A Sampler Collection

 

So, one of the questions I received about my living room post, was to have the "story" of the samplers over my tv told.  I apologize for the quality of these photos....it is difficult for me to photograph things hanging as high as these, so the angles are wrong and the light too.  But, I actually think you will be able to get a somewhat satisfactory look at them.

 

Here is a closer view.

  

This one is on the lower right.  I stitched this from a kit.  Actually, the ones I made were stitched in the 1970's....a long time ago!   This one has a larger stitch count, so took longer to make.  I remember having a great sense of accomplishment after finishing one of these.  This and the other large one are 18" x 24."

 

Here's a closer view.  You should be able to read it.

  

Even closer.  Seems like yesterday.

  

 This one is the same size...and made shortly after we married.  A smaller stitch count, so a shorter stitch time.  I have tried to put these away from time to time, but I find it impossible to do. 

  

Here's a closer view of this particular one.  I still like cross stitch, but rarely do it anymore.  These that I have made were all kits, but I have actually done many smaller pieces counting over threads and I really enjoyed those too,   I need to see if I can find some of those in the storage places in this crazy cottage!

  

On the upper left....a sampler I also made from a kit.  I believe this one is 12" x 14" or 16."

Unfortunately, it's too high for me to measure.  I try to do a lot of my work in the same color combinations...that way it will go anywhere in my house....and so I use my favorite colors: red,green,pink,brown, off-white with an occasional piece made in a totally different combination...just because.

 

 In the center is a small sampler I bought at the flea...beautifully stitched.  I'm sorry it doesn't show as well as it should.  I think this one is about six or eight inches square.  I paid $4.00 for it as I recall.

Bargain!  And, then, there is that heart.  When my daughter hung these samplers on my wall after I moved in, well, I thought they looked just great, but I also had this embroidered heart I wanted to put somewhere.  She had gone home, so the only way I could hang it myself was to climb up on that stereo cabinet  and stretch as far as I could.  Nearly fell off and scared myself, but I did get it there where I wanted it.  (Photo of it to follow.)  Seems I'll do almost anything to hang a heart...and almost anywhere!!!

 

This isn't a sampler, but needlepoint.  In this great old frame.  I found it, of course, in the flea market.  I bought it for two reasons....for that great huge frame and the house in needlepoint.  Seems I also have a love of embroidered houses. Oh, my!

 

 Another sampler purchased from the flea market.  The verse is done in a very pale thread so its nearly impossible to read even close up, but I did love it anyway.

 

 Then bottom center, another purchased from the flea market...it's a bit less refined looking, but caught my eye. 

  

 So, here's a sampler hanging elsewhere in my home.  Actually right inside the door when you come through the garage.  Such a true statement!!!

  

 And, this one...large, another 18" x 24."  A lady down the street passed away and they had a sale at her house...household items, quilts, sewing.  When I saw this sampler, I knew it was going home with me.  It's beautifully made.  They were asking only $10.00 for it.  Even though she wasn't there....I thanked her for it anyway.  It's in my hallway.

 

Wonderful, isn't it?

  

 And finally, here is that red heart hanging up high.

Hope you enjoyed the samplers!

from

Bird Nest Cottage

until next time

♥♥♥

Cross-Stitch Memories

Recently, I enjoyed a conversation (via email) with Linda,  a blogging friend of mine who lives in Maine.  She mentioned working on a cross-stitch sampler and I told her I would post my cross-stitch samplers for her to see.  And, you too, of course!  Here is a photo of three of my samplers which are, at the moment, living in our living room.  More about that fourth one later in this post.

My house tends to be dark and I took these photos late at night, so they are not as clear as I'd like, but you get the idea.  These three were made in the early to mid-seventies......oh, my, how many years ago was that?? You know, I can look at things I've made and my life just flashes in front of my eyes!  I can remember sitting and working on these for many hours in the evenings.  My kids were born in 1967 and '68, so how I ever found the time, I don't know.  Of course,  there are no little kids here now and I still don't know where I would find the time.  One thing I DO know...I got a lot more done when I had to work around the children and their needs.  Maybe I was just quicker then.  OK, no jokes about aging!

I have particularly loved the poem on this sampler....and have tried to abide by it......you know how I love words on needlework and I do try to maintain a thankful heart.  

These samplers were made with kits that were available back then.   Later, I became aware of Aida cloth and linen and began to 'do my own thing' and/or follow a designer's charts.  I have to say, I think it was more difficult to cover up the inked fabric in the kits than it was to follow a chart.  Often times, the printed design was difficult to cover up.  But, at the time....I was lucky to find anything to stitch, truth be told.

Even today, on some days, I'd still like to stitch a sampler.  I'd have to have really good light, but it would be fun.

This is another kit sampler.  This one didn't take nearly as long as the other two and was quite fun.
I'm just a fool for sentimentality!!!

Excuse the light in the lower left of this photo...try as I might, sometime I just can't keep the light from reflecting on the glass.

As I mentioned, here is more on the square cross-stitched piece.  I recently purchased this one at one of my favorite flea markets.  It is very cute and I just couldn't leave it there.   The little crosses don't really touch each other...as they should, but I still thought it dear.  Some pieces just call your name!!!  As you can see on the photo, I just simply placed it on this antique chest below my cross-stitch pieces.  I don't know where exactly it will wind up....but for now I'm thinking I may remove that large frame on the top row and put it there......I just never know until I make it a priority to spend a bit of time 'playing around with it.'

I have no idea who stitched it....but I'm glad they did.  And, I'm happy to now be the caretaker of such
a fun sampler. 

 I used to teach quilting classes at the Ozark Folk School in Mountain View, Arkansas.  My classes were five days of quilting fun with some very wonderful students from 'all over.'  For one of my classes,  I decided to make a quilt that resembled a cross stitch sampler.  How that idea popped into my head, I just don't know, but I made this quilt for that class and we really did have FUN.  It's about 28 inches or so square and as most of my 'stuff' is....hand appliqued, hand embroidered, and hand quilted. 

                                    

I love the little appliqued hen and chicks.  Embellished with some embroidery.  Such fun to make these cute little creatures...and they were inspired by the work of  Janet Bolton, in her books "My Grandmother's Patchwork Quilt" and "Patchwork Folk Art".  You can find them at amazon.com.

These flowers were made from fabric yo-yo's and great fun.  I have used this method before...the back of the yo-yo is what I used for the front and then the center was filled with French Knots.

More applique....I love doing that part too.

And, of course, there had to be a tree.  Lazy Daisy stitches filled with one or two straight stitches, appliqued tree trunk.

So, here we are on the back of the quilt.  Had to add another bird, of course!  Now, look at that, made in 2008!  Time surely does fly!!

And, I just had to show you the fabric on the back of this little quilt.  I purchased this fabric JUST for the back of this quilt.....all 'farmy' and all....so cute, don't you think?

So, there you are...my cross-stitch samplers.......and quilt 'sampler' too and many hours of my life...right here in this one post.  I hope you enjoyed seeing them...as much as I enjoyed stitching them.  take care out there, pat