Square 39 -- Ice cream

I am not sure how much this looks like an ice cream cone but I had fun stitching it.


Squares 1-39 I enjoyed this project. I often felt pressured to complete squares quickly but if I did not have the goal of one square a day, this sampler would not be complete now. Overall I am happy with my first freestyle sampler and look forward to stitching more in the future.

Square 38 -- Leaves?

I had intended this square to contain two leaves. I guess it turned out as an artistic interpretation of leaves? Anyway, it is exciting that my sampler is almost complete.

Square 37 -- Flower with Beads

Another quick square but I knew I would not have a lot of time to devote to this project. My sampler has mostly simple squares but I think it is balanced. Only 2 more squares left!

Square 36 -- Pink Leaf Fabric

This square is odd but I am caught up again. Only 3 squares left!

Square 35 -- Pink Flowers

I am trying to catch up and don't have a lot of time so I am continuing my pattern of repeating some squares in different colors.

Square 34 -- V

Square 33 -- Hollyhocks

Ros Wistful's hollyhocks inspired this square. I planted hollyhocks in my garden last year. I am looking forward to their blooms this year.

Square 32 -- Cream Flowers

I practiced the lazy daisy stitch. I am not good at it but I like how this square turned out.

Square 31 -- Beads

I wanted to catch up and did not have a lot of time so I did some simple beading. I think it complements my other squares.

Square 30 -- French Knot Sheep

This sheep turned out fatter than intended but I still like him.


Top left corner
Top Row: 30, 29, 28
Middle Row: 13, 21, 22
Bottom Row: 20, 26, 9

Square 29 -- Green Square

I am not sure what to call this one. I ripped it out two times before I ended up with this.

Square 28 -- Parasol

Square 27 -- Cattails

Square 26 -- Pink Sun

This is another one that I do not like but I am behind so I decided to post.


Squares 1-26 This is my sampler so far. I think it looks much better all together.

Square 25 -- Another Topiary

I do not like this one, maybe it is because of the colors.

Square 24 -- Butterfly

When I started to stitch this butterfly I had envisioned lots of satin stitching but in the middle of it I decided to try sequins and beads. I learned the proper way to sew on a bead and sequin. I should go back and fix square four.

Square 23 -- Sheep Head

This square did not come out as I envisioned. Overall, I think it will add interest to my sampler.

Square 22 -- Toadstool

Square 21 -- Green Button Flower

I originally tried this with a green square button. I did not like it so I changed it to a round button.

Square 20 -- Tree with French Knots

I originally had a tree planned without French knots. After seeing so many beautiful trees with French knots and my new found French knot comfort, I decided to stitch my tree with French knots.

I tried sketching trees with a tree house but I was not happy with any of my sketches.

Square 19 -- K

This did not photograph well. It looks much better in person. But the more I view it with my other squares, I think I need to rip out the K and try again with six strands.

Square 18 -- Evergreen Tree

Square 17 -- Shamrock

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Square 16 -- Signature Square

I stitched two squares to make 39 (I will turn 39 in August.) I know that the signature and date is traditionally done last but I decided to break tradition and complete it in the middle of this project.

I attempted to stitch the 39 on the cake 3 times in different colors. I am not pleased with this result (looks like a colorblind test) but I decided not to try it a 4th time. It looks likes the 39 is a secret.


Squares 1-16 I like how it is coming together. I did not have a theme but it appears that my theme is to explore embellishments and learn stitches.

Square 15 -- Pink Button Flower

I used backstitch with detached chain stitch leaves (Embroidery Stitch Bible #96, page 107). This stitch is also known as the lazy daisy stitch. I am still not good at it but I am no longer reluctant to try.

Square 14 -- Herringbone and Ribbon

I was happy with my green lace and Pekinese stitch (Square 5) so I decided to try another new stitch with a piece of textured ribbon. Herringbone stitch (Embroidery Stitch Bible #50, page 75).

Square 13 -- Snail

I am not happy with this snail but decided not to rip out and try again. Instead, I tried to embellish it with some beading. I used a technique new to me – dangling bead fringe (Embroidery Stitch Bible #150, page 144).

Square 12 -- Turtle?

Does this look like a turtle? It was supposed to be a snail.

I have drawn sheep and snails since I was in grade school. When I previously stitched snails I used backstitch. Since my goal for this sampler is to use different stitches I decided to try a woven circle stitch (Embroidery Stitch Bible # 116, page 120) with a half circle for my snail. Once I completed the weaving for my half circle I decided that it looked like a turtle. Part of the problem may be the color because I tried to stay within my color scheme. So I added a head, legs, and tail to make it look more like a turtle (with a dented shell).

Square 11 -- Topiary

I used the Cross Stitch Motif Bible for this one.

Every day I am excited to see the stitching of the other 39 Squares participants. They are inspiring and I am already thinking about my next sampler after this one is complete.

Square 10 -- Vintage Button with French Knots

When I started stitching this sampler, I had planned to use French knots but before this square, I was afraid to try. After seeing the beautiful work by On Awesome Avenue and her kind comment, I decided to practice French knots. Sublime Stitching was helpful.

I have started to question having all of the borders the same. Many of the other participants are creating fun, fancy, and colorful borders. I think my borders seem more scientific than artistic.

Square 9 -- Green Zigzag

I decided to stitch a different interpretation of the zigzag square in green. I used more strands than for the pink square and the stitching is not as clean but I think that I like it anyway.



Squares 1-9. It is fun to see how the pieces are fitting together. I had a rough sketch and image in my head but it is a little different in reality. Also, I keep changing my mind about squares as I work.

Square 8 -- Dragonfly

Another experimental piece, where I explore my interpretation of free style embroidery. The material is from Japan. A friend gave it to me a few years ago and it seemed to fit my color scheme.

I am having a lot of fun with the 39 Squares project. I think about it often and enjoy seeing what the other participants stitch.

Square 7 -- Stem Stitch

I don’t have wool felt so am using the cheap stuff. Wool would be better but I was not going to buy some for such a little piece. I am continuing my stitch practice with the stem stitch (Embroidery Stitch Bible #5, page 43). I also found Stitch School by Primrose Design to be helpful with this one since I was initially confused by the directions. I remember doing this stitch when I was a kid but forgot how to do it.

Square 6 -- Backstitch Sheep

I am not very happy with this square and have thought about ripping it out to try again. I think that the cream stitches improved it a little. Also as part of the entire sampler perhaps it will look OK.

I have completed squares 1-6. I am catching up but since today is March 7, I am still behind by one square.

Square 5 -- Pekinese and Lace

The concept of free style embroidery with embellishments is new to me. This square is an attempt to try something out of my comfort zone. I attempted the Pekinese stitch (Embroidery Stitch Bible #7, page 44) but am not sure if I did it right. In any case, I like the way this square turned out.

Square 4 -- Pink Satin

Normally I do not like doing satin stitch but because this is a sampler I decided to try it.

Square 3 -- Branches in Vase

I struggled with this square. I ripped out and re-stitched the vase and then the leaves. I tried to do a lazy daisy variation for the leaves but could not get it to look the way I envisioned, so I kept the stitches simple.

Square 2 -- Pink Zigzag

This is my first time trying the zigzag stitch (Embroidery Stitch Bible, #49 page 74). I did not quite follow the directions on the second journey. I realized it eventually but thought it looked OK so I did not rip out and try again.

Square 1 -- Vintage Button

I decided to use the split stitch with 4 strands for my border. It may not be obvious because of my wonky stitching but I tried the star stitch (The Embroidery Stitch Bible #44 page 72). I am not sure if I will re-work this square and add two more star stitches.

Stitchalong -- Getting Ready

I am a follower of Amy's Inspire Co. blog. That is where I read about her 39 Squares project. The stitchalong started on March 1. Even though the project interested me, I am a busy graduate student and initially decided not to join. After viewing all of the wonderful squares posted at the beginning of the project, I decided that I needed to join. I am late starting but I will catch up.



I gathered my materials and sketched out a few squares (mine are 1.5 inch because the button I will use for square 1 is large). Like Amy, I will turn 39 this year (in August). This seems like the perfect opportunity to celebrate and practice stitching.