Wednesday, April 11, 2012

Several finishes - Charlotte Clayton included - and an explanation.

First of all I want to apologize about my long absence. I got several emails of people being worried. Thank you so very much for that. Actually I'm doing very well. Reason for my absence is a change in my live to beat the Insomnia I'm suffering from since being a teenager. Instead of spending my sleepless nights at the computer I'm sound asleep in bed - and am so very thankful for that.

My new lifestyle means however I have less hours per day. That's why I often don't touch the pc at all. Still stitching though. My stitching time is sacred for me. I need that to unwind and relax.

Every day I get up at 6 am - leave the house with the dogs at 6.30 to go with my Aunt for a brisk 2 hour walk. Weather or no weather - off we go. It works for me. Getting up every day early at the same time, combined with time outside and exercise, does the trick for me.  That alone pinches 3 hours of my day. Adding to that is the phonecall to my mother in Germany for 1/2 hour to 1 hour every day.  Plus 8 hours sleep instead of 4.  During the days I'm busy, and in the evenings I'm toast. And loving it.

Hopefully I will be able to keep my sleeping pattern, when I'm going over to Europe for 2 1/2 months in May.

Now to the stitching front :)

Finished Charlotte. This sampler was such a delight to stitch. 

 Charlotte Clayton
Northwest Sampler Guild
36ct Lakeside Linen Vintage Sand Dune
recommended NPI silks
 
Took  Christmas Garden on vacation to Tasmania, where I stitched most of it. Although I made one change to it. I replaced the recommended brown.
Christmas Garden
Designer: Blackbird Designs
Fabric: Belfast Light Mocha
Fibers: Crescent Colours and Gentle Art
Replaced GA Heirloom Gold with GA Tarnished Gold

Frederika finally got her man and is happy now:
Frederik
Designer: Carriage House Samplings
Fabric: Lakeside Linens 40ct. Pearled Barley
 Fibers: recommended NPI 
 
And here are both together...

The newest start is "The Wisdom Sampler" by Vermillion. Also it seems in the picture that the reds in the jacket are almost the same, in real life the difference is more visible. I converted the colors to NPI silks and tried to stay close to the choices the designer made.
The Wisdom Sampler
Designer: The Vermillion Stitchery
Fabric: Lakeside Linens 36ct Magnolia'
Fibers: NPI silk

 
 Also....I "won" FINALLY Ellen Birdseye on Ebay.  That was a happy day!!! 
Oh...and I'm going through my stash and give some charts I don't have any use for anymore away in a couple of days. Charlotte will be one of them.

Hope everybody had a great Easter :)
 



51 comments:

Cristina said...

Simply gorgeous - all of your finishes. They are a pleasure for the eyes. Congratulations.

Evelyne said...

Blij weer iets te lezen van je.
Wat een prachtige sampler heb je geborduurd, echt schitterend!!
Fijne dag en lieve groet, Evelyne

Bertie said...

Gorgeous stitching Gaby, glad to hear you are still around and who wants to sit behind the pc all day, your health (and stitching) are important:))

samplerlover said...

Glad that you are ok. I can quite understand about spending so much time on the pc. I also have reduced my time there. It seems to interupt both stitching time and time spent doing other things.

Beautiful work. Love your Charlotte. She is beautiful.

Anonymous said...

Your stitching looks beautiful, so very pretty.

Giovanna said...

Congratulations on all the wonderful finishes! I'm glad you're beating the insomnia, way to go.

Ineke said...

I am glad you can sleep at night again and that you are healthy.
Beautiful stitching! Frederik and Frederika are my favorites.

Margaret said...

Wow, so many finishes! Charlotte Clayton will always be one of my favorites! And the Freds too. And Christmas Garden -- gorgeous! Sounds great about your sleeping schedule -- getting enough sleep is important to your health. And that walk with your aunt is healthy too. Hope you keep your sleep schedule in Europe. Have a great trip when you go!

Chris said...

Hey Gabi!
You have been missed but I am so glad that you are sleeping!
What wonderful finishes. I love Charlotte and Christmas Garden. The Fraktur birds are fabulous too.
I can't wait for your next update.

natalysneedle said...

Gabi,

Glad to hear you are okay. I love all of your stitching finishes especially Christmas Garder. Beautiful.

Vickie said...

Beautiful, beautiful stitching. Although I am a newer follower, I did unofficially follow you for a very long time. I had wondered about you, but knew you said you were taking a break. Keep up your pattern to keep your sleep. :)

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Great to see you - and congratulations on finding your new sleep time. You MUST feel so rested! Your stitching is beautiful, and so much of it! Look forward to seeing more.

Catherine said...

Glad to see a post from you Gabi! So good that you got your sleeping schedule on track. And the walk every day sounds great.
Your stitching projects are fantastic!! They all look wonderful.

Jo who can't think of a clever nickname said...

It's so nice to know that you're well and still stitching! Your work is amazing, I love the samplers.
Fresh air and simple exercise are great for making you feel better.

Glenna said...

Welcome back! I'm glad to hear you're beating insomnia, but wow--two hour walk! Charlotte is beyond gorgeous, and now I want to get mine out. I'm also working on Wisdom and Christmas Garden! I love all your stitching! I don't spend quite so much time on the pc any more either--it really eats time.

Love to Stitch said...

Glad to read your post today-- and that you are feeling better! Your finishes are all fabulous-- amazing amount of stitching you have completed over the last few months!!! Great job!!!!!!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

What jaw dropping, stupendous, amazing and gorgeous finishes! All are just stunning and perfectly done.
BRAVO!

Carol said...

And here I thought you were still vacationing, Gabi :) How nice to see what you've been working on... all are so lovely and I'm glad your insomnia is gone... A routine and exercise can do wonders!

I'd love to see any photos from Tasmania some day :) Have a great week, Gabi :)

butterfly said...

Good to see you back Gabi, Sleepless nights are a real nightmare, I never use to have trouble but a few years ago it started and don't you feel weak, I am better now thank goodness.
Love all your beautiful work You have stitched so much.
I always love the charts you work on.
Take care , hugs. June.

Deb said...

All of your finishes are just wonderful! I'm glad that you've gotten over the insomnia. It really plays havoc on your life. I suffer from occasional bouts of it and I never get much accomplished when I'm like that. All your finishes are like eye candy!!

Krista said...

Such amazing finishes! I really love that Charlotte sampler, I don't think I had ever seen it complete before and love those cats on the bottom. and Congrats on Christmas Garden too! Good to hear that your insomnia is gone, I know firsthand how frustrating that can be. I am up every night for an hour or two!
Have a great week!

Debby said...

What a lot of beautiful finishes!! Lovely pictures!

Greetings from Debby

Laurie in Iowa said...

Wow, so many beautiful finishes. Charlotte C. is gorgeous and I hope to stitch her one day. The Freds are fabulous as is your Christmas Garden.
I'm so happy that you've found a solution to your insomnia.

Lanie said...

Hi Gabi, I'm new to your lovely blog! Congratulations on your finishes...beautiful, beautiful! My "Fredericka" is still waiting on her man...he's been keeping her waiting a little too long, I've got to get on that! I don't think I've seen "The Wisdom Sampler" before, it looks beautiful. Looking forward to following your progress on that one!

BrendaS said...

Gabi --
So great to see a post from you. All your stitching is just beautiful. You certainly have been busy.

Glad you are sleeping better. Sleep really does make things so much better;)

Have a great week.

Katherine said...

Oh, Gaby, how wonderful that you're sleeping well again! I'm so happy for you. And the sampler finishes are gorgeous! Have a wonderful time on your vacation.

Unknown said...

Nice to see you posting again. Glad you are sleeping now. I have had insomnia for years now, maybe I should try what you are doing.
Love the stitching Gabi, fabulous finishes!

Melissa said...

Gabi, congratulations on all the beautiful finishes! All luscious and wonderfully bright (but not TOO bright)!

It sounds like your health is improving with the sleep and exercise! I wish I could go for the long walks instead of going to work!

Going to Europe for 2.5 months in May sounds like a wonderful dream come true!

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Oh my goodness, Gabi! What a treat to see all of your beautiful finishes! I love each and every one. I love your new start, too; am going to check out that pattern as soon as I leave your note.

I'm glad you're resting better - that's so important to our overall well being.

Joke said...

Gabi, this is wonderful! I'm happy for you to be able to sleep again and 0h my, what a great stitching you did!

valerie said...

Gabi, how wonderful that you are getting better sleep! It's so important. It sounds like you are keeping busy and your stitching finishes look fabulous! Great new start!

Patty C. said...

Oh My goodness - Everything looks so beautiful - Congratulations on such awesome work !!!!!

Sarah said...

Good to know that you haven't disappeared off the face of the planet - your finishes look great

Theresa said...

Gorgeous finishes!!!!!! Glad to hear you are keeping a great routine and everything is going well~

Cardygirl said...

Glad all is well and your sleeping improved. Loving your finishes!

Nancy said...

All your stitching is beautiful!! Glad all is well!

Nancy said...

All your stitching is beautiful!! Glad all is well!

Ellen said...

Your stitchings are gorgeous, I especially love Christmas Garden! So glad to hear that you are sleeping well now, exercises really help!

Hugs,

marly said...

Wow you've done a lot of beautiful stitching!! Wonderful finishes. Glad you are feeling well and getting that so important rest.

Anne said...

Oh my goodness! What beautiful samplers!! Especially the first one! I'm glad you are getting the rest you need and have found a good routine that tires you out at night!!

Ana said...

I love all your finishes and glad you are doing fine with your sleeping. I have that problem too. Take care

Lois said...

Look at all those gorgeous finishes Gabi! Given that I'm working on Christmas Garden at the moment it deserves special mention. Love your finish and I think that changing to Tarnished Gold has worked wonderfully!

Well done on conquering the insomnia!

Sally said...

It is good to see your Gabi. Your finishes are beautiful.

Glad you are beating your insomnia.

Nancy M said...

Your needles have been smoking!! Looks like vacations and beating insomnia are helping with your stitching! A 2 hour walk? That's not a walk, that's hiking every single day. Hope you have a wonderful time with your mom for 2 1/2 months. Do pop in now and again!

Siobhán said...

Oh my gosh!!! Sleeping more and banging out samplers. You go girl! :) Your finishes are amazing. Good for you on enjoying life--that's what you are meant to do. Blog when you can, but make sure you're taking care of yourself and family first. :)

Chris said...

What amazing stitching, you have been busy.. love the idea of the walking each day.. I too have cut back on PC time, the summer is coming and I love to garden,... happy stitching

Chris xx

Marie said...

You have been busy! Such gorgeous work...as always.

I am glad that you have resolved your sleep issues. I have always been a night owl and get so much done...but then again I do not get up very early in the AM!

Lynn said...

A good night's sleep is far more important than sitting in front of a computer all day! I'm so glad you are finally getting a good night's rest.

Your finishes are all gorgeous! Charlotte is just stunning!
I like the new start that you've chosen and hope you have a little time to post some pics of its progress.

Littlebit said...

Oh my, Gaby, what tremendous finishes!!!!!! SO beautiful, all of them!

Brigitte said...

Wow!! Mehr kann ich fast nicht sagen zu den Projekten, die du fertig gestickt hast. Die sind einfach nur schön.
Gut, dass du ein Mittel gegen die Schlaflosigkeit gefunden hast. Ich drücke die Daumen, dass es sich hält.
Viel Spaß hier in Deutschland!

Shelley said...

So happy to hear that you are doing so much better Gabi!

Your stitchy finishes are fantastic. I love the flowers on your WIP.

Hugs