Thursday, November 02, 2017

~ Red & Green ~


Oh that linen, needle and thread ~
it has my heart tangled up once again in it's web of tiny stitches and rhythm. 

The soothing sound of humble cotton thread being pulled through my blank field of nubby linen
 is something I look forward to each day.

I remember when I was first smitten with those small X's like it was yesterday. 
~ I was in an historic home in Guilford, CT and noticed there on the horsehair-plastered wall, 
a very decorative frame that held the most naive needlework I had ever seen.
It was a small sampler, of a house, some trees and a verse...stitched by a local girl in her young teens.
stained & threadbare, but lovingly housed and displayed for future generations. I was spellbound.

So I went to our local library {this was before computers} and dug into many hours of fascinating research on "School Girl Samplers" ~ something I had never heard of before.
From that day forward,
I would scout out samplers hanging in historic homes and places that I visited in New England... 
as well as Colonial Williamsburg on our trips down here to VA before moving here.

I knew right away that I wanted to replicate the look of these works of heART, and set about gathering supplies...luckily, there was a local needlework shop {which I never knew existed!} and I now made regular trips weekly to restock threads and linen and patterns.

My very favorite designs came from The Scarlett Letter and Homespun Elegance.
I was honing my 'skills' with the use of others' designs.
BUT I WANTED MORE.
I wanted to do what they did ~ 
create like those young girls who stitched those samplers so very long ago 
without the aid of graph paper, drawn motifs or nowadays, computer software programs.
SO I DID.
and I'm thankful that I stumbled upon the path of Needle and Thread ~
 it has led me to many chapters of creativity and most-wonderful friendships with kindred needlewomen who crave the same sense of completion and humble pride.

 Here are a few of my favorite Red & Green samplers that I 'collect' in my Pinterest boards ~

~ enjoy the past....











Blessings from the Farm
 ~ Lori

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Aren't they just beautiful and full of charm! Thank you for sharing how you came "to be" in your needlework life, Lori. How we grow was determined so long ago (though we didn't know it at the time!)...and your experience of that one sweet little sampler was the seed for your flourishing business and passion for needlework. I, too, began with antique reproduction sampler kits from The Scarlet Letter and still proudly display them in my home.

Thank you for sharing...and, yes, there's nothing like it and the peace it brings. Enjoy your day stitching...I will, too.

Mugwump Woolies said...

It's common knowledge around the Mugwump home that momma needs to pull a needle every day. My life as a full time caregiver is balanced by the calm and peace that a needle meeting cloth brings. It is medicinal for me. The samplers are all beautiful, but, that last one...on red linen...it takes my breath away! Have a great day!
Robyn

Jennifer said...

Thank you for sharing your needlework beginnings. You are always such an inspiration to me. You posts brighten my darkest days...and just seeing a photo if Iggy makes me smile from ear to ear!

Jennifer said...

Thank you for sharing your needlework beginnings. You are always such an inspiration to me. You posts brighten my darkest days...and just seeing a photo if Iggy makes me smile from ear to ear!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Such beautiful samplers, but that Elizabeth Abrahams speaks to me! Makes me want to put down my hook and stitch a bit.
Many years ago (decades, actually!), I stitched several Scarlet Letter samplers.
See you in Peninsula :)
Lauren

NMK said...

What a nice post today .....my Mother and her friend loved counted cross stitch and always chose those with houses, trees, and the alphabet . When I was only 7 ,my Mother bought a printed sampler for me to do , so one day I would have a special heirloom of my own . I didn't finish that until I was 11 , my Mother put it in a beautiful old pine frame she had refinished. It hangs in my bedroom today. My Mother made some gorgeous patterns from the Scarlet Letter. The samplers you posted are so pretty . Happy Stitching !!!

Tiara wearing Cross Stitcher said...

Thanks for sharing your story. Love your designs-
Kindred Stitcher

Kimberly said...

All so wonderful. I only wish my eyes wouldn't hurt so bad doing this beautiful work. Wishing you a cozy day stitching! My Best, Kimberly