Thursday, April 06, 2006

Decisions, decisions - input welcomed/needed!

I found out yesterday that one of my husband's best friends is engaged. This fellow is the sweetest man ever, and I'm so happy for him that he's found a great girl! So I'm really looking forward to stitching something special for them. I've checked with his mom - she is like a 3rd mother-in-law of the sweetest kind - and she quilts and her mother embroiders, but (as she put it) "the cross stitch category is free and clear." The bride was an English major and wants to be a writer, the groom has a degree in theater and wants to write the next great Broadway play, and they are getting married in a reproduction of the Globe Theater. *drool* They both love fantasy/Celtic things, so stitching for them should be fun! But I need help deciding WHAT to stitch.... Here are my options so far.

1) Dragon Dreams' "Fantasy Wedding Blessing." Cute, and I really like the sentiment. But I'm afraid that it has a certain "cutsey" factor to it that they might outgrow..... Would stitching it on a different fabric help, perhaps? But this was my first thought when the groom's mom emailed me.


2) Drawn Thread's "Marriage of Minds." The Shakespearean quote - Sonnet 116 - seems perfect. However, I'm not sure if they'd go for the antique sampler feel, or if they'd prefer something a bit more contemporary.


3) Great Bear Canada's "The Wedding Gift." Definitely fits the bill for Celtic. The bride's favorite colors are black, red, and taupe, so I would definitely stitch this one in different colors. Maybe a natural/tan evenweave, with the knotwork in red instead of yellow. I like this one, but in some ways it seems a bit.....I dunno....simplistic?

4) "Wedding Prayer" by Joan Elliot/Design Works. This isn't the greatest pic, but I have a similar design by Joan in an issue of Cross Stitch Gold (#27), and it is quite striking.

And one last idea....
5) M Design's "Celtic Heart." This would take a bit more work, but it would guarantee a one-of-a-kind piece. I would chart a verse of my own - probably a bit from the same Shakespearean sonnet that the Drawn Thread sampler uses - and stitch it above the heart, then add their names and wedding date below. I could get a red variegated for the heart, and use DMC 3371 (black-brown) for the lettering. I might even find some kind of embellishment for the first letter of the quote.....

So there you go...place your votes!! (Or make more suggestions!!)

12 comments:

Jenn L in Chicago said...

I'm voting for the Joan Elliot piece. I'd have gone with Dragon Dreams but I've got the same fear about cutesy that you have.

Second place would be the M Designs with some Billy Shakes around the edge. I don't know if I'd embellish the leading letter of your verse though, it might battle with the heart.

natty68 said...

My vote is for the M Designs piece, it is lovely and as you say would be one of a kind.

*Hugs*

Von said...

Erin, what wonderful choices you have there, but I think I would lean towards the M Designs heart. Having stitched a couple of her letters and enjoyed them so greatly, I highly recommend them. I'd definitely use a variegated thread, it's so fun to see the color progression throughout the design!

Kim said...

They are all beautiful, I just can't choose. But how thoughtful of you to stitch them a beautiful gift. :D

Leslie aka zoeandcooper said...

I agree with Kim...it would be impossible for me to choose if I were in your position. They are all so beautiful!

Kerry said...

Personally, I like the M Designs Celtic Heart best. I think it has a timelessness the others may be have.

Schokti said...

My vote is the Drawn Thread piece. It is classy enough to go with any decor, and it has that victorian theatre feel.

Unknown said...

My vote goes to "The Wedding Gift" or the first one "Fantasy Wedding Blessing".

How exciting! can't wait to see which one you pick!

Colleen said...

Ooh, I love them all! What a tough decision you have to make!

Karoline said...

One thing to bear in mind with the DT piece is that it is HUGE (8" x 26"). I stitched it as a wedding sampler for me and DH a couple of years ago and it took me a good 5 months to stitch.

I would suggest that maybe the M designs oe Great Bear pieces would be a better choice.

Carol said...

Ooooo, I like the one by Great Bear!

I stitched The Marriage of Minds about two years ago - I stitched it as my focus piece and it took about five months... does that fit in your schedule?

Dani - tkdchick said...

I stitched Celtic Heart for a wedding gift once and it was very well received!

Craft Sale!

So my mother and I set up our little table at the craft fair this past weekend.  And we didn't do terribly!  I sold $125 worth of needle...