Monday, March 05, 2012

Yee haw!

Beatrix Potter is all done but the shouting... errrr... initials (and some beading)--

This little corner came in last --

I've decided to turn this into an honorarium for the ladies of my family tree so I spent one evening with my family tree software collecting initials, one evening with graph paper testing alphabets, and finally another evening putting all the initials unto my working copy of the pattern.  As it stands I'm able to get my mom, my grandmothers, my aunts, and my 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 9th generation great grandmothers (well, at least the ones I have knowledge of).   Now the big question is whether the initials ought to be in one color or multiple colors -- at the moment I'm leaning to putting them in in the varied colors I've been stitching the piece with.  Thoughts?  Opinions?

And to follow up the joy of the last motif, I even finished my Tudor rose ornie--
It's on an overdyed jobelan from Wichelt called Raspberry Lite.  I did some messing about with the colors and stitches, but I'm rather pleased with it nonetheless.  One down -- 6 million ornies to go.  lol

I volunteered at the shop this weekend to mixed results.  We had a series of grumpy customers.  I'm willing to accept people's moods and confusions, but sometimes you can tell it's all a front.  We had a person come it to pick up a finished piece who started the conversation with she was "here to see" her piece and that she'd never even been called with a quote on the finishing costs.  Well, finishing for her particular type of item is pretty much always the same.  It was, of course, far too much for her, and maybe this wasn't right, and that was off, and maybe it was too dressy, or maybe it was not dressy enough.  Oh dear Lord save me from people posturing for discounts..... especially when they are wearing several large diamond rings, designers duds, and spend more having their hair done than I spend on food in a month.  

Aside from the troublesome types, I made progress on Ladies Day --

I thought I'd never finish the grey robe!  the bulk of it is Waterlilies, and there's a highlight stitch of a gunmetal Kreinik.  I do have to go back in and couch in a line around the sleeve to delineate it from the body of the robe, but that can wait until I enjoy a little purple stitching on The LAST lady!   hee  heee

I also got to check out the recently back from the finisher penguin from Sew Much Fun.  The shop's teacher did it.  I'd like to do it, but it bugs me.  Because of all the color on it's front it doesn't look very penguin-ish to me.  What do you think?




I wonder if I lightened up the bands on the stomach if it would work.  Whatcha think?

Go have yourself a beautiful day!



19 comments:

Margaret said...

Your Beatrix is gorgeous! Love your Tudor Rose ornie too. Too bad about the grumpy customers at the store. :( I never understand people like that. Love your Ladies Day progress too!

Caitlin @ Naughts Cross Stitches said...

ooo love the penguin and your beatrix potter is gorgeous. Make sure you have some info with the finished piece so future generations can work out what the initials mean! Oh and the rose is stunning.

Karen said...

Your Beatrix Potter is so pretty... happy stitching on the personalization!

I'm not much of a penguin person but he is cute!

happy stitching...

Deb said...

Your Beatrix is wonderful and maybe the initials should be in a mix of colors like the sampler. Although maybe all one color would stand out more. Your Tudor Rose ornie is gorgeous and that's too bad about the grumpy customers, but at least you have stories to tell! :o)

Thoeria said...

Beatrix is really gorgeous! And I'm leaning towards multiple colours that you've used in the design for the initials. Your ladies are also coming along fantastically - one day I'll try my hand at canvas work :) Oh and I so understand those difficult types you referred to! Had to deal with quite a few of them when I worked in retail! I love the penguin but agree - too much colours on the front. His back is fine with the colours but the front should be white - or if you want to stitch the front then stitch in white thread - just my opinion :)

Unknown said...

I love your Beatrix Potter its lovely, I'd go for initials in the colourways you've been using, you picked such lovely colours that compliment each other.
Grumpy customers are a pain, you can make some allowances for people but rudeness is not one of them and they forget their grumpy rains on your day.

Carol said...

What a truly lovely finish, Ruth!! Congratulations :)

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

Your finishes are beautiful! I think using the colors from the Beatrix design for the initials will look lovely. :)

Now the penguin, I think it's his beak that makes him look a little strange to me...the shape of body is good and the head, too...but the beak just looks odd. But he is a cutie! I think you should make him and do the changes you want on him. :)

Wishing you a lovely day.

Terri said...

The quaker sampler is gorgeous but I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE the Tudor Rose!! Congrats on the finishes!

LindataxPA said...

Way to go on Beatrix!!! I'd probably stitch the initials in one color (and not one that you've used in the sampler) but that's just me. I think that would help them stand out a bit. I adore penguins, but this one is a bit much for me - too many colors. If I ever get like your cranky customers, please kick me in the tush and call me Gert - I'll get the message.

Theresa said...

Your Beatrix is gorgeous!!!!!!!! I think using the varied colors you've been working with will look nice~~

Tudor Rose and Ladies Day are so pretty!!!! Your stitches are so perfect!!!!

I don't mind the colors on the penguin,I think it is very cute!!!!

Have a great day!! Hope there are no more grumpy customers!!!!

Shelleen said...

Congrats on finishing BP. It looks awesome. I don't care for the colors on the penguin either.

Mindi said...

Congratulations on finishing Beatrix, she's absolutely gorgeous. I love that you're putting family initials on her and truly making it your own.

Karen said...

WOO HOO on Beatrix!!!! Tudor Rose is perfect and the ladies are coming along!!! you are on a roll missy!

Karen said...

WOO HOO on Beatrix!!!! Tudor Rose is perfect and the ladies are coming along!!! you are on a roll missy!

Unknown said...

Congrats on the Beatrix! I was thinking of the different colors based on their generation - maybe. Your Ladies are looking more and more lovely. You have been really accomplishing things! And grumpy people are just so annoying. I have never understood what they get out of being that way.

valerie said...

Congrats on Bea. She is gorgeous and I really like the color scheme you chose. I think the initials in the same colorway would be nice or just pick one color and do the initials in that color. Tudor Rose is so pretty! The penguin is cute! The color on the tummy throws me off a little too but it's fun!

Veronica said...

I like the idea of stitching the initials in various colours you stitched the rest of the sampler with. I think it would go well with the entire piece.

Pretty Tudor Rose ornament :) Ladies Day looks fabulous!

Penguin is cute but perhaps a little too colourful for a penguin. LOL! Yeah, lighter colours would probably look better.

Hugs,
Veronica.

Carolyn NC said...

BP is just beautiful! And I love Tudor Rose and Ladies' Day - great stitching and penguin, too!