• Crazy Kids,  New Designs,  Plum Street Antiques,  Stitching

    A Completely False Life Lesson

    May 20, 2014

    A few posts ago, I showed you a sneak peek of an antique I purchased last year after I fell in love with the soft pinks and tawny browns that were used to stitch it. Recently I did a little research on the internet to look for information about Esther Syer, and was only able to come up with a few family tree names and dates. Nevertheless, it was nice to learn these small things about the young stitcher's story, and I've included what I found on the back of the chart.

    As I was thinking about Miss Syer, I imagined her to be a carefree sort of young lady, and decided to have a little fun with presenting her to you. So I wrote a little story and asked Sophie to do an interpretation of it with facial expressions. She obliged, and here is what we came up with…

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    Once upon a time, little Esther Syer was born.
     
    Esther 1 tp
     
    Esther was a very happy child, whose favorite color was pink.
     
    Esther 2 tp
     
    She loved to play and frolick, and always neglected her mending and sewing chores.
     
    Esther 3 tp
     
    This made her mother (whose favorite color was black) very fretful, because she knew that Esther would never gain a suitor if she couldn't mend or sew or be serious. "To catch a man, keep a needle in hand!" she would always say to Esther.
     
    Esther 4 tp
     
    So one day Esther set out to catch a man by stitching a lovely sampler in both her and her mother's favorite colors.
     
    Esther 5 tp
     
    When Esther was eighteen, a man came along, admired her work, and asked to become her suitor. She agreed, and soon afterward, they were married.
     
    Esther 6 tp
     
    And Esther and her man lived happily ever after.
     
    Esther 7 tp

    ****************************************************************************************

     
      Esther Syer 1796 sp tp
     
    No model was stitched for this antique, as I felt the motifs and colors have survived beautifully, despite the sampler being 218 years old. If you choose to stitch it, then a soft, neutral linen will work well for the background. I've listed a few suggestions on the chart, but please use what you like best. The linens I suggested are these:
     
    Lakeside Linens' Vintage Pecan Butter
    R&R Reproductions' Olde Towne Blend
    Weeks Dye Works' Parchment
     
    Esther's antique was stitched on a 32/34 ct. ground with silks. The silks I've chosen are by Needlepoint Inc., and are as follows (with the DMC equivalent in parentheses):
     
    754 (152)
    912 (167)
    998 (310)
    761 (422)
    882 (746)
    692 (3047)
    602 (3727)
     
    The stitch count is 172(w) x 197(h)
     
    The gorgeous frame was done by Sherri Berkman at Total Framing in Fairfax, VA. As always, Sherri is very happy to take any phone orders for any stitching you may have, and trust me when I say she is the most friendly person to work with! (Believe it or not, I never choose my moulding.. I just mail the models to her and ask her to surprise me, and she never disappoints!)
    The number for Total Framing is 703-426-0660, or you can find them on Facebook.
     
    I hope you enjoyed our little story, and that if you do choose to stitch Esther, you would consider sending me your progress photos so I can see what her recreation would look like! I would so love that!
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  • Friends,  Stitching,  Travel

    Dyeing to Stitch

    May 5, 2014

    I was rummaging through some photo archives on my computer last night and came across some pictures I took of the model-packed Dyeing to Stitch shop in Virginia Beach, kept by Ann Robbins and Pat Ryan of R&R Reproductions. They've been in business for 21 years now! If you are ever taking a beach vacation in that area, be sure and stop by.. they would be thrilled to see you! And you'll be thrilled with the inspiration you leave with.

    You've probably seen many of the designs in the pictures below, and keep in mind that they'll be heavy on the autumn side, as they were taken in October of last year. But who doesn't love a little heavy on the autumn side? 🙂

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    Pat's favorite thing to stitch is silk gauze, and the front window is full of these tiny models!

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    Ann and Pat have the most amazing collection of antiques and their reproductions. I just love that Ann collects "Ann samplers!"

    Mary Smithies is one of my favorites.. the stories behind the samplers are wonderful, and it's a joy to listen to Pat and Anne explain what they know of the histories of them. Mary, which is from the Utah Pioneer Museum in Salt Lake, is one that Ann painstakingly stitched the blue lines through, just like the original.

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    DtS tp-11

    Those of you who know me know that I have a slightly intense love for coffee: Starbucks in particular. So of course I'm positively in love with this sampler! Here's a little information on it, as provided by history-buff Pat…

    Sally Starbuck (her family helped establish Nantucket) is the daughter of the second Starbuck brother, Edward. Edward was the real coffee-loving first mate of the whaling ship Essex. Herman Melville visited the Essex and used Edward's name in his novel Moby Dick, and provided a real-life description of him in the book…

    Fast-forward to 1971, and the Starbucks company used this name, borrowed from Melville's novel. Ever notice the coffee company's logo?

    Fast-forward to 2014, and I really need this sampler:

    DtS tp-12

    Of course, the shop is most famous for its delicious hand-dyed linens. They were the first hand-dyed company, dipping their linens in colors that are suited to reproductions and primitives and all sorts of designs, and with inviting names like Espresso and Cappuccino and Olde Towne Blend… so many gorgeous brews to choose from!

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    (I'm not entirely sure why this photo is at this odd angle, but I couldn't leave it out! I love the beach themes so many of the models reflect in this area of the shop.)

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    The Reverend Gourdon Squashbottom by Notforgotten Farms is one chart that I left with that day (all kitted up for me, of course!).. I just couldn't resist him!

    DtS tp-20

    And here's his wee companion, from a Just Cross Stitch magazine…

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    Have you seen all the Beggars from Threadwork Primitives? Nan has such a charming way with these beloved black birds!

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    I really look forward to another trip soon! I keep threatening to crash in on them one day and just be an honorary employee. I think it would be great fun, although if I really were on the payroll, I'd never make a dime; I would, however, have a massive collection of new projects to be started. 😉

    DtS tp-24

     

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  • Plum Street Antiques,  Stitching

    Happy Lovely Pink.

    April 28, 2014

    Pink has always been my favorite color, although, until this year, I've never done a lot of designing with it. I've been in such a mood for spring that it's made me turn temporarily from my usual palette of espresso browns and piney greens and embrace my love of happy, lighter colors.

    I've had this antique for a little while now, and suddenly I want to reproduce it.

    Esther tp

    Miss Syer stitched her sampler in the year 1796, and although the colors have faded a bit, in my opinion it has retained its soft, quiet beauty.

    It's such a feminine sampler, and I can't wait to show it to you. I hope you like it as much as I do!

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  • New Designs,  Stitching

    Coming Soon!

    April 23, 2014

    I've been dreaming of the day the birds would finally return to my area, filling the mornings with their lovely melodies. However, I did not expect that when they did return, they'd begin their birdsong at precisely 3:25 a.m. every single day, beckoning me to join them for the sunrise.

    Nevermind that they're 3 hours early, and at that hour, birdsong sounds a bit more like birdracket.

    Regardless, I've thoroughly enjoyed listening to them, and this next release is dedicated to spring's bright and cheerful return…

    Trellis Blackbirds tp

    Trellis Blackbirds

    Stitch Count: 130w x 121h

    Fabric Used: 35 ct. Lucky Penny by R&R Reproductions

    (This color is a soft aqua color, very much like what weathered copper
    looks like when it turns that lovely shade of green… but this
    design would also look lovely on a nice neutral color, such as
    Light Examplar by Lakeside Linens. Use whatever color you love!)

    Threads Used:
    WEEKS DYE WORKS in Onyx, Baked Apple, Guacamole,
    Charlotte's Pink, Havana, and Seagull.
    GENTLE ART SAMPLER THREADS in Baby Spinach and Pomegranate.
    DMC in 3864.*

    I do not have a DMC conversion available at the moment, but I'll
    do my best to get working on that and post it when I have it.

    *If you are substituting your fabric, you may wish to adjust this particular color to
    something a bit darker in the DMC line.

    ABOUT THE FRAME:
    You can order this gorgeous frame from the lovely Sherri Berkman at
    Total Framing in Virginia. Find Total Framing on Facebook, or visit
    www.totalframing.biz. Thank you, Sherri, for the amazing job you
    always do on my frames!

    The model was stitched by Prudence Goodspeed. Thank you so much, dear friend.

    ******************************************************************************************************

    I hope to have this chart printed up very soon, and off to the shops on my auto by next week! I hope you all are enjoying your spring wherever you are, and may you hear only birdsong in your mornings. 🙂

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  • New Designs,  Stitching

    On Prudence

    April 4, 2014

    I got the model for On Prudence back from Sherri at Total Framing, and immediately sent it off to the printer for a Monday release! I hope you all like it.. I had a lot of fun working with these colors – especially the odd spot of Weeks Dye Works' Sea Foam in the leaves here and there, and The Gentle Art's beautiful Loganberry and Raspberry Frost. As I said in an earlier post, with these gloomy days we've been having, it was a fun color palette to work with!

    Tp op-3

    I love sending things off to Sherri to be framed.. it's always a surprise to see what comes back to me. (Once, she tortured me with a texted photo of my model in-framing-progress, but she cropped out the moulding. Bah, Sherri!!)

    Tp op

    Tp op-2

    The verse was a fun one, and one that can sometimes be found on very old samplers. It reads:

    What's in thy mind let no one know
    Nor to thy friends thy secrets show
    For if thy friends should prove thy foe
    Then all the world thy secrets know.

    (I had to laugh when Katrina said to me, "That's not directed at me, is it?")

    The shops on my auto will have this either by Monday or very early next week, while the distributors will have it shortly thereafter.

    OP tp

    In case you'd like to stitch this sampler, here is the information you'll need to kit it:

    On Prudence

    STITCH COUNT: 303w x 263h

    FABRIC:
    36 ct. Vintage Navy Bean by Lakeside Linens.
    Suggested alternatives: Olde Towne Blend by R&R, or
    any neutral fabric; both cool and warm colors will work
    well with this sampler.

    THREADS:
    Weeks Dye Works in Artichoke (2 skeins suggested), Merlot,
    Sea Foam, Mulberry, Tatanka, Dirt Road, Stepping Stone,
    Sea Gull, and Havana.
    The Gentle Art in Dried Thyme (2 skeins suggested), Linen,
    Wood Trail, Oatmeal, Raspberry Frost, Cinders, and Loganberry.

    IF CONVERTING TO DMC: 154, 3363, 523, 902, 819, 3813,
    3740, 838, 3787, 611, 3861, 3041, 646, 3781, 315, and Ecru.

    STITCHES USED: All cross stitch over 2 threads.

    FRAME INFORMATION:
    Total Framing
    (Sherri Berkman)
    www.totalframing.biz
    703-426-0660

    I hope you all are enjoying the first days of spring, although outside my window, it certainly looks like winter! I suppose I'll have to go find a new color palette to work with . 🙂

    Enjoy your weekend!

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  • Freebie,  Friends

    Zoya and Hawg

    April 1, 2014

    Happy April to you all!

    A couple of years ago, I designed this little chart for my friend Katrina to stitch for her husband, who loves to take his motorcycle out on beautiful summer days. I thought since today was a day for silliness, I'd go ahead and share it here with you all, just in case there are any stitchers out there who like to ride motorcycles themselves, or know someone who does.

    Katrina, have you stitched this yet?

    Well? Have you??   😉

    Please click on the link below the post to print out your chart, and not on the image. 🙂

    Zoya and Hawg Complimentary Chart COLOR

    Download Zoya and Hawg Complimentary Chart PRINTOUT

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  • Family,  Hodgepodge Cottage,  Home

    Old and New and Loved

    March 26, 2014

    I am so touched by some of your emails, inquiring as to my whereabouts lately. I haven't been here at the computer – mostly because I've been tending to the On Prudence model (to be released next week, hopefully!) and to little bits of spring cleaning here and there.

    But the best thing that's happened this month is that my oldest daughter, Breanna, found a new place to move into! I'm so, so happy for her – especially because the apartment seems beautifully suited to her personality: the entire building is quite vintage, with the original wood flooring from 1917, as well as radiators (I love radiators) for heat, and a clawfoot bathtub (which we didn't realize required a special sized shower curtain). What a cozy, sweet, darling little place it is! (And the best part for her mom and dad: a state trooper lives on the floor below.)

    Mike, Sophie, and I made the long jaunt out to western Nebraska with a rented truck and Uhaul trailer-full of Breanna's furniture, which had been in storage. (We had been saving all of Mike's parents' old furniture for the day that Bre got a place of her own.) The ride felt like it was about 3 days long…

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    Finally, sunshine! Here we are, but we look so much smaller in our shadow. 🙂

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    Immediately upon arriving at Bre's new apartment, we got to work unloading all of the furniture. Bre and Mike did the heavy lifting, while Sophie and I scurried in and around them with all the little boxes of pillows, plates, utensils, accessories, and coffee. Always coffee.

    I love that Bre had her favorite items in the living room: her sewing machine, fabric tote, her grandmother's sewing box, Tilly's scratching post, and her beloved hoola hoops.

    Photo 1-2

    About an hour later…

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    Sabrina (she couldn't come with us, as she had classes) gifted Bre with a framed family picture…

    Photo 2-2

    After we got everything put in the rooms they belonged, we decided to go to dinner and call it a night.

    The next day, we all got right to work moving and arranging furniture, cleaning floors, and finding out the hard way that almost all of her walls in her apartment are brick! (When a large nail meant to bear the weight of a heavy piece of art bends right in half under the hammer, you know you're not exactly dealing with drywall.)

    For her "coffee table," we brought along Mike's dad's old foot locker from Vietnam, which Bre absolutely loved. Not only for the storage space inside, but because her grandfather's name is stenciled on the top.

    Photo 1

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    I spent the day in the kitchen, doing lots of cooking, and enjoying every minute of it. I wasn't sure how I was going to be able to cook efficiently with no counter space except for the drain board, but I actually found it to be quite easy, as long as I kept everything picked up and put away. I'll never forget that day, with everyone taking turns dodging in and out of the kitchen to scoop up some of the hot corn dip I'd made (from a Tricia Yearwood cookbook)… or to have some of the delicious Zuppa Tuscano soup that Bre's co-worker brought to us (along with a delicious loaf of garlic bread and cake – what a lovely gesture! Thank you, Alona!), or to ask why we didn't buy a pitcher at WalMart for some sweet tea…

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    I'll also always remember how Big Papa's Big Idea was to buy a stand to build around the toilet for extra shelving, which we all applauded, and which made him very pleased with himself. 🙂

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    … And how excited Sophie was that Bre entrusted her with all of the decorating and organizing in both the kitchen and bathroom…

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    As the sun went down, the living room became more and more cozy…

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    Sophie decided it was time to find someone to spy on, and whatever she found warranted her calling to Bre to come take a look…

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     It turned out to be a neighbor who had locked his keys in his car and was using a flashlight to search for them. 🙂

    Oh how I've missed this sweet baby cat… she was so happy in the new place, exploring everything and purring nonstop. Kaia will live at Josh's house because she is so close to Josh's dog, Nahla, and Bre and Josh didn't want to hurt Kaia's feelings by seperating the two. However, I imagine this arrangement works out just fine for Miss Tilly, as she can have Bre and company all to herself…

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    I've always loved this silly girl's feet!

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    When I took this picture, Tilly was watching Bre arrange her Grandma Frieda's figurines into her old shadowbox…

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    (And across from the shadowbox, just outside the kitchen, is a blank wall I've instructed Bre to leave blank, because it needs a sampler there. Ha!)

    I suppose I've kept you long enough.. see there? I'm either never here or I'm here too much. Feast or famine, nothing in moderation with me. 🙂

    I leave you with my favorite picture of Miss Tilly… it makes me laugh.

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    And thank you again to those of you who checked in on me. 🙂

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