Yikes, it’s February!

Welcome to what is turning out to be my “monthly” blog post! I shall try harder to post more frequently.

This has been a very busy month as I try to keep up with the five exchanges that are due in early March. So, did I tell you all that I was not going to participate in as many exchanges this year? Every December I declare to the world that I will limit my exchanges so that I can dedicate more of my time to stitching the many LARGE projects that I have been neglecting. However, by late January/early February I am busy sending out “sign me up” emails to the exchange moderators! A tally of my yearly exchanges is proof enough that I am not succeeding in lessening my exchange stitching… 2007 total 24, 2008 total 28, and 2009 total 33. On the flip side, I do have an abundance of gorgeous exchange pieces from so many talented stitchers.

I was able to do a bit of “me stitching” on my PS Alphabet SAL ~

Designer: Prairie Schooler
PS Alphabet SAL

I also found time to have one of my older samplers re-framed; yes, I did stitch this in 1985. It was in a frame that went nicely with one of the homes that I have lived in but the frame did not work well with my current Sampler Wall. Here it is newly framed:

It now resides on the Sampler Wall:

I shall leave you with a picture of the beautiful Valentine’s Day flowers that I received from two of the best sons in the entire world! They had these delivered to my door just days before Valentine’s Day, how sweet is that??? It would have been even SWEETER had they been at my front door, but that would have involved airline tickets, vacation days, and missed classes. Thank you both so very much! IL&IMY~

Until next time...

24 Hours And It Is Done!

I am certain that Vonna did not realize when she wrote her April 16th post that she would be setting me up for a challenge. When I read these words:

"I printed the chart off, picked my colors and fabric and here it is 24 hours later"

I thought, "How did she do that?" I was determined to see if I could stitch this in 24 hours!

Well, I loved the chart and knew in an instant exactly what I would do with my version of the Blackbird Designs Petites Lettres Rouge sampler...

When I first saw the sampler, it brought to mind the Schoolgirl Samplers of earlier days when young girls under the age of 10, as a way to learn letters and numbers, executed these simple style samplers. These samplers enabled the girls to learn various stitches but more importantly, they served as an educational tool setting the foundation for reading and mathematics. For this reason, I immediately thought of stitching Petites Lettres Rouge as a way to commemorate my oldest son’s upcoming college graduation from Villanova University. With the school colors in hand I headed to my LNS to find the appropriate threads, selecting WDW Americana, Sampler Threads Blue Jay and Morning Glory I then rushed home to stitch this design on a piece of 32 ct Belfast linen. And to quote Vonna:

"I printed the chart off, picked my colors and fabric and here it is 24 hours later:"

Petites Lettres Blue, I Am So Proud Of You!

Designer: Blackbird Designs

Design: Petites Lettres Rouges

Fabric: 32ct Belfast Linen

Threads: WDW, Sampler Threads

Here is my version of Petites Lettres Rouge Sampler, now titled: Petites Lettres Bleu, I Am So Proud Of You!

Once framed it shall hang on my sampler wall where 3 years from now I shall hang the second one, stitched in browns, to commemorate my youngest son’s graduation from Lehigh University.

Thanks Vonna for sharing the information and link to this design. I must also thank Alma and Barb at Blackbird Designs for offering this free pattern for without it I surely would not have thought to stitch such a beautiful remembrance of my son’s accomplishment.

I had a number of new visitors to my blog and would like to say thank you for finding me and for your nice comments! It is always exciting to see that new bloggers have stopped by, but as always I value the returning bloggers more than you know!

Have a wonderful week. I encourage you all to jump at every opportunity to challenge yourself it is so very rewarding!


Until next time...

SAMPLERS: Rhode Island Sampler

Did you know:

American samplers were made starting in the early 1700’s and that long, narrow samplers are usually older than square ones?

I enjoy all types of samplers but am partial to American Samplers from the mid to late-eighteenth century. Many of these were stitched by young girls as part of their formal education. As a teaching tool the younger children would stitch Marking Samplers which included the alphabet and a variety of motifs. Alphabets helped them learn letters and numbers while the motifs served to perfect their embroidery skills. As a girl got older she moved on to more decorative Pictorial Samplers, the type that I tend to favor. These designs are less simplified and more realistic. They typically included floral borders, houses, landscapes, alphabets and verses, people and animals. These samplers were not only beautiful but also revealed information about the stitcher to prospective suitors. The fact that a completed sampler hung in the home was an indication of the family’s wealth and social standing. Not everyone could afford to send their daughter to school. In addition the verse stitched within the sampler often expressed the girl’s values.

"2002 Rhode Island Sampler"

When I saw the "2002 Rhode Island Sampler" design, in my Fall 2002 Sampler & Antique Needlework magazine, I knew that I would someday stitch it. Earlier this year I began stitching this sampler and I am getting close to the finish line.

Rhode Island Samplers are American samplers that were stitched during 1780-1790 by students of the Providence School of Mary Balch. The school, located in Providence, RI, was opened by Mary’s mother Sarah. In later years the operation of the school became the responsibility of Mary.

These samplers are typically characterized by an archway, spiral columns, trumpeting angels, a floral border growing from a double handled vase, a shepherd and shepherdess, and town buildings. Students of the Providence School were the first in the country to add town buildings to their samplers. Stitched primarily in cross stitch the samplers did often include the following specialty stitches: rococo, rice, diagonal cross, split, oriental and diagonal darning.

For a wonderful selection of samplers you can visit The Scarlet Letter.

I must end now so that I can get some stitching done...not on this WIP as I need to work on a few upcoming exchanges.

Hope you are all enjoying your weekend. It is a bit dreary here with the rain ~ A perfect day for stitching!

Until next time...