Superstition: Lesson 2, pattern 3

I am sure that Loretta Spears did not intend to throw me a curve here, but she did just the same.

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I must say and repeat that I do not like stitching mystery projects for many reasons, and one being that you have no photo of what it is supposed to look like. In this instance this pattern was a "pulled thread" pattern, for which there was no graphic of how to do the stitch and many times, like it is in this instance, I have been told the same stitch wears many names making one's life more difficult when you try to research it by the name given by the designer.

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I ended up sending an SOS to the stitching world and some generous souls came to my rescue. A big thank you to you all. I especially want to thank Diana Snyder who went beyond the call of duty and stitched me a sample of one of the corner so that I would actually see what it is supposed to look like (remember no photograph and no graphic about this specific stitch in the instructions provided. Loretta did provide written instructions but somehow I found them confusing, having not much experience with this technique.) Diana sent me a total of 5 photographs for the different steps necessary to do the corner pattern. With that in hand, I was able to manage to do a fairly decent job of it, at least I hope so (grinning).

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That pattern squared off the design, but I bet starting with lesson 3, it will not stay squared for long.

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I really do love this project and after Superstition is all done, I really need to add a pulled thread project to my list of current projects as I would love to learn the technique properly as it is quite beautiful.

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Pierrette =^..^=

Plaid & blackwork checkbook cover: Marjorie B. Berleur, designer

This is a project that I have been wanting to start stitching for a little while now, well ever since a friend showed it to me. She has made a few for herself in different colors and graciously offered it to me and I can't thank her enough for doing so. I am pleased to no end to have the opportunity to stitch this.
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When I saw the stitched design, I knew it would be perfect for me for a few reasons. First, the overall design is just beautiful. Second, there are blackwork patterns in it and I love doing blackwork. Third and not last, I have always wanted to stitch plaid and up to now never had the opportunity, so finally I will be stitching some .............. and I want to have a nice checkbook cover for a change instead of those cheap plastic ones that the bank gives you.
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This is a beautiful design by Marjorie B. Berleur. The front of the checkbook cover (bottom part) is a plaid using 4 different colors and the back (upper part) is composed of 5 different blackwork designs.
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The first thing I had to stitch on this project are all the outlines. For this I have used a DMC Perle cotton #12 in one of my very favorite shade of pink called Shell Pink. I have never thought of myself as being a pink lover but if I look back at my latest projects, there has been lots of pink in them. I love it when a project has more than one stitching technique. I think it makes it so much more interesting.
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I always say that I love all colors but not all shades, but I sure love that shade of pink so that will be a real pleasure for me to stitch it.
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The first photo above shows you a close-up of all the little Smyrna stars all around it and also to separate the different pattern areas.


I have taken this photo above so that you can see the entire checkbook areas. The little rectangle at the bottom is for my initials.

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Unfortunately I will have to put it aside for a few days while I do a bit more on Superstition and also on Hollyhock House.

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Projects are just piling up for me these days so I took some time last evening to write myself some kind of schedule for them, which I will probably not follow knowing myself, but at least I am hoping that it will serve as some kind of guidance for all the stitching I need to do.

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See you all very soon :-)
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Pierrette =^..^=