More Eye Candy from Down Under!!

Thanks for your interest in our trip "Down Under".  It was truly a wonderful trip--we took over 1900 photos!  (Yes, over 1900 photos!)  The scenery was breathtaking! Over the next few weeks I plan to show you some of our highlights from New Zealand and Australia.  Today I'll focus on needlework-related items.

In my previous post I forgot to show you the wonderful gifts that Clare made me.  She had these and a lovely note waiting for me at Heirlooms.  I'm just sorry that I didn't get to meet her in person.  On the left is a darling needlework case, and on the right is a needlework storage roll.  (A storage roll is a wonderful way to store your needlework when you're not working on it.)

Below is a view of the inside of the needlework case with its felt needlepages, a drawstring bag, and pockets.  I've opened the storage roll so you can see the inside.  I should have put a stitched piece on it to show you how the roll works.  (You'll just have to use your imagination.)  Place your needlework on top of the inside panel and roll it, in this case from right to left.  Once it is rolled up with your needlework inside, tie the ribbons as shown in the photo above.

Here's another view.  Isn't it cool that the needlework case and the needlework storage roll coordinate?

Thank you VERY much, Clare, for your very thoughtful gifts.  I'll think of you whenever I use them.

When I discovered that my hotel in Sydney wasn't too far from Julie's shop, The Crewel Gobelin, and that I would have an evening free, I contacted her about visiting. The Crewel Gobelin has been in business for 29 years!  Julie, who had owned the shop for two years, is the third owner.

Below are a few views of the shop and the open house Julie had.

This is Julie.  Behind her, you can get a glimpse of some of the many linens she carries.

With My Needle Examplar

Quaker Needlework Treasures

Eliza's Pyn Pillow (a complimentary design) and Petite Carnet d'Ouvrages, Livre I (cover only)

one of the Quaker Samplings

Julie told me that Gill F. stitched many of the shop models shown in the photos above.  Gill worked in the shop for about 12 of the 16 years Margaret Fisher owned the shop before Jule bought it. Gill is now working on my newest reproduction, Elizabeth Wood 1822.  I'm hoping she'll send me a photo once she has finished it.

It was so much fun to visit Julie's shop and to meet some of her customers!  I was particularly excited to meet Sandra M. because we've corresponded for a few years. Sandra and her friend Karen drove more than two hours to be at the shop that evening.

After the open house, we went to Julie's for dinner with her family.  Gill and her husband also joined us.  Yummy!  Gill brought a delicious Pavlova that she had made for our desert.  There are strawberries and passion fruit are on top.  Thanks, Gill.  (I want to get your recipe!)

Thank you, Julie, for your very warm hospitality, both at your shop and in your home.  Also, thank you to those who stopped by the shop to meet me.

Lots of Eye Candy from Members of SGR

Here are photos of some of the wonderful projects stitched by members of the Sampler Guild of the Rockies.

First is Jen showing off her Friends in Stitches Sewing Case.  Jen took this class a few years ago with the Lake Michigan Sampler Guild when she lived in Chicago.

Next is Joanna with her completed A Needleworker's Sampler Huswif.  Joanna took this class several years ago while living in Michigan.

Next is Patti with her Paradise Lost.  Last week Patti posted a photo of her project on Facebook and got lots of inquiries from stitchers looking for the design, which is one of my early ones.  Yes, it is still available.  Just ask your LNS to contact me to get a copy.

And here is Patti with Eliza's Pinpillow.  This is a complimentary design that can be found on my website.

And here is Joanna again, this time with her Agnes Scott, a Scottish reproduction sampler.  Joanna added her own name left of the house.

And here she is with her Ackworth Friendship Book.

This is the carrying bag Joanna made for her book.  The  package this product has charts and directions for assemblying the book and also atemplate and assembly directions for the bag.

Valerie also brought her Ackworth Friendship Book for me to see.

And here is Leigh with her Ackworth Friendship Book.  I stitched my model using only one thread color, but Leigh used several different thread and linen colors for her beautiful book.



Here is Loni with Quaker Sampling I.  I first met Loni years ago at one of the needlework tradeshows.  She has since closed her shop.

Here is Theresa with her A Most Noble Pursuit.  This was a collaboration sampler between ten designers.  Theresa chose to stitch eight of the ten blocks for her version.  Candy Scott, who is one of the two designers for The Workbasket, was at the Sunday meeting, so I asked her if she would be in the photo also.  The Workbasket's design is in the upper left corner, and mine is in the upper right.

Jean, Nancy, and Janice surprised their friend Sandy by stitching A Petite Sampling Etui for her.  This was a collaboration project I did with three other designers.  What a thrill it must have been for Sandy to receive such a wonderful gift from her friends.

Here are photos of a pincushion Joyce made using some of my Quaker designs.  Look at the cute beaded edge she added.

Two of the ladies who were in the Long May She Wave class on Thursday bought their pieces Sunday so we could see the wonderful progress they've made.  Both were nearly finished with the stitching.  I bet we'll soon be seeing photos of their completed sewing cases.

Here is Mary.

And here is Janet.  Her friends say she gets so much stitching done because she always seems to have a needle in her hand.

Thank you to all who brought such wonderful projects for Show and Tell.  I think there will soon be more photos posted at the Sampler Guild of the Rockies website, so check it out.

And then, all too soon, the retreat was over.  Before parting ways, we took one final photo.  Here I am with Judy, the guild president, and Kathy, the guild's program chairperson.

Thanks, everyone, for making my Sampler Guild of the Rockies visit such a memorable one!

Seeing Blue with Faye

Faye R., who lives in North Carolina, stitched a lovely version of Quaker Sampling II.  She used 35-count Straw linen from Weeks Dye Works and Blue Lagoon Belle Soie  thread from Crescent Colours.  What a nice combination of colors!

Faye told me she especially  likes the floral motif in the photo on the right.  She also told me that she often pulls out a motif  from a design and makes something extra such as a scissors weight, needlebook, or other small needlework treasure.  I'm looking forward to seeing what she creates, aren't you?  I think the floral motif she likes would look wonderful on the front of a needlebook, don't you?

Faye wrote, I just love stitching up your beautifully crafted charts. They are always so easy to follow and your directions are very clear. I consider your chart packs to be one of the best layed out in the business..... Soon I hope to begin "Quaker Sampling III"...(it is sitting patiently in my basket....) And, who knows, perhaps I will buy "An Emblem of Love..." to do one day as well!

Thanks, Faye, for the photos of your needlework and your very kind words.  You have certainly warmed my heart.  We try very hard to create designs that you will enjoy and directions that will add to your pleasure.

Jenny's Quaker Sampling I (and Texas bound!)

Today's photo is of Jenny Moore's Quaker Sampling I. Jenny stitched her sampler on Lakeside Linens 32-count Light Examplar linen with The Gentle Arts Currant thread. Isn't that a wonderful combination? Your sampler (and framing) look terrific, Jenny!

Jenny wrote, The picture does not due the piece justice whatsoever. Really LOVE the way it stitched up! And I have the colors for the next two picked out already. All I need is more fabric and time!Jenny, I'm very excited to visit you on Monday when I'm in your area. It will be terrific to meet you and see your shop. Perhaps I can take some photos for my blog.

Things are very busy around here with getting ready to leave for San Antonio in a few days. I'll be teaching two classes for a private group on Saturday and Sunday and then spend a few extra days in the area.

On Monday morning, I'm going to Jenny's shop, The Stitcher's Hideaway. Then on Tuesday, I'll head north to Spring to visit Pam at her shop, 3 Stitches. Pam will be hosting an open house from 4:30-6:30pm. If you're in the vicinity either of these days, I hope you'll stop by so that I can have a chance to meet you. I'm planning on bringing previews of my three newest projects.

I know it will be a great trip with the classes, seeing old friends, visiting some shops, and enjoying Tex-Mex food and Texas barbecue. I haven't checked out the Texas weather--I think I'm scared. I was in the area last July, and I remember well the very hot temperatures. I wonder if it will be any different this year. Regardless of the weather, I know it will be a wonderful trip!

I had a follow-up eye doctor appointment yesterday. The good news is that the pressure in my right eye is now back to normal, but my long distance vision in that eye is not where it should be. So instead of only two more weeks using eye drops, I’ll be on them for at least five more weeks. I go back to the eye doctor in five weeks, and hopefully by then my long distance vision will be okay. If not, I’ll have to have another procedure (a very simple one I’m told) and get more eye drops.

I’m anxious to get this behind me since I can’t get my glasses for mid-range and close-up work until my eyes have stabilized. I’m so used to taking stitching with me when I travel, that I’m not sure what I’ll do. Hopefully a new pair of drug store eye glasses can help me. I certainly hope so--I’m very frustrated!! As fellow needleworkers, I’m sure you can understand my frustration.

Quaker Sampling I and II by Tommye!

Tommye B. of North Carolina has stitched both Quaker Sampling I and II!

The first photo is of Quaker Sampling I which she stitched for her dear friend, Karen. Tommye stitched her sampler on 40-count Navy Bean linen from Lakeside Linens using Waterlilies silk thread. She stitched it two years ago and can't remember which thread color she used. Although the photo is a bit blurry, I think you'll agree her color choice is wonderful.

Then Tommye stitched Quaker Sampling II for herself. She stitched this sampler also on 40-count Navy Bean linen and used Midnight Waterlilies silk thread.

I asked Tommye if she would share something about her special friendship with Karen. This is what she wrote:

Karen was in a stitch group in my needlework shop in Marietta, GA in the 90's. It started as a Just Nan class. At the end of the third session, another friend said, "What will we do next Thursday night? My husband is used to me being gone now." And our stitch group was born.

After a few years people started moving away. Karen took a job in Arizona in the mid-90’s and even though we haven't seen each other in years, we still feel like next door neighbors. Mainly because we have such a shared passion for needlework. Karen stitched models for my shop. The first one was a dolphin on 14 count navy Aida. She had never stitched on linen. Now she stitches models for Essamplaire, The Silver Lining, and various shops.

Her stitching is so perfect, I used to hesitate (for about 30 seconds) to stitch for her, but I realize she rarely stitches for herself. And stitchers, more than anyone else, appreciate the love and time that goes into a stitched gift. I've often said that if the recipient of the gift doesn't understand what went into choosing the pattern and colors, the time, and the effort in a gift, then they can't possibly understand the value and sentiment of the gift.

I still stitch a birthday gift every year for three friends in that group. Karen is one of them, and they stitch for me. As much as I love the things they stitch, I love the fact that they still want to do it more.

Isn't it fun to see the various color variations stitchers have chosen for these two samplers? All are so wonderful!

Thanks, Tommye, for sharing photos of your lovely work and also of your special friendship with Karen. I'm sure she was greatly touched by your kind gift and that it is a constant reminder of your special friendship.

Quaker Sampling I by Becky

I recently ran across photos of Becky S.'s Quaker Sampling I posted on her blog, and I asked her if she would send me photos to show you. (Thanks, Becky.) Becky stitched her sampler in 2007.

Becky wrote, I was so inspired by this sampler when I first saw it. I did not see a stitched model of it but was so taken with the cover model on the chart itself that I knew I had to stitch it. It's just one of those designs you love instantly, without needing to see the "real" thing stitched up before purchasing.

I LOVE all things red, so I decided to use DMC 115 floss and 36ct. Flax. I love the way it stitched up and the overall look of the sampler, the colors, the motifs the frame I chose, it just all came together perfectly. I have enjoyed and DO enjoy and own MANY, MANY of your designs. Thank you, Ellen for such a gorgeous design and for your talents in the stitching world.

Becky's sampler before being framed

framed and ready to be hung on the wall

a close-up of the frame

Becky is from South Carolina and is known on the internet as "BeckySC". Perhaps you have seen some of her beautiful needlework. She is particularly fond of "smalls".

Thanks, Becky, for allowing me to share your lovely work. The red thread you chose is wonderful. The first photo nicely shows those color variations, and your frame beautifully complements your sampler. I hope you are enjoying having this sampler hanging in your home.

An Emblem of Love and Quaker Samplings I and II by Lori

Lori Davey from Victoria, British Columbia has stitched An Emblem of Love and Quaker Samplings I and II! It look like Lori is partial to blue, like I am.

Lori stitched An Emblem Of Love on 36-count Light Examplar linen from Lakeside Linens & Designs using Brethren Blue Sampler Thread from The Gentle Art.

She stitched Quaker Sampling I and II using 36-count Maple Syrup linen and Milady's Teal thread from Crescent Colours. Thanks, Lori, for sharing photos of your lovely work. I hope you've found some special places to hang your samplers.

California classes and Darla's Quaker Samplings I

I am pleased with the way my two classes went on Saturday and Sunday. It was also nice to see old friends and meet new ones.

Several ladies took class photos, and I hope to have a couple to share with you soon. Meanwhile here is one photo taken at the Sunday class, Call of the Sea, at Needlepoints, Ltd. in Garden Grove, California.

A few days before I left on my trip, Darla, who was in Sunday's class, sent me a photo of her finished Quaker Samplings I. She stitched it over one linen thread on 25-count Mushroom Lugana linen with DMC 3863. Darla brought her piece to class so that I could see it in person. The photo doesn't begin to do justice to her beautiful sampler.

On the flight here, I decided to stitch on Mary Wigham. It took me nearly half the trip to come up with a system that would work since I now need magnification when I stitch. I have one of those mini clip magnifiers/lights for travel. Sometimes I clip it to my clothing, but that didn't work well on the trip. I discovered if I sit next to a window on the plane, I can clip the magnifier to the bottom of the window shade. I don't know why it took me so long to figure that out, but I am now ready for the trip home.

Remember the photo of my case with the fish bodkins in the plastic bag so they could easily go through security? Well sure enough, at the Cincinnati airport, I could see the puzzled screeners looking at them. I guess I've educated two more screeners as to what bodkins are.

Southern California along the coast is absolutely beautiful this time of the year with cool temperatures and beautiful flowers and flowering trees. Here are some photos of some of the beautiful flowers and trees.