SPRING SAMPLER

I sat down this morning to work on my spring sampler, between loads of laundry. A few weeks ago, I signed up for Teresa McFayden's freestyle embroidery e-zine. For a while now, I have been working on a couple of samplers. Stitching on one and then stitching on the other--kinda going back and forth, depending on my mood. Needless to say, both are not finished. But, this particular sampler, I have been working on exclusively, since I signed up for the class. I am enjoying it very much.

Anyway---As I was laying it all out on the floor, my little furry buddy, Chester strolled over for a visit. He was such a happy kitty and purring so loudly. He decided to just plop himself down on top of my stitching, thinking it looked like a cozy spot. Or---maybe he was thinking, "No, you aren't working on this, you are going to pet and love me instead." Well, he was right. I did not work on my sampler, I sat and loved my Chester cat instead!

But, I do have some photos of my work in progress to share with you.

I'm adding fun little bits and pieces as I go along. I am using a few of the elements that were included with the e-zine, but mostly I'm doing my own thing.

Here is a fun little vignette using basic stitches, such as the back stitch, running stitch and the satin stitch. I have included beads, pearls, a velvet flower and scraps of fabric and lace. a garden of posies---Kelli style!

I love using scraps of fabric to stitch on before I add it to the base piece. It adds texture. Here, I used alot of french knots, the lazy daisy stitch and the word bloom was done with the back stitch.

I try to find time on most days to do a little something on my sampler. Somedays, I have time to do more involved things and some days just a few stitches here and there. I find it very relaxing and very fulfilling. Just a little creative something to make me happy.

Hope you all find a little creative something to make yourself happy this week.