Responding

 Hoping this answers a few questions posed about the box.

First, that box was purchased at Michael's, unfinished, and quite chintzy.  Thin wood, lots of sanding, I changed the brass hardware to black that comes in a little package (hinge and latch).  Craft paint and waxed.  I wanted it red, thought the black lining was too stark, so added a mottled black paint over.  

The second box is slightly larger and much better quality, found at Hobby Lobby.  The top is grooved but since the lid will be open, not seen.  The wood's grain was not attractive when stained so it was painted also.  

The leather was a huge bag of remnants at HL for only $6.  Huge.  I could see the large enough cuts through the bag (it held ten which is unusual).  I just cut to fit and used Tacky glue.  Would love to find dark brown.  I don't like print fabric detracting from stitchery, and velvet is way too classy for me.

A small wood scrap can be glued or nailed to the back to prevent the lid from opening flat.  The HL box has hinges that hold the lid perfectly upright.  The display stays in place because of the slight angle and rim.  The stitchery is mounted to a mat and just set on that rim, double side tape could hold in place if necessary.  A pillow finish with less puffy stuffing would probably stay as well.

The sampler asked about is from Scarlet Letter, two of my absolute favorite smalls.  Both on 28 with two threads as I did for years, love the look as much as the design.  Plan to stitch again, maybe on high count, maybe not.

Hope this answers your questions!

Sad evening, as the knock at my door was hunters asking if they could drag the huge buck they killed through my yard.  There is very little area behind us surrounded by houses and one road.  We watched him feed in our yard for several months. It was very dark, he was taken very close to our house.  

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