Stitching Saturday - September Sampler

I created another stitching project! (To see the June sampler click HERE, for July's sampler click HERE, and to see August's sampler click HERE.) 

I have been stitching a lot lately and have two more completed projects, and one almost complete! I just have to fully finish them for display! I will be bringing you those soon!

But today, I want to share the September Sampler!

The finished stitching is 9 3/4" x 4", and the full project is 11" x 5". I used 14 count Vintage Country Cream Aida cloth by Wichelt, The fabric has a mottled look to it, almost like it has some tea dying or age marks. I used DMC floss because it is the most economical. 

Note: Most of the newer patterns call for hand-dyed floss which costs $2.50 and up for 5 yards where DMC floss costs 60 cents for almost 9 yards. And often the hand-dyed floss is made from white DMC which has been dyed. I just cannot justify the price difference. Plus, I really don't care for the variegated look you get with hand dyed floss for the types of projects I am creating. 

The pattern is Sampler of the Month - September by Country Cottage Needleworks. I purchased all 12 months from Fat Quarter Shop online HERE. You can also purchase each individual month at Fat Quarter or at various shops on Etsy.

I used some of the called for DMC floss, but I changed some of the colors for parts of the stitching. I also used a technique of combining two colors of floss to make a more interesting look, especially on some of the leaves. I also "pumped up" the colors to be more vivid than what was called for. I really wanted a bright red school house, for example! 

Note: I buy my floss either from Hobby Lobby or online from 123Stitch.com, or from an Etsy seller if I need to round out an order to get free shipping. Floss is usually between 60 cents and 66 cents a skein. I buy my fabric either from  Hobby Lobby (small selection) or from an online shop or an Etsy shop, depending on pricing and stock.

In my area Hobby Lobby has a large cross stich section where Joann Fabrics and Michael's do not. In fact Michael's looked like a hoard of wild hyenas had rampaged the floss bins! Hobby Lobby had a HUGE stock of floss, and a respectable stock of other items. But, for fabric, I find the best choice and price online. 

All twelve samplers call for the same fabric, but I am using not only different fabric, but different fabric counts for each sampler. I am choosing fabric that matches the monthly theme, or that matches my home décor. I am not going to display them all at once, so it doesn't matter to me if the fabric "matches" or if the size of the finished pieces is slightly different. 

I used Graphic 45 Raining Cats and Dogs papers to cover the chipboard easel. I love plaid papers! I was happy to discover a hoard of this paper collection in a bin in my craft room! I had forgotten I had it, but when I did a paper reorganization recently...there it was! Happy happy! 

I put a little cotton batting between the stitching and the chipboard, to give it some dimension. I then stretch the stitching over the chipboard and attach it to the back with a combination of double sided tape and hot glue. I then hot glue the stitching panel to the easel. The hard part is keeping the stitching straight!

The ribbons I used are from Really Reasonable Ribbon, of course! I made a wide bow from 5/8" Red Taffeta and attached it to the top of the panel.  I then created another, loopy bow from Red/Black Swiss Dots Grosgrain which I glued to the top of the taffeta bow. As always, I used the Bow-It-All tool to make all my bows!

I topped off my bow with an plaid apple button that I found in my vast button hoard. 

Here is what the back looks like. Lots of plaid! I am trying to create every one of the samplers with a plaid easel. Who wants to take bets on whether I have enough different plaid paper in my stash for each month???!!

I am really happy with how this set of monthly samplers is turning out, but...I confess that they stitch up pretty fast, so I am also stitching other things, too! I alternate projects and have a few on the go at once. Which is something I would NEVER have thought to do in the old days when I first took up stitching! But according to "FlossTube" it is currently all the rage to have lots of WIPs (works in progress). I am very familiar with that term in paper crafting and adult coloring...so why not do the same with stitching??!! {giggle}

I have four months fully finished and I am almost finished stitching the October Sampler. I should finish that one this weekend and it will be ready to share next month! 

I plan to do an extra Stitching Saturday in May because I have two other projects that need to be framed or mounted that I plan to get to this weekend. I cannot wait to share those with you!

Thanks for joining me today!

Cross stitch pattern: Country Cottage Needleworks (Sampler of the Month - September)

Fabric: Wichelt Imports 14 ct Vintage Country Cream, cotton batting from Amazon

Ribbon: Really Reasonable Ribbon 5/8" Red Taffeta,  Red/Black Swiss Dots Grosgrain

Floss: DMC white, 3777, 3031, 869, 3363, 3825, 721, 347, 744, 742, 598. 597

Chipboard: Grafix White

Cardstock: ColorMates Black

Printed paper: Graphic 45 Raining Cats and Dogs

Button: from my stash

Adhesive: Hot glue, Art Glitter Dries Clear Glue, Scor-tape, ATG

Tools: Zutter Bow-it-All, paper trimmer, hot glue gun, scissors, bone folder and score board