Step 2 is finished and so is this piece! It was a very enjoyable project. In this step, there is only one variation of mine but it was by choice. The single brown Plant Earth thread between the couched long Pepper Pot Silk diagonal stitches seemed to get lost. So, I used 2 threads between and to tie.
Gay Ann was inspired by this photo for her design.
The center waffle has a variation in it because I was watching TV. I have to blame it on something other than I can’t follow well written instructions. This is my first piece from Gay Ann Rogers. Only looking closely at the original would anyone know. I actually like it just as well.
In my opinion, this is not a piece for someone just starting counted projects. In order to get this correct, I had to stitch in a different order than Gay Ann suggested. There was no way I would have counted correctly doing all the Tied Diagonal Stitches without stitching the Plaited, Slanted, and Elongated Cross Stitches first. Working from the center out is safer for me. Also, I am happy that my husband golfed when he did and is reading a 1,000-page book about Abe Lincoln (the period before his presidency) because the TV is off. I am proceeding well. Everything is matching up as expected.
By the time of my ANG Main Line Stitchers chapter Stitch-in yesterday, I had completed the inner brown border of Elongated Cross stitches. So, stitching the rest of Step 1 was easy while we chatted over Zoom. The difficult counting was done.
All this was Step 1! I just love it. It’s broken up into only 2 steps. While I’m anxious to forge onward, I will switch to a different project to be sure that I am ready for our chapter meeting on Monday February 8.
Filed under: Gay Ann Roger's, Countess of Granrham, Gay Ann Roger's, Dowager Countess, Gay Ann Roger's, Lady Edith, Gay Ann Roger's, Lady Mary, Other People's Pieces
It took ordering from 3 stores to compile the required threads to stitch all 4 Gay Ann Roger’s Downton Abbey pieces. Everything including the 4 pieces of canvas are now ready to go. I only substituted Fuzzy Stuff which I had in my stash for the Planet Earth fiber Furr-Fuzz-Funn. One of the Kreinik colors has been discontinued but I was able to get it. I thought it was interesting that 3 of the 4 pieces use DMC Ecru and Lady Mary’s does not. Nothing as common as Ecru for her!
The next decision is in what order to stitch them? Do I stitch youngest to oldest or vice versa? This decision is based on one key point: The Dowager Countess is the newest design just released in her October sale and I would her done hers first. But, it uses Watercolours Amethyst 006 and I have stitched with Waterlilies Amethyst 006 recently. So, I will start with Lady Edith.
Filed under: Gay Ann Roger's, Countess of Granrham, Gay Ann Roger's, Lady Edith, Gay Ann Roger's, Lady Mary, General comments, Other People's Pieces, Technique Issues
I asked Santa for Gay Ann Roger’s series of designs inspired by Downton Abbey including the Countess, Lady Mary, and Lady Edith. Hopefully, she adds a fourth based on the Dowager Countess.
And, I expect to learn a lot from Susan Sturgeon Roberts in her book, Tips & Techniques for Needlepoint. After some cooking, I will settle down with this.
Happy Holidays to all!
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