Slow Sunday Stitching - March 15, 2026 AND 2026 Rotation #2 Slot #1 (Historic) Changeover

 Well, I don't know if it was because I let the ruined Blackbird Designs piece dry between attempts at fixing it or if I inadvertently set the dye that bled out, but that project is toast.  I'm actually not all that upset now that I've had time to process; it was 28 count two over two and a size that would have needed a custom frame.  I'll restart it on 36 or 40 count at some point in the future with the goal of making it into a bell pull or wall hanging.  I think I'll actually like it more.   So the pattern (which is still readable - more splashed than drowned in the disaster) and the leftover floss is back in the 'to be kitted' stash and I'll happily get back to it at some point.   

But what that means is that I have not finished a Blackbird Design, so I picked out another one of their projects - "It's Berry Time".  It is another one of the original Loose Feathers designs (#37 from 2009).  Kitted by Old Mill Stitchery, which was my favorite semi LNS.  I wanted something with an actual alphabet for the 'year of the alphabet - 26 letters for 2026' and I don't have a monochromatic sampler on the go right now.  I AM going to bleed test and possibly vinegar bath that floss, though!  I'm a bit disenchanted with fancy floss after the last couple of weeks.  I'm also going to run the numbers for either working it over one or putting it on a much smaller count linen with the idea of a drum or spool finish.  Until I make that decision, I'm not ready to set it up and put the first stitches in, so I'm calling the "Historic or Prim" slot done for this rotation.

 

But the BIG news this week is that I finished Mead Dragon!!!  See the Finish post for all the stats, but I can't help showing her off again.  She's getting a well needed bath (which should also erase the grid marks), blocking and the basting removed; then she's off to the framers.  I'm not going to try to frame her myself!  I'm thinking maybe a chunky dark frame.

What's up next in the pictorial category?  Meet "Santa of the Forest" designed by Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum of Lavendar and Lace.  He's stitched on 32 count two over two.  There are blends, and I'm replacing the scattered metallic one-stitch 'stars' with beads, so I can't easily downside it. The called for fabric is "Natural" by Wichelt.  I'm using "Raw" Belfast by Zweigart, because I don't care for the more open weave of Wichelt linens. I did not purchase the metallic thread when I kitted it up c 1995, but DMC still makes it (it's the 284Z on the short wide spool, not the skein sparkly stuff or the Diamante on the long skinny spool).  I need to order that and get the floss away bags set up and edge my linen.  I have a cut of linen that's 18 x 27, so it's going to be a bit tight on the side margins.  Once I straighten the fabric, it will be closer to 17.5 inches wide, but if the framer needs me to, I can add muslin on the sides.  I've taken the time to put the pattern into Pattern Keeper, and I can't wait to get it started - trying to enjoy the set-up process, it's part of the journey.

I concentrated on the Dragon after last Saturday's disaster, but she was done early Wednesday morning.  So I pulled out the "Old Farmhouse" vintage needlepoint and have been working on it since then.  I have about six hours in so far.  I've finished up both the mountain peaks and started in on the forest along the ridgeline on the left side.

As usual, a look at the back so you can actually see the progress.  I think I'll continue down this area until I get to the lilac bush/tree by the house; that should keep me busy through the end of this rotation.  Then next time around I will move over to the distant trees on the right behind the barn.  Lots of trees LOL.  

In house and garden news, this week I have had contractors in.  I am getting a new deck!  The old one was built by my dad in the early 1980s (so fifty years ago!) and had some areas where the joists were failing - not good; I didn't even trust it to hold the grill.  Dela keeps growling at the workmen out the sewing room window but loves on them when I let her out into the back yard. Silly🐕

And then there was this.  New travel project cast on - a charity scarf in seed stitch rib this time (link to my Ravelry page).

A travel project in its native habitat.

Linking up with the SSS crew (this week's round-up).