Breaking My Own Rule

I told you it would happen. I'm just surprised I lasted this long. The Moroccan sampler is resting for a little while. I'd love to keep working on it, but it's time to start this year's edition of the Mother's Day miniature.
 
Several years ago I stitched a miniature sampler by Nancy Sturgeon of  Threads Thru Time for my mom. She was so delighted that it's become a tradition. (Some of you may remember the duplication fiasco a couple of years ago.)

This year I chose the Yellow Rose Sampler. Each sampler is approximately 1 1/2" x 2" on 40 silk gauze. The colors are the exact ones called for in the chart, but as you can tell, the cover photo is not a true representation of those colors...thank goodness. I was prepared to change them and was pleasantly surprised when I pulled them out.
If you have never stitched on silk gauze it may sound intimidating, but the holes are actually easier to see than fabric. It's more like canvas than fabric. And you work it in tent stitch, which looks like a half stitch on the front. You can tape the gauze to a piece of mat board with an opening big enough to contain the entire design to work it. Or sew it to a piece of fabric as I did and cut away the fabric over the design area so that it can be put in Q Snaps. Since the gauze tends to loosen up in whatever frame you choose, the Q Snap works a little better for me because it's easier to tighten up as you go along.

 
Hopefully, I'll have this baby whipped out by next weekend! 

Tweet

Quaker Hornbook Noir is Really Finished

It took me a little longer to finish than I anticipated, but there was a lot of stuff going on this week. "Quaker Hornbook Noir" by A Mon Ami Pierre is in the finish column! I said that the first time last night to my husband and then I started proofing it.  Oops, left out a letter. A few minutes later, "okay, now it's finished...oh, wait".  That border motif on the left wasn't quite done. "that's it!".  But no, I hadn't signed or dated it yet. Finally, twenty minutes after the initial "Woohoo", it was really done.

So he says to me "Do you have the next project ready to start?".  You'd think after 28 years of marriage, he wouldn't have to ask such a dumb question.

Tweet

What do I do all day?

Well, I feel like I've really neglected my blog lately and I'm not sure why.  Actually, I've just been so busy doing other stuff that I don't know which way is up.  But that is no excuse.  Maybe it's because I'm just so boring that I can't really think of anything you would care to read.  Even Lester doesn't do anything worthy of a blog post anymore.  I can't even complain about the weather, other than to say we've had a longer cold spell than normal.  I'd post pics of bright sunshine and brown grass, but that isn't nearly as impressive as all your pics of snow covered trees and cars and bird feeders. Don't hate me because I haven't seen even one snowflake!

During the day, I'm occupied with Etsy business mostly.  Who knew this would turn into an almost full-time job?  I have a significant amount on-line promoting to do every day. Thankfully, there are orders to pack up and ship several times a week, and all the associated bookkeeping. Not to mention the actual creating (the fun part), the photographing (ych) and editing for the listings. Yesterday, I sold a number of bookmarks to a local gift shop who also requested more in spring colors. I also have a couple of custom orders in the works.

I also coordinate and frame the Habitat for Humanity samplers that my EGA Alumni group stitches.  We received a new list of soon-to-be homeowners yesterday, so we'll be stitching away on those for a few months too.  It's a small, but great group of ladies who never fail to impress me with their willingness to help out with these samplers.  We don't always have them ready for the actual home dedication, but eventually the homeowners get one that they proudly hang on the wall.  It's so heartwarming to hear how happy these little tokens mean to them.

And even though I stitch every night, I don't feel like I've made much progress.  But here it is. I started Block 4 of SoHRH, but I had to work some more border first in order to have a reference point.  Then, since the verse on Block 4 is done in black I stitched some more border (turn on the left, anal retentive side of your brain) until I had used up all the black floss that I had cut. I know, I'm weird.  Tonight I'll work on the moon. But those borders are time consuming and not very impressive. That's probably why I don't feel like I've accomplished much. I guess I'm in a funk because frankly...I'd rather be stitching!

Tweet

What a Privilege!

Some of you know that one of my part-time jobs is mounting needlework for a local gallery/frame shop.  I learned the skill back around 1990 from the gentleman who did the framing for my first needlework shop.  Then when we moved across the country and I opened a second needlework shop, I decided to do my own framing.  I did so much  I developed carpal tunnel syndrome.  When I retired and was able to do so much more stitching I was able to do my own framing. And for about 3 years I've been mounting all the needlework for Ricky Evans Gallery in Southport, N.C.

Last week they asked me to take a look at an old sampler that a friend had asked them to reframe.  I didn't think much of it until I saw the piece. This is a sampler which is believed to have been stitched in 1852.  I believe it has stayed in the original family all this time.  There is a little piece of tape attached to the bottom of the piece that is faded and cracking. I studied it under a magnifier and I believe it says  "Made in 1852 by Jane L Matis". The year is clear, the name is fairly clear.  It is unclear when the tape was added. 

Unfortunately, I was unable to remove the tape without destroying it, so it will be framed with the piece.  I hope that the family can trace the origins of the sampler.

It is stitched on 30/32 count linen.  By that I mean, it has 30 threads to the inch in one direction and 32 threads/inch in the other direction.  The majority of the piece is cross stitched over two threads with wool.  The verse and the dark bars below the verse are half stitches over one thread, also with wool. 

The sampler was previously mounted (nailed or stapled) to cardboard, and possibly, wood before that.  There are a couple of small tears in the linen and quite a bit of staining.  The edges of the linen, especially on the highly stained left side are somewhat brittle and very fragile.  In order to stabilize the piece and minimize strain on the fabric, I hand stitched it onto a piece of very finely woven linen.  Then I pin mounted it onto acid free foam core with as few pins as possible, again to minimize strain on the fabric.  I did not lace it because, in my opinion, lacing exerts a great deal of stress of the fabric and I do not think this piece would withstand the stress.

I consider it a privilege to have helped preserve this family heirloom. And I am honored to be able to share it with you.

Tweet