
In my last post I mentioned I had a new start for New Year’s Day. I kept meaning to show a progress photo of the piece I chose, but before I got around to showing a progress photo I had a finish! So, here we are with my first start and my first finish of 2013! I decided back in December that I wanted to make A Return to the Sea with Jane Austen by The Sampler Girl my January 1 start.

It’s a design I’ve had in my stash since it was released, and I’ve been hoarding a piece of fabric for it and the time was finally right to put the first stitches in. I loved stitching this. It was a wonderful way to relax at the end of some very grueling days at work. And the colors and the design just made me happy. I put the final stitches in on Saturday the 19th.

I stitched this with the called for DMC and Crescent Colours threads, but substituted the one Old Willow Stitchery thread with DMC. I used 28ct Light Mocha fabric that I had set aside for this one, because that’s what I used on the companion piece – At Home with Jane Austen. You can see how pretty the two are together.

At Home with Jane Austen was my New Year’s Day start in 2009 and I finished it in early February 2009. I’m so glad that I finally made Return to the Sea a priority in my stitching bag. These are both such fun pieces and the experience of stitching both of them was a true pleasure. And it appears that there is now a third design that I need to stitch to go with these two. What a perfect 1/1/14 start that would be!

And while Miss Austen kept me company a good part of January, I also spent time with an old friend.

It’s been awhile since I shared my progress on And They Sinned. I picked it back up on Sundays and I managed to get the top of page two finished. The alphabet actually went rather quickly, which was a nice change. I continued my border vines down to the halfway mark. I seem to judge my progress on this piece by two things – one, I’m now down to the fold in my chart and two, I get to roll my fabric!

It’s such a delight to be “below the fold” on another page! I have no hope of catching up to my SAL partner, Sylvia, but I keep trying! Turning those scroll rods really gives me such delight, it tends to spur me on to tackle the next part.
And speaking of Sundays, I thought I’d share another little thing I’ve been working on. All this talk of Santa Sundays on Instagram had me digging out my started and abandoned Green Santa. Since I’m already spoken for on Sundays, I took this guy with me on Tuesday to my monthly EGA meeting.

He’s just too cute. I’m stitching him on 40ct Weeks Cocoa. And it’s fun to jump on the bandwagon with Siobhan and Paulette (among others) that are participating in #santasundayxs (even if I do have to do it on Tuesdays). You can find me on Instagram and Twitter under cozyegg, if you’re so inclined.
Now that I’ve finished Jane, I’ve returned to my John Reed sampler which is one of my main focus pieces this year. I’m loving the way it’s looking and I promise to share a progress photo soon!
I am grateful for finding my groove.
your Jane Austen pieces are lovely! Congrats on the finish!
your Jane Austen pieces are lovely! Congrats on the finish!
Congrats on the very pretty finish – the two projects are just lovely together. And great WIPs too.
Congrats on the very pretty finish – the two projects are just lovely together. And great WIPs too.
Your two Jane Austen pieces are wonderful together! And how cool that there is another to stitch and add to the two! Congrats on the finish! Love your Santa too — so cute! Yay for more progress on ATS!
Your two Jane Austen pieces are wonderful together! And how cool that there is another to stitch and add to the two! Congrats on the finish! Love your Santa too — so cute! Yay for more progress on ATS!
I like both of your Jane Austen samplers and I look forward to seeing the 3rd one in the series next January. Yay for getting to roll those scroll rods on ATS.
I like both of your Jane Austen samplers and I look forward to seeing the 3rd one in the series next January. Yay for getting to roll those scroll rods on ATS.
Too much fun, love the Jane Austen pieces and your ATS and Santa are both sweet. Good start to the new year :-).
Too much fun, love the Jane Austen pieces and your ATS and Santa are both sweet. Good start to the new year :-).
Keep in the groove. What lovely, lovely pieces. Congrats on your Jane finish!
Keep in the groove. What lovely, lovely pieces. Congrats on your Jane finish!
Fantastic finish, Michelle! What a great way to start off the new year. 🙂 Nice progress on ATS, too. Your BOAF Santa is so cute.
Fantastic finish, Michelle! What a great way to start off the new year. 🙂 Nice progress on ATS, too. Your BOAF Santa is so cute.
Great pieces!!
Great pieces!!
Well I’ll say you found your groove, indeed! Wonderful finishes, great progress, too.
Well I’ll say you found your groove, indeed! Wonderful finishes, great progress, too.
Your Jane Austen pieces look so nice together, Michelle! Both are cheerful designs and I really like that.
Slow and steady wins the race! You are progress on ATS. Can’t wait to see where you are with it in six months or so.
I’m happy you found your groove again, too.
Your Jane Austen pieces look so nice together, Michelle! Both are cheerful designs and I really like that.
Slow and steady wins the race! You are progress on ATS. Can’t wait to see where you are with it in six months or so.
I’m happy you found your groove again, too.
Pretty Jane Austen pieces, as are your other WIPs.
Pretty Jane Austen pieces, as are your other WIPs.
Looks good
Looks good
Both are gorgeous! Isn’t it lovely to have a set?
Both are gorgeous! Isn’t it lovely to have a set?
Congratulations on your finish, it’s gorgeous
Great progress on ATS
Congratulations on your finish, it’s gorgeous
Great progress on ATS