Tuesday, August 4, 2009

Samplers

I ♥ samplers…sampler quilts, samplers of new foods that the product demonstrators allow you to taste in the supermarkets.  Oh wait!  Those are samples…and I ♥ them too. 

But I absolutely ♥ x-stitch samplers!

berrydividerx It has always been a dream of mine to have my very own antique x-stitch sampler but the ones I’ve seen are way too rich for my budget.  A long time ago I came to the realization that if I’m ever going to own a sampler, I’d have to make it myself.  Easier said than done since I don’t know the first thing about x-stitching.

berrydividerx In my travel teaching days, I ventured into a needleshop in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio back in 2003 where I picked up two Prairie Schooler Santa x-stitch patterns.  I also bought all the supplies I needed…floss, fabric and needles.  Somewhere in my travels, I picked up a third pattern in the series.DSCN0832It goes without saying that I never did get around to stitching them.

A few weeks ago, after blog hopping and seeing some incredible x-stitching projects, I decided to unearth my supplies and take the plunge.  I read as much as I could find on line about the basics and dove in.DSCN0830I’m pleased with my progress thus far but I don’t think I’m ready to tackle a sampler just yet.

DSCN0831There are a few gals in my quilting guild who invited me to join their stitching guild when they reconvene in September.  I’m looking forward to joining them in order to learn more in my quest to stitch a sampler.

It looks like it’s going to be a long and enjoyable journey.  Want to hitch a ride?

Happy stitching!

Kaaren ♥

on

30 comments:

  1. Abby and StephanieAugust 4, 2009 at 8:07 AM

    Everything you touch is beautiful! Looking forward to following along your x-stitch journey. The only craft my mother still does is x-stitch and her work is perfection. How many people can say they've visited Cuyahoga Falls? I live in Ohio and have not.

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  2. KarenAugust 4, 2009 at 8:14 AM

    I love those patterns and had a few finished pillows done by someone else from the same designer. My pillows were stitched on a very large and rustic cloth with a clothing cording around them. I'm slowly dipping my toe back into the cross stitch thing. Not sure how I feel about the very small count cloth - man that's tiny, lol. Will see how far I go with it. Yours is off to a wonderful start - you go girl.

    Hugs - Karen

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  3. Linda - Behind My Red DoorAugust 4, 2009 at 8:49 AM

    Okay my friend, if I can make samplers, YOU can!! Make sure you have good glasses for the close work though! LOL Back in the day, I made many many of them including some of the Father Christmas ones. Most were the real sampler variety though. I gave many of them away then and later I gave more away as they were too cute or not very prim or colonial as my taste evolved.

    Now, I have a hard time with the small stitches even with my reading glasses. I need cross stitch glasses as well! And a huge dose of patience!!

    Looking forward to seeing your finish!

    hugs, Linda

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  4. JulieAugust 4, 2009 at 8:57 AM

    OMG! this is just SO uncanny! ok, i have to email you about this right now!
    xoxoxo

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  5. TerryAugust 4, 2009 at 10:14 AM

    Congratulations on your first attempt at cross stitch! It looks wonderful! Can't wait to see it done! Ive cross stitched for years but have set it aside now (temporarily) to embroider and make quilts.

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  6. ShakerwoodAugust 4, 2009 at 10:17 AM

    Don't you just love the Santa Samplers. They started back in 1985 and made a different one avaliable ever since. I have a lot of them but not all. And I've only made one but some day......LOL

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  7. HeidiAugust 4, 2009 at 10:38 AM

    It is going great Kaaren! Woohoo! It is fun to stitch sometimes and quilt others. I love doing both. I make Santas and then stuff them. They stay out year round in my quilt studio to enjoy. I guess they kind of watch over me...lol. I am sure a new addiction is coming on for you.

    I just finished the little sampler I started on Saturday. I found a frame for it on the way to the cottage and will hang it on my sampler wall tonight. Stop over and take a look when you get a chance...

    Hugs ~
    Heidi

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  8. AnonymousAugust 4, 2009 at 10:41 AM

    Gosh, I used to x-stitch all the time and make samplers...you'd think I would have kept one for myself!

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  9. LurlineAugust 4, 2009 at 10:48 AM

    What a wonderful way to start, Kaaren - Santas are to me, the most beautiful of x-stitch - yours is looking great - can't wait to see the finish - I will resurrect past Posts of mine someday to
    re-show!
    Hugs - Lurline♥

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  10. AnnetteAugust 4, 2009 at 10:54 AM

    Wow. I think you are doing super for just being a beginner. I think you could handle a sampler just fine. I love the pattern you chose. That is going to be lovely. I have a cross-stitch pattern I picked up on vacation last year and need to get it done. Thanks for the reminder :-)

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  11. CathiAugust 4, 2009 at 11:31 AM

    Your Santas are going to be fabulous!! If you can do those, you can do a sampler, imo. There's something about cross-stitch that's so very calming! I've just jumped in on this bandwagon too -- and have 3 things on the go already!

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  12. KimberlyAugust 4, 2009 at 12:39 PM

    Wow! I love 'em! X-stitching is not something I've stuck with for very long, but I do really love the finished projects. I'm more of a stitcherie girl for sure. But I'm also a Santa girl, so be sure to show us the finished pictures!

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  13. Comfort Cove DesignsAugust 4, 2009 at 12:52 PM

    Your Christmas x-stitch patterns are adorable! I haven't made a sampler myself yet, but I will someday. Right now I'm up to my eyeballs in quilting, including making a sampler quilt!

    Quiltingly Yours
    Andrea

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  14. Calamity Jane's Cottage, BonnieAugust 4, 2009 at 1:40 PM

    Hi Kaaren,
    I use to X-stitch all the time. Specially when I worked at one place I only got 30 minutes for lunch. Not enough time to do anything, so I sat and X-stitched.
    Miss it and seeing everyone's projects makes me want to get back into it. Your Santa is great.
    Keep Stitchen'
    Bonnie

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  15. DarleneAugust 4, 2009 at 4:36 PM

    I'm loving this new journey you're on. I'll have to share a picture of some of my PS Santas.

    You can make your own sampler - just find a pattern you love and get started. I'll be here to cheer you on. :-)

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  16. Mary on Lake PulaskiAugust 4, 2009 at 4:41 PM

    I saw a cross stitch sampler at the MN state fair last year that I would love to own (don't think I could say that I could make it)! It was the ABC's of handwork with "Q" for quilting etc. The box with the Q actually had a little cross stitched quilt!!!! You look like you are catching on very fast. If I could ever find that pattern, I would join you!! Keep up the great work on that lovely Christmas stitching.

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  17. MickiAugust 4, 2009 at 7:14 PM

    I love samplers too, and a stitch sampler sounds just lovely!
    The patterns you got are wonderful!
    Micki

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  18. CandaceAugust 4, 2009 at 8:03 PM

    I've done cross stitch on and off since the 70's Kaaren - looks like you're on your way to perfection! I think you're doing great so far!
    Cheers!

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  19. PatAugust 4, 2009 at 8:12 PM

    You are doing a great job Kaaren. You are ready to start your sampler!

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  20. AnneAugust 4, 2009 at 8:52 PM

    I came to quilting via cross stitch and thought I'd never get the quilting thing down, but I did and you'll do great with x-stitch. I've done a couple of those Santas too and love them every year when I pull them out at Christmas time. Never fear...you'll have your sampler in no time!

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  21. JocelynAugust 4, 2009 at 9:34 PM

    I hope that you will make your sampler cross stitch. I started one many years ago, and somehow my stitching got "off" and I became discouraged and put it aside. It was fun making an old fashioned Santa tree skirt for my mother in love. She does not put it under the tree, but drapes it over the loveseat at Christmas time :-)

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  22. LindaAugust 4, 2009 at 9:57 PM

    I tried my hand once at xstitching. It never got finished. I think I tossed it. Too slow for me. But I will watch in anticipation to see you finished sampler.

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  23. Jane's Fabrics and QuiltsAugust 4, 2009 at 10:32 PM

    Oh Kiddo you will have no trouble, evrything you touch turns into gold!

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  24. dotti whiteAugust 4, 2009 at 11:09 PM

    You will do an amazing job! It's always fun to try something new and see that you really can do it! Have a great week!

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  25. DorothyAugust 5, 2009 at 11:38 AM

    You are doing a great job on your x-stitch Kaaren. I used to do a lot of x-stitch but my neck can't take it anymore. This getting older really sucks! lol

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  26. SaraAugust 5, 2009 at 1:58 PM

    Kaaren! I've missed you-I know, I'm a bad blogger! But those cross-stitches look great! And I have one of those santas that I made years ago! Before I quilted we (mom, sis & I) did x-stitch! I know you will do great on those santa and your own sampler one of these days!!!

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  27. Petit Design Co.August 5, 2009 at 2:13 PM

    Hi Kaaren,

    I hope you don't mind but I featured your quilt cupboard over on my blog. Don't worry I gave credit to you for the photo and linked to your site. Let me know if you would rather have me remove you from my site.

    Thanks

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  28. DonnellyAugust 5, 2009 at 7:40 PM

    I love the Prairie Schooler Santas. I made my daughter a set as ornaments for Christmas several years back. Can't wait to see your sampler.
    Have a great day.

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  29. Kate/MassachusettsAugust 5, 2009 at 9:30 PM

    Kaaren, have you seen this blog? If you like antique samplers, you will spend a lot of time here...be warned!! lol

    http://needleprint.blogspot.com/

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  30. Quilter Going BananasAugust 6, 2009 at 2:26 AM

    I started x-stitching as a teen and enjoyed it thoroughly until I caught the quilting bug in the mid 90's. I still do some, usually in the summer months. I have 2 samplers that I did
    in '88 and '89 that have been hanging
    in my kitchen since then. I think I'll post pics of them soon one day on my blog.
    Cheers, from cool but sunny MB,Canada

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