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