Thursday, December 5, 2013

The Sampler

Thanks so much for all the kind words about yesterday's post.  A few mentioned the sampler.  There is a bit of a story about it.  When we first moved to Washington, I could not find a LNS plus I was not used to ordering on-line(I have corrected that problem!!!) Anyway, we went up to beautiful Victoria BC and there was a wonderful shop.  So I bought the biggest sampler I could find so I would have months of stitching!!

 Here is the lovely  Rhoda Hastings 1863.


 I probably used the suggested threads and bought them that day.  Since my photo is a bit blurry, I will tell you that the pattern is by Samplers and Such , Rebecca Dorrie.

I especially like the verse.





This is my newest Ebay purchase.  I have loved this for quite a time.  I finally got it at an affordable price! Have a great day!!


Wednesday, December 4, 2013

A Christmas Quilt

I hope this post finds you all well and progressing with your holiday plans! Today I decided to share my Christmas quilt with you.  I took a class a few years ago at the local quilt shop.  The class was designed around the Thimbleberries patterns.  Before I became involved with cross stitching, I was a quilter.  My favorite part was the hand quilting.  I might have mentioned that I will never enter a contest with my stitching.  Part of the reason has to do with the quilting.  I allowed my perfectionist tendencies to get the best of me and I realized that I was not enjoying the quilting anymore.  I was so determined to get 10 stitches to the inch. Anyway, I am determined that my stitching will remain a joy not a chore!! I am showing this quilt not because of my work.  I did all the piecing on my machine.  However an amazing lady did the quilting with a long arm. That is worth sharing!!


I tried to give you a view of the quilt on the bed.  My dear father built this beautiful 4-poster colonial bed for us.

This is the border all around the quilt.  It represents a village, trees and all.


There is a big house right in the center.  She stitched the year, my name , and a wreath on the door.



 Notice the shades and the beautiful pine cone wreath.


 Shutters, shades, and stars!

A candle in the window of this house.


 All the inner borders had these stars.



Do you see the deer eating the grass at the bottom?

 Each package is stitched with it's own design. I think you will agree with me that this lady is a wonderful quilter and she quilts with love.


The other morning I was going downstairs and this is what I saw. I thought it was a great shadow!
Thanks so much for joining me today and I hope everyone is having a good week!