An Introduction

I am very pleased to introduce you to the next reproduction sampler by Shakespeare's Peddler. I am working on charting this, and have a model stitcher/friend lined up (and anxious) to stitch the piece. This will be my second "Ragamuffin" sampler (the first was Anne Harrison, my first reproduction). It's a Ragamuffin, because at some point, someone CUT OFF the bottom of the sampler! Who knows how much bigger it was? Maybe it was just the name and the date? Maybe it was cut in half? But it's still lovely. I purchased this for around $200.00 online about a year ago. (You can click on the picture to make it larger.)

Now here is the other mystery. Looks kind of Quaker-ish, don't you think? Some nice primitive birds, and keys, and hearts. Stars. Cursive alphabet. Colors are plum, pale teal, a few beiges/browns, and a gold or two. Actually ... I believe it's either Spanish or Mexican (or was stitched by someone with that heritage.) The alphabets have the ñ and ll! Anyhoo, the colors are lover-ly, and I know it'll be a fun one to stitch, and an even more beautiful one to hang. Let me know what you think about it.

Also, here's a picture of my "little" Graham. He's 13 and came to work with me on Monday for Take Your Kid to Work Day. While some of his classmates were watching open heart surgery and drug busts (I am NOT kidding!), he was working in a needlework store. We painted, organized, re-hung a bunch of pictures, took out garbage, cleaned, ran errands, and had a delicious lunch. He thought it was fun. And so did I!