New Project, New Supplies!

I'm pretty new to stitching.  When I was younger I did some cross stitch from time to time, but I had never done any other type of stitching until I joined Amy Powers' 39 Squares Stitchalong last spring.  That was when I discovered perle cotton embroidery floss: and a love affair began.

I'm not sure why I love perle cotton so much more than regular embroidery floss -- it's probably because it's so easy to work with for an amateur stitcher like me. But I also love how thick it is -- it makes great French knots -- and gives everything a cool dimension that I enjoy.  The only downside to it as far as I can tell is that it does not come in nearly as many colors as regular floss. 

Anyway, in addition to not being an expert at stitching, and I am also not a particularly organized stitcher either! (Most of my thread rides around with me in a gallon zip lock bag.)  So, I probably have enough thread to do this holiday stitchalong and several other projects, too.  But did that stop me from going to Michael's for new thread?  Of course not!

My color palette for Christmas has been evolving the last few years, as my decor focuses much more on vintage Christmas.  I used to decorate in very traditional reds, golds, and greens, but now my house is covered in pastel colors and silver tinsel!  In keeping with that, this card reproduced from vintage wrapping paper is a really good jumping off point for the palette I'd like to use in the stitchalong:

I took it with me when I went shopping, and grabbed a bunch of thread to match!  So fun!

Tomorrow I will show you an easy way to make a grid for your 5 x 5 sampler (if that's what you decide to do.)  I think I've decided to do the grid and not a design, just to keep things simple and manageable (and because I loved the way my sampler came out for the 39 Squares project).

I've set up a Flickr group for the stitchalong!  You can find it here.  Please feel free to join the group, and to start posting pics of your stitching at any time!  I can't wait to see everyone's work!  :)  And again, if you'd like to join in the fun, just leave me a comment here with your blog address, and please swipe a button to spread the word.

Happy Friday! 
[And go Horned Frogs!!]