A while back now (just after the death of cross stitch designer Marilyn Leavitt Imblum of Lavender and Lace fame), I decided I would like to stitch all five of the ‘Celtic Ladies’ – Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Celtic Christmas, which has the word ‘Noel’ across the top of the panel. I’ve decided, having already done Celtic Autumn, that I’ll do Celtic Spring next. This image below is from the ‘I’d rather be stitchin’ blog, (well worth a visit) to give you an idea of what I’m going to be making…
Isn’t it a lovely picture? Great frame, too.
So, I got the chart, and the threads, all in one pack on Ebay. I even got the beads included, so all I had to do was sort out the fabric.
I’ve chosen 28 count Prairie Grain fabric to stitch it on – it’s a soft grassy green, which looks really good with the purples and yellows of the dress. I couldn’t find the Willow Green fabric recommended on the chart. This photo doesn’t do justice to the fabric – it’s a lot greener than this really!
This is a picture of how much I got done in a week of evenings. The beads still need to be added, but it’s a pretty good start.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Janet Granger's Blog 
I watch with interest Janet, as I love these beautiful Celtic lady pictures. I managed to collect the charts for all except Celtic Winter in the hope of maybe stitching them at some point in the future. Unfortunately Celtic Winter still eludes me to this day 😦
They are all lovely. I’ve found over the years though, that having that chart doesn’t mean it ever gets stitched! My stash is now so huge, I reckon I haven’t got enough years left to stitch everything 🙂
LOL! Yes, I know what you mean. I may get it all done…provided I live to about 250!!! 🙂
I wish I could see this in green — on my screen it’s blue. I know what you mean about lined up projects. It just means we stitchers will live longer. We have all these carrots in front of us. Best, Charlotte Wells
It’s an impossible fabric to photograph!! It’s a kind of greeny beige. Depends what you put it next to, really.
Lovely colours. It will be a lot of fun stitching the dress.
Yes! I love stitching with yellow and purple.
I just started Celtic Spring this week too! I started in the center and changed the sleeve from yellow to green, because green is what I think of when I think spring. Looking forward to seeing your progress.
Emjay
I like stitching Springy things in the spring, and Christmas things at Christmas, etc…..! It’s nice to stitch with yellow and purple at this time of year, as they are optimistic colours.
Janet, I just started Celtic Noel. I don’t have all of the patterns as I decided to do one purchase at a time. Sounds like you got a good deal getting them altogether. I love your fabric. hugs, queeny
I was really pleased to have got them as a bundle. Usually, I change either the threads or beads in a design, so as long as I didn’t need to change things, it was a bargain!
What lovely ladies. They would be amazing in miniature!
Lynda
Yes, quite possibly, but I think that would be a challenge for someone else, not me!! I find a project with this many stitches quite time-consuming enough, ha ha! If anyone ever does do a tiny one, I’d love to see it though.
Hi Janet, Thanks for visiting my blog and sharing the photo of Celtic Spring that I stitched. I’m pleased you loved the frame too. As you may know, I’ve done all five now and am contemplating stitching Winter again, this time with the cape at some time in the future. Wishing you well with your stitching and looking forward to seeing your progress in the weeks to come. xxx
Wow, you’ve been busy! I’ve got all five charts, but this is only the second one I’ve attempted. It was because I saw your version of Celtic Spring in that gorgeous frame that I wanted to get on with it and make my own!
Hi, love your blog on the ladies, I’ve done celtic winter and just finishing the beading for autumn in the alternate colours. Can I ask what roller frame you use? Done everything on a hoop up to yet and would like to make life easier! Many thanks
I use a 12 x 24 inch roller frame from Siesta Frames. I do all the cross stitch first, so that when I do the beading, it’s not being rolled round the rollers for very long (the beading takes me about five hours per ‘lady’!). I use a 12 x 24 inch roller frame from Siesta Frames. I do all the cross stitch first, so that when I do the beading, it’s not being rolled round the rollers for very long (the beading takes me about five hours per ‘lady’!). https://www.siestaframes.com/acatalog/Rotating-Roller-Tapestry-Frames-p1.html I use a Lowery floor stand to hold the roller frame. I use a Lowery floor stand to hold the roller frame.