This is a medley of design elements taken from the following Blackbird Designs patterns:
Petites Lettres Rouges
Stars and Stripes
Glad Tidings
I’ve stitched it in DMC on 35 ct linen from Vikki Clayton. It will be sent to someone else, so there’s space for personalization.
This is one of the designs from the booklet, A Fine Collection. I’ve stitched it on a 35 ct cream (with a very light celery tint) linen from HDF using the suggested fibers with the exception of the alphabet, which is done in GAST Woodsmoke (a very dark skein I had). I didn’t like the pinkness of the Cocoa that was suggested.
I’ve finished it as a tray insert for a wooden tray/basket that I painted and then sanded down to give it an antique look. Frankly, I’m thrilled with the outcome and it was hard to package it up to send away. Must do this finish again in the future!
Here’s my version of the little red sampler freebie that’s been making the rounds. Mine’s dedicated to Sara, one of my dearest friends of all time. Her maiden name is Brice and we met in 1987 (I subtracted 100 years to keep with the vintage-style look). I’ve stitched mine on 28 ct Celery/Natural Graziano linen using HDF silks Black Iris Bloom, Everlasting, and Dried Roses. The bird is from an old Dutch book “Klassieke Kruissteek Motieven” edited by Gertie Wandel. I chose a swan/goose because of the associations with loyalty, love, and steadfastness – as well as both birds being known as very protective mothers. Sara is a dedicated mother, wife, and friend and I wanted to chose a bird that reflected these traits of hers.
I’ve added some vintage lace, black rick rack, floral rick rack, shell buttons, and an antique-style key so the sampler looks like it’s been made by someone who wanted to show Sara how much she loves her by adding her prettiest bits & bobs (which is actually the case!).
