Tuesday night I finished stitching Amy Eliza Herbert, and Wednesday I took her to Carol’s to be framed. Also I decided to choose my next sampler.
The Truth Sampler and The German Sampler were strong contenders. However, I couldn’t find The Truth Sampler (I know it will show up…someday.), and I wasn’t in the mood to go back to The German Sampler. (I know I will someday--it’s about a third done.)
Next, I started going through my charts and came across two I particularly liked. Both of the samplers had been SALs with my newsletter group, With My Needle and Pen, but I had never stitched them. I was torn between John Foster by Historic Stitches and Ann Hair by The Scarlet Letter. I kept going back and forth between the two samplers.
I have always liked John Foster…such beautiful colors. It is smaller than Ann Hair and is done entirely in cross stitch over two linen threads so it would be an easier and more relaxing “stitch”. Ann Hair is also such a beauty, and I’ve long been enamored of this sampler….I even have an Ann Hair coffee mug, coaster, and note cards! Also on the "positive" side, I already have the linen and threads packaged and ready to go. On the "negative" side, Ann is larger and more complex than John. Which should I choose?
The Truth Sampler and The German Sampler were strong contenders. However, I couldn’t find The Truth Sampler (I know it will show up…someday.), and I wasn’t in the mood to go back to The German Sampler. (I know I will someday--it’s about a third done.)
Next, I started going through my charts and came across two I particularly liked. Both of the samplers had been SALs with my newsletter group, With My Needle and Pen, but I had never stitched them. I was torn between John Foster by Historic Stitches and Ann Hair by The Scarlet Letter. I kept going back and forth between the two samplers.
I have always liked John Foster…such beautiful colors. It is smaller than Ann Hair and is done entirely in cross stitch over two linen threads so it would be an easier and more relaxing “stitch”. Ann Hair is also such a beauty, and I’ve long been enamored of this sampler….I even have an Ann Hair coffee mug, coaster, and note cards! Also on the "positive" side, I already have the linen and threads packaged and ready to go. On the "negative" side, Ann is larger and more complex than John. Which should I choose?
I chose Ann.
I next went through my 2003 With My Needle and Pen newsletters and printed out all the SAL stitching notes. Then I set up my ironing board to give the linen a pressing before I started stitching. Imagine my surprise, when I found I had already stitched the top border and the first two lines of the verse (stitched over one linen thread!). Wow! I guess this was meant to be….but then, I discovered why I had put Ann away. I had not figured well on my linen….I only had a one-inch margin on the right side. I’m sure that Carol could have figured out a way to frame Ann with such a narrow margin, but I decided that perhaps I really should start Ann again with a more generous margin. I just need to “cut my losses” and move on.
Ann’s new linen is pressed, and I even got in a few stitches last night. The original linen has been put away. Perhaps one day, I’ll use it for John Foster.
I next went through my 2003 With My Needle and Pen newsletters and printed out all the SAL stitching notes. Then I set up my ironing board to give the linen a pressing before I started stitching. Imagine my surprise, when I found I had already stitched the top border and the first two lines of the verse (stitched over one linen thread!). Wow! I guess this was meant to be….but then, I discovered why I had put Ann away. I had not figured well on my linen….I only had a one-inch margin on the right side. I’m sure that Carol could have figured out a way to frame Ann with such a narrow margin, but I decided that perhaps I really should start Ann again with a more generous margin. I just need to “cut my losses” and move on.
Ann’s new linen is pressed, and I even got in a few stitches last night. The original linen has been put away. Perhaps one day, I’ll use it for John Foster.
12 comments:
Love your choice for a new start! I have cut my losses and started over more than a couple times, sometimes you just have to do it :-).
The design is fantastically beautiful))and the job is fine )
Ellen, I had not seen either chart before. Ann is wonderful and I looked up John and I really like him too. I can see why you had such a hard decision. I look forward to watching your progress on this beautiful sampler.
That's the sort of thing I'd do, put it away with a problem attached! Have fun!
Ellen, how do I sign up for your newsletter, couldn't see a link but it's probably staring at me!
Are you teaching at the Loudon Sampler Guild next year in Leesburg? I was a member for two very happy years in the late 90s. I was so sorry to hear that Betty Flemming had died and slightly overawed at what a well known lady she was! Such a delight and always helpful and encouraging with a project.
Beautiful choice, and I look forward to watching your progress on Ann. It is so hard to choose sometimes! Some days I just want to put all my charts in a pile, close my eyes and pick one. Enjoy!
I'm looking forward to progress pics! I recently discovered an old UFO of mine -- same problem. The bottom border will be about an inch. No turning back on mine though -- I'm about 2/3 of the way finished. :D
Great choice for your new start. It will be fun watching your progress on Ann.
Ellen: I had the same problem with my Sarah Tuel Sampler. I almost ran out of linen. There was about an inch to spare so I simply sewed a strip of muslin to the linen and problem solved. My framer didn't have a bit of trouble.
Maybe you can try that the next time rather than starting over.
Love the sampler you chose. You have excellent taste. JoAnn
Ellen - You said that you started over with a new piece of linen; well, have you thought about what you'll do with the former piece? I did a similar thing and ended up with an 18 inch by 3 inch piece of given-up-on stitching. I made a long snake out of it and filled it with crushed walnut shell. I use it now, on my desk, as a wrist rest. I'll put a picture of it on my blog so you can see.
Love your Ann Hair mug, coaster and note cards :)
Oh, Ann is just gorgeous! Really, she is going to be stunning. I adore antique sampler reproductions. Can't wait to see progress pics!
Oh, it's a great choice! Can't wait to see your progress on it!
I always start on the middle, but even by measuring three-four times manage to start wrong place :D...
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