Tuesday, February 8, 2011

And then there were 9

Well, good news, bad news.....all of the boxes are filled with their goodies, except for these 9.  While all of the boxes have a rustic appeal to them, these 9 are damaged a bit.  All are still very usable.  They just aren't acceptable to be part of the special edition of Miss Trenner's Needlework Academy.  Now to figure out what to do with them.
Boy does it feel good to have that task done.  The other boxes still need to go in plastic bags with their charts, but I'll do that in Nashville.  It will be so much easier to transport them separately. 

I think I may reward myself for all my hard work and take the rest of the afternoon off and stitch on Elizabeth Mears.  Several of you wrote me that seeing mine in progress made you want to stitch it too.  Isn't that often the way it is?  My version is stitched exactly as Barb described on her chart.

I probably am within a week or so of having Elizabeth finished, but I plan to put in the final stitches later in the year when I visit my aunt who lives in Accomack County.   Wouldn't that be cool to take Elizabeth back to Accomack County?

I've been trying to find a relationship between my family and Elizabeth's. It seems like everyone from the area is related somehow.  While I haven't yet found a connection between the Mears family and my family, I've found that Elizabeth's husband Samuel Savage and I are related through Amy Waddelow (yes, Mrs. Waddelow). 

On a completely different note...
Did you know that today is the Festival of Broken Needles in Japan?  This is a 400-year old tradition.  On February 8th each year, women gather  at shrines and temples to "bury" or "put to rest" their worn out needles.  Perhaps you would enjoy reading this article, and here are lots of photos here.  Gosh--this makes me feel badly that I just toss mine in the trash and not show such a valued tool and friend more respect.

21 comments:

Jennifer said...

Me me me! I would love one of the reject boxes! I'm not picky!

Unknown said...

Oh, I'm with Jen...I would love to have one of those rejects myself! LOL! That just makes them individual and special...

They really are lovely and the stitching that goes with them is beautiful too!

Loving your work on Elizabeth, can't wait to see it finished...

Happy Stitchin'
Terri

natalysneedle said...

I'm with Jen and Terri, I think the boxes are still quite lovely. Who is the designer on Elizabeth??

Margaret said...

Glad you're all done with the packing. I wonder if people would be willing to get these boxes despite being damaged, maybe at a discount? They still look good to me! Love Elizabeth -- that's so cool the connection between her and your Mrs. Waddelow. Hope you take a well deserved rest!

Deb said...

I'm sure that someone would still love one of those boxes even though damaged. They look good to me. Glad that the packing is done and I hope you get some quality time on Elizabeth. I can't get her out of my mind since seeing your picture the other day. I know that I'm definitely going to order her!!

Charlotte G. said...

I'm with the rest of the responders... I would love to have one of your boxes even though they are damaged... They are truly lovely.

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen,

Happy Hari Kuyo & best wishes for a year filled with great stitching.
x Deb

Anonymous said...

Oh---you guys beat me to it! I was also thinking-- pick me--- I would LOVE one of those damaged boxes. My stitching store will not be at market this year. I could break down and paint one myself--- but I would MUCH rather be stitching!!! I finished 2 projects this week, and there was a sale at the store, so I bought more---is there any end in sight???? I don't think so! Enjoy stitching everyone! Vicki

Nancy said...

I love the picture that shows your beautiful samplers on the wall! I think it's a wonderful idea to take Elizabeth to Accomack!

I have never heard of the Broken Needles Festival. That is so interesting.

pj said...

Love the boxes....let us know what you decide to do with them all. Looks like there are lots of takers!!! Elizabeth is looking great and so glad you are enjoying her and the research. Good luck in Nashville! pj

Sandra said...

Ditto all the other comments, even a reject box sounds good to me. Love the samplers on the wall behind, what a great display.

marylin said...

Hello I discovered your blog and I lack the words to tell you how I found your beautiful embroidery! you have gold in the fingers, hands fairy! congratulations marylin de France

Ine M said...

Not only the boxes are looking very well and desireable...that background of samplers!!!!....I need more stitching time (sigh)

greetings from the Netherlands

Bertie said...

Well Ellen what are you going to do with them:)) Somehow I missed the idea of this project, are you selling them as kits to shops? would love to know that so I can get my hot little hands on one LOL.
Have a good day.

Wal D'Champs said...

They are really gorgeous rejected boxes ... wish have one ... but I live so far .... in Brazil... Giveaway never came to here ..... snif!!!snif!!!

Karen said...

they look wonderful to me. what are you going to do with these"rejected boxes"? :)

The Nebby Needle said...

I see a contest in the making...rejected boxes as the prize!!!

Vera said...

Well, as you can see, a lot of us would be happy to buy a rejected box at a discounted price. Or I like the idea of a contest. On another note, my local EGA chapter just had our Japanese needle retiring ceremony at our meeting on Monday night.

Roberta said...

Hi Ellen, thank you for sharing the tradition of the needles that is celebrated in Japan - very interesting and I agree - I just toss my needles, maybe we should designate a special container just for used up needles and pins.

Hope market goes well and travel safe. How is your back feeling.

I think you should have a giveaway contest on your blog for the damaged boxes. As previous commenters have said they all would love one!!! Just a thought.

Patricia Lessell said...

Hi Ellen I do hope you are well and I see you are coping just fine. I think you should sell them at a slightly cheaper price - and not give them away as prizes because you had to pay for the in the first place. I would be absolutely thrilled to be able to purchase a set at a cheaper price and I don't mean silly cheap either. I mean like maybe $60.00 instead of $80.00 because they may not be up to your standard but they would be to a lot of people's. That's my thoughts anyway. Love to you and Tom and the children.
P xxx

Sandy Wilder said...

Since this was posted on my birthday, I think that you should put one aside for me....and no, I wouldn't mind one of the rejects! Hugs, Sandy Wilder swilder118@aol.com