But not too loudly. Doesn't the mini sampler look sweet? Just slightly different, enough to be noticed. Jennifer suggested nun stitch edges in an email after I had already attached the mini. It can be removed, and I am contemplating her idea. Would it be a little too nice looking and more formal on this wonky piece? Maybe. I need another slice of creamy swiss cheese first to fuel my brain. I also added the r to Pitminster. It just bugged me.
This 30 count linen stretches easily and did so from working in hand. I'm not a hooper, have used it and been pleased for some projects, but failed to with Ann. Don't know why. I'm old. I've recovered from menopause only for it to turn around and bite me in the ass again. So many (most) times I have no rhyme, reason, or sensibility. I pressed Ann but do not want a smooth finish, prefer the slightly wrinkled look for reproductions. And for those of you squeamish, stop reading.
I will probably dip Ann a few times in a light wash, rinse, and machine dry on low. The result will be a tighter linen, the stretched areas will rebound, and I will have that overall slight pucker that I want. All DMC, never had any color run, but will check my left over strand of 919 by soaking it first. But before I do that, I will lay her on a quilt and use my steamer to see if that does the trick. It may. It's what I use to stretch my sweaters in length and also ... ahem..... butt. They really hold their shape after blocking this way and when my excess reduces (if ever) I will rinse and dry to rebound. It's a plan that's been in effect for years. Whether steaming without shaping will encourage the linen to revive to form, I don't know.
Right now Ann has a strip of boning in the top fold and I will let her hang for a few days, but she does need framing. I have so many unframed samplers that I hang from boning and they've been fine for many years, but I can tell that this one will not be. The wave at the bottom is just from the loose hang, not a stretch.
With Micheal's 60% off coupons, I may be able to afford framing, one at a time. I don't want to abandon my local framing businesses, but using them, my Lucy Redd sampler would cost over $300 without glass and mounting it myself. Can't justify that. I need over $600 to get my Eliquis which I haven't taken for months. I don't know if that is a reasonable price for a 20 x 22 simple frame, will see what Michael's will be in a few weeks.
I may try to post her to Instagram if there is a way to preview your photos before posting. No idea on sizing so I need to test a few first.
Thanks again for all your encouragement on Ann Kirby Hicks. She certainly enables errors to be hidden and has taught me that an elegant detailed sampler would not be a good idea for a while.
Or ever.
Be well!!
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15 comments:
Marly,
Lovely, lovely job with the sampler...I hear you about the cost of framing...try Patti Nicolosi at By My Hand Needle'werks...she does an amazing job of framing and her prices are incredibly reasonable! You would not be disappointed with her workmanship!
Regards,
Patricia
WooHooo!! It looks great. Unless someone holds a photo of the original next to it, no one will ever know you made a few modifications.
Framing - so expensive! One thing I've wondered for those with many samplers unframed and in drawers - is there a problem with mounting the samplers to backer boards, and then rotating through them in the same frame? I can't see why it wouldn't work for samplers the same size. I ask because I see so many comments about the stitching being finished, but unframed and sitting in storage due to cost.
I hope your not taking the Eliquis doesn't cause you more problems...
Very loud and long drum roll from here!!!! That piece turned out wonderful and I especially love it knowing the challenges you have and yet you finished it and in record time and it's so pretty . A piece like that would probably take me a year to do!
So....what's up next for you? : D
Marly, your sampler is just beautiful. I especially love your color choices. I hear you about the cost of framing. It's hard to justify spending that amount of money. I like to look for old frames at estate sales, etc. I hope you can find something. It's much too pretty to not have it on the wall. Take care during this challenging time. Cherie in WI
Bravo! absolutely spectacular, love the little patch. I know framing is very expensive especially with museum glass but so worth it. I give samplers away to my kids and the first thing they say is " I cannot see any reflection in the glass". In fact I can see just outside my stitching room I have four old ( 70's) little sampler hung. One has glass and it looks just like the others. Take care all.
WOW! This finish is spectacular. I was not sure as the individual bits came together, but it really is a stunner. So much to look at. Love the little sampler.
Early on I decided to learn to frame and collect old frames when I can find them. Just Gail, you can certainly rotate frames with prepared back boards. I use a point driver (not expensive) to temporarily hold them in. The flat points are easily removed with a needle nose when you are ready for a change!
Well done...even those !@#$ trees look good!
R
Oh Marly, how beautiful...not wonky, simply wonderful. I love the way you incorporated the mini sampler with contrast. This one deserves a place of honor
in your gallery, so hope you can get it framed within reason. Don't know what can
justify $300. when you do most of the prep work. Rest on those laurels, dear girl,
you did an outstanding job.
Marly: I do like the nun stitch, I have used it many times, I am not the best at it.
Have a beautiful week.
Catherine
What an inspiring piece! So many interesting motifs.
I find Michaels to be quite overpriced; it seemed to me that they raised their base prices beforehand, knowing most people would be using one of those hefty coupons. But I have only used them a few times when I needed something framed professionally and in a hurry, because my local private framer shop is very leisurely in getting things done. My local Michaels did do very fine work.
The largest piece I had framed by my local shop is an 18"x24" Mirabilia with metalized molding and a double sueded matte board; cost was $100 + tax. The few Michaels pieces I had done were considerably smaller and simpler but in the $50-$70 range.
I taught myself to make frames and usually I frame my own pieces, but these were gifts and I wanted them to look classy and they did.
Love, love, love Ann!!! You stitched that quickly...especially with all your frogging.
I haven't had anything framed in years because of the cost :(
Congratulations! Your sampler looks great! I too have quite a few stitcheries that need framing so I finally asked my husband if he thought he could make one. He agreed to try, we went to Menards (like Home Depot) and picked out some simple trim. He cut it to the size I requested, mitered the pieces and glued them together. The frame actually came out pretty good. I painted it and put a stain over that and I must say I was pleased with how it turned out. Maybe you or Mark would give it a try? I had mounted the stitched piece on foam core board; made sure the fabric was stiff by spraying it with Best Press and ironing it, figuring out how much of a margin I wanted along the sides. I measured and cut the board with an exacto knife, then carefully pinned the fabric to the edges of the foam core board with tiny pins.Then I took a long needle and strong thread and "laced" the excess fabric along the backside of the board. You are so crafty, I`ll bet you could do it with no problems.( I think I looked on the internet for a tutorial before I tried it).Start with a smaller piece and if it turns out well you can frame Ann yourself!
Love that you've finished your sampler. Was interesting reading all the steps, changes in colors, movement of stitches, etc.
Would be nice if you and Mark could make a frame for it yourselves.
I had a water color (Big) done by my Grandfather, framed years ago......cost me over $300.00. That was back in the day.
Take care, stay well !
Charlotte in Va.
Oh, how wonderful it looks, Marly! Love the attached mini sampler (and I would have had to added the "R," too :) Congratulations--I enjoyed watching your progress!
Ta da!!! Can you hear the drum rolling in Nod??? Absolutely FANTASTIC piece Marly girl... A bit like giving birth, though, I must say LOL. That little mini sampler is my absolute favorite part...and you chose the perfect linen for a perfect contrast. Ok, now I must ask....what is the nun stitch?? And "boning"?? There are a great many rocks in Nod you know. ;-). And, hmmmm....I hear you on the framing cost thing... I happen to really like my local small framer...but always thought it costly...(and no longer put glass over stitchings)....but $300 sounds high even so...especially if you're doing the mounting???? But I agree wholeheartedly, she needs special treatment...
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