Now on to summer stitches...

 The 4th is now behind me, and I reached my goal for patriotic stitching when I finished the final ...  Threadworks Primitive, "Uncle Sam."  Loved stitching this one as it is small but full of motifs along with the main character.  So here he is...stitched on 32 ct. Helix linen from Picture This Plus using the recommended threads.  

Wherever I go, Michaels, etc., I look for display pieces that I think I can use in the future, therefore when Uncle Sam was completed I went to my display store facility (right now my walk in closet since I still haven't finished the stitching room, hell I haven't even started it yet.) and came across a small sized hornbook.  It was just plain so I had to paint it or something.  I had just received some July 4th scrapbook paper and couldn't resist using it as well.  That's the background you see here.  It's so much easier and less messy than painting.  And I finished stitching it July 4th so I just had to put the 4th of July paper button on it as well.  

Once July 4th was behind me it was time to start my summer stitching. Do you have a schedule for stitching certain things?  I do and it helps me keep current for model in the shop.  So June is Patriotic pieces, July is for summer stitching, August is Autumn stitching, September is a continuation of Autumn or school, October is for Thanksgiving, November is Christmas, January is Valentines, February is St. Patricks or Irish, March is spring and Easter, April is spring and Patriotic, May is patriotic as well or floral pieces. 

 I usually start choosing my next project while I'm still stitching the previous project but nearly at the end.  This time I pulled out a WIP from a couple of years ago that I had only done a little on but had stuffed it back in a tote which I continually open to see what's in it so I decided to get it out and finish it.   It's from an Erica Michaels chart pack called Summertime Berries, and there are actually 3 berry charts inside.  But I loved this one because it is done in Monochrome and every so often I just want to stitch with one color of overdyed thread.  So I used the called for color from Classic Colorworks, "Deep Blue Sea," and proceeded to finish the stitch.  I got to the big M and noticed there was over one stitching involved.  My problem and I'm sure the reason I never completed the darn thing was I had started it stitching over one.  So I stopped stitching

and started over stitching over 2, so I could have the over 1 stitching as well.  While I love my over 1 berries, this was so much easier to stitch, but looks enormous to me.  

 

Good ole Summertime is what it says.    I topped it with Weeks Dye Works Blue Jean Wool and Snowball Wool.  Love my berries, so I'm sure you will see more coming from me.  

More good news out of Salty Yarns...

 Sara has Ann Strite-Kurz coming in September to teach, "Beachcombers Booty".  All the info is on the Website under events.  But here is a picture just to give you a glimpse on what I'll be stitching in September where I'll be learning the open blackwork pattern.  

I hope to see you there.