A semi false start....

I finished the first block of the Rhymeland quilt, but I am not 100% pleased with the result. The floss that I chose looked perfect with the fabric and the accent color was a great coordinate, however the finished block was underwhelming. Unless you are very close, all the embroidery looks like one color.

It looks "okay", but not fabulous.

So, I went back to the stash :

This is one box of four that contain my embroidery floss stash.

At every auction or estate sale of a women over age 60 or so, there will be a small (five or six skein) or large (many skein) stash of floss. I always buy them when I have the opportunity, usually for 20 or 30 skeins for a dollar, or less. I have skeins from DMC, J&P Coats, Clark's O.N.T., Coats & Clark's The American Thread Co. and other obscure brands. Some have UPC codes, some are marked 5 cents, or less.

So I have many to choose from! I like to use vintage floss with vintage fabric. The older colors are not always dramatically different, but sometimes the vintage color is just what the project needs.

Anyway, this is what I decided on:

The turquoise is a combination of bulk floss that was originally in a kit and American Thread Co. Star 6 Strand color 1114-A (marked 10 cents!).

I have four skeins of the salmon accent. Two skeins of J&P Coats, one skein of Clarks's and one skein of Coats and Clark's O.N.T color 120 (three for 10 cents!) They all have the same color number, even though they have several brand marks!

I am just about finished with Hey, Diddle Diddle, and I hope it turns out as great as I think it will.

I think the Mother Goose block will be able to stand on her own in a separate project. I may pick another block to take her place in the quilt. I don't really enjoy repeating a motif that I have already done. Lucky for me there are so many cute blocks to choose from !