Sunday, May 2, 2010




Hi!
Samplers are just about my favorite cross stitch, I guess,I started ...really .....stitching when I was about 18. Just the stamped cross stitch, you know they had all the pretty samplers out, or maybe you don't know but they did. There were some really pretty ones. Anyway, I got hooked...so to speak. My sister-in-law, it was her fault, really! She had the prettiest Colonial looking home and loved to decorate with all these samplers and I was so young and planning to get married....YES married. I was going to go to college but then, fell in LOVE!!! You know what happens, then I learned about needlework and starting stitching away and have been stitching every since....and that was 40 years ago. The needlework market has changed a lot! It had a hard time for a while but it is reviving itself and women are loving to fill their homes with samplers, primitive cross stitch and folk art designs. I love cross stitch as much now as I did then...it gets in your blood!!! You know, you go on vacation and the first thing you do is pull out the telephone book or google where the nearest cross stitch or needlework store is and tell your husband you have to go there and you PROMISE you won't spend much!! (and then you do!!! hehe) I actually have stayed up all night before cross stitching because I wanted to just finish a piece of needlework....have any of you done that??? Even, for a while, when I would get "burnt out of stitching" I would still be thinking about stitching!! lol I have bought duplicates of charts and my stash of floss and fabric is endless and I am sure it doesn't match some of yours! lol lol
And I have a needlework store!!!!!! What does that tell you..... am I addicted? Yes, but I think it is good! I can put it down. I have put it down. I will put it down. It isn't a problem. I promise!! If I WANT TOO!!! But I don't....
Is there an AA for Needleworkers?? just kidding.

I say all this because I think the LOVE of needlework has been around for centuries. It was around when the Lord was alive when they made tapestries and robes and beautiful headgear with embroideries and it will be live on until the Lord comes back for us again! As in Proverbs 31: 13 -14 and 22-23 says: She seeks wool and flax and willingly works with her hands and she makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. I thank the Lord for giving women the desire and ability to do needlework and husbands that are understanding and love what we do and appreciate what we do. It truly is a gift, so enjoy your stitching today and everyday. Have fun and pass it down from generation to generation for them to enjoy just as those before us have done that we can enjoy and look at and have the history and think back on those earlier times of their lives and what it must have been like for them. We can only imagine!


Here is a picture of one of the samplers I did back in 1977...called "The Chase". I was 28 years old when I completed this sampler. I love it....still one my all time favorites!!
I am going to add a free chart today also called "When This You See". I hope you will enjoy it. Please come back to my blog often and chat. I love hearing from Needleworkers. I am still learning how to blog and how to do the "whole" blogging thing so come check back often....I love cross stitch and samplers so if you like them too...then, we have a lot in common!
Have a terrific Sunday afternoon!
God Bless You,
Nancy






5 comments:

moosecraft said...

Hi Nancy! I'm still working on the many sampler patterns I have purchased from you recently! Love them all! I've only been cross stitching for about a year now... but absolutely LOVE doing it! You are right... it really does get in your blood! My main craft is rug hooking... but a fellow rug hooker talked me into learning cross stitch. It started as something I can do that is more portable... and also for something "cooler" to do in the warmer days of summer. Kinda hot to have a wool rug resting on your lap when it is 95 degrees and sunny! LOL! But, now it has become an obsession and I always have a sampler AND a rug in progress. Thanks so much for sharing your story. Love the sampler you have pictured here! And thanks so much for offering some freebie charts for all of us to enjoy! Have a grand evening!

Nan ~ Threadwork Primitives said...

"The Chase" sampler is truly awesome. I LOVE samplers and primitive cross stitch too and got THE BUG about 20 some years ago. It's just an everyday event for me and if you can do something you really love every day, than that is wonderful. In this hectic life it brings me much peace of mind and accomplishment.
I just purchased 2 samplers from you and can't wait to begin them.
Happy stitching to all who are keeping this beautiful tradition alive.
~Nan

Mary @ Neat and Tidy said...

I have this exact same piece hanging in my living room; my mother stitched it. The framer was an old woman that my mom knew. Some of the stitched lines are wiggly, and my mom was disappointed when she saw the finished framing. But I wouldn't change it now after all these years. The frame has a velvety avocado green piece of ribbon in the wood. Sounds awful, but it really compliments this piece.

My mom has Alzheimer's now and can't do anything. I treasure all her needlework even more.

Thank you for the free charts.

Vilma aka Examplar Dame said...

Hi Nancy, Yes cross stitching is in the blood, loved what you wrote
and loved The Chase sampler you
stitched, thank you for sharing it
with us.

Vilma

Solstitches said...

Where have I been all this time that I didn't know about your blog!
I followed a link from a French blog and I'm so glad I did.
What a lovely blog post telling about your love of needlework and your Chase sampler is just magnificent!
Thank you so much for all of the beautiful free charts.
Margaret

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