Wednesday, October 26, 2011

South Carolina Part One

I'm back home from a wonderful trip to South Carolina.  I visited there over thirty-seven years ago, and I've had "Carolina in My Mind" ever since.  The first stop was Charleston, an incredibly beautiful and historic city.  We spent two days exploring almost entirely on foot, with the exception of a carriage ride tour.  When we were worn out, we escaped back to our room at The Meeting Street Inn.  It is a fabulous inn.  The rooms are furnished with amazing antiques.  Yes, those beds are high.  What you can't see is the step stool in between them.  It came in very handy for my short companion.  It was such an awesome place to stay.  I really hated to check out.

This was a cemetery that we walked through.  It was a peaceful and lovely place. 

The architecture captivated my attention the most.  I could live in any of the houses, and be perfectly happy.  I loved the shuttered windows, wide southern porches, gas lights, intricate iron work, and well...everything.  The gardens were beyond stunning.  Many were very English looking in their layout.  Wouldn't you love to be sitting in one of those rockers stitching away?

A highlight of the trip was a visit to The Charleston Museum.  I am very grateful to my friend, Carol for suggesting that we make an appointment to view some of the many samplers housed there.  I knew that the Ann Wragg Sampler below was there, but I didn't know that samplers aren't always on display.  The curator was very gracious and let us view several.  Seeing Ann up close was a thrill.  It is a small sampler, but the stitching is perfectly done. 

My other favorite was the Mary Bella Hopkins Sampler.  A large sampler with beautiful stitching in really nice colors.  Oh, how I wish someone would reproduce it.  I would be first in line to buy the chart.
In my next post, I'll tell you about the trip up the coast to Myrtle Beach.

19 comments:

dbr said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Dona said...

I'm trying this post again, no clue how I deleted it....

Tanya, beautiful pictures of Charleston! It sounds like you had a perfect time there. I love their old cemeteries, too. The architecture is amazing.

Needless to say, I am very jealous of your museum trip and your viewing of the gorgeous samplers. It's on my to-do list for next trip.

Glad you had such a good trip.

Melissa said...

What lovely photos, Tanya! Charleston is one of those places I've never been and would love to visit in the States. And of course to see those old samplers would be an added bonus!

Barb said...

Great pictures! Charleston looks like a place I would love. I live in the Pacific NW but subscribe to Southern Living! My style and decorating is much more Southern than Northwestern.

Margaret said...

Oh my! Love all the pictures!!!!! Wow! The samplers -- you're so lucky to have seen them! Love where you stayed, and the houses -- oh yeah, I could easily live in one of them. lol!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful experience in Charleston. It's one of my favorite southern cities - lots of history and charm. I've always admired your Ann Wragg so I'm sure seeing the original was quite a treat. Love the other sampler, too. I spy a cute sheep at the bottom that looks like a twin (or triplet) to the sheep in Ann Wragg. I presume both of these were stitched in the Charleston area? Hugs to you - kelley

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

Oh what beautiful pictures....I too love the architectural aspects, the cultural aspects...in fact I feel a particularly deep affinity for the south. thank you for posting such wonderful shots for me to look at and dream :)

Those samplers are stunning! Think they'd loan them out to you? :)

Fiona said...

Charleston looks beautiful, and the bedroom looks stunning. You were lucky to see those lovely samplers up close and personal. It was great to meet you.

marly said...

I wouldn't want to check out of that room either. What charm that area has.

samplerlover said...

Hi Tanya, your trip sounds like it was wonderful and that you and your friend really enjoyed yourselves. Love the photos of Charleston. It looks like a wonderful place to go and visit.

My how wonderful to be a ble to see the original Ann Wrapp and Mary Bella looks like a wonderful sampler to do. I can see why you like it lol. It has grabbed my attention as well lol. = Sandra.

Nicole said...

Great pictures Tanya!! The samplers are amazing! I wish I could have been there with you. Your hotel looks so cool. I want to visit Charleston as a tourist! LOL! :)

Mindi said...

I have to agree with you, I love the Mary Bella Hopkins sampler and would be right behind you in line to purchase the chart.

Faye said...

Oh those samplers are just wonderful!! Thanks for sharing the great photos...I too would buy them if charted...so...I nominate YOU!!! tee hee...

So good to finally meet you in person at MB....You are just as down to earth and fun as I knew you would be.... A true inspiration to us all!!

Take care my friend, Faye

Catherine said...

What a fun trip! Lucky you, getting to see those samplers!

Chris said...

I love Charleston too. I am so glad that you got to see some of the samplers.

Sherry said...

Beautiful pictures of Charleston. How awful that I live so close and have never been there. I must put it on our list of places to go next Spring. I can't wait to see more pics of the trip and especially of the new piece you are working on.

Melissa said...

What a fun trip! Charleston looks like such a beautiful city.

Michelle said...

Oh such beauty! I hope to get there one day... And what luck that you were able to see some beautiful samplers as well!

xl pharmacy said...

I have never been in South Carolina , I guess it is a beautiful place, the house in the third photo is like the house of my grandma in Chicago