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.

It's Almost Complete

I got a decent amount done by my standards yesterday on BK&BT. I'm now down to a few leaves on the right of the tree, five more letters, and just the rest of the border to go. I think I'll try to finish it off tomorrow!

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 6 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

I love the colours Brenda has chosen for this pattern and it's been a delight to see it unfold.

There's a new movie out called Dear John, and I went to see it today. Wonderful! A really lovely movie that held your interest throughout. I didn't cry but my eyes may have had the slightest tear towards the end. It could have kept going where it ended but was left up to you to imagine what would have happened. Not a horrid war movie either as these don't appeal to me. So try and see it if you can.

Welcome also to those new to my blog, I hope you enjoy visiting. To those loyal followers, thank you for your friendship and kind interest in my needlework. It's a pleasure to share this wonderful hobby with you.

Squirrels in Trees

I'm getting a bit further with BK&BT and have added squirrels, flowers, and another bird to the tree. Some apples and a few more letters complete my progress from yesterday.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 5 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

Now I'm down to finishing off the rest of the leaves, letters, and border.

I can see the end is near!

A Lovely Day Out

I had a day out yesterday with my Mum. We went to Yarragon where our favourite quilting/stitching shop is. We hadn't been for a few months so we took the opportunity while I'm still on leave to enjoy the day out together. I've mentioned the quilting shop Candleberry Country before and since our last trip, it's had a facelift with a coat of paint on the outside. It used to be a duck egg blue.

Candleberry Country - Yarragon

I didn't want to spend much and by my standards I was quite restrained. I found a mixed bag of wool and felt cuts, a few bits of fabric I liked, some buttons, and a piece of white lace trim.

The bag of brown buttons was my first find. I grabbed it as soon as I saw it! If you remember I bought a similar bag last year of cream coloured ones. I said to myself, if I ever saw another bag of them I would get some. I'll be able to add them to my stitcheries in the future.

The packet of cream buttons I bought are vintage style. They could be used for the middle of a biscornu or anything really. I just have to grab these things when I see them because they won't be there the next time, then I work out what to do with them later on.

While we were at Yarragon we also went to Annabelle's which is a delightful shop filled with decorating treasures with that feminine look. They have a few French Provincial style furniture there too. Mum found a gorgeous pink and white quilt to give to her youngest grand daughter.

Then we had a scrumptious bite to eat at a cafe which filled us up for the rest of the day. The weather was lovely and I always enjoy the drive to Yarragon as it's heading away from the city and out of heavy traffic.

So onto my stitching update. I am still working on BK&BT and haven't done a lot over the last few days. Other things to do (like yesterday) and not as much stitching time. I'm trying to get some more done on it today and after this post I'll get back to it and work on it more tonight. I got all the branches done on the tree last night and here's where I'm up to.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 4 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

You'll be pleased to know (if you don't already) that Melissa has finished hers up. Drop by her blog and see it all completed. She may be starting another job soon so she wanted to have it all stitched before then. She's done an amazing job and has stitched it up within two weeks! Though, it's a wonderful design and so enjoyable to do, so if you're thinking of doing this one yourself, you'll love it. Thanks for stitching this with me Melissa, it's been fun. I hope to have mine finished soon too.

A Little More Stitching on BK&BT

Some more progress to show of my SAL with Melissa on BK&BT. I worked on the branch above the man, the birds, flowers, dog, and the letter U.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 1 March 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

Drop by Melissa's blog to see her progress. We're trying to keep pace with each other and I think we're doing well with our progress.

I received some stash from The Silver Needle's Superbowl Sale order I placed early last month, yesterday. A couple of Jill Rensel mats, and some other bits 'n bobs. Details will have to wait for another time though.

Just a quick update today. More next time...

Man and Woman Stand Together

Some more progress to report on BK&BT. This is from Friday when I was able to complete the man and a couple of letters, Z and W.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 26 February 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

Now man and woman are standing together, apart from the tree separating them that is. :)

I was out for most of the day shopping yesterday and today I've been to a 50th celebration for one of my work colleagues, which hasn't left much stitching time. Last night I felt tired after walking around for so long at the shops and tonight I think I'll have a quiet one. There's a show I want to watch on TV so I think I'll do that instead of my stitching. Plus I want to give Melissa a chance to catch up with me since she's been a bit under the weather lately (feeling sick). Sending good health to you Melissa, I do hope you're feeling much better and full of energy real soon. I'm having so much fun with this SAL and looking forward to our next step with it.

Thank you all for your comments. They're just a joy to read and fill me with pleasure!

Branching Out

Here's some photos to keep you up to date with my SAL with Melissa. Yesterday I started working on parts of the tree. A couple of branches, a few leaves here and there, even another birdie and some more letters in the alphabet.

I love how the more you progress with a design the more interesting it gets.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 25 February 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

Today I've started working on the man. I plan on stitching tonight, so we'll see how far I progress with it.

Melissa is working on the opposite side to me and has completed the woman now. I think she plans on showing her progress on her blog tomorrow, all going well. For me, I'm off to stitch some more!

Moving at a Fast Pace

Melissa and I are working our way through BK&BT and yesterday I was able to get the woman, flowers, and a couple of birdies done. I ended up stitching day and night until 12am to get this far! I really wanted to finish her off before I went to bed. Her eyes will come later as they're done with French Knots. Melissa has started work on the tree and finished the man, so she's doing the opposite side to me.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 23 February 2010 (SAL with Melissa)

I've had a busier day today with things to get done so I'm only going to get a few hours in of this SAL tonight. It will be a few hours well spent anyway.

Now I have some new/old scissors to show you, which I'm sure you've noticed in the photos above. They're genuine antique style which I bought on eBay recently. I thought they looked a bit like the ones Stacy Nash uses in her photos. They just have a bit more detail on them. They're only 3 3/4" in length and are more for decoration rather than proper needlework scissors.

I better head off now as I've got stitching to be done. Drop by Melissa's blog and see where she's up to on her progress. I'm sure she'll be glad you did!

What an Honour!

As you know I'm stitching BK&BT as a SAL with Melissa. She's brought to my attention that Brenda, who designed this chart, has mentioned our SAL on her blog! How cool is that and what an honour to have this mentioned in such a way. Now the pressure's on, Melissa. :)

Anyway, I'm trying my best to keep up and hold my end of the bargain. I'm just glad we chose to do this while I'm on annual leave from work and Melissa herself is on a break. Actually I think a SAL is good every once in a while. It really drives you to want to stitch more. I surely wouldn't have done this much in a short space of time if it wasn't for Melissa, so thank you my stitching buddy! She has since got a bit further with hers as she's now working on the tree and man.

This is where I got to after yesterday's session through the afternoon/evening.

BE KIND & BE TRUE - 22 February (SAL with Melissa)

Melissa and I are both working with one thread. The original design calls for two on a 32ct fabric. Since we're working on 35ct we thought the one thread would be enough. You could quite easily do two threads on either count though. We'll call ours the more primitive or frugal version shall we say. :)

I'd really love to finish mine off with walnut crystals as Brenda has hers, to give it that aged look. Has anyone used this technique and how did it turn out? What would be the best way to do it? I'd appreciate your thoughts and ideas.

So as I head off for another session of this wonderful sampler, I hope you're all having fun with what ever your working on. Enjoy!