Monday, June 14, 2010

Poor Jane.....

Poor Jane.  Summer has started -- at least sort of started.  Enough to make the hours dedicated to fun stuff much more limited.  So poor Jane has suffered.  She has progressed, but not as much as in the past.  Ah well.


At least now I know where her bottom limits are and how big she will be when finished. 


Oh, and something you should know if you're planning to stitch Jane.  You will definitely need more than one skein of more than just one color.  Only one color is listed as needing two skeins.  I would say it's much more like 4 or more.  When I finish Jane, I will post which colors I went into for a 2nd skein. 


Since I didn't know I would need more than one skein, I'm going to have dye lot issues with two colors.  One isn't that much of a difference, just slight.   But the other color!  Whoa Nelly!  Huge difference!  Luckily no one but me will know that certain leaves and stems were supposed to be the same color but aren't.

Another reason why poor Jane didn't get as much attention as usual.  I've caught the Attic 24 crochet bug.   I'd been wanting to try my hand at crochet anyway.  But when I saw Lucy's blog, well, I was bowled over to say the least.  So this past weekend, I ventured out to a yarn store that I hadn't known existed, bought a few balls of yarn, plopped myself in front of Youtube, and taught myself to crochet.  By the end of the weekend, I had the beginnings of my Lucy bag to show for it.


Please keep in mind that I've never crocheted before, and then just ignore the flaws.  :D   I'm hoping to make this bag, and then move on to the big goal of learning to make granny squares so I can make beautiful throws and pillows like Lucy has on her blog.

Poor Jane will also have to suffer this week because I need to do some pre-stitching for a class I'm taking this coming weekend.  I'm hoping my friend Kathy (no blog) is right and that it will be a quick stitch since I haven't even started yet!

Becky surprised me by gifting me one of her wonderful pin pillows!  Just out of the blue, for no reason!  I was so thrilled to receive her Hoppity pin pillow.

It is just so amazing!  So perfect in every way!  Becky, thank you soooo much!  I am just so touched by your thoughtfulness and generosity!  I will treasure this forever!

In other news, the boy child just has 4 final exams left and then he will be done with school for the year.  He only goes into school for the exam, so he went in earlier today for his first final and he's home already.  He'll have one a day each day this week except Friday, and then the last exam is next Tuesday.  I know he's looking forward to the end of school.  The girl child is into her second full week of her internship.  Seems like she's enjoying it, which is great!

Thanks to all of you for stopping by and saying hi.  I love hearing from you and visiting with you all!  Hope you have a great week!

41 comments:

Isabelle said...

Wow Margaret, your Jane is turning out really gorgeous and even if you stitch it more slowly because of the Summer ,it will be a treasure in your home :-)
Thanks so much for posting the skeins you needed for it ....since I think I would loved to stitch it one of these days : too lovely!!
I think you made a nice start with crochet and congratulations for the small pillow from Becky: it is so cute !!
Have a great week,
Isabelle

purple24 said...

You are doing such a wonderful job on Jane. Absolutely beautiful.

It reminds me of the ADAM NAMES THE CREATURES project I completed 3/4's of.... http://www.prairieschooler.com/books/bk31.htm

purple24 said...

BTW... Beautiful crocheting. You did a beautiful job for the first time.

I couldn't get a handle on crochet no matter how hard I tried. Can't wait to see the completed project.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Jane is just stunning! What you consider to be your "slow" would be my fast on speed!

Your crochet looks great! Good for you for learning something new!

Great gift from Becky!

marylin & poussy said...

Hi Margaret this embroidery is simply magnificent! You realized one treasures there! I congratulate you! In very fast marylin

KarenV said...

Jane looks wonderful, despite the slow (for you!) progress! Shame about your dye lot issues though.

Love the crochet - I'm another who just can't do it - I shall stick to stitching (and occasionally knitting ;) )

Unknown said...

Now I thought you only had one speed Margaret - turbofast, lol. Jane is just gorgeous!

How does your daughter like her new job and how is she handling the commute?

Your crocheted piece looks great - I see no flaws. I learned to crochet as a kid and used to make barbie clothes and little afghans, lol. Thanks for sharing the website with us - she does amazing work.

Laurie in Iowa said...

I think Jane deserves some summer vacation too! She's beautiful Margaret. I'm looking forward to starting my own Jane soon.
What a sweet little pin pillow from Becky. Love those bunnies.
Your crochet project looks neat!

Catherine said...

Everything looks so good!! Jane is a beautiful piece!

What a cute piece from Becky - love the bunny and buttons!

Marion said...

I read this post before I even posted on my own blog...and now I'm back to comment! LOL
Fantastic stitching by the way!! As usual!!
I can crochet, but haven't in ages...and when I saw what you have done (way to go!!) I popped on over to the blog you mentioned and decided that I should make myself one of those bags!! I need a nice change from stitching....
Have a great day Margaret! Thank you for the comment on my blog....much appreciated!
Marion

valerie said...

Ditto what Terri said! Even on slow, you'll finish up fast!

Good for you for teaching yourself crochet. I am taking a class this month. So far, I've only learned how to chain and I chain too tight that I can't even get the hook in to stitch! Figures! I need to practice! LOL

Cute pinpillow from Becky!

Deb said...

Jane is looking wonderful - no one will ever know about the dye lot issue. But doesn't that make you made that it wasn't written on the chart?

Okay, I was going to go over and check out all the crocheted things, but I'm going to leave well enough alone. I don't need to pick up anything else right now! LOL But for someone who has never crocheted before, YGG!! It looks perfect. Granny squares are easy - you'll have a pile of them before your next blog post I'm sure!!

Annemarie said...

Jane is such an incredible beauty! I'm finding it very hard to resist her. And thanks A LOT for pointing out this chrochet thing and for telling us that you can actually learn to do all that from watching YouTube.
Lovely pin pillow from Becky!

Juels said...

Ah, Jane looks lovely, and she'll be fine even with dyelot differances for the reasons you list. I take it you did not buy the kit from Scarlet Letter? Just wondering, as I have the kit.

Natalia said...

Margaret, I think you are making great progress on Jane. You certainly are making it very popular among stitchers and I may have to buy the kit and start it myself !!! I will make sure to wait until you post which colors need more than one skein. I do thank you for letting us know.

Alice said...

Jane sure catches the eye. She really looks beautiful and you have made a lot of progress from what I can see.
Alice
xxx

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

I have never crocheted, but that looks great! I love Jane Sampler so much ! I hope to stitch it one day...

woolwoman said...

Margaret - your first attempt at crochet is wonderful! WOW - I am so proud of you trying out something new and learning it so swiftly but then we all knew you were one smart cookie! Love Jane - EGADS on the AVAS thing - I'm with you on that problem however mine is much more severe as I am running out of the border color on the Hart sampler - the other 2 skeins I found were not a dreadful match but were definitely slightly different in color - AACCKKK - what a mess - I bet there might be other colors I run short of as well. Jane is looking gorgeous enough that she is entitled to a little summer break. Have fun with your crochet. Mel

Susan said...

Margaret, as always, I am in awe of your stitching speech. Jane is lovely and I know you'll finish her soon despite what you call slow progress.

Cari said...

I love seeing your progress on Jane...she's beautiful isn't she? The colors are just something else...I love it! And teaching yourself to crochet. Girl, you are so talented. Your work looks pretty darn good to me!! Hugs and happy needlework!!

Jackie's Stitches said...

Jane is just gorgeous! It's too bad the designer wasn't more accurate with the thread requirements. I certainly could not tell you where the color is off!

Your crochet looks really good. Everything looks really evenly balanced. Most crocheters have issues keeping things shaped the way it should be at the beginning. That's not happening to you at all!

Liz said...

Jane is looking gorgeous Margaret. I made the 'Lucy' bag too, I lined mine and use it for shopping every now and then, there's a photo somewhere in the archives of my blog!! She's amazingly talented isn't she and I yearn for crocheted cushions too....sigh, good job the weather is cold, cold, cold here now! Plenty to keep me busy..
Lizzie
xxx

samplerlover said...

Hi Margaret, - Jane is as I keep saying stunning and grows even more so everytime I see her.
Margaret, I must commend you with your crocheting. My goodness for a first attempt that is wonderful. I also can't crochet, although my Sister can. Maybe one day, I will sit down and teach myself how to do it.
Lovely pillow from Becky. Love the rabbit. - Sandra.

Stitch By Stitch said...

Margaret, Jane is stunning! I just love that sampler! I don't know how it is that I haven't seen it before. Beautiful!

Sherry said...

Jane is going to be so amazing! Congratulations on learning to crochet! My grandma tried to teach me when I was younger but my fingers just didn't want to learn and I just learned to cross stitch so my mind was on that all the time. I can't wait to see more of your crochet and stitching!

Giovanna said...

Nice work on Jane! And well done on the crochet, it looks great! Haven't done any of that for more than 3 decades, I believe, lol.

Loraine said...

So fun to read what you have been up to! I love your sampler, and I think it's okay to divert ones attention to another crafting pursuit! LOL
Your crochet looks wonderful. That is one thing I am not good at, nor do I want to learn. To many irons in the fire I guess.
Have a great day! Hugs to you.

Bertie said...

Oh Margaret, going slow??? well I have never known someone other than you who stitches like a marathon needleworker LOL, it will be fantastic, infact it already looks fantastic.

Your skills have no boundary's, your crochet looks fine to me.

Love the hopping bunny :-))

Sherry :o) said...

I am excited to see what your lucy bag will look like. I like to crochet, but it bothers my hands sometimes. Granny squares are my fav. Jane is progressing and looks great. It has been fun watching the progress.

Carol said...

Love your progress on Jane, Margaret. I think you are a fast stitcher, but I understand what you're saying... That is why I sneak in a quick ornament or little pillow finish here and there 'cause it gives me that satisfaction of a finish.

Good for you for teaching yourself to crochet! I don't do anything but cross stitch and I really admire all of you who can knit and crochet as well...

Berit said...

Lookin' good!

Thanks for sharing the Attic 24 link; I took entirely too long looking it over this morning. :D I can crochet and her site is quite inspiring, you know. Even if her colors are a bit overwhelming for me, they are still beautiful! :D

Katrina said...

Love your Ann and the little bunny is too cute.

Your crocheted piece looks perfect to me :-).

Littlebit said...

Gosh, Margaret! I'm in awe of what you get done! That sampler is gorgeous! And who would EVER notice a dye lot issue with it as busy as it is??
Your crochet looks wonderful, too!
What a thoughtful thing, receiving that little pillow..you are so deserving.

Siobhán said...

Jane is SO pretty, Margaret!! Love it. YGG on the crocheting. I need to do the same--plop myself in front of You Tube and try to teach myself again. Maybe the second time it will 'stick'. ;) Lucky you on the pillow from Becky--it's adorable!

Sandy said...

Margaret!!! Your Lucy Bag is going to be sooooo cute!! I love the bright colors. And NO WAY does it look like beginner crochet ... nice even tension.

And Jane ... oh my gosh ... what can I say. I LOVE that thing.

Cute little pin pillow, too. Lucky you!

Patti-Rocky Mtn Stitcher said...

I so want to pull my Jane out now but will have to be patient I guess :( I promised not to start another sampler until I finish the Adam & Eve sampler I am doing now.
But this is so beautiful!!

Michelle said...

Jane is looking amazing! I'm sure your dyelot issues won't be noticeable. She is just stunning! And YGG on the crochet!! Woohoo!!

Donna said...

Thank you for the link to the Lucy Bag. I love to crochet but havent in a long time. I am going to try that one out. Oh and Jane in looking lovely. But I will check back to see your progress on Lucy too

Karoline said...

Jane is looking gorgeous & any progress is great progress.

Lucy's blog is gorgeous isn't it, I want to learn to crochet every time I read it but it'll have to wait till I have a bit more time

The French Bear said...

I love your Jane, she is turning out perfect!!! I love to see others crocheting and knitting, Lucy is an inspiration for sure!!!
I love to make stars and snowflakes...I'll show you!!!
Hugs,
Margaret B

The Scarlett House said...

You win the award for the best blog post title of the week. Hilarious! Poor Jane can hold her own. My money's on her.