1832 Mary Whitlow Sampler Motif

I've been inspired to stitch a little motif from the Mary Whitlow sampler I saw earlier this year . . .

Recently we were fortunate to spend a day in Hobart and while we were there we toured the historic Narryna, a Georgian town house built between 1837 & 1840. Opened to the public in 1957, Narryna is a museum with a wonderful needlework collection including garments, patchworks - such as the little hexagons bed coverlet made in 1830, embroideries such as samplers, Georgian stump work, mid-Victorian Berlin wool work and high-Victorian bead work. 

Also housed at Narryna is the collection of baby's bonnets that inspired Christina Henri's Roses from the Heart project to commemorate the experience of convict women in Australia.

The walls of the Nursery were home to several early samplers, among them a sampler by Mary Whitlow, dated 1832.

 

 

I loved the uncluttered simplicity of this piece . . . the use of only one colour . . . and the (almost) symmetry of it.

It was also wonderful to see the other samplers at Narryna, including one dated 1779. Some of the samplers are in a very fragile state, but beautiful just the same. And you can just imagine the time when they were stitched by young girls learning the art of needlework to stand them in good stead for later in life.

While not wanting to replicate an entire sampler, I've chosen to render my interpretation of one of the motifs on Mary's sampler. Using my trusty 27 count linen, I've stitched one piece into a lavender sachet and the other into a pin cushion.

 

 

 

I enjoyed working on these little projects. Sometimes the inspiration from little things bring as much satisfaction as from the big things. What's inspired you lately?


Pattern: Mary Whitlow Sampler, 1832
Publication: http://www.narryna.com.au/
Fabric: 27 count linen
Threads: DMC 503, 504, (760, 761, 3779), (894, 961, 3832)

Hot. Cross. Stitching.

Inspired by all the Easter stitching goodies I've seen on Pinterest this week, I decided to put thread to needle and do some stitching of my own.

I like the "dusted" look of this little French Knot Bunny. I made a stencil of a rabbit and traced it on to the linen. A quick outline in back stitch and then it was on to the French Knots . . .

Originally I planned to make this in lovely soft pastels, but then I liked the simplicity of the white on natural so much that I just stuck with that.

This is an idea that could be used for all sorts of shapes, letters and words. And with threads or markers - see here for more ideas about that.

And then there's the Cross Stitch Bunny using the Spring Rabbit pattern from The Little Stitcher. This little guy went together pretty quickly. I like the simplicity of this design and was thinking of making it into a little lavender bag. But then I was inspired by Cindy's little fabric weights over at Fluffy Sheep Quilting . . . so it's now my latest pin cushion, filled with silica sand so it's nice and substantial to do double duty as a fabric weight!

I don't usually do much in the way of decorating for Easter . . . but the rabbit designs seem to have caught my imagination this year. What Easter crafting are you up to?



Pattern: Spring Rabbit
Designer: The Little Stitcher
Publication: http://thelittlestitcher.blogspot.it/
Fabric: 32 count linen
Thread: Cosmo 8040

A Pear for June

When I saw Marly's original Pear Sampler (now Pear Sampler 1) back in the middle of last year, I knew it was a project I wanted to do. So I stitched it up and then did another one of my own design with a number sampler.

Marly's posted patterns for quite a few pear samplers since that first one. While most of them really appeal to me, I haven't quite gotten around to stitching any others . . . but her pattern for June really grabbed me! So out came the needle, threads and fabric . . .

Once I'd finished stitching I decided I didn't really need another "ornamental" pear, and instead appliqued it onto a journal cover.

While it was . . . nice . . . it seemed . . . hmm . . . not quite right.

So I unpicked the applique and did what I should have done in the first place - I made it up into a "pear". And I'm really glad I did, because I'm so happy with how it's turned out!

I've filled the pear with a mix of fibre fill (at the top around the stalk) and then crushed walnut shells and silica sand. This gives it a nice, heavy, substantial feeling, which I really like. Now I've got the bug again, the big question is . . . which one will I stitch next???



Pattern: Pear X
Designer: Marly - Samplers and Santas
Publication: http://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com.au/p/pears.html
Fabric: 27 count linen
Threads: DMC 3041, 3042, 611, 3023, 3053, 3820

Diamond Jubilee Stitching . . .

Finished ... Diamond Jubilee cross stitch.

I've never really thought of myself as particularly being a royalist. Although being a teenager in the era of Lady Di certainly piqued my interest in the royals. And how could you not be drawn in by William and Kate's wedding last year?

But I must say I've been captivated by the Queen's Diamond Jubilee. I mean, how many people celebrate 60 years in one job? So while browsing the internet on Diamond Jubilee-related matters I came across this pattern by Nia . . .

I knew I wanted to stitch it, but I wasn't sure what to do with it once it was done. Well, since I've accumulated a few magazines about the royal family, why not make a bag to keep them in? ("Another bag???" asks my husband with an air of disbelief!!! At least this one has a purpose . . .)

I've used some wonderful felted wool fabric for the outer bag. And a cute little spot for the lining and handle (goes nicely with the spots in the letters, I think).

This pattern used some silk threads which, while I didn't love using them, look really rich when they are done - they have a lovely sheen. And a few metallic threads too. After all, what else would you use for a crown? And I really like the cute bunting . . . and the little Union Jack . . .

I'm really pleased that this piece is stitched up and will be useful - not just another unfinished project languishing in the cupboard. Happy Jubilee QEII . . .


Pattern: Diamond Jubilee
Designer: Nia Rhind
Publication: http://www.nia-crossstitch.com/

A Pair of Pears

I really did enjoy stitching the cute little alphabet sampler . . . so much so, that I just had to chart up and stitch a numbers sampler to match!

I've used another variegated thread, this time a Cosmo "Seasons" thread. I really love the brown, blue, green combination of this one.

And the felted woven wool is just a pleasure to work with. If you haven't worked with this before, and you get the chance, you really should - it's quick and easy . . . and it looks great. In fact, I think it looks so good, you could easily make up a batch of these pears in just the wool, front and back.

Filled with the silica sand, these pears are nice and heavy. Great for pincushions or paperweights. Or just looking pretty!


Pattern: Pear Alphabet Sampler
Designer: Samplers and Santas
Publication: http://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com.au/
Fabric: 27 count linen, overdyed, Four Ewes Hand dyed felted woven wool
Thread: Cosmo "Seasons" 8050

What A Pear

As soon as I saw the sample of this on the Samplers and Santas blog I knew that I wanted to stitch it.

And now I have.

And I love it!

I haven't used traditional pear colours, but I can live with that. It's only little - about 5 1/2" to the top of the stalk. But it's got a bit of substance to it from the silica sand filling.

This project's got all the elements I'm loving at the moment . .

Vintage.

Cross stitch.

Variegated thread.

Felted woven wool.

Heavy pincushion.

Now all it's missing is a mate . . . a numbers sampler pear-haps???




Pattern: Pear Alphabet Sampler
Designer: Samplers and Santas
Publication: http://samplers-and-santas.blogspot.com.au
Fabric: 27 count linen, overdyed, Four Ewes Hand dyed felted woven wool
Thread: Weeks Dye Works, Holiday Collection, 4105, Noel

Hot...Cross...Stitches

 

Or is that hot...cross...buns? Well, there were some of those, too. But I've also taken advantage of the beautiful days over this Easter break to do a little cross stitching . . .

This trio of rabbits is perfect for a little lavender-filled satchet . . . a cute little chocolate substite for a diabetic. I've used some vintage ribbon and the lavender was grown and dried by a friend.

Pattern: Easter Bunnies
Designer: Alexandrina
Publication: http://matryoshkabiscornue.blogspot.com.au/
Fabric: 28 count Even Weave Linen
Thread: Anchor 1360
Size: 4 3/8" x 2 3/8"

And this is a colour combination I've been wanting to use for a while . . . nice rich buttercup thread on a french blue linen. I'm not sure quite what I want to do with this now that it's done, but I really like it. Not just the colours, but also the whimsical childhood feel that it has. I think I'll be working with this combination again.

Pattern: Pasqua
Designer: Luli
Publication: http://ioluli.blogspot.com.au/
Fabric: 32 count Belfast Linen, French Blue/Spruce
Thread: DMC 676
Size: 8 1/2" x 1 3/4"

It's not too soon for Christmas

I decided it was time to finish off some bits and pieces that have been hanging around . . .

Finish reading a magazine and order another one in digital format - the green alternative, and it frees up space in my house.

Finish having my cup of tea (while reading the magazine).

Finish a couple of Christmas cross stitch ornaments, ready to hang up at the end of the year!

The (red) blackwork angel has been finished for a while.

The Snowman is one that I had previously made for a friend and liked it so much I thought I'd do one for myself. When it was all stitched, it lent itself more to an oval than a circle, so oval it is.

And "Joy" is a finish from last year's Stitching On the Lake day.

I suspect I might make some more Christmas decorations before the end of the year. I had an idea about hanging them in a large frame - a bit artsy, rather than on the tree. That's what I'm thinking now. Let's see what happens at Christmas!

The only thing with these decorations is the finishing. These are all trimmed with DMC, twisted to make a little cord, then stitched over the seams. A hanging loop at the top and a knot or bead at the bottom and the thread "combed" out into the tassel. I like them . . . but . . . if anyone's got an idea for something a little fancier, I'd love to hear.


Pattern: Blackwork Angel
Designer: Fiona - Peaceful Threads By Fiona
Publication: http://peacefulthreads.blogspot.com/
Fabric - Aida,18 count
Thread - DMC 221 - 1 thread

Pattern: Joy
Designer: Fiona - Peaceful Threads By Fiona
Publication: http://peacefulthreads.blogspot.com/
Fabric - Aida, 14 count
Thread - DMC

Pattern: Snowman's Quaker Christmas
Designer: Midnight Stitching
Fabric - Linen, 27 count
Threads - DMC 4045, 4124, 4210, Blanc Neige, Coates 7403 - 1 thread

I Retreated.

I stitched.

And I loved it!

I was fortunate to spend a weekend recently at the Stitching at the Water's Edge stitching retreat hosted by Kim and her wonderful team from the Jukejema Quilting Barn (Carol was fantastic and Kim's mum, Marg stitched a special gift for EVERY stitcher's gift bag).

The guest tutors for the weekend were Anni Downs, Janelle Wind and Natalie Ross. All three of these really talented ladies had created special projects for the weekend. Their displays were very inspiring and, best of all, they were very generous teachers - sharing their skills, ideas and lots of fun and laughter. I didn't take too many photos over the weekend, so you can see more here, here, here, here, here and here.

Anni, Janelle, Kim and Natalie

Sylvia was my traveling companion for the weekend and with all the chatting that went on, the trip was over in a flash! (Thanks for the pics, Sylvia.) I also got to share the weekend with these wonderful ladies - Fiona, Karen, Asta, Shirley, Colleen and Shiree (Colleen and Shiree had travelled all the way from New Zealand to attend). Thank you all for being such great stitching buddies! 

L to R (back) Sylvia, Karen, Shirley, Sue, Fiona (front) Shiree, Anni and Colleen

It was great to meet some fellow bloggers in real life - Sandy, who did some amazing work (loved your scarf, Sandy) and Kate, who was a powerhouse of productivity on the weekend (and showed some wonderful quilts at show and tell - Jack's quilt was my pick on the night).
  

L to R: Sylvia, Sandy, Kate, Shiree, Fiona and Me

With so many lovely projects it was a tough decision of what I would work on. I decided to start with Anni's little felted wool bag. This has a naive style appliqué on the pocket. It was fun to make. And I got it finished!

I had some time left, so I decided to make one of Janelle's fabric flowers. The centre is a covered button with the little cross stitch I did back in April (while watching the royal wedding). I think this will become a journal wrap (future project in the making).

I so enjoyed spending time with like-minded ladies - it really lifted my spirits and gladdened my heart.  Thank you all so much for the fun, the company and the inspiration.

Vintage 1986

I have a bit of a thing for Blackbird Designs patterns.

I love the vintage-ness.

I love the sentimentality.

When I saw this pattern, I knew right away that I wanted to do it.

But who would I choose to remember with it?

Well I chose us!

1986 is the year we were married. I modified the pattern to add our initials and a heart. I chose the colour to remember the apricot theme we wanted to have at our wedding (rather than the pink we ended up having, due to influences stronger than our own!).

This pincushion was lined with calico and filled with silica sand. Another sturdy pincushion and serious paperweight!


Pattern: Vintage Pincushion
Designer: Blackbird Designs
Publication: Joyeux Noel http://blackbird-designs.blogspot.com/
Fabric: 32 Count Belfast Linen, "Mushroom"
Thread: Simply Shaker Sampler Threads, "Fragrant Cloves" 7026
Size: 8" x 3 1/2"

Right Royal Stitching

We spent a very "royal" evening . . . in front of the TV - along with the other 2 billion viewers - watching "the" royal wedding last night - having our own little wedding party. While the boys watched with us under sufferance, Kelly got into the spirit of things, glamming up for the occasion, complete with tiara!



We enjoyed tea . . .



and scones with jam and cream.




And in keeping with the Englishness of the evening, and since weddings mean hearts, I stitched this little Union Jack heart from the Cross Stitcher magazine.



What a lovely couple. I thought the bride looked beautiful. I loved the elegant look of her dress, which looked like it could have come from another era. I thought the bridesmaid was very elegant and regal as well. The groom and best man scrubbed up alright, too. And, from a quilter's perspective, I loved the tiled floor of Westminster Abbey . . . here's a link, if you're interested.


Pattern: Union Jack Heart
Designer: Lucie Heaton
Publication: Cross Stitcher Magazine - Issue 236

Cross Stitch Finishes

This little (red) blackwork Angel is from the Stitching By The Lake day hosted by Sylvia and Fiona last year. I've had the stitching done for a while and now I've made it into a hanging ornament / pin keeper.


And this little Snowman is a gift for a friend . . .



I enjoyed putting these two together . . . choosing the backing fabrics . . . twisting the cord . . . and finishing a project (even if they are little ones). Sometimes the sense of achievement in finishing the little things can be just the motivation you need to keep going with the bigger projects.


Pattern: Blackwork Angel
Designer: Fiona - Peaceful Threads By Fiona
Publication: http://peacefulthreads.blogspot.com/
Fabric - Aida,18 count
Thread - DMC 221 - 1 thread

Pattern: Snowman's Quaker Christmas
Designer: Midnight Stitching
Fabric - Linen, 27 count
Threads - DMC 4045, 4124, 4210, Blanc Neige, Coates 7403 - 2 threads

Cross Stitch Table Cloth

Talking of (almost vintage), back in Year 10, we had a major project that we worked on all year in Needlework. I can't remember now if we had to do a table cloth or if it could be some other stitchery item, but this is what I did.

It's a 25 count linen. The stitching is 20" square and the overall cloth is 51" square. I don't know where I got the pattern from or any other specifics of the designs, but the four scenes represent . . .

England


Ireland


Scotland


and Wales.


It was all counted thread work, including the zig zag border


and the hem.


I've only used the cloth a couple of times. But the other day I decided to use it while we enjoyed a lovely afternoon tea. After all, what's the point of having these things if not to use them? Why save things "for best". I mean, if my family and I aren't "for best", then what is?

The one that went astray . . .

This is a little heart that I made for a friend for Christmas, but it seems it went astray in the mail . . .


But if life is really about the journey and not the destination, then I guess having made the heart is the main thing!

I made a heart, as my friend has a "heart thing" going on. And I wanted to try my hand at tiny little cross stitches, so I worked this on quite a fine linen using a single strand of DMC thread. My Luxo magnifying lamp was my best friend while stitching this!

So, while the little heart didn't make its intended destination, I hope the good thoughts I had for my friend while stitching traveled across the miles. Anyway, there's always next Christmas . . .


Pattern: One of the hearts from the European Cushion Cover
Designer: Agnes Delage-Calvet, Anne Sohier-Fournel
Publication: Made In France - Cross Stitch and Embroidery in Red, White and Blue

A Spot of Shopping . . . and Owls

We took a little drive to do a bit of antique shopping . . . we didn't come home with much, but had a lovely day out just the same.


What I did bring home are these gorgeous threads to do a little cross stitch. I love the colours of the Simply Shaker Sampler Threads . . . and I love the names of them - "Fragrant Cloves", "Shutter Green", "Cranberry". How can you go wrong?


And then, at the last stop of the day I picked up this little doiley. It's sandwich tray size. And it looked so cheery to me in the red stitching. I may use it for its intended purpose, or it may make its way into a project down the track. Who knows?


And if you have a thing for owls, and you haven't organised a calendar for this year (or even if you have), this site has the cutest little owl calendar that you can create yourself and print out. The artwork is wonderful. This is the one I made for myself . . .