Finished and Framed At Home with Jane Austen sampler

At Home with Jane Austen

designed by The Sampler Girl

WIP in my stash for 3 years!

finished per instructions in packet using Crescent Colors and linen 

I finally put the rest of the stitches in this piece and framed it. The frame is from a clearance at Target. I loved the dark pink border. While the width was not perfect for it, the length certainly was!!!

Here are a few other pics. I could NOT get it without shadows which appear to be wrinkles in it.

Even in this pic I can see myself in the shadow. I decided to leave the glass in. 

This one will go on a sampler wall in one of the guest rooms.

I love the saying.

So, another one bites the dust!  About 40 more WIPS to go!

There is a patriotic one, still in lap frame from 3 years ago...........Battle Hymn of the Republic. I do think it's the time of year to work on finishing that one next.

We are still quite busy with our house hold projects this Summer and putting some new kitchen and bath flooring down. Still waiting for it on order. More on that as time comes.........

Here's hoping you are having a beautiful weekend, staying cool and at peace. ;-)

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

 

 

Saturday Knitting by the Woodstove = Scarf Finish

 

The Foxy Boxy scarf

 

And so I've been knitting all evening yesterday and this morning and now on my last block to knit and then finished. I will block this scarf because in doing so will stretch out 5-7 more inches.

 

Otherwise the homestead is pretty serene. We have been watching HGTV all day and especially back to back episodes of Love it or List It! LOVE those shows.

 

I made this scarf for Mr. Fox but.........he likes to wrap his more and he is much taller so this will be for myself I guess worn around with a heart wooden pin I have, jeans and boots.

 

The pattern is simple, something I totally made up myself and easy:

 

CO 26

Knit 5 rows

Then, row 6

(WS) K5, purl 16, K5

(RS) K all stitches

do this alternating to make the blocked section until 7 garter edge ridges or 14 rows

then K 5 ridges or 10 rows, each row

then, repeat with (WS) K5P16K5

and (RS) K all stitches for 14 rows

then continue to repeat this pattern.

at end, K 5 rows

then BO

 

This created a garter ridge on the edge to keep the scarf from curling with the purling of Stockinette.

This also is a pretty structured unisex design.

 

I used a #  10 interchangeable Chiago Goo metal lace needle with 24 in cord

The yarn was in my stash from last year on a clearance table at my local yarn shop Bumbleberries in Clarkesville, Georgia. I cannot find the tag for info but it was a thicker yarn and washable.

The colors really attracted me because as I thought of my husbands blue teal eyes!

The colorway is just really pretty.

 

I hope this finds you warm and cozy. The woodstove is so relaxing today and the sun actually came out for a little while.

 

Abigail is curled on the sofa watching me finish this up. She has not yet to try to play with this or mess it up and it's been on the sofa for easy pick up and knit. She's been a good girl!

 

I've let this frame sit with the Jane Austen piece unironed and loose behind it for just a glimpse.

I'm going to have to choose a color of fabbie from my stash to sew along the sides. The pink is brighter than I wanted but I think with a light sage green side it will look better.

I am almost thinking of shabby chic-ing this one up. Not really sure.

 

 

Till later..........

Jennifer

Weekly Thrift Finds and Progress on Quaker freebie

Thursday thrifting was fun! I found a new thrift store and one treasure in it. I went to look at junk frames because I needed a 6 x6 or so square frame. I came home with this instead!!!!

 

 

A brand new Sudberry Oak box for 3 bucks. If you order online or buy it's about 45.00.

What a deal!

 

I stained it and it's still wet in this pic but I wanted a more distressed darker wood.

 

 

And boy, what a mess I made in the kitchen with this. I first applied with a rag then when I started using a sponge applicator, it was way too much dripping it everywhere. I burned the corn on the cob in the process as I was cooking supper at the time, BUT, I think it will dry out well and our dinner turned out to be fine.

 

 

Abbie was glad as she got her own grilled salmon, taters, and beans in a chi size serving! :P

 

 

The heavy metal (sounds like music) copper distressed frame was another find at the thrift store.

 

 

I went to a second thrift shop and got this for 3.00. I may try to redo the pattern for this old, old motif.

 

 

 

I found this frame for 3 bucks there of which I plan to take apart and frame the sampler I am working now, Doing Right Quaker freebie by Liberty House Primitives.

 

My progress is here:

 

 

I know it's a slow-goer for me but at least I'm moving forward. :)

 

The above frame will be the one I use and after I take out those lovely cross stiched hearts, I will use that to make a needlebook most likely.

 

 

I got this piece of wool at a local quilt shop. It's a fat quarter. I have in mind to use for some Christmas ornies.

 

Well, Fall is certainly here. The leaves are changing if ever so slightly and the peak should be next weekend here.

The colors are definitely inspiring and the cooler weather is helping me get in the Christmas ornie stitching mode.

 

 

I still have these to read through as well. Historical patterns are very intriguing to me as it seems that the motifs symbolize whatever the stitcher was experiencing at that time or her hopes and dreams.

 

A sampler design certainly is a symbolic story-teller.

 

On the designing front, I'm still working on a Downton Abbey, rather large sampler, that you will like if you are a DA fan like me and Mr. Darcy. We are still catching up on episodes and into the mid of the second season now. We for sure, will be ready for that January 6th new season!!!

 

Happy Saturday and Happy Fall to all,

Jennifer

 

Junkin' and Jumpin'

First I went junkin'.

 

Then I went jumpin'.

 

 

I know it's that time of year for all kinds of things with many legs to appear out here but I literally got wrapped in a HUGE spider web and the spider ran across to the flowers but the web was stretched from the roof, to the table, to the birdfeeder and back to the front of the porch.

 

 

I had my camera outside to take a picture of the sweet sunset this evening but ran into this one that has definitely taken up the porch.

 

 

Oh yeah! Rounding the corner of the porch was "entangling".

 

 

I'm sorry to say it but he is not boarding here at the homestead any longer........

 

 

The day otherwise has been awesome! The sun is out for one!!  And I feel some change ever so slight back to the drier air and hopefully much cooler this weekend I hear.

 

I went junkin' today. I think I've adopted Thursday for junkin' day. I had something in mind I needed in the kitchen but instead found a gallon bag of  38 forks and 40 spoons for 8 bucks. Stainless steel.

 

 

Now I think I have enough for guests!

 

 

I even found a stitching frame for a large project still new in bag and all the hardware looks great......5 bucks.

 

 

and I couldn't resist this little Colonial Williamsburg piece for 3 bucks.

 

 

 

 

saw a sweet, heavy pewter angel frame in a pile for 2.00. I can't wait to stitch a small in this.

 

 

and finally a small bit of progress this morning, early with my coffee before I started the day.....

Battle Hymn of the Republic, by LHN, Lakeside Linen, DMC floss

 

 

I even played with a scrap piece of this Gingham linen I got a very long time ago to do one over one on a freebie by Liberty House Primitives "With God All Things Are Possible".

 

And for a nice evening it is, even with spiders.......I can't wait for the weather to change up this weekend!

 

Till later after I watch the show Hoarders,

 

Jennifer

 

Finished sampler~~ My Everything

Finally finished My Everything sampler by The Sampler Girl. DMC monochromatic in 355. Linen is unknown wool-like multi on natural color......what a description, right?  Well, this was a fun piece to stitch. I really like the stitching around it but when framed you can't see but just the top and bottom of it.

When framed in this frame I had in my stash for years, it almost ---almost fits. Even though it does cut off the letters in a couple of spots close, I believe I'm going to keep it framed in this one.

I've had this frame since 2003. I'm glad I can repurpose it with a sampler. It's Mr. Darcy-approved! :)

Till later,

Jennifer

The Best Framers I've Experienced for my own Stitching finishes

I've mentioned this company in particular before. I do  not have any commission or reasons to gain from this, but because in this economy, I try to save when I can and not diminsh quality, I frame my own stitching.

Ebay has a shop, The Frame Guys, who I've done business with for 3 years and NEVER been disappointed with their service, quality, prices are excellent, and I've even talked on the phone once when the size was wrong with the "guy" and he was so cordial and actually answered the phone without having to leave messages and such. Communication and price is superb.

This morning the mail lady UPS brought the package from a frame I ordered specifically for How  Great Thou Art sampler that I designed 2 weeks ago. It's a small design and will be a quickie to stitch but I got this from in a rustic "Loden/ dark sage" color green, with it has a rustic appeal and freshly finished ( I can still smell the paint when I opened it), I did  another happy dance from the Frame guys!

They package VERY well, so no dings.

After this bubble wrap is removed, they have a fine plastic wrap around the frame.

This is like a dark sage green, rustic

The border is larger and I thought that would compliment the small design. 3 inch border.

glass is included with a hanger as well

the back of it. It's SOLID wood

this one I picked to be knotty pine and rustic. They have thinner moldings and many, many other designs.

A heavy, solid wood frame for a  freebie I put on the blog 2 weeks ago 

How Great Thou Art

designed by Feathers in the Nest

copyright 2011

I just wanted to share this with those who may be trying to save a few pennies and venture into framing your own work.