Greetings to all! Hoping you're having a good day. We're missing the snow storm this time so it's good here.
In Mary's progress, I realized that the stem stitch is not used for the curved line in the borders, rather the chain stitch. Video time.
Since I lost all my bookmarks from crashing, I just entered the stitch + video in Google and came up with many sites. The best, and all inclusive, is Mary Corbet's Needle 'n Thread. You can enlarge the video to full screen by clicking the right bottom corner and they are very well done and clear. The videos are at the bottom of the post (not the arrow at the beginning) in which she features photo examples of variations. Bookmark her site, and you won't have to search any where else. I enjoyed the stem so far, and like the chain even more. I removed the improperly done stem and filled with cross because I didn't like the look in small random areas.
The bottom freehand area is a little scary, so I copied the chart's bottom reducing in size until it fit my linen. I thought I had it perfect in this photo until I realized the border's backstitch wasn't the edge of the chart and I was two threads shy on each side.
Five % enlargement was perfect. I used a green highlighter to show the stitched edge, and I will pin this to the linen and use it as a guide for size, stitching the center area first. Then I'll cut the larger end flowers off and lay them right next to the stitching area. If I could find my tracing wheel and paper, I would cheat even more, but I don't think these small designs would trace well on the rough linen.
This is the most unusual sampler I've ever done and it will definitely be framed. I don't think this design would display as well without one.
As for my computer, I bought a new hard drive, reinstalled Vista and now need to get all my work back into it. Until then I am still on 7. Now my camera batteries were replaced and it changed the settings so when I import a photo, it's the size of Connecticut. The only organized task I can count on, is the large bin in which I throw all manuals, receipts, warranties, and guides for everything purchased. Do you notice that many new items come with nothing? They want you to download or view user guides online which is fine and saves paper, but my aunts and uncles never had a computer and never will. When I try it, for some reason, I don't understand as well as having the paper in my hand. Makes no sense - they're the same words!
For those of you that liked the fabric I showed last time, it's a older design in the Williamsburg Sampler Collection of Windham fabrics. I did find one place that had pieces left in green.
Scroll down to find it here
Thank you for visiting with me.
Have a safe and happy day!!
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The stitches aren't perfect and I changed the horizontal stem to vertical in a few places. It didn't take long at all to do this side. I had to steam steam steam the linen to restore the stretched areas from my prior stitching but I think it will be fine when mounted. I'm so surprised that this was completed in one sitting with no frogging, unlike prior attempts. 
I found several St. Clare images but this was my favorite. Crackled and aged looking in beautiful colors. If you're wondering when the tags will be for sale, so am I. I thought this would be a really cheap ship because of the size but our postal service claims 1/4" thick is a package. Anyway, I need to get the envelopes ordered and I'm still working out a few more designs. They will probably be $8 or $8.50 including the snap ring for hanging, plus shipping. 
So here is Mary with just the bottom to finish and then I'm moving on to the pile of possibilities that will create a decision making dilemma. Do you think Clare can help me with that? 
