Updated October 1, 2014

Earlier this year I discovered a new designer, two actually – Barb Adams and Alma Allen who are Blackbird Designs. I kept seeing pictures of Loose Feathers – Summer, Autumn, and Winter which was a sampler in three parts released by this team. I just had to stitch it and did. It now hangs framed in my bedroom. Thus began an addiction to some of their designs, many which are now out of print.

As I looked for other projects of theirs to stitch, I saw a picture of the finished sampler shown below:

The photo is courtesy of Vaida Balaseviciute

The Blackbird Designs Mystery Sampler is comprised of bonus charts that were included in the Loose Feathers charts 31 – 34, in 2008 and 2009. It can be stitched in parts on separate pieces and colors of linen and then sewn together OR as one piece. I plan on stitching it all as one piece on 28ct Antique White Monaco.

Charts

Blessings and Kind Wishes, Loose Feathers #31  with Bonus #1 (75w x 120h)  & #2 (60w x 120h)
Beyond My Heart Loose Feathers #32 with Bonus #3 (79wx 120h)
Keepsake Box & Pinkeep Loose Feathers #33 with Bonus 4 (60w x 120h)
Two Hearts, Loose Feathers #34  With Bonus #5 (75w x 120h)

Fibers

GAST Mulberry (DMC 3857) – 2 skeins
GAST Gingersnap (DMC 400) – 2 skeins
GAST Flax (DMC 612 & 613) – 2 skeins
GAST Peacock (DMC 3768) – 2 skeins
GAST Shaker White (DMC  822) – 1 skein
WDW Basil  (DMC 3041 & 3051) – 1 skein
GAST Roasted Marshmallow (DMC 3865)
WDW Charcoal (DMC 844) – 2 skeins,
WDW Moss (DMC 469) – 3 skeins
WDW Olive (DMC 732) 2 skeins
CC Caterpillar – (DMC 801 & 3371)
NOTE: You may choose to stitch the flowers that are Shaker White in Flax as suggested by another stitcher. Where more than 1 skein is listed, it comes from someone who had already stitched this.

 

Fabric

Overall measurement for Mystery Sampler is (stitch count 349 x 120h)

30ct 23 ¼ x 8  plus 4” all around – cut fabric 32 x 16 ½
28ct 24 7/8 x 8 ⅝ plus 4” all around – cut fabric 33½ x 17

http://dragonxser.wordpress.com/2011/05/09/blackbird-designs-mystery-sampler-finish/

http://blackbirddesigns-stitchers.blogspot.com/2010/08/mystery-sampler.html

Started stitching January 1, 2015
Finished stitching Part 1 January 5, 2014

Progress January 13, 2014 Parts 1 & 2 finished

Progress February 14, 2015 – Parts 1, 2, and 3 finished.

Progress March 17, 2015

Completed stitching May23, 2015

And here is what it will look like framed. Still have to pin and stretch the piece and get the glass. While the mat looks blue in the picture, it is a deep mottled green.

After stitching Loose Feathers – Summer, Autumn, and Winter I decided I had to stitch more of the projects by Barb Adams and Alma Allen who are Blackbird Designs. Most of the ones I really liked were Out of Print so I went looking to see what I could find. The prices on EBay are RIDICULOUS, at least for the buyer. I found some of them for what to me was a reasonable price (no more than $20.) I chose Sunflower House to stitch first and ordered some fabric and the required floss. I am stitching this one on 28ct Blue Monaco that I bought from a fellow stitcher using the called for Gentle Arts Sampler Threads – Mulberry, Butternut Squash, Sarsaparilla, Grecian Gold, Brandy (2), Deep Sea, and Burnt Orange.

Forgot to note when I started stitching but believe it was Monday, September 8, 2014.

Progress September 26, 2014

Progress October 7, 2014

Finished October 27, 2014

And finally, here it is June 2022 and this one is finally fully finished and ready to hang on the wall.

I have a new designer of counted cross stitch that I have recently discovered – Silver Creek Samplers. Forever Love is just one of the charts I have purchased recently.

“Love believes bears hopes endures never ends”. Model stitched on 32 Ct. Golden Harvest Lugana with Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Art Sampler threads. Stitch Count: 95×61

Because of my eyes, I decided to use 16 ct Aida to stitch the piece rather than the 32 count recommended so I ordered a piece of 16 Count Bo-Peep Pink Aida and the recommended Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Art Sampler threads. I also have a piece of 16ct Melody hand-dyed Aida from Hand Dyed Fabrics by Stephanie which I will use to stitch a 2nd one as a gift. The first one will be for my husband.

As you can see below the fabric is gridded, the floss and chart are ready. Hopefully I can start stitching soon.

Started stitching: July 13, 2014

Progress July 19, 2014

Finished Stitching: July 22, 2014

Finished and Framed by Jill Rensel Framing. Thank you Jill and Amber.

 

Someone on the 123Stitch Message Board recently posted the Loose Feathers Summer, Autumn, and Winter by Blackbird Designs as a WIP’s. I saw it and wanted to stitch it so went looking for the charts. I was lucky enough to be able to purchase the three separate charts  from another board member. You can see the completed piece on the back of the Winter chart. It is the one pictured at the bottom left of the chart.

I choose a piece of 28 count cream Monaco that was large enough and that I already had as my fabric and thought about using DMC floss for the project since that is what I have on hand. After some discussion, I decided to go ahead and purchase the recommended Gentle Arts Sampler Threads and Crescent Colors thread. Crescent Colors is now known as Classic Colorworks.

Stitch Count: 222w x137h
Design Size: 15 7/8 x 9 3/4 (28/14ct)
Fabric Size: 22 1/2 x 16 1/2 (28/14ct)

I decided to grid my fabric for this project but found it was much harder doing this on 28 count fabric versus 14 count Aida which I had previously done for the Wolf Pack I was stitching for my son. The holes are so much smaller!

The fabric is ready, the charts have arrived so now I am waiting for the floss so that I can add this project to my rotation. This is what the finished project should look like when completed.

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The project is actually three separate pieces stitched horizontally as one piece. I am looking forward to working with this new floss. You can read more about working with the Sampler thread.

I’ll be posting pictures as the project progresses so come back to visit often.

March 15, 2014 – The last of the floss for this project just arrived so it is now time to begin. I’m going to check with folks on the 123Stitch Message Board wants to join me in a SAL.

NOTE: Besides the recommended floss, you will need one additional skein each of Manor Red, Piney Woods, Endive, Maple Syrup.

Progress as of May 2, 2914

Progress as of May 24, 2014

Progress on May 30 2014

Progress July 6, 2014
Unfortunately, I ran out of GAST Piney Woods so progress has stopped until my next order from 123Stitch arrives. Not much left to go.

Finished: July 11, 2014

The frame I ordered arrived today and I could not wait to see how it would look. The piece still needs to be stretched and laced and I need to order the glass but am very happy with it. And the best thing is the frame was on sale for $18.96 (60% off) with an additional 25% off for the weekend.

Frame: EWC6 – Deep mahogany, eco-friendly frame with a classic profile. (19 3/4″ x 12 1/2″)

Recently, someone on the 123Stitch Message Board gave me the three charts that make up the Hearts and Holly Mystery Sampler by Lizzie Kate. The suggested fabric was a hand-dyed linen called Doubloon. I don’t particularly like stitching on linen and the fabric was also available as 14 ct Aida so I ordered a piece the required size of 22″ x 13″. I also decided to stitch the three charts using DMC floss since that is what I had. I finished the first chart which is on the far left of the sampler. The three pieces are stitched side by side rather than vertically aligned. The colors are soft and pretty and I am liking the piece.

Since I have a number of pieces that I am working on a rotation cycle, this will be put aside for a couple of weeks while I return to The Wolf Pack. If you are curious as to what the finished Hearts and Holly Sampler will look like when finished, you can see it pictured below or visit the Lizzie Kate website.

Since the chart was given to me, I will be giving it away free (PIF) to someone on the Board once I have finished stitching it. Come back in a couple of weeks to see my progress.

Progress as of March 22, 2014.  Not much more to stitch and it will be finished.

Last stitch taken on March 29, 2014. I still need to find a small gold heart charm to add and then decide on framing but the stitching is finished.

Heart and Holly Mystery Sampler Framed

The Hearts and Holly Sampler is from the Pat Rogers’ Counted Collection of cross stitch charts. It was published in 1994 and is, I imagine, out of print. You may be able to find copies of the chart of eBay or Amazon. The design is stitched in shades of red and green with gold highlights. I framed the finished piece in a brushed gold frame with green mat.

 

This is not the first time I have stitched this  Flowering Heart Wedding Sampler but it may be the last. My poor old eyes find it more and more difficult to stitch on 28 and 32 count fabric which is what I like to use for this sampler. I finished it in time, matted and framed it and delivered it to the happy couple. And we have already received a very nice thank you note from  them. Seems hard to believe that little Ben is all grown up and married now. And we love his Sara. May they have a long and happy life together.

What is a band sampler?

A Band sampler is a long narrow sampler, where designs are stitched in rows or bands across the width of the fabric. This type of sampler was popular in the 17th century.  Some of my favorites to stitch are those done by Prairie Schooler. This particular sampler hangs in our kitchen. It is from the Summer Samplers Book 77. All of them were worked on 14 cont Fiddlers Lite and use the brass bell pull hardware available from Nordic Needle.

I’ve worked a number of these as gifts for family and friends but failed to take pictures of them which is my loss. The ones I have stitched include:

• Band Samplers – Book 40
• Garden Samplers – Book 45
• Garden Verses – Book 49
• Spring Samplers – Book 60
• Christmas Samplers – Book 63
• Summer Samplers – Book 77