Thursday, April 1, 2010

Two Anns

I've decided that I like alternating between two samplers. Any more than two though makes me crazy. The top one is the beginning of Ann Wragg. I'm using 40ct. vintage Meadow Rue with a conversion to NPI. Ann was only 8 yrs. old in 1764 when she stitched hers. Isn't that amazing? Did you hear me, Melissa? She was EIGHT! I keep telling you to not be afraid of these big samplers. Here's a link to this one completed.

This is my start to The 1820 Ann Hicks Sampler. She was in volume 37 of Sampler & Antique Quarterly. It doesn't show her age, but she was a girl who would have used every crayon in the box. Lots of color changes and quirky little checkerboard critters. My favorite part? She's darn near border less with the exception of what you see at the bottom. Adam and Eve are also included, and they are wearing crowns. I forgot to scan the picture from the chart, so I'll include it on another post. I'm using NPI on vintage Lt. Examplar.
I try to go for a walk or bike ride every day, and the other night I took my camera with me. I'm not a fan of cacti, but these Beavertail Prickly Pear are pretty when they're in bloom. It seems like everything is in bloom right now and my head is about to explode from the pollen.

This is the San Tan Mountain, and it's right behind our house. I love the colors and shadows that play off it at sunset.

These guys and gals were hanging out on the golf course. I never get tired of seeing the Mallards.
Thank you all for the kind words about Sarah Woodham.

26 comments:

Karen said...

Love both of your starts!

Anonymous said...

Love both of your Ann's. I love that you are working on both at the same time. How fun.

Deb said...

I just love both of your new starts! I'm definitely going to have to put both on my list, but especially Ann Hicks. Any sampler that's almost borderless is a winner in my book. I'm surprised at all the colors that you say are in it. I'm definitely in a color mood so that may have to be my next one (I'm such a hopeless copycat).

Love the view of the mountains. Seems DH has been presented with a job promotion that may result in us moving to AZ. It will be a real change for this girl.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Love both your Anns. Wow... what a gorgeous view of the mountains.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for mentioning your fabric choice on Ann Wragg. I just bought a pattern that calls for Vintage Meadow Rue, and your picture gave me a great idea of what it looks like. I'm liking those colors on both your samplers. They seem very cheery for spring.

Jan said...

Sorry for lack of commenting, but I just wanted to say I love your Sarah finish and I fully intend to stitch her one of these days.

Such lovely starts are both of your 'Ann's', can't decide which is my fave, will have to see more! Guess that means, you will have to post updates soonish!:o)

Love your scenic photos too, I have been walking each evening, as well! Love it!

Margaret said...

Both Anns are gorgeous! I like how you can handle two samplers at a time. I wonder if I could too. I'm feeling the need for another sampler right now. lol! I love the pics of the cacti and the mountains by your home. So beautiful, and soooo different from where I live!

Unknown said...

Tanya, I love your new starts! The old samplers just grab my attention.

Thanks for sharing little snippets of your world with us - the mountain views are just gorgeous. We are surround by the Blue Ridge mountains and I never tire of seeing them as I leave work or as I drive home

All this talk of mountains makes me think I need to talk my husband into going for a hike this weekend.

Have a blessed Easter.

samplerlover said...

Hi Tanya,
Love your new starts. Both Anne's are lovely. Ann Hicks is on my "to do" list. Gee you and I seem to have similar tastes lol. Are you going to do the little extra piece with her name on it.
What a stunning looking cactus. They are really beautiful when they are in flower. Your view of the mountains are also lovely. - Sandra.

Valerie said...

Goodness Tanya...you have been one busy stitcher! Both of your starts are fabulous and your finished and framed Sarah. She is truly gorgeous.

I have not forgotten about your wanting to stitch Richmond Sampler. I know that there will be an online class this fall teaching the sampler...I just have not heard yet if you could provide your own threads and fabric. As soon as I know, I will be contacting you!

Look forward to more progress pics of the Ann's...Happy Stitching!

Siobhán said...

Beautiful new starts, Tanya, on two beautiful samplers. :) They look great. I enjoyed seeing the pics of your area, too, never having been there before. I hope the pollen count settles down a bit!

Alice said...

Nice rotations. ; ) LOVE those cacti in flower. Brings back memories of my childhood on the farm. While living in Somerset West before moving to France, we also had the most amazing mountains surrounding the area we lived in. The Helderberg was right behind our house. I will never forget those years and I was really happy there. Have a lovely Easter Tanya.
Alice
xxx

Bertie said...

Stunning colours on your Ann's Tanya, good idea to do a few different projects, same here.

Your landscape is breathtaking, lucky you to live there!!

Sherry said...

Both Anns have beautiful starts and I can't wait to see more of them! I will have to put Ann Hicks on my wishlist! The pictures from your walk are lovely!

staci said...

Really gorgeous stitching! It just amazes me how YOUNG these girls were...designing their own samplers, poor lighting, etc. It makes me feel like I should be a whole lot more proficient, lol!

Karoline said...

Both Anns are looking gorgeous, great starts

woolwoman said...

Tanya are you using the marking stitch on Ann? I did started this at a sampler symposium in Charleston and I HATED that marking stitch so bad I never went back to poor Ann - she was sure a disciplined child to do that at 7 when as an adult I could not perservere! I love the long tailed sheep - they still have some at Middleton Place plantation. Happy Easter! Mel

Loraine said...

You are so inspiring! I've been browsing through your album, and drooling over all of your beautiful samplers!
Your new starts are wonderful! I'm going to have to look through my old S&A magazines. There may be something I've overlooked in the past. Your samplers are timeless!
Love looking, so thanks for posting.
Happy Easter!

Loraine said...

Okay, I looked for Ann Hicks, and lo and behold, I have that magazine! You version is beautiful, but I'm not to fond of the one in the magazine. The colors are all dark and brown. Are you doing any color changes on it? I would not have given this sampler a second look, but yours is wonderful. Please let me know.

Michelle said...

Both Anns are lovely! Being a girl who likes to use every crayon in the box, I can relate to Ann #2. The pollen here is getting to me too, and all the wind is blowing it all around. Yuck! I think I like have two things to switch between too. More than that makes me crazy.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

Happy Easter
Best regards
Mary

Catherine said...

Both of your Anns are wonderful!

What a pretty day you had to go out and about!

Katrina said...

I am so ready for spring!

Love both your Ann's and as always your color choices are amazing. Can't wait to watch your progress :-).

Brigitte said...

Congratulations on finishing and framing Ann Raynor and Sarah Woodham so beautifully. Both are a dream to look at. And your new Ann will be just the same. Wonderful.
Great picture of the surroundings of your house.

Jeanne said...

The two Ann's are both coming along great. I'm with you on the pollen - Claritin is my daily friend until those darn fuzzy yellow trees quit blooming! I'm amazed (and envious) at how fast you stitch.

MyLifesAStitch said...

Ummm.... Tanya?? Kinda hard to avoid cacti in ARIZONA, lolol!!! :) It's the price you pay for mild winters, I suppose. Hehe.

As per usual I love your new starts... I do believe you deserve the appellation of "Sampler Queen". Your work is always so beautiful!