Specimens of Needlework

If I had a spare $9,000, I would LOVE to purchase this book: http://www.samplings.com/catalog/mercerletitia Not having that kind of spare change at the moment, I have decided that I needed to create my own Specimen of Needleworks. A while ago, when my days were very dark, my friends created many exquisite cross stitched smalls and put them in my treasure box. Of those gifts, some I believe I will include in this book. In the many postings online about needlework, I know that it's so nice to know about the stitcher so I will ask the gifter to include a small bio of themselves which I will take and scan in so I can stitch it in silk. My decisions about my book so far has been thus:

1. Stitch everything in silk and leather although I notice the above book was created in the 1800 and still remains lovely. Kathleen and I though went to Chicago where textiles from ANCIENT civilizations survived. I have no idea where my Specimen book might end up but I pray that it will always be handled with knowing and loving hands.
2. I'm thinking about a larger size book, like those old map books. That way I could include the bio and the stitching on one page or of sufficient size that a sampler could e stitched within it.
3. I've decided that I am quite simply mad to start another project but the journey towards certifiability is always such a rush lol

Now, if YOU love samplers, please DO go to Finkel website. I've never seen a more wonderful collection of needleworks and from all reports on other yahoo groups, this family has customer service second to none! Click here to go to it:
http://www.samplings.com/index.html



Pictures used with permission

We appreciate that you asked our permission and you're welcome to have it on your site.

Amy Finkel

M. Finkel & Daughter
936 Pine St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107
215.627.7797
www.samplings.com

Rotation

I've been so busy working and being outside, I have had no time to update this blog. When I get on the computer and do something other than work, I tend to be more of a blog viewer than doer. I did decide that it was time to list the 2009 Stitching projects I want to work on. I will post their progress here as I do them.

I've been working on SPML: In the Cathedrals of the Forest. I will be working on my second block of 100. I've been diverted by the knitting I've really enjoyed doing. I need to get back to this and have bought oodles of needles so I can stitch faster hopefully.

The hard frost is now here in Iowa. Here is how it looked 7am this morning. Isn't it gorgeous against the morning sun? I'm sure there's a lucky clover in there for me if only I didn't have to rush to work!

Friends and blessings

Dustin, my son is an awkward eager puppy who finds it hard to keep his friends. While the boys would run and play, Dustin would be breaking things all over my house so he could fix them again. A budding engineer for sure but still a lonely boy.

For that reason, I included him in my passion for horses. All our hopes was waylaid by the death of Freedom, my son's first horse in a lightening storm. Sometimes the best laid plans go awry. Into our lives came Eddie. Our trainer Tammy found Eddie for us and I will always appreciate the opportunities she has opened up for Dustin even though he was not a very good student of dressage. Dustin now loves his horse and finds compainionship in his friend Chelsie.

I see Chelsie and Dustin riding off without me, talking all the way on two kind mounts who will bring them back happy and safe. Until you have ridden a cranky, unsafe horse, you just don't realize what a joy that is. Kari trained both these horses so another blessing in my life is Kari.

My son seems to have a bit of me in him. I was so eager, when I was at a previous trainers named Anna, to be involved in all the activities those people seemed to always have going on at her barn. I often felt left out as they went on trail rides I was not included in. More alike to Dustin than I would have liked myself to be for sure. But through Anna came my girl Indie, the love of my life.

Like Eddie, Indie has opened up a whole different world for me. She and my other horse Amira has introduced me to people who share the same passion for horses as I have. Horses aren't a business for us, they are dear members of our families. We are the wierd bunch who can hapily discuss horses all day long and not get tired of it. I belong and that is a precious gift for everyone.

Indie, born at my barn has become the answer to a prayer said as a six year old girl "Please God, give me a horse" and at 43 years old, I thank God every day I have her. My son and I have been blessed by these magical creatures and since we know the pain of losing Freedom and Indie's mother Sis, we appreciate these blessings so much more.

For some, these are just horses but for my son and I, we ride magic.

Stress

I just had to write another "Forgive me I'm tardy" note and realized how much easier it would be for me to finish the darn thing and get it out. Excuses are getting old and I need to send it to Lynn. I am making myself a promise that after my classes, I WILL get it sown tonight.

Maybe if I post it here, I will be forced to finish it! I should have just done an envelope but NOOOOO, it had to be perfect and otustanding(sheesh). Someone save me from me please?

At least my Dash loves me!

Another attempt at blogging

I often am amazed at the bloggers I have found online and think what a wonderful idea it is to catalog all the wonderful things that have come into my life. My only problems is that often, my life is so busy, I have no chance to log it.

I am in desperate need for time management. I need to fit more things in my day than the 24 hours alloted to me. I also stand in front of big changes to my life since my kids are almost out of high school and off to college. Only two more years until I can rediscover the person I used to be and look forward to the life with Doug after children.

I hope this blog will help me whittle down all my activites I love to do and in the meantime, relive the sunshine and shadows God has blessed me with. Happy Monday Everyone!

This is a picture of my girl Indie, just back from the Kari, horse trainer extradonaire in Wisconsin with Dustin on Eddie and Doug on Indie. I am on my other love, Amira who was kind enough to stand still while I shot pictures.

Date 05/19/2008 Monday Temp: 65H-45L Showers