Monday, April 17, 2006

Liz Turner Diehl SAL, Day One

Karen, Judi and I started a Liz Turner Diehl SAL today (Judi started hers earlier this month, actually, and is doing Colonial Garden). Karen and I set today as our start date. I am doing Emerald Jeweled Garden and she is doing Sapphire Jeweled Garden. Our plan is then to swap charts when we are done :-) I had today off due to a holiday that is not celebrated by many states, Patriot's Day. So, I had a chance to get a pretty good start on mine while I watched the Red Sox have a very dramatic win this afternoon. This is the center knot garden and then working down towards the bottom. The chart describes this design to be started from the bottom, but I started at the center. That is my point of confidence. Anytime I start at the top or bottom I end up too close to the edge of my fabric at one or the other ends. It is inevitable. Anyhow, I loved working on this today, even though the only specialty stitch I have yet encountered is the waffle stitch. I noticed at least one of the specialty stitch diagrams is a bit iffy.. but I am sure I will figure it out when I get to it. Karen and I will be working on our Jeweled Gardens on Mondays, while I think Judi is doing hers as it fits into her schedule. Now I am going to put some time in on MTM, as I do not know how much time Karen had to devote to her Jeweled Garden today.

Ah yes, here it is... yet again... kind of making some progress on it now. I realize the orangey red (Thread Gatherer's Autumn Foliage Silk 'n Colors, to be exact) looks blotchy in the elongated roof I stitched tonight. But we did this same building last month too, and I found that once the rather intricate black backstitcing goes on top of it, you don't even notice that the area is so block-like from the variegation of the silk. I continue to forge on... Mike commented tonight on how nice this one is, so I am renewed with confidence and desire to continue... along with all the sweet comments from my fellow bloggers around the globe - thanks for the motivation!

Speaking of lovely comments - thanks to those of you how left comments or emailed me seperately about A Christmas Spirit. I appreciate all the positive feedback on how she is coming along on the "ugly duckling" - you are right, it does look pretty good!

I have decided to remove An Open Heart from my current rotation... at least for a while. I am just not enjoying it, and along with my Chatelaine group commitments, it makes sense to me to work on projects I enjoy between these big projects... it will be back soon, but probably not until MTM ends this fall.

Stitched on today: Medieval Town Mandala and Emerald Jeweled Garden

12 comments:

Von said...

So many projects going - it would boggle my mind, but I love looking at your progress every day. :D
I have a few tulips blooming around my house and the rose bushes are filling in. Won't be long before there are some blooms!

Julie said...

I like how your garden is turning out. I can't wait to see how this one progresses. Keep plugging away at MTM and you'll be done before you know it!

Sasha Farina said...

Mike is right.. MTM is looking great! Keep it up :)

mainely stitching said...

I love your new SAL, Carol, and will eagerly await new progress pics! Wonderful colors, and a lovely design!

Mel in Dubai said...

Your garden is looking wonderful as is MTM :)

I'm sorry to see you are taking An Open Heart out of your rotation for a bit but at least that gives me a chance to catch up ... when I eventually start mine - lol!

Kitty Couture said...

What a great new start! I went to see it online and wow! Both your and Karen's Jeweled Gardens are awesome. I didn't know those designs beforehand.

And I believe you are wise to put An Open Heart out of your rotation, if you're not enjoying it at present! I'm sure there shall be just the perfect time for it... Later :)

Have a great day! :)

Anne S said...

Mike has great taste ... MTM is looking stunning! And you new garden SAL looks like a fun one - I have one of her 'old' designs left to stitch ... I might have to go and check these new ones out, though just to be nosey :) And I have VC silks on their way for Bordeaux Sampler - just the fabric to sort out now, and I'm all set ... then I have to hurry up and catch up to you :D Looking forward to stitching this with you :)

Karen's Blog said...

This LTD is going to be gorgeous Carol. Really nice start. I look forward to seeing your progress:) The way you feel about AOH is how I was feeling about MTM. I feel so much better having it out of my rotation for now. I'm sure you'll feel teh same about AOH.

Kitty Couture said...

Oh Carol, you're so sweet! I received your Little House Needleworks chart today :) What an unexpected treat - you really made my day! Thank you and *hugs*!

Anonymous said...

Wow, great work you got done yesterday! The emerald garden has gotten off to a wonderful start and your MTM is looking as lovely as always. I know it must be a tedious stitch, but those of us following your progress are enjoying it! :)

Crazy X-Stitcher Etc said...

And I would be expecting pictures of your blooms. Love the part whereby I get to scroll on and on and look at the beautiful flowers. :)

We tried to grow the white orchid and red rose once. The moment it blooms, the whole pot went missing. If I ever found out who, I would kick him/her.

So now we plant the bitterest (is there such word) and non-flattering plant...like curry leaves, bettlenut leaves, plants for cough, high blood pressure, diabetes, dried chillies, screwpine, aloe vera. Not me but my mum. Anything I plant would die...so I'm staying far far away from her garden.

Happy stitching..hugs :)

Dani - tkdchick said...

Wow another wonderful start!