Cross stitch was one of the first "crafts" I got into. The design was stamped on the fabric, you stitched the X's on top. Very easy. Very satisfying. Next I moved on to counted cross stitch. My favorite projects were the Santa's I made at Christmas. I still love each and every one of them. About that time my eyes started to get weak and even with glasses it just wasn't the same. But I always wanted to do something like these.
These amazingly beautiful samplers were "wrought" by my garden mentor Mary Joan. The craftsmanship is exquisite and the designs are all based on original samplers. I love the idea of re-creating this fine handwork and passing them down to the next generation. This is one of those things I want to do, but I know I will not. I am grateful to have a friend that lets me come over and gaze admiringly upon her work. She even lets me hold them if I want to so I can examine them very closely. She doesn't have any museum rules in her house.
Your friends work is exquisite. I would love to visit her home to see these treasures. No museum rules is a good thing when you're out and about visiting such things.
A while back one of these samplers was brought to Antiques Roadshow...wrought by an 8 year old...magnificent and in fine condition given that it was very old. It's value was in the many thousands of dollars...I would call it priceless! By an 8 year old....Holy Moly!
Posted by: Joan Clarke | 04/26/2012 at 10:48 PM
These samplers are gorgeous! Like you, I started embroidering early on using the stamped linen. In 1969 I began an American flag. Had I not begun with the red and white stripes I would NEVER have finished the project. But with the investment of time I felt obligated to tackle those god-awful STARS-----all 50 of them! Once completed, I felt I had given Betsy Ross a run for her money. Pleased I was. I framed the piece and for the past 43 years it has hung over the threshold of my kitchen. I still like looking at it.
Posted by: Joyce | 04/26/2012 at 11:35 PM