a - b - c

                               

A little bit if progress:

Mary Hannah  Gipson 

and

Old Saybrooke Sampler

.... misc ....

I have 50 things on my "to do" list + then started talking on the phone, + then it started to rain.    DH and DS going to the movies.    So, pulled out my bag, nearby, + had my HE project in hand.

"Simply Red, Plus"

Designed by Sandra Sullivan

Homespun Elegance, Ltd.   c.2010

The pattern + red fiber were a gift from GF Karol.   As I had the blue fiber close at hand, I started with the blue.   [Needle Necessities, Inc. #1342].    I'm using a piece of 30-count Lt. Espresso, from the House of Stitches fabric bin!   

The pattern has a small pincushion in yellow fiber w/MOP button.   The letters are backwards - quite charming; however, I'm going back to the traditional.    Stitching over one thread.   Should be pretty.

Earlier this week, I managed to sew the bottom part of the the pre-made pieces, to form additional pockets for tools and fibers.   Nice to use the outside pockets as well as the inside pockets.     From the time I purchased these (even before stitched), I've been using them.    Quite handy + a nice size.   : )

Earlier this week, I finished Chipmunk, by Prairie Schooler into a needlebook.   I used aida cloth - which I like for something that gets a lot of use. In the Woods, The Prairie Schooler, c.1994, Book No. 46

  Also, completed the wooden piece by Bucilla.   They have a series called Bucilla Handmade Wooden Stitchables.   Link here.

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”).

The verse is a rebus ....

A couple of days ago,
I noticed a photograph
taken by
Pat Winter
on her post
Paulownia tree in bloom

If you look at her post
and scroll down to the items
she purchased,
you'll see a couple of trays
with tea themes ....

What a blast from the past

In July of 2001, I purchased a
pattern, from a stitching friend, called
The Tea Sampler
c.1996 Threads Through Time

This morning, I unearthed it
in my stash:

On the pattern, it says "This little tea sampler was found at a flea market
and is now in a private collection.
The original is a tiny piece measuring 4 1/2" wide by 4" tall.
Unframed, the linen was sewn to a fabric backing.
The verse is a rebus in which a picture represents a word."

This is the photo which came with the pattern:


This is a close-up of the one I stitched:
I used wildflowers by Caron (Fiesta) and
Danish Designs flower thread

Of course, I took it to some stitchy friends
& we decided the verse was:

Except the kettle boiling be,
Filling the pot
spoils the tea

The photo on Pat's blog reads:
Put the kettle on
And we'll all have tea

my guess is the tray underneath
has nearly the same verse
as the one in the pattern I have

Has anybody else seen sampler verse in
a rebus? I find them so interesting

Stash Sale finds ...

I had a wonderful day in LaPorte, Indiana ... The Stash Sale was awesome. For those who attended, there were great finds!! CiCi was parting with some of her incredible books. This one was $2.00. Some of the motifs inside knock my socks off!



And, just when I thought I'd wear blinders for the entire day, I came accross this design from the sampler collection of The Frances Lehman Loeb Art Center:Per the pattern: "This design is an adaptation of a motif found on a seventeenth century English band sampler in the collection of Vassar College." I thought it was so pretty & was delighted GF Ruth Ann was paring down her stash!

I found a nice book with doll patterns -- and, a wonderful doll kit at Sue's table -- and she was mighty generous handing me a giant shopping bag of LACE. Thank you so much! More about those items HERE.

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)

The AH - 1808 - Sampler

The AH - 1808 - Samplerc.1990 Threads Through Time
Chart Available HERE.Per the information included with the graph: "AH used ten soft colors of silk thread in her sampler which was embroidered on 35-count linen .... measuring 7 1/2" wide by 6 3/4" high."

Stitched with DMC floss per Color Key on the Pattern. I used scraps of 32-count Antique Ivory.

I stitched a small portion of the floral border -- and added birds from the chart. (bird/flower squares.) These squares match my Lanell scissors!

Barbara : Clothespin dolls are charming & quite easy to make. I will have to put up a post [on my Other Blog] about the dolls made by my Mom & her friend, Jean. Stay tuned.

Wendy : Tabletoppers can be washed. AND, my boyz + pets have put this to the test already. I've washed them in my machine without any problems.

Eliza Parry 1838

Eliza Parry 1838. A Reproduction Sampler from The Goode Huswife. c.2008
Stitch count for this project is 164w x 138h. Chart still available at some LNS & ONS. Color key - DMC Floss


DMC Floss on 32-count Lambswool Linen. One of my fav motifs!

The graph is all cross stitch; however, I used the suggested DMC floss colors (on 32-ct lambswool linen) & stitched part of the zig-zaggie square -- using the Rice stitch. (lower right section on sampler)

Used DMC per chart on 32-count sandstone linen.

DMC floss on Sandstone Linen, 32-ct.

Another fabulous chart - and I enjoyed stitching these squares. I noticed the two linen choices made quite a difference.

I have a marvelous collection of repro samplers. Usually, I browse a selection & something about them speaks to me.

I tend to select flower baskets, fruit baskets, birds, critters, and ALPHABETS! I am over-the-moon when I spot a gem, second-hand!!

The Ann L. Brown Sampler

Thx for the comments! I continue to root thru my repro-sampler-stash-in-the-closet, and pulled out this gem:
The Ann L. Brown Sampler. c.1983 The Scarlet Letter, Accurate & Faithful Reproduction Samplers.Per information with the graph: it was worked on unbleached 25-count linen, and the finished size apx 16" x 18".
I bought this used graph from GF AmandaG [w/o blog]. I love everything about this sampler, the alphabet, border, flower baskets, pineapples, lions, border -- love everything; however, don't think I have enough time in my life to stitch every repro chart/kit I own!!!
I stitched these motifs per DMC suggested on chart. I used scraps of 32-count waterlily linen, found in my closet!
These squares look good with Lanell scissors.
If I live long enough, I'll stitch it ... otherwise, I was delighted to stitch a few beautiful motifs!

~Mini Flower Basket Sampler~

While looking thru my stash, I pulled out a few gem repro sampler charts. I enjoy owning them. Most are 2nd hand charts. Samplers are dear to me. There is just something about them. Thinking about 'somebody' back in time, stitching these marvelous projects. Not only that ... but SOMEBODY else SAVED THEM. They were cherished, saved, and passed along. These patches from the past speak to me.

I wish I could live another 50 or 60 years and stitch everything in my stash - esp the repros in my closet. Since that isn't possible, I decided to pull out a few favorite samplers and stitch some of the basket motifs. I suppose I could finish them into 'somethings'.

Mainly, I stitched them for joy ... and am grateful for those who stitched the originals, those who saved them from the litter bins, those who scoured flea markets - second hand stores, and blessings to the angels who created graphs!! I cannot begin to express my gratitute : )

~Mini Flower Basket Sampler~ A reproduction from the Collection of The Embroiderers' Guild of America, Inc. Accession #00012.
Chart or Kit Available LINK HERE There are color suggested for Soie d'Alger Silk, DMC cotton & Anchor cotton floss.

Per chart, this sampler was stitched before the late 1800s. Aren't the colors cheerful? They are close to the floral handles in the 2008 Designer Series 4" Emma Embroidery Scissors
Interesting how different the DMC and Anchor cotton change the look of the motifs
Squares stitched on 32-count Antique Ivory linen (right side) and Antique White Linen (left side).

Gifts from Myrna!

Imagine my surprise! Myrna sent me an envelope of goodies : ) I love the fob (w/special charm), knitted dishcloth (which I don't want to actually USE in the kitchen), and a beautiful marking pin made by Ann Marie, Myrna's sister.
I found this pair of scissors which is a perfect match!!

Not wanting to take the dishcloth into the kitchen, I placed it under the clothespin dolls on my desk.

As you can see, I've been enjoying my sampler patterns & cheating a bit. Instead of working on a large sampler, I've been selecting basket motifs from patterns in my stash and stitching them ... Funness. More about this in my next post.

some progress pix

The Drawn Thread: Sampler Game BoardI added the Lower Right 2 squares -- house and lamb
I replaced the square with initials & date with a lamb from Generosity, Drawn Thread, c.1997
14 Houses
15 Motifs
29 Squares Stitched

I started the Spring Floral Tabletopper this week.designed by Claudia Dutcher, c.2000 Dutch Treat Designs

This 40-count linen is a challenge. I did get the buttonhole edge around both sides
I will work on the finishing a little at a time. Next step is to sew the front & back together using some sort of chain stitch.This is from SAN-Q, Spring 2001One challenge is counting by three threads instead of two!

Today is the FIRST DAY OF SPRING ... and we have 4" to 9" of snow in the forecast for Friday & Saturday. Hello, Mother Nature, it is SPRING now ... would you please cancel the snow? Until Winter? Thx in advance