Thursday, January 20, 2011

Oooh, look what I got!

Now before you get after me, keep in mind I have been a good girl for almost a whole year! I've been working my way through reproducing the big samplers in my collection. I also have a number of smaller samplers that I'm releasing here and there...but I went to madelena.com this week...and I saw...

THIS:

And I bought it. Well, I'm buying it. In installments. (First one is out of the way). Isn't it gorgeous? It's was stitched by Ann Dale in 1827. (You can click on the picture to make it bigger for ogling purposes.) Please notice the swans with EGGS on the lawn, ALL of the wonderful baskets and flowers, the almost circular tree in the bottom center, and...well, just the awesome-sauce-ness of the colors.

It is BIG! The original is 25 1/4" by 19 1/4" on FIFTY COUNT LINEN. That means the stitch count is approximately 630 by 480. Wait. In case you were just speed reading over that last part: SIX HUNDRED AND THIRTY STITCHES BY FOUR HUNDRED AND EIGHTY STITCHES. Wow! Ann, way to go, girl!

Here's what the verses say:

1 PASS a few swiftly fleeting years,
And all that now in bodies live,
Shall quit, like me, the vale of tears
Their righteous sentence to receive. (yikes!)

2. But all, before they hence remove,
May mansions for themselves prepare (yea!)
In that eternal house above!
And, O my God, shall I be there.

(The "yikes" and the "yea" were my additions.)

Now, since this sampler is a tad on the large side (ya think?), I have already talked to Pat at Lakeside Linens and we both agreed that I should probably stitch the reproduction on "regular" linen (meaning, un-dyed...less-expensive.) I mean, this sampler is going to be 31 1/2 by 24 on 40 count. A (crazy) person could squeeze it onto a half...IF that crazy person was using 40 count. Basically, a very large piece of fabric is needed (bedspread, anyone?) And I want to keep the cost down.

Now, if you like hand-dyed linen, you can order hand-dyed linen in a full-yard cut. You will have a big chunk left over, but special cuts are out of the question -- there would be too much waste. There is, of course, the option of using 45 count linen as well...are you man-enough? (Ann stitched hers even smaller, thank you very much!)

I talked to Kathy my model stitcher this morning and had her look at it. She said, "Oh, I don't know about that over-one verse (her eyes, like mine, are getting old.) And I said: "I want to stitch this one!"

What do you think? Am I crazy? Isn't it wonderful? Should they lock me away in a padded room? Am I a glutton for punishment? What's for dinner?

36 comments:

Nicole said...

It's absolutely gorgeous!!! I love it Theresa!!

robindefender said...

It's gorgeous! That said, I do not like 45 count linen, I do not like it at all.

I DO like the excuse to buy a yard of pretty linen... there's bound to be tons of other samplery projects to stitch on what's left!

Have fun charting it and stitching the model. (still looking forward to seeing a pic of your other sampler repro all stitched up!) : )

wasiuta5 said...

GORGEOUS!!!!!! Looking forward to seeing your finished sampler.

Kristen said...

You should definitely stitch it yourself!! Take on the challenge, and revel in the accomplishment once it's done. You can do it!

(It's gorgeous, btw.)

SharoninStLouis said...

It is gorgeous and I can see lots of smaller (more manageable) uses made of individual motifs from the sampler. Good luck with a great project.

Unknown said...

Wow, that is one stunning piece of work...can't wait to see yours when it's finished!

Good Luck!

Happy Stitchin'
Terri

Peggy Lee said...

I agree with Kristen...you should stitch it yourself. The sense of accomplishment you'll have will be awesome...like the sampler! It will be something to pass down for generations to come.

the striped rose said...

That is GORGEOUS! I love the colors, love the swans at the bottom, love the swirly flower in the middle!

the striped rose said...

That really is most perfect, but remember the Sarah Tobias BBD booklet? Wouldn't it be fun to have a booklet of samplers and accessories inspired by this lovely piece? Pretty Please! :)

Vanessa said...

Wow it is beautiful, and after seeing the stitch count, I hope whatever is for dinner contains copious amounts of alcohol!!!

Michele said...

THUD!!! GORGEOUS!! I will be cheering you on Theresa.....and waiting to jump on board once it is out in print. Get ready, set go.............whee!!!!!!!!!

Theresa said...

I am already thinking of ways to release this sampler. The bottom third could (with a border above) be stitched as a separate sampler and be quite lovely. I love the idea of a Sarah Tobias type book. A lot of these motifs could be used for other projects...hmmm...

Katrina said...

It's beautiful and I already can't wait :-).

Deb said...

It's absolutely gorgeous!! I would definitely stitch this one no matter how large it was!

valerie said...

Simply gorgeous! Can't wait to see your version of it!

diamondc said...

Crazy No brave yes wow what a beautiful piece, I look forward to the finished picture, Good Luck
Peace to You
Catherine

DonnaSews said...

Outstanding!! I love it and I will be stitching it when it is ready. No you are not crazy. You are a needle artist. I appreciate all you do to preserve this art as the world talks on their cell phones and plays computer games. $$ well spent!!!

Love to Stitch said...

Absolutely gorgeous, and yes, 45, 48 or 50ct in hand-dyed linen is so an option for me and I will be one of the 'crazys' you mention!!! LOL. Looking forward to having this one in the stash for sure!

Kielrain said...

I just love it! A ton. What an amazing piece. Crazy, perhaps... but then I am crazy too.

Deb said...

I definitely stitch this yourself - while should you miss out on the fun? But can you release the pattern in monthly parts - we can't wait long!
Enjoy it, it is stunning.

Anonymous said...

Hello Theresa, what a gorgeous sampler and I wish you lots of luck! Your post was so funny, funny enough to make me consider ordering the pattern!!!! All the very best, Ann

Dona said...

Absolutely gorgeous! I hope it is reproduced quickly! Have fun stitching it!

Anonymous said...

OH MY GOODNESS!!! Such an awesome sampler! So happy for you. Just a little jealousy here.

Peggy H.
http://memoriesgardendesigns.blogspot.com/

Giovanna said...

Oh yes!! You are definitely crazy, it is definitely wonderful, but no, we won't let you be locked away because we want you to stitch and chart this asap. THEN you can be locked away, lol! Seriously, it's absolutely gorgeous!

Margo's Musings said...

Oh wow! What a great project!!!! And why not tackle it yourself?????

I'm so glad you are stitching and charting this project - I can't wait until it is available for purchase!!!!

You go, girl!

DonnaTN said...

WOWZA! It is beautiful. More power to you for giving it a go.

Linen Stitcher said...

Add me to the list of stitchers who would like to see the motifs offered in book form like Sarah Tobias. I don't know that I would stitch the full sampler, mostly due to a lack of time, but I love the colors and the motifs, so it would be great to have options for smaller projects, not to mention that a group of smalls with these motifs would be stunning.

Terri M said...

You're completely insane, but I understand why. It's gorgeous. Sometimes a lovely padded cell and our needlework is all we need. Happy, happy stitching!

Carol R said...

Wow that is one biggie! I look forward to seeing WIP - what threads will you be using?

Cindy said...

That is absolutely fabulous! I don't think that I would have the ambition or patience to stitch the whole piece...I wish that I did, because it is wonderful. So, I like the idea of motifs or maybe breaking it up into smaller pieces.

Debby said...

Oh my gosh! I LOVE it. I want to be on the "auto" list to get this when it's ready. And yes, I'll stitch the verse over 1 on 40 count (and my eyes are much older than yours)! I know someone stitching "And They Sinned" on 40-over 1 - if they can do that, I can stitch a little ol' verse!! LOL This is absolutely gorgeous.

Unknown said...

Beautiful!!! I love this!!!!
Can't wait to see your stitching!

Glenna said...

Oh, yeah. You've got to stitch it. Then WE have to stitch it. Hurry!

NIKY said...

Well done Theresa!!!!see u soon in Nash

Monica Moura said...

Theresa
I love it!!! It's really gorgeous!! I want to stitch this one too... crazy or not!!! I cant' wait to see your work done! Happy stitching!
Hugs
Monica

latortuequibrode said...

Bonjour, brodeuse française qui aime les abécédaires et les marquoirs j'ai découvert votre blog grace à couleur tourterelle.
J'adore ce sampler, où l'avez-vous acheté ?
Merci et bonne journée