Finished! E F 1864 Sampler

Finished, finished, finished at last!  WHOOP WHOOP.  This sampler turned out beautifully.  But, I am so glad that it is done, and I can move on to something else.  One of the things, I noticed towards the end as I was completing the initials and the date in the middle of the flower wreath, was that I have been referring to this sampler as E F 1864.  Then I stitched the initials.  Doesn't look like an E to me, looks like a G.  I even went back and looked at the magazine.  Yup, they refer to it as E F.  Regardless, whatever the initial is, I will tell you that I had to change the color of the initials anyways.  I tried the color that it called for in the pattern, couldn't see it.  Tried the white color that is in the pattern, didn't really show up either.  I picked a pink.  I was already too far into the stitching, before I thought to myself, that I probably should have gone with DMC 816, or one of the darker purple colors.  Got to be honest, at that point, I wasn't willing to go back and rip out what I had done to finish it with another color.  I was way to close to the finish line!  At least it can be seen and better yet, it's done.  Next......finish the Cochrane Band Sampler!  Never heard from the designer about the lack of directions, so.....I'm on my own to finish it as I see fit.

The Light at the End of the Tunnel

Well, it looks like I may be finished with EF 1864 sampler within the next few days.  I have a couple of random stitches here in there to complete.  One of the large motifs to finish, and a two very small ones to finish.  This has been a really time consuming sampler, but the colors are really pretty and it does keep me plugging away at getting it done.  I haven't a clue what the next project, I will start on!
Decisions, decisions.

Cross Stitch Galore

I finally made it to the Woodlawn Plantation Embroidery show held annually in Alexandria, Va.  Three years in a row, something came up that I wasn't able to attend, so I was really excited that I was finally going to go.  There were some beautiful pieces.  Several that would have definitely gone on to my want/wish list.  Except that there was little information available on the pieces displayed.  The little placards only had the name and number of the entry.  I would have loved for those pieces that weren't originals, that there was more background for the piece.  Did the piece have a name? Who made the chart?  Fabric, fabric color, count, thread used.  They do not allow pictures so I guess those samplers that I really liked will not go into my wish list.  Since I now can't remember them.  Alas!

But, it was a good excuse to scoot across the street, to In Stitches.  Of course, I can't walk out of there empty handed.  I purchased a Scarlett Letter pattern and the fabric.  I love this store.  All the woman are so helpful and friendly, but I especially like Patricia. I shared my blog address with her and asked her to please follow me!  I told her, I only have one follower, and am feeling like I'm talking to myself.  My sister checks my blog often, but being technologically challenged she hasn't figured how how to become a real follower.  I had to send her the link so she could add it to her favorites. Otherwise she wouldn't be able to find it.

Today we went to Virginia Beach.  We arrived early enough so that I could check out Dyeing to Stitch. When I lived in Virginia Beach I used to go into the store quite often.  It has moved, still in KempsRiver, but farther down in the strip mall. I walked out with a small chart and some fabric.  I will say that they used to carry a lot more reproduction sampler patterns.  I think that I am just plain spoiled, by In Stitches, and compare all other stores to In Stitches and so far I just haven't found another that comes close.

E F 1864

I have been plugging away at my E F 1864 sampler from the Antique Sampler magazine.  Sorry no pictures to post at this time.  I am so ready to have this sampler completed, so that I can move onto something else.  Just a lot of detail.  I haven't finished the Bavarian cow with the milkmaid. Sort of got tired of working on that section, so I skipped completing that portion for now.  I'll go back and complete it in a few days.  I did finish the gazebo and wishing well.

On a brighter note, this weekend my husband and I are going to Virginia Beach to watch my daughter compete in a cheer competition with her college cheer team.  I am hoping to get there early enough on Friday, so that I can go to Dyeing to Stitch (home of R & R) for a few hours.  I haven't been there in many years.  Used to go there quite regularly when we lived in Virginia Beach as it was only 10 minutes from our house.   I will also get to see my oldest son again, as he is stationed in Norfolk, so we are having dinner with him Friday night. Dinner will be at Passions Restaurant in Chesapeake, which is owned by some friends, former Navy, who opened their restaurant after he retired from the Navy.  I have looked at the menu and am already drooling. At least I have a week to decide what to eat.  Then on Wed., Mar. 20th, my good friend and fellow cross stitcher in crime are finally going to make it to the Woodlawn Embroidery show in Alexandria.  Really excited about all the cross stitch possibilities and opportunities.

Haus Tirol, Inc. Williamsburg, Va.

Last week, my daughter was home from James Madison University for her spring break.  With college, and a boyfriend, I don't get to spend as much one on one time with her.  So, I came up with an idea to go on a road trio, to Williamsburg,Va.  We spent the first day there going to the outlet mall and doing some shopping.  Checked into the hotel, took a quick nap, and met my oldest son and his "friend," who at driven up from Norfolk to have dinner with us at Carrabas.  We then spent the next hour and a half in the Yankee Candle store.  That store is the biggest one I have ever seen.  Besides candles, they sell all sorts of things.  They have a Christmas store, where it actually snows.  It is amazing.  The next morning we got up, and I pitched to my daughter that they have a cross stitch store that I would like to see.  My promise was to spend ONLY an hour at the store, before more shopping and our return to Manassas.  The store was run/owned by a mother and daughter.  They were both very nice and sweet and also helpful. I walked out within 45 minutes with "The Celtic Band Sampler" by Homespun Samplar, with fabric.   Since I have to travel so much with my kids, I always look for cross stitch stores wherever I go, and try to pick up something as a memento.  My daughter has no desire to cross stitch, but it was funny that many of the completed works in the store, that my daughter liked, were ones that I already have the charts for.  I had a lovely two days with my girl!

My Stitching Corner

I have created a stitching corner down in the basement.  It's actually worked out well, as my washer and dryer are down here, so I can multi-task.  In addition, there is a full bathroom down here, so other than eating, I could practically live down here.  It works out well, as my husband started working out of the house about a year ago, and I feel like I am sort of out of his way, while he works between his office and family room.  Right now, the basement is sort of a mess, as all the furniture has been moved to one side of the basement, as we are beginning to FINALLY paint the basement.  It has been contractor white since we moved in, 8 years ago.  The people we bought the house from, had the house built for them, and they never painted a single room in the house.  Even after they lived in the house for almost 5 years, every wall was still contractor white.  I admit some of the rooms are still contractor white.  But, I have managed to throw some color on some of the walls.

EF 1864

Well, evidently third time is the really the charm. I finally was able to get the roses right. I only have one full rose and a half to complete that whole roll across. But, since I was having so much difficulty, I started skipping around, and working on the designs on the lower part of the chart

EF 1864 Sampler

I have managed to squeeze in some stitching time between cleaning and laundry.  Plus, we had to retrieve my daughter from James Madison University yesterday, for spring break.  That's 4 hours in the car, not being able to stitch. I drive for those trips.  Otherwise, it would take us longer, as my husband's driving style and mine, or very different.

I am have now moved to the bottom section of the sampler.  Where there are more random pictures. The top part of the sampler has been even rows across.  I need to go back and finish the last complete row across.  It finishes with some sort of rose looking flower across it, but after 2 attempts and then having to rip out both times, I decided it was best to move elsewhere and leave those flowers for another day.

On another note, I have never heard from the creators of the other band sampler I am also working on.  It was the mother/daughter Cochrane band sampler.  Bummed, but what can you do?  Will finish it as best as I can, based on the blurry picture from the pattern, and hope for the best.