Normally, I take on large-ish projects. They're not necessarily difficult, but they do take a fair amount of time to stitch. Although I LOVE Lizzie Kate, Sheepish Designs, Heart in Hand, Bent Creek, and others who design for those of us with limited stitching time, I haven't done many of their pieces. I'd like to complete a few of these this fall and winter -- they use such wonderful fibers and fabrics. (If you stitch a lot of these types of pieces, maybe you need to try something larger and more challenging. Shepherd's Bush has some wonderful samplers incorporating many different stitches. Maybe you want to try something with Hardanger in it from Victoria Sampler or Cross N Patch. How about something more traditional from Sampler House or Threads Through Time?)

I've also been noticing this year that I stitch a lot of tall skinny pieces. Most of these are band samplers, which I really enjoy. But I've come to admire the Quaker Samplers which are often more square than long. It's been a while since I stitched anything shaped like a circle (I have a P. Buckley Moss of a mother holding a baby by my desk here, and that was fun.)

Or maybe I should get away from samplers and stitch something else -- something whimsical from Sisters and Best Friends? Their stuffed creatures might be a fun way for me to try something different (and dust off my sewing machine.) They also have been including primitive stitch charts in with their cross stitch charts this year -- a quick little evening project, but so cute (stitched on muslin with whatever floss I'd like!) Sheepish Designs, Ewe and Eye, The Drawn Thread, Heart in Hand, and (soon) Shepherd's Bush all have scissor fob kits and charts. I haven't ever stitched a scissor fob, either (and I am always so envious of stitchers who go to classes with all of the neat accessories like baskets and boxes and needle books.)

Historically, too, I've done a lot of stitching on cream, white, off-white, natural and lighter colors. There are some gorgeous darker colors of linen that I'd like to try. Maybe I'll go through my charts this fall and find something on a color I've not tried. And come to think of it, I've been meaning to start Summer Sampler by Butternut Road -- I'd love to try those Watercolours on Cork, or maybe convert the chart to Waterlilies or something else?

Lately, I've heard complaints (and made them myself) that our favorite designers need to come up with some new ideas. But really, the ideas and designs are out there -- how many of them have I considered stitching myself? If I look at my walls (homage to Shepherd's Bush), I can see that I need to branch out, and try some new designers, materials and techniques. It is really easy to get into a rut and become very comfortable with what I'm good at or familiar with. I challenge myself, and I challenge you to walk down a different leaf-covered path this fall. Enjoy your stitching time this month, and thank you for your continued business.

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com