Martina Weber/Chatelaine?

I haven't done any myself, but I have friends who love them. In fact two of them met in a Martina Weber chat room. They have found a very supportive online community.

Did you know she offers the Japanese box as an > Has anyone done any of Martina Weber's designs? I've fallen in love with her

Thanks for the encouraging words. Actually, one factor in my being attracted to the design was the online support available in working the project, and the probability of some heavy support when it comes to assembly!

Felice

I have recently finished Alhambra Garden and am currently working on Weeping Willow Keep. I bought both of these as chart packs and not as class project pdfs. The charts are on multiple pages with 2 column overlaps, no gridding, and clear printing. On Alhambra Garden there are a few symbols that are unnecessarily similar, but if you get on her EZ board BB, you can read the tips and not get caught by that sort of thing. No blends, easy specialty stitches (rhodes, eyelets) minimal backstitching. Lots of beads, and I highly recommend (no affiliation) getting the bead packs from European Cross stitch, unless you have access to Delicas. Lots of fun to stitch, and I have my eye on several more of her patterns.

Sara

Thank you SO much, Sara. I was encouraged by your doing a second of Martina's works and assume you enjoyed the first enough to come back for more!. I would get the whole package from European XS, which seems more sensible than collecting the bits and pieces on my own. I am wondering, though, whether I can safely substitute DMC for the silk or whether I should go for broke. Do you have an opinion on that?

Felice

Sara wrote: (and I snipped a bunch)

How are you finding Weeping Willow Keep to work up for you? I have the chartpak for it, but have not yet settled on a fabric for it. Are you doing it dark or light? I'm sorta trying to get other things finished (what DOES that word mean?) before I tackle that one, though. It will be my first Martina design, but in looking over the chart, it looks fairly straightforward. Tegan

Oh yes, very enjoyable to stitch. On the Chatelaine BB (it's on ezboards, there are supply lists and substitution suggestions. I think the solid silks could easliy be swtiched out to DMC. For the variegated ones it would depend on the color. A quick post in the design forum would get you the specific answers you need, since I don't have that project in stash. The Chatelaine BBers are a friendly bunch and will be more than happy to enable you!

Sara

H i Tegan!

You're right, it is straightforward. Not much backstitching at all, and it's clearly marked. The specialty stitches are eyelets and rhodes and a some queen stitches. And even those could be subbed to smyrnas or a star stitch if queen stitches are on your most hated list. I think the major challenge will be the monogram bottom center, and getting that in the right position. It's over 1. I am using Cadet Blue Murano, which is more or less DMC 3760 (I think). LMK if you want me to send you a swatch.

Sara

A friend has done at least two, and has a third (at least) in progress (she's stopped to finish Noah's Sub for her son). Not my style, but they're undeniably beautiful. Enjoy.