Welcome to the very first issue of Stitchin'Time.

I hope to share lots of stories of country life and designing with you along with some special free designs and articles. So let's get started . . .

Pantomime Time

Back when NOWTS (The New Old Weston Thespian Society) began, my only involvement was to go along to the dress rehearsal with my trusty camera and take photos of all of the actors. Back in my studio (well alright, my dining room) I got out my graph paper and pencils and "dressed" a basic cross stitch figure to resemble each person. Once all the characters were ready, I cut them out and arranged them onto a big sheet of paper to make a unique sampler. When stitched and framed the pantomime samplers were hung in the village pub for all to admire. Well they had to put up with them anyway. All of the first five pantomimes were commemorated in this way.

Last year, I received a phone call asking me to be the prompt. "Just remind anyone who forgets their lines, what they have to say. Its easy" John told me. He "forgot" to inform me that both himself and Jim were the biggest culprits. I had lots of fun throughout rehearsals and was looking forward to the big night.

At one point during the evening performance Jim froze and so I whispered his next line. Being slightly hard of hearing he couldn't work out what I had said, so looked at me in anticipation. I spoke a little louder, still without success. He then strode to the front of the stage and told the audience, "I just need to visit the prompt in the corner to find out what I say next". The audience howled with laughter and I was able to shout his line to him above the noise. Whew!

Having enjoyed the experience last year, I have again volunteered to be the prompt. I also offered to stand in at rehearsals if anyone happened to be missing one week. Well after 5 rehearsals I have been needed for 4 of them. Each week I have been someone different; it could end up being confusing and my not knowing who I am!

Right, I'm sure you'd rather stitch than listen to me waffle on . . .

Up the Garden Path - Blackwork band sampler

The complete design is 65 stitches wide by 81 stitches high. On 14 count Aida this will measure 4.6 x 5.8 inches.

You will need:

• White Aida 14 or 28 count evenweave, 8.5 x 10 inches
• DMC 310 black stranded cotton (or a colour of your choice)
• DMC 5828 gold metallic thread (this comes in a skein like the stranded cotton)
• 14 gold seed beads and beading needle (not needed until row 4)
• size 24 or 26 tapestry needle
• and an embroidery hoop if you like to use one

Printing the chart The first step is to download the chart for the first row of this blackwork band sampler. After this first issue, (which will be archived on the site for all to view ) you will need a password to open the remaining charts. I will send out the password to all subscribers just before the next issue is due, so watch out for it in your inbox.

You will need Adobe Reader (the latest version is recommended) installed on your computer in order to open and read the chart. You can get Adobe Reader here (a new window will open so you can download without leaving this page).

If you want to open the file in your browser window, you can just click on the link. However, if you want to download the file to view later, then right click on the link and choose "Save Target As" or "Save File As." Then select where you want to save the file on your hard drive.

Once you have saved the file, locate where you saved it, and double click to open.

In order to print, open the downloaded file, and select the "Print" option from the menu.

Starting the stitching Count down and across 28 squares (or measure 2 inches) from the top left of your fabric. This is where we will start the first row. We will use 1 strand of cotton/floss throughout. This row is worked using double running stitch in two journeys, following the diagrams below. It is a reasonably complex pattern to establish so follow the numbering carefully in the first journey. If you are receiving the text version of this ezine you will need to visit the site to see the diagrams.

Journey 1 begins with stitch no. 1. The arrows on the stitches show the direction of travel. Before you work stitch 3 take a little "detour" and put in the purple stitch 3a. Bring the needle back up in the used hole to work stitch 3. This will be part of the line separating the acorn from its cup.

The diagram shows two acorns and the joining line up to the beginning of the third. The stitch numbered 20 is also number 1 of the third acorn so you can follow the diagram from the beginning again to continue along the row.

Journey 2 In the second diagram I have coloured the existing stitches in black. The new stitches for this journey back are again in orange. Don't forget the purple detours to complete the separation between acorn and cup.

I hope you have enjoyed stitching the first band of our sampler. Why not send me a photo to show me how you got along. If you have any questions please just shout. Next month we will tackle the butterfly row.

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Also a new puppy is due to join our family later this week. If you want to see her I have uploaded a cute video onto YouTube and you can take a peek at the antics her and her sisters and brother got up to one wet afternoon when they were 5 weeks old.

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Thanks for reading, and watch your inbox next month.

Regards,

Carol Leather www.x-calibredesigns.co.uk

www.needlework-tips-and-techniques.com