A Family Sampler

What a special journey it has been to make a memory piece commemorating my wonderful, loving parents and siblings. Each one of us was created so uniquely and together we form a beautiful tapestry full of vibrant personalities and individual talents.

For the three of us still remaining it is hard to fathom that not only our parents but a brother and sister have passed. They are always in our hearts and thoughts until we meet again.

'I Thee Wed' by Blackbird Designs (adapted for my family)
stitched 1/1 on 25 ct Ivory Lugana with a variety of different flosses
started July 1, 2010 - completed July 27, 2010

With love to six very special people,
from your youngest daughter and baby sister Margaret

'Matters Choice' and choices matter

Happy 4th of July to all my American friends. Wherever you find yourself today I wish you a wonderful day with family and friends.


Before you read about my 'choices' please drop by to see my dear friend Alberta who is having the most wonderful giveaway. Berta has been through a lot of heartache this past while, but being the positive person she is, is closing this period off by, as always, thinking of others. Once you have visited her I hope you make the 'choice' of coming back here to see what I've been up to.

When I heard that Carriage House Samplings was going out of business I was shocked and disappointed and decided I'd better buy a design of theirs immediately. 'Matter's Choice' appealed to me on first sight as I love both houses and samplers.

This is my progress to date.


Once again I'm stitching 1/1 on 25 ct and loving it. The first part of the pattern stitched like a breeze. Then I started the portion below the top dividing line and suddenly found the sides did not jive.It was time to make 'choices' about the 'Choice' Now many of you are going to think I'm absolutely crazy, and maybe I am, but to me a symmetrical pattern must be truly symmetrical and this one isn't. The rooftop is 40 stitches wide with the result that the insides vary from one side to the other. This also makes the right and left sides of the pattern unsymmetrical. Have I bored you enough? To make it the way I like it I made the following 'choice'. I have added an additional column of stitches in the center of the house and row by row am adjusting the pattern. It will take a little longer to stitch but well worth my effort as this way I hope to be satisfied with the result.

In my last post I wondered how long it would take me to start something new. You were right - not long.

On July 1 I made another 'choice' and I started 'I Thee Wed' - a little sampler which I am stitching with all kinds of wonderful over-dyes as well as DMC.


Rather than stitch the pattern exactly as designed I am hoping to transform it into a family sampler. Another 'choice'. My plan is to stitch my parents' wedding date under 'I Thee Wed' with their names and dates of birth on either side. Underneath that I want to stitch the names of my siblings and myself along with our dates of birth. Just how it will all work out I have absolutely no idea but I know that the journey will be a meaningful one.

That's it for the moment. Enjoy the rest of your weekend or long weekend, whatever the case may be.