My update on the Mary Wigham SAL

Hello all,
I was hoping to give you updates as my husband, son and I drove from California to Maine for our summer vacation. It didn't work out as I would have liked it to. I had purchased some reading classes to take with me and found out they weren't strong enough. Then I tried to stitch on the pattern and it was way to hard in a bouncing truck. I had hoped once we got to Maine I would find some time there. It didn't happen because we had something to do everyday while we were visiting with family. We were gone for 5 weeks.

Here is what I had started before leaving for Maine.



Here is what I have worked on since returning from Maine.



I am stitching this on 32 count Jobelan Lambswool. I changed two DMC colors. I am using 209 instead of Ecru. I am using B5200 instead of White. I am just about finished with part 1 and will be working on part 2.

To my stitching sisters who have posted ruefully here about having completed only one or two motifs, I say: take heart! I'm the one bringing up the rear.

I was so inspired by MW that I spent the summer going down a long long side road. I -- this is the short description -- dyed linen and then dyed silk thread with which to stitch upon it.


What an adventure it has been. When friends teased Thomas Edison about making 130 attempts at designing a light bulb filament, he responded "now I know 130 ways that don't work." Edison and me, guys.

But at last my linen, dyed to look old, faded, splotchy, and my silk are completed, and I'm ready to begin.

Starting Over

Call me crazy, but I have started over. Originally, I was stitching on 32 count, using all shades of blue. But the more I saw of the samplers stitched using the recommended colors (or close variations) the more I realized that I just like the way Mary stitched it, so why change it up? Besides, I really, really wanted to stitch it on 40 count.

My linen order arrived last week (Zwiegart 40 Ct. New Castle) It is a bit stiff right now, but I like the color a lot. I am using DMC fibers, not exactly the colors recommended, but close. Here is 3 days worth of stitching:

If you don't recognise it, that is because I started in the bottom right corner (one of my odd stitching quirks- bottom right is my preferred starting point).

Update on Progress

I have been finishing up some exchange pieces so my progress has been a little slow on this piece... and when I start to stitch on it ... I want to stitch nothing else but this piece! This shows where I am at with it though!
As of 08/20/2009 .

Melissa's Mary Update

I have been working more on my Mary Wigham sampler. I'm really enjoying this sampler thus far, not only stitching my own, but seeing all of your lovely samplers, too! I've not been stitching her exclusively as I still have other projects that need attention as well, but she is definitely my primary focus right now.

Here is my latest progress photo as of last night:


Click to enlarge
Fabric: 36-count Maritime White linen from Lakeside Linens
Fibers: Variety of GAST, CC, and WDW
Stitched 1-over-1 using tent stitch

Until next time ...

a little late... but still an update on progress!!!

A little LATE... I took these pictures 2 weekends ago... and will try to be a bit faster with the post on the next update... But 2 Saturday's ago my Friend Deb and I both met and stitched on our Mary SAL ... I wanted to show you all where we were at that point...


This was my Progress at that time... I have changed a few of the colors around and am using HDF silks on a Lt Mocha 32 count Linen.


You will see out little Sheepie... this is our stitch pet! He holds needles very well... ;)





This is my friend Debra's progress...


you can sorta see her sheepie! he is hidden some at the bottom!

I love that Green cartouche at the very right hand side of the top row!!!!







And... Guess where we were stitching....

That is right....
STARBUCKS!!!!!!

This seems to be the place for us to meet and stitch and be able to have a great atmosphere... and able to talk... and have a yummy beverage!!! i love our coffee house!!!

It's magnificent, Ellen! Congratulations on finishing Mary! You're an inspiration! My Mary has been set aside for awhile so I could finish a RR, but I hope to get back to her soon.
Sharyn :-)