This is "Bloom"
And this is "Patriotic Summer"
Sunday, June 08, 2008
A 10 year old UFO finished!
This is Summer Sampler from Butternut Road. I think I started it in 1998, yikes! Finally finished it last week. I did the version which was 18 count fabric with Watercolours threads. Turns out I didn't enjoy using either the fabric or the threads and that is why it sat unfinished for soooooo long! One change was taking out the backstitch alphabet (mine always look so messy) and inserting a verse instead.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
In Memory
I designed this little case for a retreat but it was different. It was supposed to commemorate a get together at the ocean in California. When my friend died, I re-did it in her memory. It was finished by Deb Hunter and can hold photos or small items.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Virtue
Needlework samplers were popular in the 19th century and some of the most common verses on samplers had to do with Virtue. Virtues are character traits valued as being "good". The Catholic church taught the seven deadly sins which are: Pride, Greed, Lust, Wrath, Gluttony, Envy and Sloth. The corresponding virtues are Humility,Charity,Chastity,Temperance,Kindness and Diligence
A typical sampler verse about virtue:
"Virtue's the chiefest Beauty of the Mind
The noblest ornament of human kind
Virtue's our safeguard and our guiding star
That stirs up Reason when our sense err" 
Women in the 19th Century were regarded as very different in character from men. Men were perceived to be dominant, assertive and materialistic. Women were thought to be religious, submissive and domestic. 
Another typical sampler verse:
"The rose is a flower that fadeth away but
a virtuous woman will never decay" 
19th Century women were expected to be the "Handmaids of the Gospel" and to help direct the course of sinning men. Women were thought to naturally possess traits of goodness, simplicity and piety. 
" A good conscience is both the testimony
and reward of a good life.
Virtue is the foundation of honour and esteem
and the source of an order and happiness in nature"
Purity was expected before marriage and women had the role of maintaining her purity against the assault of the dominant and aggressive male. A book entitled "The Young Lady's Friend" (1837) advised women to "Sit not with another in a place that is too narrow; read not out of the same book; let not your eagerness to see anything induce you to place your head close to another person's." 
On Virtue
"Would you the bloom of youth should last
Tis virtue that must bind it fast
A pleasing carriage wholly free
From proud reserve or levity
Goodness & sense, an open heart
And looks unskilled in vice or art
These are the charms which ne'er decay
Though youth & beauty fade away"
Stitching verses about virtue were designed to help young girls learn what was important in their society and what was their role and duty in life.
On Virtue:
"Go on dear child and still what e'er you do,
With steadfast steps fair Virtue's path pursue,
In each event her still small voice attend,
And let her be thy first thy dearest friend,
Follow her steps,and she will tread the road,
That leads thro Nature up to Natures God" 
"Learn by the Bee from each event to find
Some hint of use or profit to your mind
Nothing so small but you may draw from thence
Improvement for your Virtue or your Sense
Honey like this life's evils will assuage
And yield you sweets in your declining age".
Sunday, March 09, 2008
Lovebirds!!
Here is a sweet little pillow from Patty
I can't believe how many people have actually stitched and finished "Lovebird" Here is a gorgeous piece from Katrina in NZ 
This beautiful pinkeep was made by Florence
This amazing hornbook is from Yuko 
This is from Petra
Thank you everyone who has sent me a photo, I love seeing all the different things that are being done with this freebie.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
She Gave Me alphabet
It has been brought to my attention that JCS did not print the alphabet for She Gave Me, so I am posting it here in case anyone needs it. So sorry for any inconvenience this may cause!
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
She Gave Me
I was so excited to see my design yesterday in the April 2008 issue of Just Cross Stitch
Monday, February 04, 2008
I found this sampler here and it perfectly expresses my feelings. Today is a cloudy, very rainy day in Arizona and it matches my sad mood at finding out about the death of a very dear friend. A friend who will be missed more than she would ever have believed possible. A wonderful mother, wife and stitcher and I'm proud I could call her my friend. She was genteel, kind, a little mischevious but had a very gentle spirit and calm aura. She was a pleasure to be with and I don't have a single bad memory of her. She was so special and was taken too soon but I like to believe that when someone we love dies that there is an angel in heaven looking out for us. I'll close with a poem I recently used in a memorial sampler I designed. I hope all who loved her will be comforted and find peace.
When on my day the evening shadows fall,
I will go down to where a quiet river flows
Into a sea from whence no man returns
And there embark for lands where
Life immortal grows.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
New designs
I have two new designs, the top photo is 'A Small Sampler' and the bottom is 'Little Cottage', hope you like them!
Friday, February 01, 2008
Thursday, January 31, 2008
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