A Mysterious Tiny Stitching Sampler Framed and Birthday Box Goodies

Making a final box of handmades for a special friend's birthday. 

I unfortunately couldn't attend her special 90th party as it was in June when I was having complications after my shoulder surgery. However, she knows I am sending her a gift. And I hope to see her soon when I am able.

 Her daughter and I were very close, like sisters growing up.

We reconnected the week of daddy's funeral and I was so glad we did. I miss the family alot.

Her mother was like a second momma to me growing up. She had all the attributes I would strive for in being a momma. She listened many times on her front porch and we would talk for hours.

She baked the best cakes I've ever eaten in my life. She was just as much a friend with a listening ear after school and at that time I so needed.

She was truthful, gave much needed wisdom throughout my teen years and the nicest ever. Her and her husband had 5 children. The first 4 boys and then a girl.

Her daughter was a bit younger than me but we grew up together like sisters.

I felt so honored to be invited to her 90th birthday party. I was so disappointed I couldn't make the 4 hour drive.

I still am in contact with her daughter again and we just started talking like we never had lost connection. I guess you could say she is one of Kindred Spirits.

I knitted these up at different times.

Today while rambling through my finishes but not yet "finished" in my stitching studio, I found a tiny one over one sampler I made in 2011. I can't remember the designer. Maybe one of you can jog my memory so I can give credit where credit is due.

I wish I also knew the fabric because it's a very pretty muted deep red.

I think it was supposed to be a pin keep because the other side of the pin keep I finished with the year 2011 (when my vision was better) was on the back also finished.

So I got a new frame from my stitching stash that I've had a while. It's about 2 x 3 in and framed it.

I thought it would be sweet to add to her box.

I have a knit scarf for the Fall and Winter, some local Shea butter soaps, 2 of the silk/bamboo facial cloths for the bath, and one all cotton dishcloth for the kitchen.

I tied them with sweet ribbon from my studio.

And added this framed piece I hope she will like.

I thought the frame was perfect. I believe this frame I got from Hobby Lobby for storage for finishes like this.

On the home front

Mr. Darcy and I have had a busy 10 or more days. About 2 weeks ago went to the eye doctor and had pain in my left one with glaucoma and a corneal problem. To make a long story short, I've been through 2 amniotic tissue transplants from 3 donors.

I had to go every day since then to the doctor for them to check it.

The second one placed because the area was not completely healed on Thursday.

This one didn't do well at all. My body I guess rejected it. By Thursday night hubby was calling the eye doc after hours and he drove from his house 2 hours away and met us at the clinic at 9pm. I had the most pain ever and couldn't tolerate any light at all without feeling like having electric shocks. Even sunglasses didn't help. I developed uveitis evidently. He removed the disc but had a hard time. My cornea was swollen and not getting oxygen. To a dark room with dilating drops twice a day for past 3 days until tomorrow. Also oral antibiotics, steroid eye drops (couldn't be helped even though making glaucoma not good), and dilating drops twice a day.

For the last 2 days, following all the medications and steroid drops, it's getting much, much better.

I can see the computer better with UV glasses though.

I'm so not a person to just lie down in a dark room but I had to.

I'm so glad I'm better. I hope tomorrow's visit I can stop dilating my eyes twice a day.

That is the second uveitis flare I've had. It's pretty much an autoimmune reaction. Was told to eliminate anything or anyone stressful 2 weeks ago when this started.

Working on that!

I hope to mail off this box tomorrow and get a good report from the eye doc.

I will probably he said have to go to a corneal specialist in Atlanta again for a check.

I think the worse part is losing vision in my left eye to be legally blind in it.

I'm so thankful I have 2 eyes.

Mr. Darcy has planned a much needed vacay for us soon. Hotel is booked.  He thinks I need a reprieve from alot of things happening at one time in the past year. 

I can't say I don't agree.

Just will make sure I pack a hat, sunglasses and my vitamins for energy!!!!!

I hope you are having a good Sunday and a healthy one.

I'm still listening to audio books all Ann of Green Gables. Audio version came in handy this past week.

To all my kindred spirits,

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

 

 

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

Threads in for Red Rosies Pink Posies sampler!

Well, on Thursday I fell down about 5-6 steps on the hardwood stairs and messed up my bum and my back. I had just got up and can't see real good with glaucoma first thing in the morning so I missed a step midway down. The doctor said it's because the optic nerve pressure is high but most of the time it's well controlled with eye drops.

 This is the first chance I've got to really get some relief after medicines and a very ,very hot shower. Heat is the key right now. I think I will be ok, but rattled up the spine pretty bad.

 

I've been sitting on my side and yesterday listening to books on Kindle. This morning was really hard to get up but like I said later with heat and some TLC, I'm going to be ok.

 

This afternoon, Mr. Darcy went up to the mailbox and my threads came in the mail for this project/sampler set from Belinda designed for donations to her breast cancer awareness 60 mile walk.

I'm using some 28 ct white linen already in my stash.

I'm making the pincushion first and decided to do 1 over 1 which is challenging for me even at 28 ct.

When I start the large sampler, I will be stitching 2 over 2, just for ease of eyesight. I will probably frame it, not sure yet but I know it will be larger. A larger box is another option.
Here's a look-see~~

It is color therapy for my bum and back. (along with heat and TLC)

These scissors I've had for years. I don't know if you remember when I had a couple that I sold. I kept a pair and thought them fitting for this purpose.

You can see the finished pincushion in the pictures. I will have to say that Blue Ribbon Designs (Belinda) has THE best detailed patterns I've ever seen from a designer. I love the way she writes a detailed finishing instructions, small and enlarged portions of the big sampler in the middle, including 17 pages. I also like the fact that I could help her in her goal for her 60 mile walk (of which she started today I believe)

 

The color Emma's Pink was darker than I had imagined in the pictures online but I still love it.

Just to show you my illuminated magnifying glasses I've had for about 2 years now. I got them on a trip to Alexandria to In Stitches. They have come in handy for times like snuggling on the couch with Mr. Darcy while stitching. Abbie barks at me when I wear them.

 

So I can truly say this has lifted my spirits today I just love color. Any color threads or yarn is good for the soul.

 

We just finished watching the amazing Georgia vs. Auburn football game. I never liked football in my life until my DH came into my life and with his patience, he has answered all those questions I had about the plays, the game, scoring and now we look forward to watching games together. :)

 

We thought GA was going to win alllllllllllmost to the end when a guy knocked the ball out to intercept and the other team just caught it and made a touchdown. Man! The excitement. We screamed so much at the TV to very end pulling for GA until my throat is sore!!! :P

 

I hope you had a great Saturday and enjoying lots of color too,

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

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

 

A House and Home sampler

 Today I designed House and Home sampler.

 

This morning was such a great, lazy, cool morning in which sipping of peach tea and designing were on my agenda while the fresh breeze of Fall air from the North Georgia mountains blew in a peaceful spirit.

There is just something about Saturday mornings in which inspiration flows much better. It's probably because of the relaxation that Saturday morning brings, to sleep in, to get that extra rest and inspiration from the quiet.

 

Home has always been important to me. Never perfect but always something since I was a wee girl to have when I grew up as a woman.

 

Through all the ups and downs, one constant that never changes is my desire to have a peaceful home, one in which is not just a building but whatever size, a place of reprieve from the brash world and busy life.

 

I've admired through the years many with large homes and wondered, as I rode by them in deep thought, if they were really homes; as homes are only made of hope, love, and trust. And of course, how fortunate the blessings to have both!

 

There have been years in my life that I had only hopes and dreams for a real home, although blessed with a house in which I put my heart into. There were things missing for peace to flourish and love to grow. No matter how much nesting, cooking, or decorating my house, unfortunately there were times when it was just a house. But love has now made it a home.

 

I'm thankful that in this past year God has opened my eyes to a brighter future He had for me in store which included exactly what I prayed for many years, a home built on love and hope, trust and peace.

 

 “My people have been lost sheep; their shepherds have led them astray and caused them to roam on the mountains. They wandered over mountain and hill and forgot their own resting place.” Jeremiah 50:6 (NIV)

 

I hope I never forget my own resting place which is my home with the one I love and trust. The blessing of making it a home, although humble, is given to me by my Father in Heaven, and for that, I am very thankful to Him. From protection from those who tried to destroy my home, I can't be thankful enough to Him for surviving and rebuilding with love and trust.

He has given me a house AND a home now which is a respite of peace and love, and not fear and restlessness and lies.

 

These are my thoughts today as I offer this to you as a freebie, that as you stitch, you are reminded, along with myself, that a God-centered home is a huge blessing that not all get to experience in their lifetimes.

 

Proverbs 31 Ministries is a favorite website that I love to read and participate in when I can. The website is here:

http://www.proverbs31.org/

 

The daily devotionals are awesome!

 

I hope your house is full of HOME today and always!

 

 

Jennifer

 



New Start of Love One Another--Blackbird Designs

New start of a Blackbird Design sampler out of their For My Friend book that I got while at In Stitches back in March in Alexandria, VA. The fabric 30 count Sheep Straw and the entire sampler is in 6 skeins of Gentle Art Mulberry.

I really like the dark red for this piece and will be happy to get to the motifs. There are instructions for learning new stitches besides the cross stitch and I'm so ready to get to the part.

This is a great book by Blackbird Designs as there are other goodies tucked in for small projects as well.

Next~~~~~ one thing that came in the mail. I looked on Ebay and saw that a dealer was going out of business and selling stash so I got this for a third of the cost and brand new. It is a BAP but I was attracted to the cute litte fox in it.

This is a 19th century reproduction piece. Mansion House at Fox Hollow.

Of late, I have an attraction to anything fox!

Mansion House at Fox Hollow

designer Country Stitches--With Thy Needle and Thread

I also caved and got this pair of scissors for my stash. I've been doing quite well with not getting as much stash this year due to financial restraints but this little pair looks lovely.

Anybody interested in maybe adding a pair to their stash? Is so let me know and I might be putting a pair for a giveaway.

This pair is from The Scarlett Letter website.

I get alot of comments through the past few years how lucky I am to live in such a beautiful area.

I can only agree that as any season here, the mountains are beautful and I truly am blessed.

My Kindle is loaded up with a few more Jane Austen books. I have a great love for Pixel of Ink on FB where daily freebies are posted and most of the time to load onto the Kindle (Gracie).

Another FB Kindle site for freebies is Inspired Reads.

Just a couple of funny ones from the local area. :)

Stay in Stitches!

Jennifer