with me? I have loved it, but been reluctant to stitch it just because of the big wording at the bottom. You are so clever!!
lucasd329@gmail.com
hello
I like your alphabet can you send it to me please
thnk you very much
marie from france
oups I forgot my mail
marie.pasquir-bonjour@sfr.fr
thank you
marie.pasquier-bonjour@sfr.fr
The alteration you did to this design is wonderful! I agree with your feelings regarding Christmas all year 'round. I would love to replicate your alphabet, and it is very kind of you to offer the particulars. I am at jkseip@comcast.net. Thank you!
Hi Katrina - I love the alphabet you used on the Christmas Garden - could I please have your alphabet that you used for it? Thank you so much!
trsamcat@cox.net
Tedra - Phoenix
Please send to me the alphabet particulars on The Christmas Garden. Thank you. skruffner@windstream.net
Katrina
I just bought this today and would love to know of your changes. I actually passed it up when I first saw it as I thought of it as just a Christmas piece.
Billie
Billie.barbee@intel.com
Hello - I just saw your alpahbet finish on Nicole's Needlework - your idea is great! I too was stuggling with leaving the Christmas wording up all year. It's a lovely design, and much to nice to be tucked way 10 months of the year. I would like to receive your alpabet if it is still available.
Your work is lovely.
Thanks for sharing.
Colleen cvh@nbnet.nb.ca
Hello..I've been browsing your blog tonight and came across your Christmas Garden Sampler. I was sooo excited to see your idea of the alphabet!!. I had obtained the pattern but had not begun it as I didn't want to make another Chritmas sampler...It is too beautiful to put away. I would love to recieve your details on how to change the sampler so that I too could enjoy it all year.:-))
Silly me...I just left a comment requesting your wonderful adaption for the Christmas Garden Sampler and didn't leave my Email address. Lucky for me I sew much better than I write!! Thank you again
Gretchenswart@comcast.net
Hello from Canada
I just discovered your blog...wow! what a beautiful finish of the "Christmas Garden". I would very much appreciate if I could also receive a copy of the changes that you did at the bottom of the sampler.
My email address is kimbra@nbnet.nb.ca
Thank you once again...I will be coming back to visit your wonderful blog to see your new projects.
Would you be so kind as to send me the information for adding the alphabet at the bottom of the "Christmas Garden" chart. I think it looks wonderful.
Thank you, Helen
rphag@hotmail.com
Katrina I was just browsing your blog and what you have done with this design is just perfect. I have the pattern but have been procrastinating about it being a Christmas pattern. If I am going to spend all that time stitching it I would like to be able to hang it all year not just at Christmas. If the offer to share the alphabet is still there I would love a copy of it please. Many thanks. Jocelyn
jthomo@msn.com
Bonjour
Please, would it be possible to share the alphabet to change the "Christmas garden" , Thanks a lot
uneaiguilledansunedredon@gmail.com
Love your alphabet, my email is carter8007 at msn.com
Katrina
I would appreciate it if you would share your alphabet. Your piece is outstandingly beautiful.
ruco58@att.net
I have just started this design, and also love your idea of the alphabet and would appreciate it if you could share the information with me as well. Thanks.
Barb
kejilover @ hotmail. com (close the gaps)
I love your blog and your beautiful work but I would like to email you if possible... I'm not too good with computers and blogs.
Would it be possible to share the alphabet to change the "Christmas garden"?
Thank you!
cecitaylorcrafts at gmail.com
Ceci
I love the change you made. I loved that chart but didn't buy it because I didn't like the Christmas Garden either. What did you use for the alphabet?
Post a Comment