The original sampler was sewn in 1811 by Hannah Gilbert when she was about 12 years old & is in the collection at the Mercer Museum in Doylestown PA. Unfortunately, when we went to the museum we didn’t get to see it because they have so many pieces, not all can be displayed.
This is a large piece, 23″ x 23″ from Needles ‘N Hoops (Abington, PA) & was a stamped linen using floss. The notes say that the border is uneven where she miscounted – I didn’t notice where that happened & am not going to figure out where it is off. They think that some unfinished areas may be because she either ran out of thread, room, or patience. I can’t even see where it is unfinished!
Filed under: Hilton Gems
I had hoped that the Hilton Gems would be an easy start to learning some of these techniques because they are small. And, I didn’t realize why the thread list I prepared differed from the one in CyberPointers Hilton-SIG Files. It’s because not all the threads recommended are still available. So, it’s not as easy a project as I expected.
However, Betsy at Fireside Stitchery helped me substitute. And, I picked up some extras to use as needed. I just love the colors although we rejected a couple that just didn’t seem to go.
So, I’ll list them gem by gem as they appear (from left to right) on my thread wraps (an exercise & tip from Mary Shipp’s Color class). The extras aren’t listed – I’m not sure I’ll use them all anyway yet.
Gem #1: 24 Karats K 11 Purple, Gold Rush 14 J43C Purple with Gold, Panache PN40 Beige, Gold Rush 14 208C Jade Multi, Flair F547 Pale Aqua, Fyre Werks FT19 Agua
Gem #2: Fyre Werks FT19 Agua, Panache PN 37 Teal, Gold Rush 14WG87C Aqua, Splendor S808 Med Purple, Frosty Rays Y028 Turquiose, Gold Rush 14 WG86C Lilac, Panache PN12 Deep Violet
Gem #3: Gold Rush 14 WG84C Deep Blue, Panache PN37 Teal, Frosty Rays Y054 Dark Periwinkle, Neon Rays N99 Deep Violet, 24 Karats K 11 Purple, Panache PN08 Bright Lilac, Gold Rush 14 WG85C Deep Purple
Gem #4: Frosty Rays Y054 Dark Periwinkle, Panache PN12 Deep Violet, Splendor S808 Med Purple, 24 Karats K 11 Purple, Fyre Werks FT19 Agua, Gold Rush 14 WG86C Lilac, Panache PN 37 Teal, Panache PN 11 Muted Lilac
The designs are free on http://www.rainbowgallery.com/freechartdownloads.cfm?ID=12
However, the pictures for Gems are not matching the designs (swap pics for 1 & 2). And, I can’t figure out what goes inside Gem 1 – seems like instructions are missing. I’ll seek help from CyberPointers Hilton-SIG. But, I’m not ready to start stitching yet anyway. I want to place these into one large piece. So, I need to figure out what stitch(es) & threads will be placed between them.
As I think more about these gems, I’ll tackle The Hilton Sampler as that is in line with our chapter’s project this year anyway.
Filed under: Melita's Other Completed Pieces
This Pharmacy Sampler is to commemorate my profession. I know there are a lot of different kind of samplers & do not know what category this falls under. But the kit says that it’s a sampler & I’m not an expert! This is an 11″ x 11″ framed piece from Needles ‘N Hoops (Abington, PA who are out of business now) & was a stamped linen using floss. Mostly, it used cross stitches but also required satin, outline, chain, and French knots. I haven’t seen it available on Ebay whenever I have looked.
I’m not sure why I didn’t make Melita smaller, use may last name, & add Duquesne University (Pittsburgh, PA). Speaking of Pgh, we hope to stop at Pirmanti Brothers on our way to & from Columbus, OH!!
Filed under: ANG Stitch of the Month Mystery Project
The August SOTM eyelets are done but I can’t see what’s wrong with the second “incorrect” eyelet example. In the first “incorrect” example, I see it wraps around but the second looks the same as the correct one to me.
I was almost finished with the eyelets & then put it aside for the chapter newsletter, making the Kissing Pillow kits, & another project. I’ve been working on a baby gift but I can’t blog about because I don’t want the mom to see it. As soon as I finish the second one – for her too, then I can reveal them! Where does the time go? We’ll see how much of Sept I can get done – it looks like a lot of stitching.
Filed under: Soldier Kissing Pillows
The ANG MainLine Stitchers (PA) are beginning a new community service project, Soldier Family Kissing Pillows, for families of soldiers departing for service.
Over Labor Day weekend, I made up enough kits to make 300 pillows (I ran out of threads for the last few but had them done in no time after purchasing more threads). And, at our Sept meeting, I handed out materials to 12 of us who agreed to make 85 pillows. I had 6 free pretty purple bags with handles for folks agreeing to make 10 pillows & 12 clear plastic zipper bags for agreeing to do 5. After that, it’ll be boring ziplok bags. And, whoever stitches the most will get a special thank you gift.
This project is not about whether we are for or against war — it is about the loved ones left behind – especially the children. Stitching these pillows is a little something we can do to support our military and their families. The soldier kisses the pillow and gives one to each of his/her loved ones to hold onto until he/she returns from war. When this project began, it was for the children, but the mothers and wives requested them too. Then, the soldiers wanted one with everyone’s kisses on it to take with him/her off to war.
Unfortunately, not all soldiers return and so, some pillow recipients have died. Can you imagine how important that little pillow is to the family – it’s the last thing daddy or mommy gave them and it has their kiss on it. One chapter learned about a young soldier who was killed in Iraq. When his body arrived in the United States among his personal effects was a kissing pillow. It is believed he had it in his helmet when he was killed. His family placed it on top of the American Flag that draped his casket. The family contacted the chapter to express their gratitude – he died with all their kisses and that has given them comfort. Our military and their families have always and always will sacrifice for those of us remaining at home. Stitching these pillows will show our gratitude for their service.
The “kissing pillows” are small (4” x 4”) cross-stitched pillows that say “I LOVE YOU” with two red, white, & blue stars within a larger red heart. They work up quickly (2-3 hours). Once we have enough stitched, we’ll back them with fabrics in patriotic designs & stuff them.
P.S. I got great prices on the Aida & floss at http://www.createforless.com and the materials arrived promptly & in good condition. I highly recommend the site.
Donation, donate
This was another flea market find, the Yellow Rose. I love roses, it went with our bedroom colors, & I was fascinated by the simplicity of the stitching. I’m not sure what kind of stitching it is actually.
Our ANG Main Line Chapter is going to do the Soldier Family Kissing Pillows as our next community project. So, this is in honor of Geraldine (Jerry) Trappey) & her Yellow Rose Chapter of EGA. She has supplied the chart & supportive information for our efforts.
September’s flower basket seemed fine in cross-stitch. So, I stuck with the design except for the buttons. Enjoy the rest of the summer & last blooms!
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