OhSewCrafty Blog

• Pattern: by Stoney Creek (Magazine Autumn 2015)
• Materials: 18 ct Cotton Anne cloth, DMC, WDW Havana, Caron Waterlilies Budding Leaf
• Size: 5″ w x 45″ t
• Time to stitch: 36 days since April 2019

Presenting my perfectly seasonal finish!  

The pattern was challenging, with lots of color changes and tiny details.  The chart called for Weeks Dye Works Guacamole for the big letters, which is not my idea of a spring green.  I found the Waterlilies Budding Leaf at the Attic in Mesa, AZ, and the variegated light, bright green is perfect for this chart, IMO.  However, the variegation prompted me to work the letters stitch by stitch, so they were rather slow going. I also swapped the purple variegated WDW Iris, simply because I didn’t have it in my stash. Instead, I used Vicki Clayton hand dyed silk “Acts of Violets”.  Love that name.  Overall, I enjoyed the garden theme, especially the irises in S block, my favorite flower.

I plan to stitch the full set of seasonal bellpulls; my first was the Summer one a few years ago using some polyacrylic Anne cloth I found at a craft store.  The spring bellpull is stitched on 100% cotton anne cloth from Stoney Creek; the difference in feel and experience is stark.  I always prefer natural fibers and the cotton anne cloth is much easier to stitch on, less slippery, though it is still possible to slip stitches and requires a little tension adjustment.  It gets pretty dense, the 2 over 1 on the 18 count with all the color changes.  I do love the cotton anne cloth, though, and am glad to have another piece in my stash.

I really love all the animal details in this chart.  The P block features an adorable bunny and singing bluebird.  Fluttering blue butterflies grace the R block.  P has a Goldfinch and Eastern Kingbird (I think, not being an expert on birds).  I love the gorgeous dragonflies, curious squirrel, and cute watering can in N.  G shows pretty yellow butterflies and a beautifully detailed birdhouse. I also adore the text- Sing, Praise, Renew, Inspire, Nurture, and Grace.  These words of affirmation are especially useful to battle the anxiety many of us feel in these trying times, with the covid-19 pandemic.   

Overall, I’m very pleased with this finish, though it did take more time compared to the summer bellpull, probably since I used more variegated threads for Spring.  Still, I won’t hesitate to use hand dyed threads if I find one as lovely as the Waterlilies Budding Leaf. I look forward to stitching the other two.  Perhaps I’ll start Autumn or Winter, in the appropriate season this year.