Sarah Bottomley sampler WIP

Hello all,

I picked up another WIP to try and finish. I don't even know why I got distracted from this one and went to another. I guess my creativity and interest in the sampler had diminished at the time.

Now, going through my stash I'm inspired to continue to work on it. I think I started this one about 5 years ago.

Sarah Bottomley

designer The Scarlett Letter

colors and linen are in the kit from The Scarlet Letter

Most of the colors are basic. Brown, tan, cream, olive green.

The chart pack states that the finished size of the sampler design is 8 and 1/2 in x 12 and 1/2 in.

 Just thought you would like to see what I'm up to in the stitching world!

Right now I have limited time for stitching as we are busy with finishing up remodeling. It's looking REALLY good; however, our backs and joints are pretty sore from it all. ;)

I will say..................it definitely helped me with my general goal for 2014 to simplify because I have cleaned out closets, bathrooms cabinets, and many other things and realized how much I had duplicates of and things that expired.

With that being said, it's looking a whole lot better and pics to come of the changes.

Back to the closet cleaning......................

Jennifer

The Scarlett Letter Sampler Finished and Framed

This week I finished up the Antique Alphabet Sampler by The Scarlett Letter. I enjoyed the color and variety of the silks that were in the package.

 So one more WIP completed from my stash!

 

 

The measurements the sampler called for did not turn out to be the ones on linen but it's all good!

 

 

 

 

The Antique Alphabet Sampler

designer, The Scarlett Letter

 

25 count unbleached linen

silk thread supplied in kit

stitched 1 over 1 as directions in kit

 

I framed this myself with hubbie's help as well. This frame I had in my stash, found once in a junkin' store and contained a very old black and white photo of a young man dressed in late 18th century clothing. He was quite dapper! It was not until I peeled the paper off and removed the old wire they had for hanging that I saw a name and date.

 

There are slightly rusty nails that held the picture in. I actually used them again to hold in the sampler on a board piece.

 

The frame has one ding in it and also 2 of the joints are not tightly flush but this is what you get with vintage frames and to me it adds character.

I often wonder when I find such items, who the person was, was he a local or did the framed picture migrate from estate auctions to the junkin' store from states away?

I had the picture but misplaced it and I'm sure it's somewhere in my stitching space.

 

 

The rest of the frame has been well preserved. If this young man, who appeared to be no older than 25 years old, was truly born and died in the years written, the frame would date to be mid 18th century.

 I paid 2.00 for the frame. I'm glad I can repurpose this with a small sampler.

 

Something right off that also told me later this frame was old was the odd dimensions. It is not a true to size 5 x 7 but more like 4 3/4 x 6 3/8.

I know that frames can be made to fit certain pieces individually but there was quite a bit of space around him in the picture.

All in all, I like the walnut wood and will treasure it on my sampler wall in the family room.

 

 

I have one from the Scarlett Letter on the far left bottom that is actually part 1 of a two part sampler. I already have the matching frame for the second sampler and had started it long ago. When I complete this one, I will need to rearrange my sampler wall in this room a bit.

 

 

This is the next WIP in my stash I picked up. The NPI silks are gorgeous for this coverlet piece. This one is designed by The Scarlett HOUSE........a different designer than above.

I miss counted 2 threads off to start the head of the bird so I am frogging out back to the neck and restarting, hoping to get the count right. Just 2 threads off would have put it off in appearance.

 

 

This one when finished will most likely be framed very similarly as above in the picture.

 

 

Abbie is finally getting some peaceful time.

 

 This week has been a real chaotic time but we can see the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank heavens for homeowners insurance but OMG at the deductible and at such a bad time... (really when is a good time LOL)

The pipe that burst is cleaned all up. The hammers and machines that sound like jets have ceased, just for a little bit. The new flooring for the kitchen will be on order tomorrow but will take a week to come in. This project has propelled my sweet hubbie and I to be able to do some re arranging in the house for our needs and more practical.

The kitchen island although very useful 10 years ago with teenagers at the time, now is going to the utility room in the basement for storage of linens, quilts, and the big counter top for folding.

The wood table that really was an eye sore in the basement will be repurposed with a little oil based painting and cutting down the legs to a picnic area outside looking over the mountains on the property. My DH will build benches for it.

The kitchen will have a large braid rug with our table for cozy eating for 2, 4 or 8 actually.

And on and on with re-establishing our home to fit our basic needs.

 

I think all in all it will be more functional. The guest bedrooms will be also rearranged for better function. We also will have some painting to do maybe in the kitchen cupboards.

 

Feathering the nest is quite a job but as long as love is in the home, it's worth every bit and we feel so blessed to have a home.

 

Hope your weekend is a good one.

 

Jennifer

 

 

Color Therapy and Sampler Making/Life

Color

Color therapy is definitely a useful tool in many situations, whether child or adult, happy or sad, whatever the case. Sometimes we don't even think about all the colors we are exposed to each day, which ones we love the most and why, and some scientific reasons behind exposures to cheerful colors. I found this link on one of my favorite websites for PTSD--Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. If you click below you will find a physician's explanation for the use of the color wheel.

http://www.giftfromwithin.org/html/FAQ-Frank-Ochberg-Color-Wheel-of-Positive-Emotion.html


If you or a loved one has PTSD, first do not be ashamed. It's not something you choose for yourself. There is much help as well. Gift From Within is probably one of THE best scientifically based websites for PTSD and has many, many short webcasts with this physician who has dedicated his life to the specialty. Also, are webcasts on specific PTSD issues with veterans. You might want to check this site out because most likely you will cross paths, knowingly or not, with a friend or family member with this issue. Trust me, the person will frequently not tell someone, because of the stigma, the shame, and the prejudice that comes with it. A counselor is your friend and can really help.

Some myths about PTSD are :

1) it always effects men (absolutely can effect man or woman, child or adult. In fact, more women and children are susceptible to it)

2) it always effects military soldiers (can also affect childhood sexual abuse, rape, domestic violence, etc.)

3) jobs will not be prejudiced about it (they will)

4) there is no cure for it (depends on the diagnosis and the length of time before access to treatment, and the person themselves, not always forever and those they do have chronic and are treated, recognize their triggers and have many resources to cope)

5) no one can help ( not true. Anyone can be a positive healthy person or friend for someone with PTSD IF they choose to)

6) people with PTSD are crazy (not true. Please see Gift From Within for biochemical and environmental issues with PTSD)

7) People with PTSD are not loveable. (not true. In fact, they are probably the most sensitive people and loving you can ever meet when you extend trust in a friendship)

8) family members with PTSD should be excluded from family ( a family can choose this but does not help the person with PTSD nor does it help the family unit. For a family not to even try to understand it in this day and time of resources like Gift from Within is unimaginable. If someone is triggered and you do not feel comfortable with this, you can remove yourself but cutting someone off the family is not a healthy way to deal with it although it is often chosen because it's the easiest way)

9) all military men that return from Afghanistan twice, have PTSD. (this actually was told in an interview of a friend who did not have PTSD but had been to war twice) first this is legally wrong to discriminate and second NOT all people who serve our country get PTSD. Society needs educating.

10) a person with PTSD should tell everyone about it. (this is a variable decision based on each person's circumstances. If you choose to tell, be ready for friends/family's to conveniently leave the relationship as they are not confident in themselves or choose the easy way out to not be your friend. Because of the stigma attached to it, people with PTSD sometimes do not; however, I've seen educators who have the disorder incorporate it in their introductions in a positive manner. So there is not a right or wrong but be prepared for people judging you, or even hating you for it. And on rare occasions, it may even help a family member understand you much better and strengthens the relationship.

When I cross stitch or knit, the colorway of the threads or yarn, can greatly be cheerful. The sampler I am working on from The Scarlett Letter is very simple, changing silk colors frequently.

It finally dawned on me through this that there is a pattern to the mixed colors in the sampler.

The colors of the letters go Blue Red Gold Pink . If you look at the color wheel and see how the colors in the sampler could be interpreted, the sampler (red stitching) is surrounded by love. I think this is why I love redwork so much!

 

I love these Kelmscott little scissors that come in all colors as well. I picked up a pair of blue ones in my collection to work on the sampler. Blue is so cheerful.

 

 

 

The colors are cheerful and remind me of the color wheel. Positive thinking.

 

I hope to be done pretty soon on this one. At the homestead in the past week, we have had some major things that have not given me much time at all for stitching. We had a pipe burst and effects 3 rooms and luckily we have insurance but the chaos of moving all the stuff around and calling adjustors and such and working in between has been time-consuming.

 

Through out all this a ray of sunshine is in the distance when we get through. We will have a new kitchen floor and bathroom floor, opportunity to remove the large island and maybe paint the cabinets, make use of some space upstairs better, and most of all, forced me to really clean out the things I don't use anymore, therefore cutting down clutter.

 

So all in all above the loud fans going, it's expedited me de-cluttering for my yearly goal to simplify my life. I've turned a desk that was not used into a vanity for myself and it's SO very nice to sit and do makeup/hair versus standing in a bathroom.

 

When we get done, we will share pics but I do believe this will be further out in time. We have a lot to do. But in between I did just set some time to stitch and when I finish this little sampler I will have a little sense of accomplishment with one thing!!! 

 

I do appreciate all your comments and personal emails. I hope you understand that if I don't respond right now in a timely manner it's not because I do not want to be friends with you. It's a temporary set back we are dealing with in the homestead and a new job taking up a lot of my time. I dearly love all of you that take part of your day to read things I like to share and do read each and every comment.

Thank you again for your hanging in there!!!!  I know it's time for a freebie sampler and I hope soon to get my designing hat on to do this for you.

 

I hope all mothers, both children and furbaby mothers, had a GREAT Mother's Day yesterday. I worked for most of it but was given a beautiful rose at work (PINK!!!).

 

Till later,

 

Jennifer

 

The Scarlett Letter sampler progress!

Hello my friends!

 

It seems to have been way too long to write and post but I've had some good changes in my life in the professional arena and therefore, a little busy with getting into the swing of a new routine. Life is good!  God looks out for me in many ways, well, all ways and in doing so in the past few months has changed my career direction into the same field, but actually a much more positive and brighter environment. I can't believe I've been in the nursing field for almost 30 years now! The beautiful thing about choosing this career is 1) the ability to make a difference in others lives in many positive healing ways, 2) changing niches and tweaking to build on experiences and 3) the options are limitless in choosing a focus.

 

Throughout my career, there has been one thing I remembered from a former mentor in the 90's. She told me these words of wisdom:  the only constant in life is change.

These words ring true to me every single day. The ability to embrace change and channel the experiences into a positive, moving-forward stance is what makes the difference. I can truly say that it makes a world of difference working in a more positive environment. I still balance my career part-time and am at peace in this stage of my career in the direction it is taking. God is good!

 

Thank you for hanging in there with me for the past couple of months as I was balancing new changes. I do appreciate you taking time out of your day for a visit here.

 

On a stitching note, last weekend I took the entire Sunday afternoon to snuggle with my hubbie as we found a marathon episode series on one of the channels of the PBS stations. Of course Downton Abbey, the last season that just finished, was on for 5 hours and we were thrilled to go back and see some of the past season's episodes again!  While I was watching Downton Abbey afternoon, I picked up The Scarlett Letter sampler below and here is my progress. I am loving the silk threads that came with the kit.

 

The Antique Alphabet Sampler

 

 

 

This is a smaller simple sampler that I referenced in a couple of posts ago that I wanted to do to get my cross stitching mojo on go again. I've had this chart pack for several years in my stash and had bought it on Ebay, included the chart, the silk threads, and the fabric. The cover picture of course and the actual threads look a bit different but I think the designer did a great job at reproducing this little sampler.

 

The sampler is stitched with one thread because it is silk, per instructions. If the cottons were used, I would have used 2 threads over 2.

 

Although the front of the package reads that this is 25 count linen, it really looks mores like 28 or 30 to me. I love their unbleached linen that is included in the kits because it is just more stiff feeling and easier to stitch on.

 

 

Again, a very simple sampler, but colorful and fun to stitch. This is one of the older ones as the copyright date on it is 1982.

 

 

 

Although this could be stitched in a monochromatic, or one color thread, manner, I like the different colors scattered about in the alphabet. I can only imagine a very young girl who had to stitch with the precious amounts of her silks that she had on hand to make this beautiful colorful blend.

 

 

I hope to finish this soon and frame in a darker maple frame, adding to one of my sampler walls in the keeping room. Then, what will be next?????  hmmmmmm............just have to wait and see!

 

 

I hope each of you have a restful night, surrounded by those you love,

 

Jennifer

Twisted Tuesday---Learning New Things

Hello dear readers!

 

The last two posts can show you how I'm playing trying to learn more about You Tube. I've learned so much about just anything I need by searching topics in the past couple of years. For example, I learned to knit many kinds of stitches on You Tube, found free patterns, reviewed women's health issues, cooking, anti-aging, yoga lessons, beauty reviews and sampler-making.

 

Of course, Miss Abbie was my first one to make as she is the sweetest soul! We love her so much and she brings us so much joy. Today, I've been trying to learn more on adding annotations, music, and other topics. So you may see some You Tubes I've added or better yet, become a subscriber and you will be notified of a new video. I would love to learn how to do some vlogs in the future.

Just click here for the channel:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCp7gLb1bndySuLgG53x3GqQ/feed?view_as=public

 

I will still blog as well but wanted to add something of interest a bit new.

 

  Spring is here and Easter is coming up very soon. Although we have had some beautiful sunshiny, warm days last week, this week we have had rain and MUCH cooler today. Tonight's low in the mountains is to be 35 degrees. Brr..........

 

When I finished up my last scarf, I thought...............this IS the time I will pick up some cross stitching.  I'm just in the mood for a good WIP I could find in my stash, which are many!

 

 

 

I believe picking this Scarlett Letter sampler up again is my mission. I really need a jump start on my cross stitching mojo. I love these colors! So watch ahead soon for this piece and progress.  It's simple and colorful and oh so colonial.

 

I hope you are having a great week. Seems to be flying by to me.

 

Thank you again for all your comments. They mean a lot to me.

 

 

We all start out as a tiny seed and in the right conditions, reach for the sunlight and grow.

Reach out for the Sun.

 

Wishing you sunshine today,

 

Jennifer

Saturday Baths and Saturday Samplers

One of the many projects/samplers/etc. I am working on is to finish 12 Washcloths for the upstairs bath!

I found a free pattern, actually many free patterns unlike the ones I did for the Etsy shop, this was is corrugated.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/corrugated-cloth

Click above for the pattern.

I picked Bernat cotton with a Joannes' 50% off coupon one day and the colors are Cloves, Avocado, and Indigo.  These are fun to make anyways and easy to pick and put down when busy. I'm almost done with one Indigo one.  11 more to go~!

On the cross stitching front, as I was cleaning out some stash and moving it to the studio, I saw this project, brand new and had it for at least 3 years from The Scarlett Letter. I got this actually on ebay and the copyright of the sampler is 1982. I am not able to find it on their website any longer. Someone wanted to know.

But, I opened it up and started this simple sampler! The floss is silk and one strand is used. 25 ct unbleached linen  of which I like and off I go. This antique sampler will go in the family room at the homestead.

The Antique Alphabet Sampler by The Scarlett Letter

 

 



 

 

 

 

The colors in the pic look different than the floss they supplied; however, I still love them.

 I also have a couple I need to work on of my own designs. This little sampler was irresistable though to stitch. The Scarlett Letter reproduction antique samplers are probably one of the most favorite.

I hope this finds you safe, happy, and needles in hand!

Jennifer