2013 Challenge ---- A Red Letter Year

Edited 12/03 (camera working again ...)

Have you visited

Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year

Blog?

I thought about 2013 + decided it was time to dig thru the wardrobe and pull out the Scarlet Letter projects I have tucked away.   I think this is all of them.     Each of these listed would be new starts - except for Ann Scutt (WIP).

Seven Possible projects for the challenge:

Polly Miner 1822   (which I really really like - worried about the crease in the linen tho)    This is a lovely alphabet sampler.   And, we all know how I enjoy alphabets!   I didn't see this on the web site - is available thru Hidden Staircase.      According to this pattern, the original sampler is at the Sheldon Museum in Middlebury, VT

Ann Scutt circa 1675 (WIP - I like this band sampler.   It is a challenge)

(Is back on the Scarlet Letter web site)

A Pastoral (surface embroidery sampler)   I don't see this one on line.   Possibly out of print?

Side by Side Band sampler circa 1650      This would be quite a needlework challenge.   It is like 2 samplers with an alphabet in between.   But pretty interesting.

Sibmacher Band Sampler of 1763   
From the German Sampler Museum in Celle, Germany

Ann L Brown (I had stitched some of the spot motifs in this charming sampler, had intended to stitch the whole thing one day.)

Now that I pulled this out of the closet - I realize how BIG this sampler would be as it is 25 count linen.   I did enjoy stitching the little spot motifs.    Not sure about this one - maybe on a 32 count linen!     Might be out of print.   I cannot locate it on line.

Joanna Warren 1655   Probably way over my head .... maybe some day.   It is a difficult sampler!

Two Scarlet Letter projects --- already framed:

N. Hinde 1778

Which I have already stitched - and thought I'd like to try it again on a different linen.

Circling Alphabets

I had more fun stitching this sampler.   And, I changed the inside rectangle to stitch my name.   Also, changed up a bit of the alphabets and numbers to include the date (2003).    I have had it hanging up since it was framed.    

Looking at the list of participants - (list growing daily) - this should be a fantastic year for samplers!

As part of the rules .... each of the posts on Nicola's group blog are to have the following labels:

Your Name,

Name of the Sampler,

Status of Sampler ie New Start, WIP, Finish or Framed

(use “Framed” if you include a new post showing a photo of a framed piece you have previously posted as a “Finish”).

Lake County Fair: Needlecraft II

Counted Cross Misc. (1117) Miniature ItemSecond PlaceN.Hinde 1778; A Miniature Samplerc.1991 The Scarlet Letter; Historic Needlework Reproduction

Counted Cross Misc. (1119) PillowSecond PlacePumpkinc.2006 JBW Designs#154 Designed by Judy Whitman

UPDATED TO ADD: I used 2 strands of fibers, combined ... DMC 3826 and Sampler Thread Burnt Orange on 32-count creme Belfast Linen from Zweigart

Counted Cross Misc. (1122) Not Specified AboveFirst PlaceIn My Garden (NR & Fob Set)C.2000 Teri RichardsShepherd's Bush Printworks (kits)

2007 Porter Co Fair -- end of report : )

Sampler TabletopperDesigned by Claudia Dutcher, Dutch Treat Designs c.1998Comments by Judge: Back is as pretty as front! Stitches even. Nice color choice. Beautiful.

Stitched on 18ct. Anne Cloth [9-square tabletopper] - apx 22x22". Watercolour Mocha Rose; Perle Coton #5 as suggested. Nun Edge with Anchor pc #12 colour 926.

My Original DesignPulled Thread PillowComments by Judge: Beautiful workmanship. Nice use of variety of stitches. Just beautiful.

Stitch size 7.5" x 7.5". I used DMC ecru cordonnet (30)AND Anchor perle coton #8 colour 926 on 19-count Antique White, cork linen. Stitches used: Reeded Stitch; Open Trellis; Rosette Stitch; Finnish Stitch; Three-sided Stitch; Honeycomb Stitch; Mixed Faggot Variation Stitch.

N.Hinde 1778; A Miniature Samplerc.1991 The Scarlet Letter; Historic Needlework ReproductionComments by Judge: Really cute. Excellent job - Where is the "J"?

I used Red Silk, AVAS colour 945 - on 32 count Antique Ivory Linen. Stitched over one thread. 88w x 56h Per instructions "feel free to personalize your sampler with your own name or initials & the date..." I continue to ponder using my name or the sampler-makers names when stitching a repro piece.

Tin Pin Heartc.2001, Ruth Sparrow, Twisted ThreadsComments by Judge: Beautiful & unbelievable tiny stitches. Do you have x-ray vision? Love it.

Stitched over one linen thread with DMC 221 - red & Anchor 152 - navy blue on 32-ct Platinum Belfast. 46w x 46h. Mounted into TF04 Tin Pin Square.

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OK, my stitching pals ... now it is your turn. How did you do at the fairs this Summer? Congrats to Deb L [w/o blog] for being awarded the Champion Rosette at the Porter Co Fair. Well Deserved. Beautiful L&L piece. Congrats to Sue D and Elaine H, too, for all their ribbon-wearing entries!!! Great job : )

Tonight ... Open House for the Lake County Fair. I have different projects entered. Keep your fingers crossed for me!!! In the past, I've been awarded a couple sweepstakes rosettes on my beaded pins; however, I'd flip for a sweepstakes rosette on any STITCHED piece. That prize continues to pass over my entries year after year : )

They land on Sue D & Deb L's entries!!! They are tops at what they do best : )

Mysteries? Over One? Organized?

Today's SBQ was suggested by Carol and is:

Q. Have you ever participated in a needlework mystery (i.e., a design that you started before knowing how it will look in the end and by which you receive parts of the design via the internet, magazines, or leaflets at spaced intervals)? If so, why did you decide to do the mystery? What appealed to you about it? Did you enjoy it? If you have not done a mystery, would you ever do one?

A. Yes! I participated in two Mystery Samplers designed by Gay Ann Rogers. I completed this (on congress cloth) in 2000:



Close-up:

The "Mystery with a Little Bit of Glitz" was also by Gay Ann Rogers & is a WIP:
Since this picture was taken, I've worked on it here-n-there .... Canvas & metallics aren't my favorites.

Found the picture

Currently, I'm stitching a mystery sampler by Jana P. Kerr. Our EGA chapter members did this in 1993 (before I was a member). I had seen it completed years ago & was thrilled to have the NeedleArts magazine put the lessons in their quarterly publication. It is stitched on linen banding w/floss (I'm using dmc & anchor floss colors). This is a picture of 1-5 of 15 parts:



The permalink to this post is Renée >^..^< "Stitched with Love and Cat Hair"

Today's SBQ is:

Q. Do you stitch "over one?" If so, describe your experiences. If not, have you considered it?

A. Yes, I stitch "over one". I sit for about an hour with over one & then quit for the day. I like using a 28-count or 32-count linen with one strand of silk (or Anchor floss). I think these were last projects I stitched over-one:
Pattern is from Scarlet Letter, called N. Hinde Sampler I have a couple "over-one" WIPs, too. I enjoy the detail in over-one designs. With an exceptional color -- they are fabulous.

This is 40-count linen & IMO the stitching gets bunched up looking. I think using a 1/2 cross would have been more suitable. This is A Sampler Pinkeep by The Heart's Content. I started the reverse side & really should find it in my WIP pile & finish it up!!

This is Tin Pin Heart by Twisted Threads -- this one seemed to stitch up quickly!! What fun.

The permalink to this post is: Renée's Blog >^..^< "Stitched with Love and Cat Hair"

Today's SBQ is:

Q. Do you have an organizational system for your patterns? If so, how do you organize them? If not, have you considered organizing them?

A. I'm more organized NOW than I have ever been. I have patterns/charts in two notebooks with a zipper (high shelf in the closet) -- alphabetized by company name (i.e. Blackbird, Brightneedle, etc.) My kits are in a rubbermaid container in the closet. My "kits to go" and WIPs are in totebags and boxes on top of the container (in my closet). I also have a basket near my stitching corner which houses patterns kitted up to do in the near future. AND -- every time I move things around ... I lose stuff!! I'm not planning to change a thing.



The permalink to this post is: Renée's Blog >^..^< "Stitched with Love and Cat Hair"

UPDATE re. my name

re my name ... My middle name Lee is my maternal Grandmother's Monogram (LEE - Lelia Evelyn E------). My Grandmother passed away 3 weeks after my birth. At that time, my older brother started calling me Lelia or Little Lee. I didn't use my first name until much later in life (when I was no longer "Little"). When I wanted to start a stitching web log -- I noticed there was a Carol (Garden of Stitches) and a Lee (Lake Stitcher). Thus, I chose my more formal name. I'm comfortable with all my names & when in doubt "GF" works : )


c.1991 The Scarlet Letter N. Hinde 1778 - A Miniature Sampler. What a joy ; ) I used AVAS 945 Red Silk on 32 ct Antique Ivory Linen. 2.75" W x 1.75" H (apx) The rabbit motif was from Brenda Keyes Alphabets Motifs & Borders c.1999, published by The Sampler Company.

I think I'd like to try another miniature soon. I like the Mini Flower Basket from EGA. (www.egausa.org under merchandise). Another one in my stash is "Better Late Than Never" Sampler (Circa 1820-1830) c.2001 by Eileen J. Bennett for The Sampler House. Plus, who can resist the wonderful selections at The Scarlet Letter and Threads Thru Time -- so many miniature sampler patterns to choose from! Working over one thread is a challenge & I take a lot of breaks! I try to stitch for about an hour & then put it aside for another day.


c.2004 Mill Hill. Charmed Stocking MHCS43 St. Nick Stocking. Stitched by Alexander for Grammy K (my Mom). Grammy should receive this very soon!

N. Hinde 1778 WIP

c.1991 The Scarlet Letter: N. Hinde 1778 A miniature sampler
According to the Scarlet Letter Web page, introducing miniature samplers "Girls and women gave each other gifts of their handwork- a meaningful sentiment then as well as now" It also says the samplers were occasionally put into small books.

So I'm thinking, how cool would that be? having a selection of miniature samplers received from stitching pals?

Not much stitching to share ...

The boys are on Fall break from Middle School & High School. We didn't do much because they have head colds. I don't want their germs! Been wanting to do something traditional, quick, simple -- & pulled these out:

Started a bookmark. It is an EGA Petite Project - Sampler Bookmark by Periwinkle Promises / Barbara L. Rakosnik. (c.May 1998) The center has blackwork motifs (I think 5 repeats of the leaves). There are bands of rice stitches + double back stitches (I might do long arm cross instead). I'm using silk mori on 32-count twilight blue linen.

Also started N.Hinde 1778; A miniature Sampler (c.1991 The Scarlet Letter.) I am using red silk (AVAS 945) - cross stitch over one - on 32 count antique ivory linen. This should be 1 3/4" x 2 3/4". In the directions it says to "feel free to personalize your sampler with your own name or initials & the date, using letter forms from the alphabets + numerals above." I am thrilled about the heart motifs. And who can resist a spiffy alphabet?

Here is a photograph from the pattern leaflet (of the finished sampler). Says on the pattern: "Genuine miniature samplers like this are relatively hard to find. They usually feature a simple monochromatic alphabet, or a short sentimental verse. The former type, called "plain work," usually originated in working class schools. This "plain sewing" sampler is English, probably from Lancashire (or perhaps, more specifically, Lancaster)....The original piece is in a private collection"