Monday, October 5, 2009

First Blog Give-Away, Miscellaneous Ramblings, and Answers to Your Questions

Several people have written asking questions about various subjects in my recent postings.

First, there was some confusion about the Ann Pennsylvania Peacock that I mentioned in my last post. This is not a reproduction sampler--it merely has the look of an old sampler. I like to stitch reproduction samplers as they are charted, but because this was not a reproduction sampler, I felt “free” to make the changes I did. The designer of this lovely sampler is Cindy Daly Bradford. Her company name is Little by Little. You can check with your local needlework shop about getting the chart, or simply Google the sampler name and see what you get. The girl on the sampler really does have arms. In my photo, it looks like she is missing her arms…poor thing!

Some of you asked to see a photo of the Deborah Walker sampler that I plan to stitch with my friend Carol. I haven’t had any luck finding a photo on-line. The chart is a very old one published in leaflet form by Just Cross Stitch. Deborah and her sisters, Rebecca and Mary, each stitched similar samplers. Margariet Hogue (The Essamplaire) reproduced Rebecca’s sampler. I don’t know if Mary’s has been reproduced. All three original samplers are in the collection of the Chester County Historical Society. Isn't it wonderful that the three sisters's samplers are together? I hoped that the CCHS would have their collection on line, but sadly they don’t. Perhaps they will some day.

I had mentioned hanging Ann Trump, Maria Spence, and Mary Wigham together, but then last night I remembered that I have one more Ackworth gal on my “to-do” list--Mary Busby. Mary Busby was reproduced by Doreen Holmes (Needlelace). I bought the chart and threads when I was at the last Ackworth seminar. I‘ve even put linen aside for it, so I guess there’s no excuse not to get to her. Mary will look so wonderful hanging with her schoolmates. However, I really must first stitch some models for the Nashville needlework tradeshow.

Ann Trump

Maria Spence

Several of you have volunteered to “house” some of my samplers. Hmm--wonder if I should rent them out. All kidding aside, I always seem to find room for just one more, but it’s getting more and more difficult.

This is my 100th blog post. Thanks to all who have written to let me know how much you enjoy my blog. As a way to both celebrate this small milestone, and also to thank you for visiting, I thought I’d do my first give-away. Please leave a note in the comment area immediately below this post, and sometime next Sunday, October 11th, I’ll do a drawing for some of my charts. The winners will get to chose what they want.

68 comments:

Deb said...

I just recently pulled out Ann Pennsylvania Peacock too and hope that I can put some stitches into it soon. I've been working on Ann Medd and am afraid if I put her down, I won't pick her back up.

Congratulations on your 100th post! I really enjoy reading your blog even though I don't comment all the time. And I'd love to be entered to win some of your charts!!

Beth Twist said...

I was curious about Deborah Walker too, but searched online long enough to find a photo of a completed reproduction in a Webshots photo album. I cannot remember the name of the person who posted it, but I imagine that anyone interested might be able to do a more specific search using "Webshots" and "Deborah Walker" as parameters.

Congrats on your 100th post!

Missy Ann said...

It's silly how in love I am with Pennsylvania Peacock. I think she'll be my birthday gift to myself this year.

Congats on the 100th post. Oh Lady Luck! please pick me. I've got my eye on some Quaker charts... lol

donnamaytoo said...

I read your blog daily. It inspires me to keep stitching.

jane said...

I am really enjoying reading your blog and would love to be included in the drawing

Peg said...

I love reading your blog and can't wait each day to see if you have added something new. Your pictures always look so great. Would love to be included in your giveaway drawing.

Janine said...

Hi Ellen, I have just found your blog. Congratulations on your 100th post. So far I have enjoyed reading it.

Sandra said...

I hadn't realised that Ann PP looked armless, but she does now I look again. I can't believe you've reached 100 posts already, how time flies. I will be on holiday 'down under' when you draw a name (visiting Chrissie), but I can still participate I hope.

valerie said...

Ellen, you stitch beautifully and I love your designs. Congratulations on 100 posts! Blogging becomes addictive, doesn't it? I'd love a chance at your giveaway.

Jennifer Ann Fox said...

I love to read your blog and would be so happy to be included in your drawing!
Congrats on 100th posting!
Blogging has been fun for me and I love it to connect with other stitchers and share ideas and progress.

Jennifer Dalenberg
Feathers in the Nest

http://www.feathersinthenest.blogspot.com/

Carol R said...

Congratulations on your 100th post! Please enter me into your draw

stitchenmylifeaway said...

Happy 100th!! Hope you enjoy many, many more so that we can deep enjoying them too.
Please enter me in you drawing.

Shay

Tedra said...

Hi Ellen - I love reading your blog and hearing about your designs, your interest in dabbling in red for the next quaker sampler! - and seeing what you have stitched as well! Please enter me in your drawing!

Tedra Raden
Phoenix, AZ

Marjo said...

Congratulations on hitting 100 posts. I love reading all your posts and of course love to see what you are stitching and or designing now. I would love to be part of your drawing. I can't wait to get the hornbook design and frame I ordered from market so I can start it. I can't wait to see what you have coming up next.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on your 100th post. Your blog is the first thing I read every morning. I just love all your designs and would love to win something. Thanks, Amy G

Anonymous said...

Ellen, thanks for the information on the samplers you recently posted on. I will have to go back thru my issues of Just Cross Stitch and see if I have that piece.
Please sign me up for your 100th blog give-a-way drawing. I would love to be the lucky one, the ladies of MRSG would be jealous. I told them they need to get blogging. Happy Blogging.

Tommye said...

Do you use your house as a gallery? I do. And I love walking around and "visiting" different samplers and remembering the stitchign process and what was going on in my life at the time...

tjbdesigns
http://stitchingandbeading.blogspot.com

woolwoman said...

Ellen - I enjoy your blog so much - I would love to be entered in your drawing - there are always MORE WMN designs on my wish list. Your framed Mary looks awesome - I know you will enjoy her in your Ackworth grouping. Happy 100th ! Mel

Anonymous said...

Ellen, Love your blog, LOVE your Ackworth "girls", love your charts, and would love to be included in the drawing-although there aren't too many of yours that I don't already have.

Anonymous said...

Ellen, can't figure out how to post comments correctly-Anonymous has name and e-mail!! rlnrn@cox.net

Anonymous said...

Ellen,

Congratulations. We knew this would be another wonderful outlet for us wayward stitchers. Looking forward to another 100.

JoAnn Virtuegrace

Anonymous said...

Dear Ellen,

We all love your designs and I for one love to see them finished and posted. Thank you for your Newsletter, Your Board, Your Blog and Your Talent.

Bethany Bearlynew

omashee aka Barb said...

Congratulations Ellen, on your 100th post! Your samlpers are stunning! Boy, if you decide to rent them out I'll be first in line! I love your designs and would be tickled to win one!
Hugs,
Barb

Anonymous said...

Hi Ellen, love your blog! I also have a sampler wall, in my long hallway which is not near windows and is more or less dark (except when I turn on the hallway light). Barbara

Vaida said...

Congratulations on you first anniversary - 100 posts is already a great number!

Kim Lawson said...

Kim said
Would love to see a pic of your Ackworth girls hanging together on your wall. I'm about half way with my Mary Wigham and am awaiting your quaker #3 to add to my collection. Please include me in your drawing.

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 100th post anniversary - gee that went really quickly! Your blog is always a treat to read, and even if I don't comment on every post, I always read every one religiously :) I'd love to be entered into the prize draw, if that's OK :)

Anonymous said...

Congrats on your 100th post. Pleaes enter me in the drawing.

Sherrie G. in VA

Stchnbee said...

I enjoy seeing all the finished pieces that people stitch and share. I'd love to be entered in your giveaway. Thanks.
Stasi

Margaret said...

Oh wow! Here I haven't had time to sit down and read your blog and you do a giveaway! lol! I love your Ann Trump -- I really have to dig that one out and stitch it. You're going to have quite the Quaker wall! I only have 3 so far -- Hannah Beeby, Maria Spence and Mary Busby. Thanks for the giveaway!

Terri said...

I'd love a chance at your giveaway! I love your work and look forward to reading your blog.

Terri

JillMN said...

Congrats on your 100th post! I would love to win your drawing. Thanks.

Margaret wong said...

Congratulations on your 100th post. I too would love to win one of your charts - I have a number of them but it would be good if I can add more to them!!

Anonymous said...

HI ELLEN

THE SAMPLERS ARE BEAUTIFUL! I WOULD LOVE TO WIN!

DQ BOGFAIRY@YAHOO

the striped rose said...

Congratulations! I too would like to be entered in your drawing! Though, I admit, your Agnes Scott design is keeping me busy!

saras said...

I love reading your blog too! :) I've stitched a few of your patterns, I need to take some pictures and send them along! I'm just not sure how to make them small enough! :)

Mayté Bermúdez-García said...

I always have room for one of your designs, that's why I can't miss this opportuity. LOL

I love reading you blog and seeing the pictures of the stitching versions of your designs.

Happy day!

Ine M said...

Congratulations on your 100th.
I keep visiting your blog every day.

Ine M

Denise said...

Ellen, your blog is always unique and the samplers are true beauties! I bet you can't believe your 100th blog has come along....
congratulations and hope to see many more.
Please add me to your giveaway...

Charlene ♥ NC said...

Always a lovely visit - beautiful stitching. Would love to see how you display all your works. Congrats on #100, and here's to many more! Please add my name to your list.

Anonymous said...

Congratulations on #100! I so enjoy your blog...I don't miss a day! Please add me to your drawing list.

Pam

Karoline said...

Ellen, congratulations on your 100th post. Your Ackworth samplers look gorgeous. You must post a photo of them all together on the wall (and I must get poor Maria out and get her finished, I don't have much left to do.)

Gwen said...

Hi Ellen,
Love reading your blog.I would love to take part in the contest.

Gwen

stitchkat said...

Congratulations on your 100th post, Ellen! You do a wonderful job with the blog. I check 3 blogs daily: yours, NeedlePrint's, and Thistle Threads (LOVE that jacket!). I check others regularly, but you're part of the cream!

Katherine

Laurie in Iowa said...

Hi Ellen,

I've enjoyed reading your blog. Thanks for sharing all this wonderful needlework with us, your loyal readers. Please enter my name in your contest.

Patricia Lessell said...

Hi Ellen

I love reading your blog and don't leave comments often but I always read it. As you know I LOVE LOVE LOVE your designs and your stitching. You sure are speedy with the old needle. Lots of Love Patti xxx

Lelia said...

Congratulations on your 100th post -- I enjoy your blog & designs. Thx for the chance to win some of your charts : )

leliaevelyn (at) gmail (dot) com

mainely stitching said...

Oh my, how exciting!! You certainly reached 100 posts fast (or so it seems) - keep up the wonderful job! :D I'd love to be entered in your drawing, please.

Myrna said...

Congratulations on you 100 posts!! I would love to be entered into your drawing. Thank you so much.

Fran in Indiana said...

Congratulations on your 100th post, Ellen! I don't read many blogs, but yours is an exception.

Please enter my name in the drawing for one of your great charts.

Fran Russell
pdinger1 (at) yahoo (dot) com

Cathy said...

Happy 100th blog post! That's great! Oh I would love to have a chance at winning this wonderful giveaway. I'm getting back into cross stitching after a 25 year break (doing other sewing) and my pattern collection is rather sparse.

Cathy ♥

Egater said...

Congratulations on 100th blog post and I hope that you first giveaway will go well
Pleas put my name on hat :)
egateris at gmail dot com

Anonymous said...

Always a joy to see what you are working on. What a nice milestone and thank you for the chance to enter your contest.

marexstitch@ yahoo

Ellen said...

I love samplers and Quaker designs. Love your designs and blog. Congrats on your 100th post! Please include my name in your giveaway.

Hugs,

Diana said...

Congratulations on your 100th post. I'm glad you started blogging. I really enjoy reading it and seeing the finished designs. Please include me in your drawing.
diana.h@comcast.net

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Oh how wonderful...I'd love to enter your giveaway! Congratulations on 100 posts!

Blessings,
Spencer

Barbara J said...

Congratulations on your 100th post ... time flies when you're having fun? Please add my name to the giveaway hat. Thanks so much.

Marilyn said...

Congrats on your 100th post!
Love your designs.
thanks!
Marilyn

Julie said...

Congrats on your 100th post. I would love to enter my name in your drawing. Thank you so much for the chance! I just love your designs!

Julie

jsteinbarger at cox.net

Barb said...

Your blog is a wealth of information. I also subscribe to your newsletter. Thank you for giving so much to the needlework community!

I would love to be entered in your drawing!

Barb

Kristen said...

Congratulations on 100 posts!

Anonymous said...

I have thoroughly enjoyed your blog! Here's to seeing 100 more posts!

Michele B. said...

I am new to your work and am so glad I found you! Haven't tried a sampler yet but your pictures make it so tempting. I'd love to help celebrate your 100th post - please enter me in your contest. Thank you so much! Michele mstitches@comcast.net

Robin S said...

Love your blog! Love that you share your stitching in addition to showcasing how people have used and finished your designs. Your quakers are absolutely lovely! Your mention of Deborah Walker had me rummaging through my stash to find the chart. It is a beauty! Can't wait to see 'in progress' photos.

Jeanie said...

Congrats on your 100th post ! I would love a chance in your drawing. Please include me . Thank you !

Debbie said...

congrats.... please enter me

Jocelyn said...

Congratulations on 100 posts. Please enter me in your fun giveaway.

Ellen said...

I'm still getting requests to be entered for the give-away. I'm sorry to disappoint anyone, but the drawing took place early on Sunday. The winners are listed in my post on Sunday, October 11th.