An Update on the House and Garden Sampler

I finally had the chance to stitch a bit this past weekend, and here is a photo of the finished apple tree:

 

I used a blended needle for the greens of the tree, and for the apples I used a variegated thread where I used two threads that started at the opposite end of that particular variegated thread's color.

After I finished the tree last night, I had to decide what to add next to the sampler. I decided upon a pattern from this book by Jane Greenoff~

 

I have always loved the look of Berlin work, so I chose a poppy motif from this pattern~

 

I decided to place it in the lower right corner, just as it is in the pattern.

While I was out today, I decided to purchase a magnifier for my Ott Lite. I am not sure if I like using it or not. Do any of you have any sort of recommendation for lighting? I always said that I would quit stitching when I required special equipment just to see the work. Well that was said when I was 20, so of course I knew nothing about how my love of stitching would grow throughout my lifetime.

Here's the work through the new magnifier~

 

Here's a photo of the work I've added in the lower right hand corner, as well as a photo of the whole piece so far:

 

 

The weather was cold and rainy today, which to me makes it ideal stitching weather. On top of that, I had the day off. It was great to stitch, sip some coffee, and relax a little bit.

Thanks for stopping by today, and please let me know what you do to handle seeing the work well enough when you stitch.

House and Garden Sampler Book

Here is a great stitching resource book that I should have bought before starting my sampler:

 

It's written by Mary Jenkins. Has anyone else seen this one yet? It is advertised to include all sort of tips and hints on how to design your own House and Garden Sampler!

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Still no stitching update from these parts. I have been down with a tremendous flu bug, so my needle has sat idle for quite awhile now. As someone used to always tell me, "There are better days coming."

Thanks for stopping by today!