Starts and Finishes.

Finished something, and something ended. First, the finish. Not in time to up the numbers for October (although I did unravel some socks I'd started, so I did 'finish' seven things in October), but we're off to a good start in November. This is Teresa Wentzler's Tropical Dream Sampler. According to The List, I started it in 2006. I've had everything but the 1-over band, the woven band and the cutwork done since 2006, I think - as it only took two days to get the rest of it done, I'm wondering why I'd put it aside in the first place. (Probably something shiner and newer, and 50% odds it was also a Teresa Wentzler design!) Anyway, here it is:


This brings my UFO count down to 52, the lowest it's been probably since the second year I started being a Serious Stitcher!

Now, the Ending. As I reported on Tuesday, the amazing Teresa Wentzler is closing down her design business. This is a very sad thing for the world of cross-stitch, because there's always this little "oooooo...." when anyone announces that they've actually finished A Wentzler. I actually got a ribbon (!!!) at the Woodlawn Needlework Exhibition a few years back for my version of her Harvest Sampler (the kit for which I got on eBay from someone in Belgium!). There are currently four Wentzlers on The List (The Castle Sampler, my oldest UFO, started in 1992, but it Will Get Finished Dammit!; Day, which I've started, which goes with Night, which I have not; Night Watch, a lovely unicorn-outside-a-window on 32ct black linen, which my husband picked out as the Thing I Should Stitch For Him when we got married... I've since bought a print of the artwork from Teresa and given that to him, as a placeholder for the eventual unicorn-on-cloth; and Peacock Tapestry, since I love all things peacock-y. Plus, I've got kits, charts and patterns for another three dozen. (Why yes, I do have a copy of practically every chart she's ever designed.)

The cross-stitch world will really, really miss TW's contributions to it!


Tiny SoapBox: To anyone selling COPIES of her charts on eBay and other file sharing services, I hope the Karma gets you, bigtime. I'm not the only blogger who thinks the thieves hurt, and ultimately did in, her bottom line. And yes, if you sell or buy a photocopy/digital scan of something that's got a copyright, you're a thief, it is *not* covered under "fair use" and yes, it does put the designers out of business. You're probably not reading this, but the Karma is still out there, and it'll bite you.