Wednesday, July 18, 2012

The 3rd project, and a finished sampler!

Sometimes I don't really like the way one of my designs turns out.
Sometimes I want to scrap the project and start over.
Sometimes I do just that.
But most times when I feel dissatisfied, I put the project away for a few days and work on something completely different. When I pull the project back out two or three days later I see it with new eyes and then excitement builds again as I add my 'Jenny' touches, and eventually I fall in love with it.
This has taught me perseverance, and also helped me not to waste fabric, time, and effort.
This month, I struggled with a design for Issue 14 of Elefantz HOME.
I designed my set of four 'Faith, Hope, Love and Family' stitcheries to sit inside four Dresden blocks, but after I made the 'Family' stitchery into a cushion....
...I just couldn't find inspiration to make another three Dresdens.
My plan was to use them together in a table runner, and I had all the Dresden blades cut and stitched already, BUT, my creative heart was heavy and quite un-enthused about the project.
So I put it aside and worked on finishing that ABC sampler!
Two days passed, and inspiration struck. I put aside the Dresden blades - they can be used at another time - and drew up a completely new design. I was in love, and couldn't stop stitching until it was finished!
 
This is my Happy Table Runner.
It is 14.5" x 33" - perfect size for my table, and hopefully yours!
 
 
Do you like it?
~~~~~
And a first for me - I am selling kits to make this project!! 
If you're a free newsletter subscriber, you'll be the first to hear about them later this week. If you haven't yet subscribed to my free newsletter, you can do so by putting your email address in that little box near the top of the right hand side bar.
Occasionally I share free designs, so it's well worth subscribing!
I'm selling kits for the Dresden 'Family' cushion cover too. :-)
~~~~~
Now, back to that sampler. It's done!!
I wanted to fill in the 'O' because it seemed too open, and Allie suggested I add my own sweet shabby roses, so I did! (thank you Allie-girl!)
I also added my initials and the year. Next step is to frame it - I think a washed out blue would be nice, but I will have to see what my little budget can afford. 
 
 
I love making samplers. Do you?
I have designed three samplers of my own over the last couple of years, and enjoyed stitching them all!
First there was the Rose Cottage Applique sampler...
 
 Then the Rose Cottage Stitchery sampler...
 ...and the Little Houses stitchery sampler!

For the next week, I am selling the set of all three sampler PDF patterns for just $5 AUD! (about $5 US)
If you'd like them just click on the Paypal button below.
I will email them to you within 12 hours, depending on where in the world you are. :-)
(Please use a valid email address so the patterns can find their way to you)


~~~~~
Yesterday I had coffee with my friend Wendy, and she had this gift for me from her recent trip to Brisbane. She saw the elephants and immediately thought of me...
And you know what? The notebook doesn't just have elephants on the cover!
It is all made from Elephant poop!!!
I'm all for recycling...really....but....
It gave Mr E a good laugh. ;-)
Hugs
Jenny
xx

26 comments:

Jeanette said...

The table runner is gorgeous. I love it. Interesting about your notebook& what it's made from. Hugsm

Deborah said...

The table runner stitchery is so pretty. I really like how it turned out. Great idea to leave a project sit a few days when it is not speaking to you. It definitely worked for you in this case.

Christine M said...

I love your Happy Table Runner too, Jenny! As well as all your other gorgeous stitching!

Anonymous said...

love the runner jenny you did well and so funny elephant dung,lol.xx

Sisbabestitches said...

The happy table runner is very much so, and is very much a 'you' design, I am so glad it came out!

Vicki said...

Jenny, I love your alphabet sampler. Your stitching is beautiful. Vicki

Vicki said...

Jenny, I love your alphabet sampler. Your stitching is beautiful. Vicki

Cattinka said...

Hi Jenny,
I like the dresden pillow, and I would have wanted you to make more of them. But the new idea you came up with, the table runner is very pretty also.
I like the ABC you made a lot and it is nice how you personallized the O
Take care
KATRIN W.

KaHolly said...

All of the projects are not only gorgeous, but very sweet!! You blow me away. ~karen

Clara {Clover and Violet} said...

All of your projects are just beautiful! I really love the alphabet stitching and the colors you chose are gorgeous!

Allie said...

Jenny-girl, you're brilliant! I LOVE your table runner! Maybe I should try marinating instead of just pitching in a fit of frustration...obviously it works for you very well! Your sampler is looking gorgeous, the Jenny-roses are the perfect touch with your initials. I love all of your own samplers, and you've reminded me how much I want to make them...I'm anxiously waiting for winter now so I can get lots of stitching done!

The notebook from Wendy is just awesome - but um - elephant DUNG? That may be carrying devotion a bit too far, lol...I got a good laugh out of it too!

Susan said...

Love your notebook! How clever. great runner too. Your alphabet sample looks gorgeous now tis finished.

luv2quilt2 said...

Your stitching is just beautiful. I absolutely love the sampler you've just completed.

Andrea Louise said...

Lovely as always! Already bought it!
Love,
Andrea.

Terry said...

Your alphabet sampler is just beautiful! And I love the elephant dung paper! Who knew they could do such things! LOL

Melody said...

So many interesting things in this post. I'm really looking forward to your Faith, Hope, Love project. It's gorgeous.

Di said...

Your sampler is simply beautiful, Jenny. Love the notebook too - extreme recycling!!! Haha!

Rosa said...

The table runner is absolutely gorgeous and also your stiching projects!!

Cheryl's Teapots2Quilting said...

Love the flower table runner. Think I'll skip the elephant poop paper. Too funny!

Robin in New Jersey said...

Jenny! You are amazing. You just keep coming up with more and more designs. You outdo yourself!

I saw those elephant dung notebooks when we went to a small zoo here in New Jersey. I was kind of grossed out and intrigued at the same time!

Happy stitching!

Clara said...

Both the cushion and the table runner are astonishing, such beautiful works! And the sampler seems so funny to stitch!

Jennie {Clover and Violet} said...

Such pretty stitching! I love it all. Cannot wait to see how you frame your sampler too!

marie said...

Hi Jenny,
Thanks so much for visiting my blog...I'm so happy to meet you!
Your stitchery is amazing!! The ABC sampler is beautiful and your designs are such fun!
I can't wait to spend some time looking through your blog...it looks like it's such a happy place!

Stitched With Prayer said...

Oh my gosh Jenny! So much beauty and sweetness in the projects in this post, along with some fun giggles...love the Elephant Dung paper, LOL, so perfect. All the projects are so gorgeous. Your Sampler takes my breath away, your stitching is so beautiful. I can't wait to see how you finish it off. I have to tell you, I love Dresden Plate patterns but I have problems making them because I find them so labor intensive for what I end up with at the end of the day, that I just enjoy them from afar, LOL. It probably has something to do with my Peripheral Neuropathy in my hands, I know I stitch very slow and on some projects, like Dresdens, it just takes too long to finish one up...just the plate, not the center. However I adore the Happy Table Runner, perfection. It is just so delightful and the message is wonderful. I think I'm going to have to order one of the kits...love it and I will email you about it later cause I have a question about that and postage to the US. Big hugs dear friend...

Miss Hillbilly said...

Dung paper?? Well that shows the sign of a true collector. LOL

Vicki ♥ said...

I have fallen in love with your sampler...it is really lovely Jen and I think I am going to have to do one now :) You have inspired me!! I love what you did with the 'O' ..very pretty :) Hugs Vicki x