Wednesday, February 29, 2012

What a relief it is....

I'm moving along very nicely with Hannah Lancaster.   I had a terrible time counting on the girl's face and dress bodice, but thankfully the vine border met up perfectly on my first try.  What a relief it is!


As you can see, I've outlined girl's dress, but haven't filled it in yet. I thought the fill-in work would be something perfect to do at a guild stitch-in. I only need one color of thread, and filling in an area certainly requires no counting (or thinking).

I love the bit of whimsy in old samplers. Just look at the size of this girl in relation to the house! Who do you think this girl represents? Perhaps Hannah herself? So often when children draw pictures of their families, the child who makes the picture is the largest one there. And who do you think the little man in front of the door of the house is?



Here's a close-up of the girl's face. I must admit it's kind of scary-looking. Look at those eyebrows! Don't you just want to give them a trim or take her to the beauty parlor for a waxing?

I also love the scene under her dress.  Look at the tiny dog and bird!  So much fun!  And look at the girl's feet with those blue shoes!  Perhaps she is dancing with delight.


As I stitched the bird and the little dog, it reminded me of an incident that happened when my son Stephen was a few years old. We were in church, and I felt the skirt of my dress moving. (This is back when full skirts were popular.) Imagine my surprise to find Stephen standing under my dress! Children! We never know what they will do, do we?

I hope you're enjoying your leap day!  Just watch out for those frogs!

18 comments:

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

Hannah is beutiful in spite of her eyebrows! Love it and am so happy your border met up like it was supposed to. That's always a good thing.

Laurie in Iowa said...

It's such a wonderful feeling when the border meets up... almost as good a feeling as when you finish a sampler. Hannah looks fantastic.

Margaret said...

Beautiful progress! Yes, I thought the girl's face was a bit scary too. lol! Glad your border met up -- always a relief!

Angie Burrett said...

One of the best bits is when the border actually meets perfectly - such a sense of acvhievement! I love it when the figures and the houses are totally out of proportion - the sampler looks wonderful, well done!

Krista said...

Hannah is looking so pretty! In the pic, it looks like the dress is done with her wearing an apron :) And how cute the blue shoes dancing.

Nancy said...

So wonderful when the border meets up! Hannah is looking great!

Vickie said...

ooooooo! Look at that cute little doggie and birdie! Love them!

woolwoman said...

I have always loved this sampler Ellen - your Hannah is looking wonderful - glad your border met up - that is always a good thing to be sure. Hope you are enjoying your "extra" day - it's a gorgeous day here in NE FL. Wish you were here - hugs Mel

Mary said...

Ellen, I love the detailing on your Hannah, especially on that healthy girl! Getting the borders to match up means you can now sigh with relief.

Elizabeth said...

I agree, the eyebrows are a bit much but I love the details. And I actually like how big the girl is because the dresses can be fun to stitch. It looks beautiful and will definitely have to go on my wish-list.

Deb said...

It looks wonderful Ellen. I think that you've inspired me to get mine out and start working on it!!

samplerlover said...

Hannah is a lovely sampler isn't she. The girl always reminded me of somebody from Goofy's friend Pete's family lol. Must be the eye brows lol.

Isn't it a wonderful feeling when the border meets up. I always have a sigh of relief when this happens.

Robin at The Primitive Hutch said...

Beautiful!!!
It's always such a relief when everything lines up ~ nothing worse than having to rip it out!
Prim Blessings
Robin

marjo said...

So pretty. I love the girl on that sampler, she does look as if she were dancing for joy. beautiful work as always.

Barb said...

Hannah is just lovely. It is always such a relief when a border meets where it should.

Mouse said...

ooo well done on the border meeting up ... have to agree she needs a wee eye brow trim ...lol and love her dancing shoes .... looks like she has been let out early from school and is enjoying her freedom :) love mouse xxxxx

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Beautiful stitching !
bisous bisous

Patricia Lessell said...

I love Hannah in spite of her face. And your border met up!!! didn't expect anything less from you. You are a wonderful stitcher. I haven't stitched anything in almost 2 years but I'm starting again and back on blog reading too. Sorry I've been missing for so long.
Lots of Love
Patti xxx