Johnny Angel

John Foster, that is.  I'm sure he's an angel or at least in heaven.  I wonder what he makes of people stitching a sampler that he stitched over a 100 years ago.  Does he like it when we change it to reflect our own personalities?  Do you think there is a stitcher's group in heaven?  No housework or work period to interrupt stitching time unless you choose to.  Do they point out to each other and say 'Hey look, someone started your sampler Susan Singleton' and then groan 'Oh no, Sarah Owens, they stuffed you into the closet.'  Or, 'Oh look, she got you out again Margaret Cottam!' Fun to think about.

200!  I've had something to say 200 times in the public domain?!  That's bizarre to think about.  Let's celebrate this particular blog's 200th posting with a giveaway.  But first let's look at John Foster in a big way and a small way.

Our LNS, Keepsakes, offered a discount on framing if she could have a display of our John Fosters in her shop.  What a deal.  Good for her and good for us.  All of these are framed differently to the stitcher's taste.

This one belongs to Patti.  Patti goes to lots of stitch retreats and I'm sure many of you know her.

I know this one is Christie's, Indigo Rain blogger.  Look how she changed the border from the light lavender color to gold.   The dovecotes are different too.  They gave everyone fits.  I love the gold fillet around the inside edge of the frame.

This one is mine.  This shows my true linen color the best of all the photos.

The bee skep is what drew me to the sampler.  I love bees and samplers with bees and skeps.

The little dogs are cute too.  One of the stitchers changed her dogs to cats because she likes cats and has cats.

Have always loved a good house in a sampler too.

A close up of the frame.  I chose the frame because it looks old to go with the faded old look of my version of the sampler.

I know, I know. What am I giving away?  Well, I first bought the premium silks from HDF for John Foster.  That sounds good doesn't it?  Premium.  They are good, but they don't work on 36 count linen.  They are meant to be used single stranded on 28 to 32 count linen.  Poop.  So, I reordered the correct silk.  My loss is your gain.

Barb, the owner of Keepsakes has a way with colors.  She's an artist.  We call her talent the Barbara Blessing.  I took my flosses to Barb and she helped me pick a 32 count linen that goes well with the premium silks.  It has the Barbara Blessing.  It's HD Brown, 32 count, from Fabric Flair, a one sided linen. (the other side is white like that batting showing in the background)

Here's the pattern, linen and flosses. I almost want to stitch it again.

A floss tag I made too.

So, here's the giveaway.  Gorgeous premium silk flosses, the pattern - gently used, Barbara Blessed 32 count linen and a cute floss tag.

Next Friday sounds like a good pick day.  I MUST be able to contact you.  Takes the fun out of a giveaway when someone wins and can't be contacted.  Tell your friends and Happy Stitching.

Marsha