Tuesday, March 10, 2009

Bees and Skeps

I'm moving along with The Potting Shed. I worked some more last night and this afternoon on it. The herbs are now hanging and I was able to complete the bees and skeps which are quite cute. Here in Australia we call skeps, hives as in bee hives. I didn't think of changing the wording because it's an American design and I like to keep the authenticity of it. Of course it would be quite easy to change if you wanted to.

The Potting Shed - 10 March 2009

I love stitching these narrow samplers because you can work through them and feel like you're getting somewhere quickly. This one was designed by Tina Richards Herman of Shepherd's Bush in 1995, and there's a lot of her earlier samplers like this one that I love. Probably most of them I have too! :)

Another sampler I'd started in 2004 which I adore is called Saint Peter's Fair. After working on it I'd realised that I was out with my thread count on the sides. I continued on, trying to work with it, but ended up losing interest. I tend to do that. If I know there's a mistake, the enthusiasm seems to go. I would love to get back to this one some day. I've got a few unfinished designs sitting there that need to be completed. It's funny how some you just love and can't wait to finish, then others seem like a chore. Needlework shouldn't be a chore, that's why I end up putting them away for a while. Though a while always seems to be a long time. :)

13 comments:

Anna Zont said...

Wonderful process. I followed him with love and interest. Of course, the inspiration must come back to finish that processes.

acereta said...

Beautiful!

Asta said...

wow... its amazing!!!

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

Great progress, Jane! I know what you mean - stitching should be a pleasure, not a chore; life is too sort to stitch on something that you are not excited about!

Suburban Stitcher said...

I love the beautiful soft colors in this one! Your stitching is gorgeous!

Anonymous said...

It's really pretty - you're getting along with it so quickly!

Deb said...

Your stitching is so beautiful and you're moving along so quickly!
Deb

Jean said...

Oh, I can relate to how one must really like what they are doing and not feel like it is a chore! I had that very (opposite) experience last night. I was trying to finish an ornie. It felt like an albatross hanging on my neck. I hated finishing it for some reason and I was so close to the end. I finally just tackled it and did a happy dance to have the stitching done. It came out pretty, but again, I want to finish it into an ornament and say goodbye to it!

Love how your piece is progressing!
Jean

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Beautiful stitching and your photos, as always, are beutiful!!! I love SB and your pictures always make me want to start another one!

From the Attic said...

That is so pretty. I love those herbs hanging. You are powering through this one Jane.

Chrissie :)

Melissa said...

Jane, why are all your pieces so nicely wrinkle free? You must do a wonderful job pressing it before each "photo shoot". It's looking very pretty.

I agree, needlework shouldn't be a chore. Sometimes you just have to take a break - especially from larger pieces.

Theresa said...

I love those bees and herbs!!!! So pretty!!!!

Brigitte said...

Very nice progress on The Potting Shed.
St Peter's Fair is one of my favourite SB designs. When I lose motivation on a certain design I also put it aside for a while. And then, one day, mostly when I get inspired by some other stitcher I pull it out again and continue stitching on it with a new motivation.