OUCH!

Wednesday, January 26, 2011




Look at the nails!!! Are you framing your samplers like this? I certainly hope not.

Mary Evans worked hard on this lovely sampler only to have it nailed to a board. Luckily it was backed with muslin. I think the muslin has saved it from major damage.


The last time we attended Heart of Country in Nashville I picked up this one. Mary Evans finished it October 20, 1830. That was 181 years ago. I bet Mary skipped around the room when this was completed!


Mary Evans will be the featured sampler in a cross stitch book released in April or May. Her sampler was chosen because of the wonderful three baskets she stitched.

Mistress Mary, Quite contrary,
How does your garden grow?
With Silver Bells, And Cockle Shells,
And baskets in a row.

I don't mean to imply that Mary Evans was contrary. If you judge her by her sampler, she was a very good girl indeed.

Until later dear friends,

Alma

27 comments

  1. A framer's nightmare! Can't wait to see a new sampler. Hope all is well in your corner of the world.

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  2. Oh wow! She looks so pretty! Bummer about the framing method used on her. But you've saved her! Can't wait for the new book!

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  3. Looks very interesting! Oh, the torture for that poor sampler!

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  4. Alma, you're temtping us! It will be a lovely book. Your books are always so well put together. Something to look forward to for sure.
    Angie

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  5. Mary would be proud to see what you will do with her sampler.....and I'll be anxious to see your new releases.
    I love flower baskets!

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  6. Wow! I can't wait to see what you all come up with with this wonderful sampler as inspiration!

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  7. I can't wait for the new book! What fun!!!

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  8. What an amazing stitch...so glad it has endured all these years. Looking forward to the new book and seeing what this wonderful piece inspires.

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  9. Love the sampler and the fact that you have saved her!! I'll be on the list for your newest book. Hugs and happy stitching Alma.

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  10. carissima

    il sampler è bellissimo

    aspetto con impazienza il libro

    un abbraccio forte dall'italia

    silvia

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  11. I have several old family samplers and they are all framed on wood! What else would have held them securely? It is amazing that they survive such treatment and aren't we lucky when they do???

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  12. A beautiful new booklet to look forward to! This is a wonderful sampler, and the stitches look so tiny. I wonder who nailed it - someone Mary knew or someone much later on.

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  13. Look forward to the new book - what a beautiful sampler!

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  14. I swore I wasn't coming back here after ordering sourdough starter and a bostform...but I can't help myself...the sample is such a treasure!

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  15. Looks beautiful!

    Or at least what you are sharing with us so far. :-)

    Looking forward to seeing the new book.

    Cynthia

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  16. Thank goodness you rescued the sampler. I will be looking forward to your new book and seeing the sampler.

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  17. I hope Mary Evans can see how much enjoyment her Sampler has given and is still giving to so many people and will continue to give. What a wonderful find and how precious.

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  18. My sister's name is Mary Evans! I will eagerly wait for the publishing of this sampler! She is also an avid gardener! A must stitch! Thank-you for sharing the good news!

    Holly in VA

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  19. Welcome to the Mary Evans Sampler Collection Club! I live in Wales and my grandmother's name was Mary Evans and I have a small collection of Mary Evans samplers - all quite different. Not one like yours though!

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  20. I don't know much about old samplers, but it's amazing to me how well the colors hold up in some of them over time. Looks like a beautiful design. I'm looking forward to seeing your new book.
    ~Roberta

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  21. Oh boy! Can't wait til April or May! Still waiting for Nashville! You two are so fabulous!

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  22. Can't wait for your new book Alma. Mary stitched a beautiful sampler; I'm glad you saved it from further despair!

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  23. How wonderful that you were able to save Mary's precious work and eventually give it new life when you reproduce it! Mary would have been proud! I can't tell you how many items from my grandparents that were ruined by nails and whatnot - little did they know they would become treasures well past their time!
    Cheers!

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  24. Fun to skip around the room with needlework finishes.

    Thx for sharing

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  25. Oh Alma!
    Next time you want to "sneak" off to Round Top - could you plan to come teach here at the shop????
    Oh boy!
    Ginger at Ginger's in Austin

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  26. Aren't you glad about all the conservation methods we have today? Hopefully in 150 or 200 years when somebody looks at our work, it won't be so damaged :-). I look forward to the new book..

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