Stitching with Lizzie Kate

I do not normally stitch samplers, but I changed my mind when I saw the Lizzie Kate 3-part mystery sampler this year. By the time I saw the offer, a 3-part sampler, the Halloween sampler was already 2 months in. I bought the first 2 months and then added the third and began to stitch. I wasn't quite ready for what happened.

I didn't know the 30-ct tin roof linen was cut with 4 inch borders all around. The pattern listed the start at the upper left hand corner. I was off by about 2 inches, but everything fit anyway.

Charms and/or beads were provided with each package and were intriguing. I have worked with beading before, but not with charms and was delighted when I figured out where they fit.

 The first charm, a star-shaped button, was added to the cross-stitched stars on the left. It's that shiny thing beside the owl. Beads were added to the owl's eyes and three more on the tree with the autumn leaves. I was quite charmed by the primitive, almost childlike design. It was sufficiently challenging when I got to the acorn border with the acorn leaves. I hadn't tried that design before.

 The key and star charms were part of the 2nd part of the design and I could hardly wait to get the section stitched so I could add them. No beads in this part.

This is a better shot of the whole panel with 3 different border stitches: the locked square, the leaf and stem border, and the lovely triangular border that repeats at the top and along both sides in each panel. That was a new stitch for me as well. 

 
The third and final pattern had more surprises. The grass, blue and green (cadet and bullfrog -- don't you just love the names they chose for the colors? -- from Weeks Dye Works) are vertical satin stitches, along with the repeated triangular and locked square borders. A star button is added between the bat and the sunflowers and the sunflower centers are beads. I like the candy corn border at the base and the whimsical black cat with carved pumpkin head. 

A closeup of the key and star charms in their rightful places. Working with hand over dyed floss was an experience, especially when I found out each cross must be individually stitched to show the gradations in color to best effect. Live and learn. 

The finished piece, complete with far too much fabric at the right side and bottom. I had to crop the photo somewhere. 

All I need to do now is find a frame that compliments the stitchery and colors. Now I understand why the photo in the final piece of this mystery sampler showed the fabric as blue. It's not. Tin roof looks more like an old tin roof and not a bit blue. Flashes do strange things to the colors of linen. Take my word for it, there's more verdigris than blue in this tin roof.

I may try another sampler, but it will have to be as special as this one I purchased from 1-2-3 Stitch. I like the colors and the whimsy that make this Lizzie Kate design so much fun.

Did I mention that there are still 3 bonus mini samplers waiting for me? They'll have to wait since I need to get back to my grandson's Xmas stocking and finish it before Xmas. It's the last one. I'm adding Mill Hill beaded ornaments to go with each stocking. More new experiences.

Here's hoping you find new ways to keep yourself in stitches.