Saturday, January 3, 2009

Dutch Spot~Motif Sampler

is the last of the completed samplers for 2008. Remember the post about my disliking the color turquoise? Well, now that it is done, I like the colors better. Dyeing the piece helped, too. I'm not quite sure about what type of frame to use. I don't have anything in my stash of moldings that will work. Any suggestions?
My current project is Isabella Brackin 1832 by Historic Stitches. It is a wonderful reproduction of a schoolgirl sampler from Ohio. I was initially drawn to this piece because of the muted colors and the inconsistencies of it. The border changes colors in an odd place. Maybe she ran out of thread? I like it irregardless. According to the designers notes, there are two practice areas on the sampler, one for queen stitches and the other for over one crosses. Both areas are outside the formal border in the two bottom corners. She goes on to mention that Isabella's sampler is not a mirror image sampler. The left side motifs are more symmetrical, with the right side being unevenly balanced and containing errors. She suggests that Isabella probably stitched the left side under some one's watchful eye, but was allowed to complete the right side on her own. I love that. I have a bit of the border started, but instead of showing you that, here's the picture from the chart.

Thank you all for the lovely and encouraging comments about my upcoming venture and painted "stitching pretties". I hope to have more designs to show you very soon. Here's to a wonderful new year filled with lots of time for stitching!

6 comments:

Glenna said...

Irregularities! Inconsistencies! My two middle names! LOL--and it's extremely nice besides.

As for the frame. Embrace the turquoise-ness and do a primitive sort of rubbed/distressed finish turquoise-ish frame? If one exists--I can see it in my head, but who knows if it exists commercially.
Very much looking forward to the pretties--bring 'em on!

Anonymous said...

Wow, you must stitch with lightning speed! Congratulations on another finish.

I can't wait to see the schoolgirl sampler unfold into reality!

Happy New Year!

Sandra said...

Wow, your Dutch Spot motif sampler looks amazing, you really got that finished quickly. Not sure about a frame for it, I can't think straight at the moment.

Sherry said...

Love your final finish for 2008 and I can't wait to watch your progress on your current WIP!

Sue said...

Gorgeous pieces!

Denise said...

Thank you so much for the story about the Ohio school girl sampler. Your completed piece is beautiful...I tend to be swayed by black distressed frames because so much 18th century (and early 19th century) was black to cover mismatched woods. My bedroom furniture is that style and I have done my room in more of an early colonial theme.