Saturday, May 10, 2014

Samplers Galore!

A couple of weeks ago I picked up Ann Hair (The Scarlet Letter) from my framer.  I am so glad that I persevered with this sampler.  It took much longer than I had imagined, probably due to all the over-one stitching. Plus you may remember that I ripped out all of the grass at the bottom and restitched it.  I love the final result!


You can see details of this sampler on some of my previous blog posts by typing "Ann Hair" in the search engine in the sidebar on the left side of this page.

Bringing home a new sampler always presents a dilemma as to where it should be hung because my walls are very full.  (I think there are 27 samplers in my family room alone.)  I wanted to be able to see Ann when I stitch, so I decided to hang her over the sofa.  This meant that I had to rearrange some of the samplers on that wall to make a place for her.  Ann got a prime spot, even if it meant moving another large sampler to my upstairs hallway.

Below is a new photo of the sampler wall where Ann now hangs..  You may recognize some of the other samplers from previous blog posts, but others have previously been elsewhere in the house.


While Tom was photographing this wall, I asked him to take a photo of another sampler wall in our family room.  This narrow wall is to the left of where I sit to stitch.



Dutch Beauty is so large that it sits on our fireplace mantel.


When I picked up Ann Hair from my framer, I dropped off another one to be framed.  I've debated showing it to you because the chart has long been out of print.  I've decided to show it to you anyway.  I just ask that you not write me about getting the chart from me.

Sovine Palphryman (Handwork Samplers) was one of the samplers that I took with me to Florida in February when we were down there following my father-in-law's surgery.  I had pulled all the silk threads before leaving home.  However, I ran into a predicament when I started stitching her, because I discovered that the colors appeared to be quite a bit different than those on the antique.  (The orgininal Sovine Palphryman sampler was part of the Whitman Sampler Collection at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  I don't know if the museum still owns the sampler or not.)   There wasn't a shop in town with the threads I needed, so I packed Sovine away until I got home and could go through all my threads.

Anyway, here is Sovine.  The main color is more coral than shows up in this photo.


This week I've been fine-tuning the designs for my new teaching project, Kindred Spirits.  In the wee hours of the morning, I've been working on my Snooty Parrots sampler.  Since I last showed it to you, I have completed the upper case alphabet and numerals, and added the two large parrots and house.


I think I'll be putting the sampler away for a bit as I stitch on my new teaching model.

I was excited yesterday to receive a new sampler book, Needlework Samplers Wrought by Tradition. This book shows samplers that were part of the recent sampler exhibit at Pilgrim Hall in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  I would have loved to have seen the samplers in person, but alas that wasn't to be.  I think as soon as I finish writing this blog post that I'll make a cup of tea and sit down with my new book.  It looks wonderful!  (If you're interested in the book, you can order it on-line at the Pilgrim Hall website.)
  


I'm very excited that tomorrow I'll be spending Mother's Day with both of my children and their families.  It was been around 20 years since we've all been together for Mother's Day.  I can think of no better gift than to spend time with them.

I hope you are having a great weekend and are able to find some time to stitch, even if it is only for a few moments.

13 comments:

Melissa said...

Ellen, what a treat it is to see all your beautiful samplers!

It sounds like your Mother's Day will be extra special this year! Have fun!

Cathy B said...

What a wonderful treat to see your sampler walls! Happy Mother's Day to you!

Barb said...

Your sampler walls are such an inspiration. You have done so much beautiful work! Have a wonderful Mother's Day.

Unknown said...

It's a 'feast for the eyes' on your blog too Ellen, a feast of samplers, loving seeing all your samplers and remembering I have a kitted up Ann Hair in my vast to do stash & a pattern for Dutch Beauty, so many samplers and only so much time...Rae

BrendaS said...

Ellen -
You have stitched some beautiful samplers. Thanks for sharing them with us!

Have a nice Mother's Day!

matematicaecucina said...

i sampler sono stupendi, complimenti!!!

Margaret said...

What a lovely treat to see all your beautiful finishes and your wip and your sampler walls! Gorgeous! I am so happy that you get to spend Mother's Day with the whole family all together. What a great day you will have together! Happy Mother's Day! Enjoy!

Nancy Collins said...

Thank you for sharing your sampler walls! You have done so many beautiful pieces, and your handiwork is so perfectly done. How lovely to enjoy needlework and have so many beautiful finishes to show for your time.
Happy Mother's Day!

Melissa said...

WOAH! What a wall of beautiful samplers! I can I say "stitchers dream"? May have been a challenge to find a spot but I LOVE Ann.

Congrats :)

woolwoman said...

fabulous post Ellen - so wonderful to see two walls in your collection. Can't wait to hear more about the new teaching piece. I was able to put a few more stitches in Snooty last night and finished up the strawberry row - yes I am woefully behind but still hanging in there and enjoying it. Hope your day with the kids and grands was wonderful - Mel

Jeanne said...

Wow Ellen, what great samplers to add to your already-awesome walls! Congratulations. One thing that is on my list for my someday next house is a less-open floor plan. Our big great room has very little wall space having build=t-in cabinets, a fireplace, and walls of windows. It's nice but I need more room for the ever-growing collection of finishes LOL.

Catching up on your previous posts I see an old friend - your Marquoir Mystery sampler! I saved off a photo of your sampler years ago when you finished it and still have it. I think yours was the best of all the finishes that I ever saw from this series of patterns. I still have it all kitted up with fabric and floss - how sad is that?! Can't believe it's been this many years already!

Faye said...

I continue to be amazed at all you do!! The sampler wall is just phenomenal.... I look and marvel at your collection~ I love the latest framing and can't wait to see more.... I would love to take a tour of your beautiful home some day~

geeky Heather said...

Wow, Ellen, there just aren't enough words!! Your walls are a treasure trove! I am very lucky that Teresa and Jill brought me back a copy of the Plimoth sampler book!