SAMPLER EXCHANGE

This is the piece I stitched for a Sampler Exchange, the challenge was to stitch a sampler that included the alphabet and at least 5 specialty stitches, and was between 4-6 inches in size.
I stitch this on 40 count permin linen, and used Jane Van Kuelin's wonderful hand dyed threads.
To finish, I mounted at on the front cover of a needlebook, using cotton print of William Morris' Honeysuckle design as the background fabric.
It went to The Netherlands and I have just learnt of its safe arrival.
Unfortunatly my earlier exchange of a Christmas ornament has been 5 weeks in the mail, so it looks like I will need to stitch another one.

STITCHING WESSEX

I will add some Wessex patterns with charts over the next week as I have friends in England keen to see these and I hope others might enjoy stitching this work too
These are the samples from a Wessex Mystery sampler I designs about 10 years . Mrs Foster who created Wessex Stitchery used a variety of threads and colours in her stitching.

This pattern is taken from one of Mrs Foster's samplers that is shown in the book "Making Samplers" pg 113 If you are able to study the book you will see although she has stitched it in blue, more than one shade of the colour has been used as have different thicknesses of threads. I am sure she would have enjoyed all the varigated threads we have today.

Mrs Foster named this stitch Steepholm and the illustration above comes from an old Embroidery magazine. It is a favoutite stitch of mine.

Stitch it in stages, Lay and couch the outline threads first,

then Rice Stitch with additional straight stitches

lastly lay threads across and couch with up right cross stitches and an eyelet in the centre.

BIG CELEBRATIONS

Yesterday afternoon we went to the Official opening of the Regional Embroidery Exhibition " ALONG THE GARDEN PATH"   My junior embroiderers group did well taking five awards. 1st in each of the three Junior sections, a third and a special merit award for their group piece.
 As a Grandmother  my special thrill was Caitlin winning her section with her sampler " Butterfly Summer"

 Joan took this lovely photo of Caitlin beside her piece.  Also this one of three generations together.

Rachel on the left, then myself , Caitlin and daughter Jan.

 It was a double celebration as both Grand daughter and Grandmother took awards in the same exhibition. as " Roses for Rachel " also won first in its section.

FINISHED

Here is Caitlin putting in the last stitch on her sampler "Butterfly Summer".  The sampler now has all the stitching finished and  measures 10cm x 35cm.  It will be mounted as a bell pull with a brass hanger at the top and a tassel at the bottom.
 I will post a photo at a later date when it is mounted.
 It took an extra day to complete, unfortunatly I did not get as much stitched as I had hoped for, so I am still on the same border.

STITCH -A-LONG UPDATE

22 rows and 20 different stitches, Caitlin now has just the top and bottom parts of her sampler to go.
I am making slow progress, have nealy finished the band I have been working on.
We are settling in by the fire for another days stitching.

STITCH-A-LONG

12 year old Grand daughter, Caitlin and I are have a stitch-a-long for the next two days. we are both working on samplers and our deadlines to finish are coming close.
" Butterfly Summer" is Caitlin's sampler and she had designed it herself.
Here is her progress at this stage we will show what she gets done in the two days later.
I can't show my sampler. " Stitches for my Sister" as it is Joan's birthday present but promise to show it once she has been given it.

AND WHAT THE POST MAN BROUGHT TO ME

I have received the most exciting packet in the mail from Australia, my stitch group's challenge was to make a pin keeper on the theme of the alphabet.  Esther has stitched one for me on 40 count permin linen and stitched over 1 thread with one strand of DMC cotton.  It is truly exquisite, a real treasure, unfortunatly the photo does not show how neatly it was put together, and the quote on the back is- What is this life if so full of care, we have no time to stand and stare.