American Samplers

Greetings to all on a very dreary Ohio February day.  I think Ohio is famous for dreary Februarys.   I probably should not complain, as we are going to miss the second midwest blizzard.

I thought I would share with you one of my most prized possessions... an original 1921 copy of Bolton and Coe's American Samplers.  Although it has a library stamp, this is the first edition published by the Colonial Dames of Massachusetts.  Those of you who are sampler lovers will know how much I treasure this book.

About 20 years ago, long before the advent of searching online for old books,  I was walking by the used book store in town, on my birthday, no less, and there is was in the front window for $15.00!  I think I had heart palpitations while I rushed inside to buy it!   The cover was in wonderful condition until my darling kittens tore at the paper photo...needless to say, I no longer have it on display.

I have another 1973 hardback copy that I use for reference and to read, as the old copy has all the original papers protecting the photos.

Hugs to all,
Melinda

Christmas Sampler Progress and Manifesto ready to go

Greetings on Sunday afternoon to all,
It is dreary here today, but I certainly can't complain about that after seeing the massive amounts of snow in New England!  My dear late husband was from Portland, Maine, where I see they had 30 inches...

First, I start with more progress on Scarlet Letter's Christmas Sampler, which I am stitching as part of  Nicola's http://scarletletteryear.blogspot.com/   I can see the end in site.  This will be my first finish for this group, as I did not have any WIP's that I could finish.  I don't usually have any UFO's, as I either finish them if I like them, if not, I just quit!   I am loving working on this sampler.  As you can see, I am jumping around as to avoid having tons of background filling in to do all at once.

Here are two samplers recently framed, the first is God Bless Queen Charlotte, I don't remember the designer (sorry) and the second is an oldie from R & R.  These were stitched years ago.   Both have been aged and framed to take into town and maybe try and sell.  It seems that people around here who buy samplers want them aged to look like antiques, although my initials and year are on them so they can never be passed off as the real thing.

Have you ever ordered from http://www.wyndhamneedleworks.com/  ?  I have ordered from Lydia for years, and I see she is now converting to a non-profit to benefit a no-kill animal shelter.  I think that is a wonderful thing, and plan on ordering exclusively from there.  Anything I can do for homeless animals...

Here is a picture of Oliver.  Little Charlotte (the calico) is very shy and is late to the game in discovering that she loves Oliver (you remember I have posted pictures of the other kittens loving on him).

Lastly, Manifesto is ready to begin.  That sure is one big piece of linen!  I chose 34 legacy for this enormous project.  I stitch with a hoop, and remember how nice and soft legacy was when I used it for Dutch Beauty.  I am going to start in the upper right hand corner as I stitch using a sewing method of right to left.  Dutch Beauty took me four years to complete, and this is about the same size, but filled in completely!  It will take forever, but oh what an accomplishment it will be when completed!

I am also still working on Hannah Lancaster, but don't have any new pictures to share.  I am saving all of my orts in a jar to put out for the birds to pick through for the nests.

Hugs to all,

Melinda