FlossTube #28 Abby Rose Designs & The Stitching Parlor Trunk Shows

For The Love of Samplers

I keep telling myself that I am going to continually update this blog but weeks go by and I continue to neglect it.  I get busy with day to day stuff or I am stitching on a new design or charting something and before I know the day is gone.

I am so happy to see so many reproduction samplers reproduced lately.  They are my favorites and there are some beauties out there, in fact, I could not resist purchasing a couple myself.  When I will have time to stitch them is a mystery but at least I have them when I'm ready.

Over the years I have purchased several antique samplers and have a small collection.  About 10 years ago I reproduced Ann Merchant, and I think it is still out there in some shops.  Merchant was my mother's maiden name and so I knew Ann had to be a relative since the sampler was found in the area where the Merchant Family lived in the 1800's.  In fact, she turned out to be a distant cousin.  The sampler was in bad shape when I rescued it but I have since had it put in a archival frame and hung it on my wall next to the reproduced Ann Merchant.

Over the last few months, I have been working on another...Ann Hughes.  I guess Ann was a very popular name.  Poor Ann's sampler is also on need of some restoration, so since I have finished charting her, she will be re-framed and enjoyed for many years to come.  I have just  few more stitches to go and her reproduction will be complete.  The antique Ann Hughes was a little tricky to chart...wherever she was stored all these years, it left her so dirty and faded it was very hard to tell what colors in which she had been stitched.  Even the back was very faded but I was able to see some hues of pink, green, brown, blue and red.  So I reproduced it as best as I could...I think Ann would be happy.  Here's a little peek.

Ann Hughes

I am hoping to get her to the framers later this week and then I will release the chart in the next few weeks.

I have now begun another reproduction from my collection...Mary Pilgrim.  I have charted little motifs from her but she will now get fully reproduced.  She is taking more time because she has some specialty stitches and was stitched on 52 count linen with silk thread.  I can only chart a few motifs a day...I have to wear my readers, and a magnifying glass with my Ott desk lamp.

Mary Pilgrim

It's going to be awhile before she is reproduced!

So this is how it all began...samplers!  I learned to cross stitch because I loved samplers and I will enjoy stitching every minute of Mary Pilgrim.

Bunny Boxes

My new Bunny Boxes can be ordered through your LNS or Online Store!  They will begin to ship February12th.

No Matter How Long the Winter, Spring is Sure To Come!

Happy New Year Everyone! I hope the Christmas season brought you joy and happiness and time spent with family and friends.  I also hope you had a little time to stitch.  I tried to get a little in everyday and saved some time to watch my favorite flosstube videos.  Here are some of my favorites...although I keep finding more to watch every week.

I love Shirl at Tranquil Stitches. She is from West Virginia.  I was born in West Virginia and lived there until I was 16.  I have lived in Texas for over 40 years! Well, that was hard to write! Anyway, I think I'm still a West Virginia girl at heart and Shirl is so sweet and gracious. And of course Kitten Stitcher...down to earth and I already feel like I know her and she loves cats.  I love cats...and dogs. She is sweet and funny.  I love Priscilla and Chelsea, especially because they are a mother/daughter team.  It is just great that they have the same love of stitching and like spending time together! The Kindred Stitcher...love her projects and Farm Girl and I could go on and on.  Such inspiration!

Well here is my new design so you can think about Spring, if it is still cold and dreary where you live.

No Matter How Long The Winter, Spring Is Sure To Come

(This is what the drum looks like before it is finished.)  

Both pieces were stitched on R & R Reproductions Weathered Shingles.  It is a light gray linen.

Stitched with Classic Colorworks and Gentle Arts Sampler Threads

I used Vonna Pfieffer's tutorial to put together my drum.

The sampler on the right is attached to a square paper mache box (7 x 7).

"Winter Time"

"Winter Time"

Hoping Everyone had a very Merry Christmas!  My new design "Winter Time" is now available at your LNS or online store.

I finished this design using a frame that I purchased at Hobby Lobby..it was 50% off and was $20.  It has three nice metal clips, it is metal all the way around and has a wooden inside.  It is very sturdy...that's great because I am going to change it up for every season.  I added the ribbon on the top and bottom.  It is hot glued on and I should be able to take it off the metal easily when I decorate it for Spring!

I finished my design as a flat piece, added some Lady Dot Creates "Vintage" chenille and used a coordinating piece of fabric on the back.  It easily fits between the two clips on and then on the right side I added my calendar.

2018 was a great year for Abby Rose Designs!  Thank you to all who have purchased my designs!  I have some new things that I am working on for 2019 and will try to add some "sneak peaks".  Thanks again!   Wishing you all a very Happy New Year!

New Designs

Hi Everyone,

I have a few new designs to show you. I have been very neglectful to my blog lately but I have been busy designing.  Hope you enjoy!

"Merry Be Your Christmas"

32 count coffee dyed linen

Gather Ye Thy Bounty

32 count platinum linen

Merry & Bright

32 ct. R&R Reproduction Weathered Shingles Linen

Merry Little Christmas

32 count Weathered Shingles Linen

Thankful, Grateful, Blessed

32 Count coffe dyed linen

A Couple of Christmas Designs

Merry Little Christmas

32 Count Weathered Shingles

GAST Threads with DMC Conversions

Merry And Bright

32 Count Weathered Shingles

GAST Threads

Finished Size is about 6 by 6 inches.

Coming Soon!