I cannot express how overwhelmed I was by the incredible response to this mystery sampler! You all have been so kind and generous with your encouragement, and I am very thankful. And I'm very excited for all of us to begin!
I worked ahead a week or two, and will continue to do so (hopefully), in order to work out any kinks and give you a heads up to anything I may do differently than what the chart calls for. But again, you're all free to make your own design and color decisions, because this will be your sampler anyway!
If any of you decide to stitch on black fabric, here are a few things to keep in mind (this will apply to those who have never stitched on black before, or have heard how challenging it can be).. stitch in natural light, or use a daylight light bulb (you can find these in Walmart or Target or home improvement stores.. they specifically say "daylight" on them, and emit a whiter light than regular bulbs, which are yellow). A hoop is also helpful for opening up those holes, and I find that placing something white on my lap - like the chart page - is helpful to see through the fabric holes.
As I said, I will be trying to stitch ahead of you; and that being the case, I've already found a change you may want to make if you're stitching on black... I'll list any changes at the bottom of the post each week. If you happen to find any errors or problems with the chart as you're stitching, I'd like to apologize ahead of time. There are definite advantages to having model stitchers who will tell you what does and doesn't work, but in this case, I'm jumping in with everyone else!
Let's begin! And thank you again for all of your kind words this week!
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IMPORTANT: The images below will not print properly if you click and print from them. Please use the links provided at the very bottom of each post to download the PDF for printing. You may also choose to use your monitor as your chart and forego any printing at all. (This will allow you to make the chart as large as you need it to be!)
ALSO NOTE: While some motifs may be identical in both samplers, please keep in mind that their placement is different. Remember to check to see that you're printing and following the correct chart each week.
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Here is my progress from this week.. I've had to blur out the bits from next week! The changes I made were these:
1. My particular skein of Portabella was a little too light to be used next to Sea Gull in Joseph and Mary's robes (this doesn't apply to those of you using the original color key!), so I switched to the color Old Hickory for this motif and like it much better.
2. Mary's hair flows right into her robe on the original key, but on black fabric, the Sea Gull makes her look like she's got gray hair. I changed her hair color back to Espresso Bean/3371 and am satisfied. :)
3. This isn't so much a change as it is an error: I miscounted and stitched Joseph one square too far over to the left. Instead of removing my stitching, I decided to compensate and stitch each of their hands with two Adobe/3773 stitches instead of just one.
HERE ARE THE LINKS IF YOU ARE STITCHING MARY'S SAMPLER I:
Download Mary's Sampler INSTRUCTIONS AND KEY
HERE ARE THE LINKS FOR STITCHING MARY'S SAMPLER II:
Download Mary's Sampler II INSTRUCTIONS AND KEY
Thank you Paulette for this wonderful gift! I've loved the Paradise lost, and I will also love this one.
I've decided to stitch the sampler 2.
Love from Austria!
Posted by: Lisa | September 29, 2013 at 01:38 PM
Thank you so much for doing this for all of us!
Posted by: Barb Simmons | September 29, 2013 at 02:52 PM
Thank you Paulette ~ Can't wait to get started.
Posted by: Christine Richards | September 29, 2013 at 03:15 PM
Thanks Paulette! I haven't been home all day until now so I'm just downloading things now. I finished up all my other stitching just in time for this. I can't wait to get started!
Posted by: Lynn Jones | September 29, 2013 at 04:14 PM
Such a great gift, thank you so much, Paulette.
Posted by: Kaye Petro | September 29, 2013 at 04:32 PM
I'm still waiting for my threads to arrive, and can't wait to start stitching. Thank you so much, Paulette!
Posted by: Ros | September 29, 2013 at 05:56 PM
Gosh I though each part of the Mystery SAL was going to be bigger than that, so I am off to buy fabric for my sampler and stitch on the next weekend.
Marian
Posted by: Sherwood Forest Maiden | September 29, 2013 at 07:04 PM
I have my Week 1 stitched. I am doing version #2. Thank you for designing this; I cannot wait for week 2.
Nikki
Posted by: Nikki Morin | September 29, 2013 at 08:09 PM
This was my Sunday afternoon project, and I cannot wait for the other 8 parts. Thank you so much!!
Posted by: Kellie | September 29, 2013 at 10:17 PM
Part 1 stitched...can't wait for next Sunday!
Posted by: Melissa | September 29, 2013 at 10:52 PM
Grazie!!
I run to stitch
Raffaella
Posted by: raffaella | September 30, 2013 at 12:43 AM
Oh, oh, oh, Paulette, I never stitched on BLACK linen before :( It is done now, but it took double of time. After the first stitches with daylight, magnifier and reading glasses, I felt sooo old and I thought “the first time and the last time”. What to do with the leftover linen? I decided to wash it so often, that I can use it as “washed grey” linen for Halloween ornaments.
But then, when I was finished, it was nice, and I became fast and faster. (Black Belfast 32” with two threads over two.)
To be on the safe side, I stitched the same again with one over two on 40ct. “normal” linen. That was a really fast stitching.
Paulette, thank you so much for that interesting Sunday. Never too old for new experiences.
I can not wait for the next part, my stitching friend.
With love, Anja
Posted by: Anja | September 30, 2013 at 01:02 AM
Printed out and ready to rock! whoops, I mean stitch...
Thanks so very much Paulette!
Posted by: Vonna | September 30, 2013 at 06:17 AM
Thank you for the design. This is going to be fun. I am just getting started today. I look forward to following along. Hugs, Sandi
Posted by: Sandi | September 30, 2013 at 10:16 AM
Thank you so very much, what a sweet and wonderful treat Paulette!
Hugs
Ma
Posted by: Karyn | September 30, 2013 at 01:56 PM
So excited about this wonderful "surprise" SAL! A chance to reflect on the real reason for this upcoming holiday season, and to create something beautiful and meaningful! Thank you.
Posted by: TerryRose | October 01, 2013 at 08:33 AM
Hello from Japan,
I really liked your charts.
So I'll try it.
Thank you for the nice project!
Posted by: Witchrose | October 02, 2013 at 09:10 AM
Thank you, Paulette! This is such a great idea and a nice way to stitch a Christmas piece. I'm a week behind, but am going to catch up this weekend.
Posted by: Dona | October 05, 2013 at 09:52 AM
Thank you very much, I started to get a great picture - http://olgahmel.blogspot.com/2013/10/marys-sampler-part-1.html
Posted by: olga | October 05, 2013 at 12:37 PM
Thank you, Paulette! I just started today and am looking forward to next weekend.
Posted by: Karen Ferwalt | October 06, 2013 at 08:09 PM
beautiful. Ive been away from cross stitch for a while, but it has been calling me home lately. This is perfect. Im looking for something for my step mother. Im thinking I may have found it.
Posted by: Candy Berg | October 09, 2013 at 01:16 AM
What is the difference between the two mystery samplers? Why are there two?
Posted by: Denise | October 14, 2013 at 09:55 AM