Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Samplers and Sheep

Maria Tilley 1835 is finished and awaiting her frame. She is the reproduction that I have been charting and stitching for Needle Work Press. Vickie, who owns the original was brave enough and sweet enough to let me choose the fabric and silk and adapt the sampler as I chose. ( Since I chose to stitch her on 45 ct. vintage Sand Dune from Lakeside Linen, let's hope she doesn't do that again!) Truthfully, it turned out really beautiful and the labor was worth it. And the good news is that I didn't go blind. As soon as I am able to get her framed, the chart will be off to the printer and available soon after.

Lady's Garden from Carriage House Sampling was a nice change after the last two big samplers. As with many CHS designs, I sometimes wonder initially at the colors chosen, but I always like the result. I chose not to do the back stitching veins in the large leafy things. So now I've picked Country Life back up and I'm making great progress. I had hoped to have it finished before the end of the year, but unless I give up sleep for the next three days, it's not happening.
I've had fun seeing the endless lists of projects planned for 2011. I've also given a lot of thought to what I hope to accomplish next year sampler wise. I'll post my list next time. With the exception of the upcoming Ann Grant from Shakespeare's Peddler, everything that I plan to do involve old, old charts from my stash.


Samplers and sheep...I don't know which I love more. In my perfect world, it would be a sampler with sheep. Every winter, the fields by my home are dotted with these grass eaters. They are brought in and moved continuously from field to field to mow. I look forward to seeing them every year.
One more thing...I received several emails and inquiries about the bird cookie cutter that I used for my cinnamon birds. I wish I could tell you where I got it, but I have no idea. I've collected them for years and most likely found it in an antique shop. It isn't old, so they might be out there somewhere.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas season, and here's to a very Happy New Year to come!

21 comments:

Nancy in WI said...

Beautiful, beautiful pictures Tanya. For the life of me, I don't know how anyone stitches on 40 ct, let alone 45! I think I'm going blind on 32! I'm with you on the sheep but I have to throw in a crow or two!

Margaret said...

Oh gosh, Maria is gorgeous!! I can't wait till she's out! Love your Lady's Garden as well. Hope you're enjoying the holidays!

Sampler Lover said...

Hi Tanya, Merry Christmas. I hope you have a wonderful New Year.
Congratulations of doing such a wonderful job on Maria Tilley. She is really beautiful as I knew she would be. Do you have another sampler in the pipe line?
Yes, I totally agree with you there is nothing like a sampler with sheep in it. They are such lovely creatures. You have some lovely ones to graze at. I love the black and white ones. All mine are hanging in my Son's bedroom. I think he likes them. He is trying to get rid of a huge picture of one of his Brother's favourite football teams. - Sandra.

Melissa said...

Congratulations, Tanya, on another beautiful chart! Maria is so pretty! Love that cow!

I will look forward to seeing your list of samplers for 2011!

Deb said...

I honestly don't believe that you can stitch on 45 ct. fabric and not go blind. But your results are just stunning. I can't wait to see Maria in her entirety. What I can see looks wonderful. As does your framed piece - I think the frame compliments your stitching perfectly.

Linen Stitcher said...

"Maria Tilley" is quite lovely. Nicely done!!

I'm finding myself drawn to the classic samplers more and more. And since I've also fallen in love with the "Ann Grant Sampler," it may jump to the top of my Must Stitch List very soon.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Maria looks fabulous and I'm in love with your CHS Lady's Garden. This is the first time I've seen this design.
May the New Year bring you good health, happiness and lots of stitching time.

Glenna said...

Tanya, Maria is a must-stitch for me--love the cow--but I'll be doing it on 40 count, I think. I'm following a couple of footsteps behind you; I'll be kitting up Jane later this week. Thank goodness Maria isn't available quite yet or I'd short circuit. Hope your Christmas was wonderful--I've been mostly offline for the last few days since I got hit by a virus and wound up buying a whole new computer.

Love the CHS also--don't think I've seen that one before. Also I've been thinking about you as I get started on various tasks around my home, since we were talking about perfectionist tendencies--surveying something I did not too well, I thought, "would Tanya leave it like this?" No, ma'am! So I redid it.

Anonymous said...

Hello Tanya,
I love Maria Tilley, another one for my shopping list! Wish I could afford a cleaner, how else am I going to do all this wonderful stitching, without getting told off for not doing the housework? Wishing you all a Happy 2011 from Julia in England

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri Malinovich) said...

WoW, Maria is stunning! I love the spotted cow and can't wait to see the whole thing! 45 count fabric - OMG - so not for me but I admire you being able to do it.

The CHS finish is lovely, as well.

Bertie said...

The Sheep sampler is gorgeous Tanya, but not on 45 ct for me though LOL.
As always CHS never fails to tire, it's a lovely piece.
Love the sheep!!!

barbara said...

I think I'd also have to take a pass on the 45 count. 36 is about as high as I can handle.

Anonymous said...

Maria Tilley is gorgeous! Love the colors you chose. Looking forward to seeing her framed. Blessings to you - kelley

Fiona said...

Your stitching looks great. I really like the sampler that you stitched and admire you for stitching on 45ct. My house is always surounded by sheep too.

Michelle said...

Love Maria! Can't wait for her release. And your CHS piece is lovely - you're right the colors do work well. Enjoy the rest of your year and enjoy working on Country Life. Can't wait to see what you've got planned to work on next year. Happy New Year to you!

Dona said...

Maria is so beautiful! What a fantastic job you did! I'm very proud for you.

Congratulations on your CHS finish, too. I know exactly what you mean about the colors! I often think the same thing.

Cute sheep!

Siobhán said...

Beautiful photos, Tanya! Maria looks like a must stitch, and I love love love your CHS finish! Great job on both.

Sherry said...

Maria is just stunning! Your new piece is lovely too. I hope you have a wonderful New Year.

woolwoman said...

Miss tilley is beautiful - 45ct WHOOAAAA - I am amazed at how people can stitch on that count - who doesn't love a pastoral scene with sheepies. Hope your 2011 is full of good health and happiness - Mel

Katrina said...

Love, love, love the sneak peek of Maria, I can't wait :-). And the framed Lady's Garden is gorgeous.

No 45 count for me, LOL.

Karoline said...

Congratulations Tanya, Maria is gorgeous and Lady's Garden is lovely.