So close . . .

 Today I stitched the Scottish Sampler Ornament, designed by Serpentine Stitchery from many, many years ago.

You find all kinds of things when you go stash-diving. This was one of the exclusive designs offered by one of the first online shops, Accomplishments in Ohio--gotta be over twenty years ago.

I was in the mood to work on an ornament and this was on the top of the stack.

You wouldn't think this little ornament could cause angst. First of all, it's on 25 count linen with Soie Perlee. And this meant I had to find a 24 tapestry needle because Soie Perlee won't go through the eye of a 26 or 28. Well, it will, but it doesn't want to. It's been a minute since I used a 24 needle, so it was a little like picking up a telephone pole.

And it's been a looooong time since I used 25 count linen, so it was like sticking that telephone pole through a highway.

Which meant the center motif went really fast.

Maybe I should do something besides 36 or 40 count linen with one strand of Soie de Paris or AVAS on occasion.

Now, that braided pattern around the outside was not quite so easy. I've done variations of this motif on other projects and it always makes my brain hurt when I try to do it in double running. I started double running and ended up ripping more than completing. After three false starts, I made the executive decision to do plain old backstitch. After all, this piece is for enjoyment. If you have to rip and rip and rip again, it loses that enjoyment factor.

And I have decided perfectionism is vastly overrated. Especially when the back of the work will never be seen.