It IS lovely and, obviously personal to you. I think I might have to do this in honor of my ornery cohorts who have graced my life and memories. :)

What color and count fabric did you use?

I think that tapweaver is saying that she used the recommended fabric, 30 count expresso linen and the recommended Weeks Dye Works floss. Even if a bit more, the designer liked it and she liked it.

I like it as well. Has a nice "homey" look to it....

I used the 30 ct expresso linen specified in the brochure - R&R, I think is the brand. The floss in Gentle Arts over dyed floss. It has a wonderful mottled appearance that gives the look of uneven fading when stitched. The one bad thing about it I've found that occasionally with all of the dye, the integrity of the fiber has been compromised, and some of it just fell apart while trying to thread it on my needle. Happily, that doesn't happen too often.

Hi again,
Are you sure it's the integrity of the floss or could it be the integrity on the INSIDE of the EYE of the needle you are using? There was a 'chat" a while back on the fact that some needles that are more expensive have a "smoother" bore on the inside of the needle eye. I found that DMC needles (which are cheap) have problems with being rougher in this way and the "head of the needle" bends, breaks off and the eye will even become narrower.

You bring up a definite possibility with the eye of the needle causing the floss to shred. However, I can't verify either theory as (happily) I haven't had the problem again, and I've been using the same needles throughout. Great idea, though.