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Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Eve's Garden by Shepherd's Bush

pics are clickable

Adam and Eve just couldn't be happier!  
They are now, having given way to temptation, living in Eve's Garden, beautifully clothed.  Well, Eve is beautifully clothed;  Adam, not so much!  
I love Eve's skirt - it looks like a fairy skirt, don't you think?  
I did, for the most part, enjoy stitching this piece, as I do all SB designs, but I have a few notes for you.:

Chart Alert:

There is a small error on the chart (I called the SB gals and let them know).  The strawberry at the very bottom was missing the two rows of red at its base, just below the "seeds".  If you stitch it the way it's charted, it's fine (meaning borders will meet up but your strawberry will look funky).  If you want the strawberry to look right, you need to add two rows of the pinky/red color at the base of the strawberry and then find a place to adjust your vine by two stitches (easy enough).  I also added the year in a the tan color, over one, which I really like.

Forewarned is forearmed!

Do as I say, not as I do:

I made a few mistakes (I ALWAYS DO) that I had to compensate for later.
~ I skipped too many rows (and nothing consistent) between bands.  Count your threads!
~ I used the wrong green in several places which means I ran out of one of the greens before I should have.  Watch your Symbols!
~ I had to make some additions to the design because of miscounting.  I added a pink flower to the bottom left of the border (looks kind of like a heart) and another to the bottom right (the little yellow and black flower) to compensate for my inability to count and the incorrectly charted strawberry.  Okay, the strawberry didn't cause that much of a problem but I'm not going to take all the blame!  I also added the year, over one, to fill some of that extra space created by my growing garden.


~ I removed the heart on the upper left corner because it just got totally lost on the fabric.


This was my initial "finish" before frogging the heart:  Poor picture, sorry....

When I looked at it, I just didn't like it.  Unless you are right on top of it, the sampler just looks like it has a lot of empty space at the top.  So... I added a pair of over one cherries and found a bee button from some forgotten project (don't think it was this one) and sewed that in the corner to fill it in.  Actually - I like it MUCH better.


Soapbox:
I've stitched quite a few SB patterns and generally really like them because the patterns are sweet, the fabrics and fibers are beautiful.
BUT, and this is a big, ole but.... 

I don't like that the symbols are all hand drawn - I know it's supposed to look "folksy" or more "handcrafted" but some of their symbols are difficult to read.  In this chart, three shades of green, which are very close in color, had almost the same symbol.  There are small dots for light green, medium dots for medium green and open circles for dark green.  Really?  My mind reads "dot" when looking at the symbols so I frequently grabbed the wrong "dot" meaning I used the wrong green.  AARGH!!!  You know, as I do, that if you frog silks they get yucky looking in no time so I just left the greens as I stitched them.  In the end, you can't really tell that much difference but it aggravates me.  SB charts are expensive (IMHO) and it wouldn't be that hard to make them easier to read.  There are a ton of symbols (how about a heart or anything but dots!) that can be used - why use various sizes of the SAME symbol?  AND, if that isn't bad enough, they often use a circle with a dot inside it that is hard to read or a small square that looks like a dot.  
Seriously - This makes me crazy!!  

Don't get me started about differentiating the colors of silks.....


Obviously, I still like their designs enough to buy and stitch them and I do like their diagrams of the specialty stitches but the charting and trying to figure out which fiber is which just aggravates the p-willies out of me!
Okay, that's enough bitching for one day.

A few parting shots just because it's so pretty!
 


 Remember that little wheel I found not too long ago?  This is what I turned it into.  I used some beads I had in my stash and some old skeleton keys.  I really like how it turned out although I wish I'd used more blues.  I may have to "fix" it, one of these days.

That's all I've got for today!  I'll be back Sunday with an update on the SAL with Marilyn and Faye.   I hope to get quite a bit done between now and Sunday's post.  I had to finish this SB piece before I could get started, too much.

Have a great rest of the week and thanks so much for all your sweet comments! 

Be well.

Peace,
Terri


75 comments:

Anonymous said...

Congratulations Terri, your SB finish looks great! Love what you did with your wheel!

Robin

Margaret said...

It's so beautiful, Terri! Thanks for the tip about the bottom strawberry and other things. I agree on the charting -- what a bummer that the symbols look so much alike. I'm going to have to watch out for that! But you are finished, and it is wonderful! I love the windchimes you made out of the wheel too!

MoonBeam said...

Your SB is beautifully stitched, and aren't the colors gorgeous? Really nice.

I totally agree that some charting could definitely be improved. Our eyes aren't getting any younger, and trying to figure out symbols shouldn't be a puzzle or a mystery.

Bobbi

Littlebit said...

Terri, wow! You did an amazing job on this piece! I admire your stick to it ness. It is so pretty.

Anonymous said...

Hello

Your sampler is just beautiful!
I've stitched one SB so far and I know what you mean by the hand drawn symbols.
Thank you for the tips for stitching this piece.

I love what you did with the wheel - it's really pretty!
Happy stitching.

Marsha said...

I love your piece, especially the added cherry and bee charm. I agree whole heartedly about the symbols. I'm always surprised when I open one of their packages and greatly disappointed. They are very hard to read. But, the silks not being separated and coded just plain pi_ _ es me off. How a company that's been around this long still gets away with these aggravations is a mystery.

Annie said...

The piece is just gorgeous! Eve's skirt is so trendy! Where did she shop, I wonder?

Anyway, I love all the SB designs, but I've never stitched anything that wasn't in a magazine. Really wouldn't hurt them to enter the electronic age for printing readable charts. It's hard enough to stitch them perfectly when you can read them easily! (You'd think that counting would be simple since we all learned to do it in grade school or before!).

Denise said...

Adam & Eve is gorgous!I told my DH about your happy Adam. He kinda thought he looked happy too. LOL
Happy Stitching
Denise

Melissa said...

Oh, drat, now you've got me wanting to stitch this!!! It's so pretty! You've done a wonderful job!

I share your opinions on the SB kits. Yup!

I like what you've done with the beading and creating the wind chimes! Cute. Now you've got me wanting to do beading!

Thanks, my enabling friend! ;-)

marly said...

Adam has some real staying power. This is such a soft and beautiful design. Glad to hear I'm not the only one that has problems with chart clarity!

Hazel said...

Well with all the chart problems I am amazed at how gorgeous it has turned out! Wonderful job. x

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Oh quelle merveille ! je suis sous le charme j'adore !!
bisous mon amie

Cathy Lloyd said...

Thanks for the heads up Terri! I purchased this piece right off because it is so sweet! Now you've got me wanting to stitch it! Your wind chimes are fabulous! I'm going to call that antique shop again....right now! Thanks for all the pics of SBs A&E...I was disappointed that they didn't use a chartmaker computer program, or else have a professional do their charting like some designers do. Even I have one of those now and I don't design!

Laurie in Iowa said...

Your sampler looks wonderful. I hear you about the charting... it does take away a little bit of the joy of stitching.

Mugwump Woolies said...

That is one gorgeous piece of work! Wow!
Robyn

Deb said...

It looks wonderful Terri for all the aggravation is caused. Congratulations!!

I do have to agree with you about their charts and symbols. You honestly don't want to think when you're stitching beyond counting, and to have to decipher a pattern takes a lot of the fun out of it!! And sorting out the silks.....well, definitely not one of my favorites either. But for all the grief it looks great!

Bertie said...

A gorgeous sampler Terri!! Sorry to hear about the symbols, designers should really take care they are not similar.
Love the little pincushion!!
Cool wheel:))

Anna van Schurman said...

To be fair, computer-generated charts can also have symbols that look similar and are difficult to distinguish. But I am with you when they make the similar colors that are also close together on the chart a really similar shape. D'oh! Pretend we're only using half our brains when we do this, please!

Love your finish! You did great things with that crappy chart. ;)

Carolyn said...

LOVE it! I just love the colors in it. I totally agree with you about the symbols. On some of the itty bittys its not so bad, but on these honkin' big ones, it's really a pain. And the kits are not cheap, either. I appreciate all of your warnings. Since I just got this in my new stash haul, I'll have to copy them out so I'll have them if/whenever I decide to stitch it! LOL

Girl! I LOVE what you did with your wheel! You are just so creative. :0)

Hugs..

Cari said...

Your finish is BEAUTIFUL. And I'm right there with you on their charting. I too love their designs, but get aggravated with their hand drawn charts / symbols. I just want to stitch...I don't want to have to think too much!! Thanks too for the heads up !!!

Love your wind chime. You are one talented gal!! HUGS

Mouse said...

well just love how you have finished it :) and I agree with the symbols bit too ... will endeavour to remember if I ever get this one to stitch your recommendations for the adaptations ;)
and just love your wheel wind chime too :0
love mouse xxxxx

Isobel -Argante- said...

thanks so much for the nice comment at my Endymion Sampler :-))
You are a great stitcher :-)))

Hugssss
Isobel
The Primitive Hare

Kate said...

Terri your personalised finish is gorgeous. Hear all you're saying about the symbols and colour sorting - it can be harder then you would ever imagine.

From the Attic said...

I agree about annoying hard to read charts Terri. Love your wheel. Very creative.

Chrissie

samplerlover said...

Oh this one is beautiful. Love SB designs. Used to do a lot of them years ago and have a few hanging around the house.

Totally agree with you on the charting. I also find some of the hand drawn charts so hard to read sometimes. When I did The Tablet there were two symbols very much the same and it wasn't until my DG blew the chart up for me that I saw the difference. Two totally different colours btw. - Sandra.

Ranae said...

Love, Love the SB finish
I hear you on the charting and the color sorting of the threads get to me too. Why can't they put them in the cardboard noted with the symbol, lol
because that would take all the fun of it it, Not!!! lol
Love your wheel chime

Anne said...

What a great review Terri! Honestly though, if you didn't point out the "mistakes" I wouldn't have thought there was any!! (Ahem...I've had to fudge some things in Jane Philpott...don't tell anyone!!) As for SB designs, I have never bought any, only have what has come in mags and a sweet chart I was given, and I agree with you about the similar "dots"!!! Not sure why they can't use different symbols to help us squinting stitchers!!!

Love your wind catcher! Such a creative use of that wheel and the keys!!

valerie said...

Woohoo Terri! Congrats on your finish! I think it came out gorgeous...mistakes, modifications and all. I have the same complaint with SB as you do. I wish the chart was easier to read and that they gave you a little extra floss. Great windchime!

Cathy B said...

Gorgeous finish Terri!

Karen said...

Such a pretty finish. Love the colors as always with SB...

happy stitching....

Faye said...

Ahhhh...Another striking finish! I love the softness of the colors and definitely like how you ammended things a little... Great job~~~ Like you, I hope to stitch on A&E between now and Sunday...
That conversion you suggested is beautiful! Take care my friend,
Faye

Prims By The Water said...

Terri, as always, love this piece and also liked your honest opinion on the symbols. Cannot wait to see the next finished masterpiece. Take care, Janice

Penny said...

Congratulations on a beautiful finish!! I've encountered a number of charts with similar symbols - very frustrating to say the least. I'm glad you kept at it. :) Very creative and pretty use of your wheel too!

Jeanne said...

Beautiful SB finish Terri! Congrats on adding to your A&E collection. I agree with your comments on the chart symbols...and don't even get me started on the wonky lettering style they started using some years back. I don't really like so plan on recharting the lettering of any future SB projects. And I always hate when I have to sort out the threads from something that is kitted........have I whined enough now?? LOL

Deborah said...

Great finish! Thanks for the tips. I also agree about the charting.

doris said...

Love that finish! I can't wait to stitch Eve's Garden, but I'm sticking to WIPs. But temptation is getting to me.

Before there were so many computer charting programs, we used to do charts with rub-off/rub-on symbols. I did some charts for SB back in those days, so they've had some charts that were easy to read. Often, designers are under the gun for a market, or whatever, and they can't wait for someone to chart it on computer. They decide to hand chart the design instead. It's a problem that you were able to overcome very well. Thanks for sharing your issues so we can all learn.

Barb said...

"Eve's Garden" is just beautiful!!I also love what you did with the wheel-very clever!

Jackie's Stitches said...

I love the addition of the cherries and bee to you SB project. Really cute!

I love your wind chime and i think the blue is just right!

Christine said...

Your SB finish is just stunning, sorry it gave you trouble, but the end result was worth it.
Love your garden chimes too

Joy said...

It is beautiful Terri! Congrats on your finish! I must admit that you give me the giggles, which brighten my day. I am going to have to hunt for this pattern...I just love the colors! What are you going to be stitching next that will give me a case of the "I wants?!"

Chris said...

Now I can do the full happy dance for you! It looks wonderful. I completely agree about the chart. I don't think it should be hand drawn either, not in today's tech world. I still like their things though.
I love your wheel,what a neat wind chime.
Have a great weekend.

Myra said...

Fabulous finish Terri! I have the same problem with SB charts and as my eyes age (the rest of me doesn't you know) I find it even more difficult to read those symbols.

Your garden wheel looks great!

Catherine said...

Beautiful finish! Bummer about the chart/symbols being so hard to read and confusing.
I love how your wind chimes turned out ~ so clever you are!

Loraine said...

What a fabulous finish Terri! I love this design, and somehow I have resisted buying it. After seeing your finish, I may have to cave. :) You did a great job on "fixing" your errors. In fact I think it improved the piece quite a bit! Yea, and big hugs to you on a wonderful job done!
Love your wind chime! You are oozing with talent. I love it!

woolwoman said...

Terri the SB A&E is just dreamy and your photography makes it more so. I like the "fairy clad" Eve - love the border and you would never know you had some little issues with misreading the symbols or miscounting - your work is beautiful as always. LOVE the wind chime you put together with the old skelton keys and beads - bet you'll really enjoy it - almost Friday again - you have a great weekend - Mel

Ruth said...

Terri -- Wow.

I think that's all I should say because that covers all the essentials. But I can't help thanking you for your great chart/stitching experience coverage! I am so completely with you on the think-before-you chart note to designers. My pet peeves are checks and "V"s on hand-drawn charts because inevitably they look alike. And what's with thin lines, medium lines, dark grey lines, and black lines???? Honestly -- we're not all 10 with perfect eyesight, and, frankly, you charters aren't all that consistent in your drawing.

Ultimately however, you did a FANTASTIC job!!!!! Congrats.

BrendaS said...

Terri --It looks beautiful. Too bad you had all the troubles but your piece is an original and it looks lovely.

Can't wait to see your SAL project:)

Lois said...

Love this one Terri and how you adapted it when things weren't going quite to plan. I think it looks beautiful and filling the space at the top with the button and cherries works wonderfully. Interesting to read your thoughts on the chart symbols. I so hear you and it's good to know I'm not alone!!! I know I've sat with an SB kit before now trying to differentiate between colours (esp green)and wondering if I've got it right.

Giovanna said...

Such an awesome finish - well done Terri, your stitching is beautiful!

Angela said...

Lovely finish but I can relate to the symbol problem too! My eyesight is not the best and will only get worse and I find it such a challenge to read the symbols on some designers charts that I have just given up on them.

Love what you did with the windchimes.

DebbieSFL said...

Love the garden ornament!

Nicole said...

Congrats on your finish, Terri!! It's beautiful!! I agree about SB - but like you, I still love them! :)

Sylvia said...

Thank you so much for the thorough review of this particular SB kit. You are so right - trying to get the colors sorted out in the beginning is enough to pull your hair out!! Ugh. Wish they would come up with a better system.


Eve's Garden is just lovely, and I really like the way you dealt with your errors - which I tend to refer to as personalizations!! Congrats on a beautiful finish, Terri.

Anonymous said...

Lovely lovely lovely-er-er.
Eve is ever so coy and Adam, well, say no more. I do like your personalisation too.
Over 1? haven't tried it yet.
K

Krista said...

Congrats on your SB finish! It is beautiful! I look forward to watching your SAL with Marilyn and Faye. Very pretty windchime, so creative! :)

Carol said...

Congratulations on a gorgeous finish, Terri--your changes and suggestions will be very helpful to others. I have never stitched a SB design so am not familiar with their charts, but they would certainly make me think twice about stitching them--especially with MY aging eyes :)

Darling creation with the little wheel, too--I'd love to take you shopping and see how your mind works when you spot something that could be repurposed :)

Enjoy your weekend!

Katrina said...

Love your A&E finish and thanks for all the hints :-). Your changes are so sweet too.

Cute idea for the wheel!!!!

Lana said...

BEAUTIFUL finish!!! You are right about Eve's skirt!! Very Fairy like!

Lynn said...

This is such a pretty finish Terri! I really love your addition of the bee button and the stitched cherries.
I have never stitched a SB myself but I know of a few other designers out there who use too many symbols that are similar to one another in their designs. It drives me crazy as well!
My eyes just aren't what they used to be!

Keeper of the Crowes said...

Your SB piece is so beautiful, Terri!
Linda

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Beautiful finish! I, too, hate having to try to decide which symbol is which, and which shade goes along with it. BUT as you say, their designs are lovely.
Love the results of your 'spinning' wheel. I can see it sparkling in the sunshine now!

Sally said...

Terri your finish is just so beautiful.Love the colours and everything.

I have to agree with you on the SB kits. I absolutely love their designs but sometimes the charts can drive you mad! Also hate sorting the threads!

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I love, love, love your rendition and I hear you on the symbols, I have a forgotten project by SB that I wadded and threw in the corner for the very same reason.

Kathy A. said...

Each small error, miscount or thread color change makes the piece unique and special.
It is stunning overall and no one will be standing with the chart in hand checking to make sure it is exact.
Congratulations on such a beautiful finish. It is indeed a piece to be cherished.

Mary said...

Terri, congratulations on a beautiful, beautiful finish. Seeing this lovely piece makes the struggle you had with the frustrating chart worthwhile.

And I'm right there on the soapbox with you! "Folksy" as those the final stitched piece is, you'd think the charts would be all about making the end result a little easier to achieve.

Sherry :o) said...

Nice finish - bring to KSSG if you get this before you come. I wanna see those over one cherries and bee button!

Congrats on the finish!! Like the bead and keys - very clever!

Petites xxx et Cie said...

That is so pretty!
Hugs

Susan @ Real Girl Designs said...

It's stunning, Terri! Congratulations on your finish!

Jonette said...

Love the sampler and the chimes! Happy Stitching!

Carole said...

Terri, I've just climbed into bed and started catching up with blogs....and realize I should have checked yours earlier. You see, I am close to finishing SB's A&E and realize
my bottom strawberry (which I finished tonight) will remain
looking under ripe and funky! All I have left is the slimy
snake! I absolutely agree with your comments on the
dot symbols and the closeness of the greens not being tagged was a pain! I still love it, tho....Yours, too!

Edgar said...

What a beautiful finish!! I am in total agreement with you about not only the symbols but the silks are so close as to be just a guess at the colours sometimes.... but I still luv'em!!

Patty C. said...

Awesome a&e

TinaTx said...

Your finished sampler is beautiful!I think we have all had charts with hard to read symbols and yes it is frustrating! (along with colors that aren't marked and are sooo close to the same color!)

Love what you did with your little wheel!

Brigitte said...

Oh, this is so beautiful! Congrats on this gorgeous finish.
I hear you on the symbols on b/w charts. The same happened to me a couple of times. But what I hate even more are charts without symbols, just withh colours. And when there are seven different reds on the chart it's nearly impossible to see the difference between the seven shades of red. Once I was so frustrated by such a chart that I pulled out all colour charts and eliminated them from my stash. And haven't bought any since then.

Patti-Rocky Mtn Stitcher said...

Thx for the tips! Im starting this next year and all the extras will come in handy. its just gorgeous!