A note about Sarah

In my haste to get Sarah ready, I mistakenly listed  Belle Soie Silk Old Crow as Black Crow in the fibers needed list.  I had "crows" on my mind, but I must have been focused on the color rather than their age.  The change is noted on future packaging, but if you get one of the first copies, please be aware.  There are conversions to DMC and Crescent Colour's Hand Dyed Floss included as well.

Also, my model was stitched on 40ct. Meadow Rue from Lakeside Linen.  My piece of fabric was a lighter version than the current Meadow Rue available.  The model is currently visiting the The Attic , and they have suggested vintage Lt. Examplar as being "an almost spot on match substitute". 

Thanks for the lovely comments about Sarah.  I always love hearing from you.

Sarah Elizabeth Brooke 1842

She made it into her frame last night.  Sarah will always be extra special to me.  She was the first antique sampler purchase to make her way from England to my home in Arizona.  I was a nervous wreck when I bought her, but I'm so glad I followed my instinct about reproducing her.  I hope you like her.  The charts are not quite ready, but hopefully very soon.  There are no specialty stitches, but the verse and Sarah's name and date are over one.  I think you could stitch them over two by simply extending the border and raising the roof, so to speak.
Thank you for the nice comments about my trip to the beach.  I'm excited about meeting you, too! 

Blogger wouldn't let me super-size her, but you can double click on her for a larger photo.

A peek at Sarah Elizabeth Brooke and some fun news...

Here's a small look at Sarah Elizabeth Brooke.  I hope to get her framed today, and I will do another post as soon (maybe tomorrow) as she is ready to show.  You might remember that she is a reproduction of the antique sampler below.  I brightened up her palette and tidied up a few of her motifs, but for the most part she is charted as Sarah stitched her.  I always agonize over what to change as to not compromise the charm and integrity of the original.  We all like our borders to match up though, right?  With the poor light conditions that these young stitchers must have had, I think they did remarkably well, even if they did go over an extra thread from time to time.

Here is another version of my Death By Candy Corn sent to me from Bonnie.  This is what she had to say about it:

"I did use a 40ct. linen, 18 century rook. Then just brushed the walnut stain over the piece after stitching. I didn't soak it as I didn't want to have the candy corn come out to dark. So I kind of went around the corn. I dyed the chenille I had with black rit dye.  I love how it came out."

Very nice, Bonnie.  Thanks for sharing.

Now for the fun news.  Over the weekend, Amy from Down Sunshine Lane invited me join them for the Pals 2011 Stitchin' At The Beach  for a meet and greet.  I am very excited, and I look forward to being a part of it.  I'll be bringing my models and charts.  It didn't take much persuasion as I have wanted to head to the beach, and Myrtle Beach in particular, for a very long time.  You can ask some of my friends who are probably sick of hearing me whine about that longing.  Hey, I live in AZ and it's hot and dusty here, what more can I say?  Thank you for including me, Amy.

Maddie Button

Now you know why I've neglected updating my blog lately.  I've been busy!  Maddie Button is my newest offering.  Those of you who know me, know of my love of sheep.  I think every sampler should have at least one. 

Inspiration can often be derived when you least expect it.  A few months ago I was involved in a conversation with friends about the pros and cons of becoming a vegetarian.  I'm not one, but I don't like to think about the unpleasantness of where our food source comes from either.  Maddie's verse came to me while I was standing in the shower pondering the conversation.  As someone who loves old buttons and vintage canning jars, the idea went on from there. 

The models were stitched on 40ct. Days Gone By with Belle Soie silk.  A conversion to Crescent Colours cotton is provided.  Used also as trim for the pin keep and fob cording is the yummy new hand-dyed chenille from Crescent Colours.

Finishing was done by the Twisted Stitcher.  Step by step finishing instructions are included with the chart.  You can also visit Vonna's tutorial blog for online help.

The model for Sarah Elizabeth Brooke is finished.  I'll be showing her very soon.

Meet Mary Roe

 

Pretty Mary Roe took a trip across the pond and arrived safely at her new home in Arizona.  Isn't she a fun and happy sampler?  I'm amazed at how bright and colorful she is.  It was love at first sight for me.  The funny and awkward looking people just beg to be stitched again.  Her skinny tummy just makes me laugh and very jealous.  Of course, I love samplers with sheep and dogs.  We're going to pretend that the spotted one herding the flock is a Boston Terrier.  I wish that she had stitched her age alongside her name and date.  I'd bet she was a very young girl with a vivid imagination.  I can't wait to start charting her.

Here's a peek at my next release, Mattie Button.  It's a three piece set which includes a pin keep, scissor fob, and jar wrap.  All that's left is the finishing. 

Below is a photo of Coverlet Birds sent to me from Bonnie.  She stitched it on 48ct. over two.  Yes, I said 48ct!  She then tea-stained it.  The finished size is 4 1/2w x 2 3/4h.  I love it, and your photo layout, Bonnie.

Thanks for sharing it. 

I almost forgot to mention Sarah Elizabeth's progress.  I am about half the way done stitching the model.  I'm hoping her chart will be ready early August. 

We are doing our best to keep cool.  July is my least favorite month.  The monsoons are working their way up from Mexico nearly every day now for the next couple of months.  We usually get a dust storm in the early evening which is tons of fun.  It's hit or miss if there's rain to follow.  It's been so long since I've seen rain, I barely remember it.  It's wet, right?

Hope you and yours enjoyed a safe and happy 4th of July!

Summer has arrived

***Okay, I have to edit this post.  My husband read it, and called me the biggest dork ever.  It seems that I incorrectly stated that planes couldn't take off on the day it reached 122 degrees because of soft asphalt.  This is not true.  First, the runways are concrete and there was concern that the planes couldn't get enough lift because of the heat.  He should know.  He was at the airport that day.  I stand corrected, and I feel like a dork.  I could have sworn I heard it the other way. 

The calendar says that the beginning of summer is still six days away.  I'd have to disagree...I think it's here.  It reached 122 on June 26, 1990.  I remember it.  The planes couldn't take off from the airport because the asphalt on the runways was too soft.  That day wasn't fit for man nor beast.  We do get used to the heat though, and it's still 15 degrees away from that temp.  The funny thing is that as I type this, I have socks on because my feet are cold.  I hate the evil, but necessary air conditioning. 

Here's how the squatters spend their afternoons when it's hot outside.  They get their ball chasing out of the way early in the morning when it's cool. 

Ruby doesn't look too thrilled to be woken up.  I think she's giving me the eye!

Someone forgot to tell Henry that it's 107 outside.  He's like me, and gets cold easily. 

Scarlett can curl up and be happy anywhere, but this is her favorite spot. 

One thing I can say about summers in Arizona, I get a lot of stitching done.  This chart from With Humble Heart is called Do Unto Others.  It's been a long time resident in my chart stash.  I was fortunate to see this design stitched over one on 40ct at the Attic.  It was solidly stitched and beyond amazing.  I'm doing my version over two on 40ct.  I love the red alphabet, and while I usually start at the bottom, I couldn't resist going there first. 

It might be awhile before you see this completed.  I wish I could show you what I'm really stitching.  I have finished a third design called Maddie Button.  The stitching is done, but the finishing is not.  I hope to show you very soon.  Remember my antique sampler, Sarah Elizabeth Brooke?   Her chart is finished, and I'm stitching the model.  I think she's going to be worth the wait.  I have given much thought about whether to take liberties with Sarah, or do my best to make it a true reproduction.  My personal opinion is that it can be difficult to chart the many mistakes these young girls made.  It must have been extremely hard to count their stitches with the poor lighting they had.  While I did my best to keep Sarah as close to the original,  her borders will match up and some of the motifs will be tidied up.  What is your opinion?  Are you a sampler purist?

I have say thank you for the wonderful response and comments about my first two designs.  You never know what to expect when you create something and put it out there.  I appreciate the encouragement.

My New Designs

I am happy to show you my first two designs under The Scarlett House. 

This one is called Coverlet Birds.  The models were stitched on 40ct. Earth linen from Crossed-Wing Collection using NPI silk.  I have always loved antique coverlets, and that is where I drew my inspiration from.

And this is Death By Candy Corn.  I used a favorite 40ct. linen of mine called Days Gone By and it is charted for DMC.  The candy corns are stitched over one, but can be done over two. 

The charts will be available on Friday at The Attic, and hopefully in other shops eventually. 

Special thanks to:

      Margaret Chess for her expert stitching of the framed piece. 

Vonna Pfeiffer for finishing the pin keeps so beautifully.

Priscilla's Pocket for the perfect frame.