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A little blog about my big loves; family, friends, stitching and yep, chocolate!

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Wednesday, September 7, 2011

Cut her loose!

Sometimes it hurts.  Sometimes it's freeing.  Sometimes it's necessary.  
And sometimes, if it just doesn't feel right, you gotta know when to cut a girl loose.   

Maria Theresa Wilkinson; I'm talkin' to you!


At the KSSG (Kindred Spirits Sampler Guild) meeting a few months ago, a decision was made to make the guild focus project for the next year a sampler from The Scarlet Letter.    There was much debate on whether we should all pick one we loved and stitch that and then have a great show and tell in the end.  Or, should we, as a group, select a few and all stitch one of those.  The final decision was to vote for your 3 favorites and the top three vote getters would be the ones we'd all choose from to stitch.  

Let the jockeying begin!

photo borrowed from Wornthru which has an interesting article on jockey's silks.

The sampler I picked was of course, the one I thought the prettiest of the bunch from those we had to choose.  I began the job of getting these talented KSSG women on my side.  I politicked and cajoled and pleaded my case for the sampler of my choice.
I got the votes!

Julie did the same thing and she did quite well in the vote getting department, too.  There may have been a little more persuasion going on by others but Julie and I were the most aggressive least subtle of the bunch. 

We did it!  Ours were in the top 3.  I'm not telling you who was the best at the cajoling, politicking and pleading 'cause that really isn't the point of this story.
Okay, okay... it was Julie but she was on the debate team, after all!  
I was only a cheerleader!

Next order of business was to place our orders.  Oh no!  The one I picked and politicked for is no longer available at the SL.  So, the next best, in my totally biased, and not so humble opinion, was Julie's pick; Maria Wilkinson.

She looked pretty on the website and on the pattern picture.  I loved the cottage, after all.  But, when I got the pattern and pulled the threads and started looking at her, I no longer felt the love.  She's not very symmetrical and her colors are kind of bland.  I'm just not loving her.  Oh, she's pretty enough.
But, she's just not as blingy as I thought she'd be.
She's a little boring, for me.
Gosh, I sound so shallow.


This is the gal I really love:

Mary Gibson.
Love.


Yep!  Another beauty from the folks at the  



Haslemere Museum

click here to order your own copy!

She's pink.   She's red.  She's bright and cheerful.  She's got a great verse.  She's got great houses.
She's got an Adam and Eve.

She's FABULOUS!!!

She practically sparkles!

 Maria, you're OUT.  Mary, it's you I truly love.

Here's where Maria ended up:

Sorry for the blurry pic - a new camera and the setting was off.  But you get the picture - LOL


I spent last night cutting the start of Maria off and, sorry to sound brutal, I tossed her in the trash.  I remounted the fabric on rods for my sweet Mary.  I think the color of fabric will work well with her delightful colors.  Now, I've just got to pull the fibers and get to work.   My friend Melissa's start on Mary put me over the edge and made me realize how much more I loved Mary than Maria.  Melissa is starting Mary from the bottom and working up.  I will start at the top and work down.
See Melissa's beautiful start here;
Words and Blooms Blog

Maybe we'll meet somewhere in the middle!

The last sampler that got my blood pumping was also from Haslemare.
Remember Marianne Wenn?

This was not a great pic (a bit too sunny) but you get the idea.

Maybe it's the houses that I love.  Regardless... I feel the excitement coming back.
What are you excited to be stitching?

Thanks so much for all your visits and comments!  I've got some email to respond to and I will get to it tomorrow.  I promise!

Peace!
Terri



60 comments:

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

Mary is definitely the prettier of the two ladies! I hope you have fun stitching here. Poor Maria :( LOL

Jackie's Stitches said...

I much prefer Mary too! Great job at recognizing you're not in love and calling and end to it before you got too far. There are so many fantastic things out there to stitch I can't imagine spending time stitching something you find blah.

Jan said...

Good Gravy, Terri...you and me both on Mary Gibson...she is not so subtly thumb tacked to my bulletin board in the office! I want to start her now! Course, I don't have either one of the faves you have already stitched, half done, so....you get the picture?

Mary is a grabber...those houses are just so charming!!!

Catherine said...

I fell in love with Mary when I saw her a few weeks ago. After looking at her again, I may just have to cave!

Margaret said...

You have good taste in samplers. I love Mary Gibson! I also love Maria, but I can understand how she might be blah with those colors. Too bad. Too funny about jockeying to get your sampler voted for! Looking forward to seeing more of Mary.

Susan said...

Good for you! I know it's hard to give up on a project, but if you're not feeling it, it won't be fun to stitch. Enjoy Mary--love the colors!

MoonBeam said...

Wow, a lot of work went into your post!

Good luck with Mary.

Bobbi

samplerlover said...

Hmmmm interesting post lol. I also love Maria, but if she isn't doing it for you then you do have to set her free. It is one thing to do her just because everybody is doing her, but you are the one that has to live with her and enjoy stitching her. If none of these work than you have to find something that grabs you. It seems that Mary is doing that and I would go with her as well. Mary is really lovely isn't she. - Sandra.

valerie said...

OMGosh, what a fun post! Mary is definitely prettier and brighter. I can't wait to see your start!

Deborah said...

Mary is quite lovely. Look forward to your start.

Patty C. said...

I just love Mary - Gorgeous !!!!

Mindi said...

I have to agree with you, I'm totally in love with Mary Gibson. So much that I put my first stitches in her yesterday

Beth said...

Ouch! You are brutal! But certainly with a sampler that size, you've got to LOVE it given the amount of time you'll commit to the project.

Jenny said...

You go girl - life is too short to spend time stitching on projects we just don't absolutely adore!
Have fun with Mary! :-)

Anonymous said...

What a great post, love the idea of choosing one of three in your group. My heart sank when I heard Maria went into the trash. Mary is certainly beautiful for sure.
So, I am going to be so bold as to ask if you would consider selling Maria or give her away. It may sound silly but I really like some of the more mutted colors from when madder dye colors were all there where available.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

beautiful samplers ...

Jeanne said...

There's no sense in starting a big sampler that you're not in love with! You were right to toss Maria and start Mary instead. I just cut up and threw out some 40-ct blue Lakeside Linen...had tried to stitch on it with a project start and gave up. I stupidly thought of pickig out the stitching and saving the linen but then realized how silly that was. It felt so naughty to cut it up with the scissors and toss it but very freeing as I'm sure you felt also. I'm sure this will be a beautiful project for you - now onward!

MANUELA ALBANESE said...

wonderful sampler!
Manuela

Annemarie said...

I must say I feel a bit sorry for Maria... so many pretty promises and then to be dumped in the trash can... but Mary is very pretty too. Can't wait to see your progress!

mdgtjulie said...

I'm just getting ready to start a memorial for my dad, who died December 21st of 2010. A friend made the chart for me. I'll be using twenty eight count and I'm pulling it out afterwards. Like waste cloth, as they don't make waste cloth in twenty eight count.

Lois said...

Sometimes a girl's gotta to do what a girl's gotta to do. Farewell Maria, it just was not meant to be. Welcome Mary, may you have many happy hours in Terri's company!!!!

Siobhán said...

You're killing me here with your talk of Marias, Marys & Mariannes. I think it's the year of Mary for you, much as mine is the year of Jane. ;) I LOVE LOVE LOVE your Marianne and everytime I see it I start to hyperventilate. I am jonesing to start on Mary, too. I need to finish up a few other things but really--I want to work on it soooo badly. I can't wait to see your WIP pics!

Chris said...

I am glad that your mojo is back and you are feeling the love for Mary!

Mouse said...

gosh .. well if you can't work on it then the file 13 is the best place ..lol do love the chart though but the other one does have more WOW factor with the red houses :) can't wait to see the progress on the new one :) love mouse xxxx

Hazel said...

I think you did the right thing! You cannot work on such a big project if it doesn't inspire you. Glad you found something you love. xx

Rita said...

I love Mary too!

And yes, I remember M Wenn....I bought her just a few minutes after seeing yours here. Sigh....

Sally said...

I can see why you prefer er love Mary:) She is absolutely gorgeous and I look forward to seeing your progress on her.

Sherry :o) said...

I do agree that Mary is the better choice. How could you toss linen in the trash though, I admire that (I know it was a small area - but I would have put it in the ziploc baggie with other things like it and stuffed it in a drawer). I do stop stitching things that just don't have it for me - and put them far away (or give them away). I started doing that with books a few years ago too - I used to struggle through a book, no matter what, if I started it - no more - not feeling the love within a few chapters, I give it away!

I think symmetrical is what draws me too - and if they're more of a spot sampler, I don't like them as much. SL seems to be more spot, that "even". Can't wait to see your progress on Mary, as well as the fibers...maybe bring them to KSSG on Sunday if you are coming.

Anonymous said...

Well, you did it to me now! I immediately went online and bought Mary Gibson. Yup! Another thing I won't be able to get done, but I LOVE her. Thanks for sharing.

Peggy
www.neverenoughstash.blogspot.com

Pumpkin said...

I think we all know what we want to stitch and when it doesn't feel right, we know it. I think you made the right decision for yourself and it's going to look great ;o)

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Maria is pretty fantabulous...but I agree Mary is my pick too, in fact so much so that I purchased her as soon as she was put up for sale. Got my fabric, got my threads....now just to find some time :)

Lynn said...

You gotta do what you gotta do! IMO, Mary is the prettier of the two and I'd definitely be leaning in her direction.
It's just too funny how things end up though after all that cajoling!

pam said...

Well, I agree with the rest. Mary for me too. Maria will suffer liek her drab colors and the asymetry is terrible.

BrendaS said...

Terri --
Love Mary better than Maria too! You sound just like me by throwing something in the trash if it isn't working. Life is too short and you need to ENJOY what you stitch:))

Can't wait to see your progress

Kathy A. said...

Oh Terri you made me smile!!! Why do we always feel so guilty when we trash something. I have done it too after much debate and it has been the right decision. I love your new choice and look forward to your progress.

doris said...

I'm with you. Maria just doesn't make my wishbone tingle like Mary does. I'm working hard to resist the urge to order her right now (oh, the pain)! I wonder how long it'll be 'til I cave. Can't wait to see how you do with her.

Mad about Craft said...

I agree! Mary it is!

Enjoy stitching

Katrina said...

You are too funny :-)!!! I love Mary too, my grandmother was Mary Gibson and I have already nicely asked Melissa about her colors, it's just too pretty isn't it? Can't wait to watch your progress too.

I have been just as brutal cutting off a start to use linen for something else ;-). Life is too short not to stitch whatever speaks to you the loudest, LOL!!!!!!

Halland House Gifts said...

I had to smile when I saw Mary. It is quite reminiscent of another of your beautiful projects. What do I enjoy stitching? It has to be Brenda Keyes' Pictorial Samplers. I took stock the other day and was surprised to notice only one non-BK piece. It is my wedding sampler. There are more to come, but I am an elementary Special Education teacher with no time for stitching with school in session right now. :-) Carriage House Samplings' stockings are a new adoration, and my horn books are a hodgepodge of many different designers of smalls. Thank you for your wonderful blog. If I can't stitch, I can at least read about those who do. :-)

Julie M said...

I much prefer your choice Terri! Can't wait to see updates!

Melissa said...

Poor Maria! I bet if you just add in some reds you'll love it, but that's for another day!

Glad to see that you'll be starting on Mary and I hope to see you in the middle! I'm really enjoying stitching her!

You did a wonderful job with Marianne and she looks so pretty in her frame!

aprilmecheelesdulllife said...

I like The Brighter one too! You hose well Terri!

marly said...

I've always wanted Maria Theresa and was planning on ordering her soon, then saw Mary on a blog and added her to the ordering list. I love them both! Just hope I get off my butt and stitch at least one.

Giovanna said...

You are so brave to throw out linen - it would hurt me mightily. Have fun with Mary!

Christine said...

Such a gorgeous sampler, no wonder you fell in love with it

Alice said...

It's kind of like how I felt when I finished my schooling... yippee! Now I never ever have to read anything I don't WANT to read! Same goes for stitching. There isn't anyone, anywhere telling you that you have to stitch anything... gotta feel the love or it isn't worth doing.

Glenna said...

Good for you! Stitching time is short, and a not-right sampler is a waste of time. I'd choose Mary too.

Loraine said...

Sometimes you just gotta cut those boring samplers loose! A fabulous post Terri. Made me laugh, and yes, I can soooo relate. Love the new choice, and I think it will look great when you are done! I may have to add this one to the stash. It speaks to me too.
Hugs dear friend!

Deb said...

I think that you made the right choice. Even though I like the Guild choice, I like Mary much, much better!! I do have the other Guild choice if you think that you would do it, but I think Mary wins hands down.

Penny said...

Mary Gibson is beautiful, and I agree, stitching time is too short to stitch something you're not crazy about. I look forward to seeing your progress. Your Marianne Wenn is so pretty!

Dona said...

Terri, you made a great decision! It's always right when you are stitching what you love.

I'm waiting on my threads for Mary. I'm in love with her, too!

Sherry said...

I am still working on Marianne but I absolutely LOVE Mary too. Looks like I will have to save up my change to buy her as well. Great choice. Mary does have it all.

Cathy Lloyd said...

I ♥ U Terri! Love that you're not afraid to cut your losses and begin again!

Charlene ♥ NC said...

I was about to suggest that you choose some fibers that you love, but hey - Mary is adorable (you've enabled me)! Glad to see you again.

Bonnie said...

Scarlet Letter has so many wonderful samplers & I very much love the one you were considering. But I have to admit, Mary looks more like you. She's beautiful.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

small kisses for you

Karoline said...

Great new start on Mary, she's much the more attractive sampler

JOLENE said...

I love both of the samplers they both have an individual feel to them, but Mary is a best fit for you.....it has RED, racy red!!! It matches your personality! Love the houses on it, great choice! Smiles....

PS...Can you believe it has been a year since our retreat? Crazy...

sheravery said...

Hi Terri,
Mercy, I just had to go splash cold water on myself. The thought of 'trashing' any portion of needlework put me into a high speed wobble :>) ! I LOOOVE Maria, and have her in my stash. I must admit that I find Mary almost as lovely. I may have to order her today. Just curious-- which SL pattern was your first choice? Perhaps someone out there has it and would be willing to do a trade with you-- if that's kosher. I, personally, have about 50 SL patterns/kits.
Thanks for introducing Mary to me. I'm certain we will become good friends!

-Sherry-

Tins and Treasures said...

Good afternoon, Terri,
Do you need any embroidery floss? I have more than I can use in my lifetime. Let me know if there are any colors you are in short supply.

Enjoy the lovely autumn weather we are having. ~Natalie