Sunday, November 26, 2006

About online mystery samplers...

While I did again spend a bit of my stitching time today working on a gift, I then made time this evening to work on Part 11 of Mystery IX... I made good progress and now have very little left to do - one more small area of the green "meadow" border and the queen and eyelet stitches to make the flowers. I finally figured out (with Mike's help) how to up the resolution in my camera, so I am hoping the photo is better tonight?

A few people have asked me via email and via comments if I really like how the mystery is turning out. My answer is, yes. I like Martina's style very much. While a mystery may take a funky turn here and there on any given month, it somehow comes together in the end. I know these questions are primarily being asked by stitchers who are contemplating starting a mystery - many are interested in the upcoming Mystery X. I say, if you can afford the kit and online subscription with Martina, to go for it! As an example, here is the mystery I stitched in 2004:
This is the former Mystery VI, now sold as Indian Summer Reflections. (I apologize this photo is crap - you can see it better on Martina's chartpacks - LOL - I should take a better photo of it someday when I think of it). I did this one online on a monthly basis as well, and did keep up with it. It had many strange twists and turns, but I just love how it came out. All Martina told us was that it would be an autumnal themed garden following her mandala themed format. Other than that, we could peek at the supplies on her boards and Yahoo groups. The rest was a surprise. I like surprises, I have no complaints. The same goes with Mystery IX - what we knew ahead of time was that this would be a French garden. It turned out to actually be the King's Vegetable Garden, or Le Potager du Roi. I am looking forward to seeing what Martina will offer us to stitch in the center of Mystery IX - I love the wreath of leaves with the personalization that she gave us for Mystery VI, and I hope it will be similar, but following this theme rather than an autumn theme. So, long story short - I say, yes, try an online mystery! You don't have to keep up with it month to month. Many stitchers don't. You can do it at your own pace. It is just my OCD that keeps me driven (and many stitchers as well) to keep up with the monthly bits. (However, I am done with these monthly commitments - I am considering signing up for Mystery X, but taking it at my own leisure this time... won't even be buying the kit right away, no stress with that one, I have way too many other things I want to stitch - Now, I know many of my friends are proud to hear me say that!).

And, this is just my desire to share some excitement here! I have seen many do this already, and this weekend it was my turn - I got an outstanding deal on a brand new pair of Gingher Alyssa Designer Scissors on ebay! Yay! I have been coveting these for a while. Now, to go camp out by the mailbox to wait for them. I think I want to stitch Brightneedle's Something Blue fob for them (whenever I get the free time to do so!).

Stitched on today: Stitched on a gift, and Mystery IX

21 comments:

Wendy said...

Carol~ thanks for much for the Chatelaine advice. I really didn't need too much encouraging ;-D, just a little prompting in the 'right' direction!

There goes my Christmas bonus!! But what a great Christmas present for myself.

Anonymous said...

Wow that looks stunning Carol. I am hoping to join a Myster class, but will wait until I am close to finishing Pomeji next year.

hugs xxxxx

Cathy B said...

Carol - if you are interested, joann.com has the new Gingher scissors, Julia, on sale. I just ordered mine yesterday. Haven't been able to find it in the stores.

Your mystery samplers are all beautiful!

Kitty Couture said...

Those scissors are gorgeous, Carol. Congrats on buying them! :D

Erin said...

I'm always tempted by the Chatelaine mysteries, but I'm afraid my ADD would overpower my stitcher's OCD...ooo, is that a new finishing technique? Wait, I want to do this scrapbook page first.... LOL

Love the new scissors!

Barb said...

Your finished Mystery piece looks great. I really enjoy your blog when I visit it.

Carina said...

Carol - Your Mystery piece is simply gorgeous! I love visiting your site because there is always something beautiful to inspire me!

Michelle said...

Your M9 is looking fantastic. I am really wondering what December will have in store for this one, if it is just the center or more on the outsides? Having never done a big mystery, I don't know how the size compares. Your M6 is gorgeous too! I love the mats you chose for that one. Yay for getting the Alyssa scissors - those were my first ginghers and I love them!

Anonymous said...

It looks great Carol. I am still wondering in stitching M X as the theme sounds so delicious.

Anonymous said...

M9 is looking gorgeous Carol

Anonymous said...

Your chatelaine pieces are stunning. I love the gingher
scissor too. I have that in
my gingher collection and I have
the brightneele chart that you mentioned here as well. I may just stitch it to match the scissor. A very great suggestion.

Anonymous said...

Hi Carol, I just found your blog today .. lovely finishes! and congrats on the ebay find :) Btw, hope Ryan has a better year in '07 .. we are all nascar fans in my family .. my guy is Matt Kenseth, DS#1 is Mark Martin, DS#2 is Jeff Burton, and DH is Tony Stewart :)

Katrina said...

as always your stitching is gorgeous Carol. Love the new scissors too, I'm sure you'll have a fob stitched up in no time flat for them :)

Nicki said...

It's looking great Carol! I wonder what the last part will be?

The colours for Mystery X look gorgeous but I've decided to wait until the end of mysteries to make sure I really, really like them. I never keep up anyway - I'm not as dedicated as you! :)

Missy said...

Your Mystery is looking great! Can you see the light at the end of the tunnel? : )

And, good for you, getting a new pair of Ginghers. I dare not look...ebay is killing me lately and DH gives me "the look".

: )
P.S. I am secretly hoping for a girl as well. Shhh!

Anonymous said...

really stunning. Grettings from France!

Anonymous said...

Wow, Mystery IX is looking fantastic! I'm looking forward to seeing the final part, to find out what all those remaining skeins are for!

Anonymous said...

I'm tempted by mystery X too! I will just have to face facts - she is my one of my absolute favourites and I will want to join everything she offers (Sampler mystery III is calling along with the Illuminated Medieval Sampler - I'm trying to be strong lol!)

Anonymous said...

I love watching you stitch the mysteries and dribble over them. I just wish they weren't sooo expensive!

The colours in Indian Summer are gorgeous aren't they. :o)

Meari said...

Both look great!

Anne S said...

On Christmas Day I'll be playing "snap" with you and your new Alyssa scissors ... aren't they droolable gorgeous? :D Can you tell I'm playing catch-up on blogs??