Ann Merchant

Model is stitched on 30 count Weeks Dye Works Parchment

Available now through Hoffman Distributing or your local needlework store!  

Ann Merchant 1838 Reproduction Sampler 

 

 

 

Poor Poor Pitiful Me!

This past week has been something else! Most of the week I was in denial that I had a cold...no matter that I was so congested I could hardly breathe or that I went through at least two boxes of tissues. I was determined that it was allergies! So on Friday, I went to the doctor...for my allergies...he informed me it was a cold and I should go home, rest and quit infecting everyone. And I hope...I didn't cause anyone else this kind of suffering. I don't know why I can't except it when I am sick. I guess I am used to enjoying good health...which I am very thankful for....and I don't want to miss anything :). Life is full of great adventures and I don't want to miss out on any! But anyway...this week, I was glad iPads and Pinterest were invented. That's about all I had the strength to do. Speaking of adventures...I am having the greatest time with my adventure....Abby Rose Designs. My series has been well received by all of you and I feel very blessed! It is great to get an email from someone who has said they love your work. And I thank you! I also got a surprise email from Ann Robbins of R&R Reproduction...my absolute favorite linen, asking me to let them know before I release a pattern, so they can prepare.( I usually use their linen.) I guess this week wasn't so bad after all! Well the fact that I am posting today means I am about to rejoin the land of the living. Congestion's better, tummy is growling so I guess I'll close and go find some Campbell's chicken noodle soup. That's what mom gave us and it always helped to make me and my two sister feel better. Keep stitching!

Reproducing An Old Sampler...

Well...it's been a while since I last posted!  I picked up my Ann Merchant from the framer a couple of days ago and the frame I chose was even better than I expected!  Of course, it didn't hurt that the owner of the frame store has a wonderful eye and knows exactly what you want!  It took just a couple of tries and we both agreed that the final selection was the best.  My framer did a wonderful job and I plan to take the original and have it framed in the same style.

This has been a process and since it was my first reproduction....I wanted to get it as close to the original as I possibly could....also Ann Merchant was a member of my family so I wanted to give her...her due respect!

I purchased this sampler back about 2 years ago.  She laid waiting patiently for at least a year...then I began the process of charting her.  I had to decide if she was going to be reproduced exactly...or respectfully reproduced...meaning a little change here and there while keeping the idea of the original sampler.  Of course, I chose....to chart her to the best of my ability....just as I saw the sampler.  I'm glad I did...when you put them side by side....it is a wonderful sight to see old and new!

I was lucky in a way, that the back side was not completely covered.  The sampler was not given it's due respect over the years and came to me in a very bad way...she is nailed to a wooden frame!  Well, she will be given the royal treatment now and framed properly to preserve her for another hundred fifty years!  Anyway, because the back was open, I could see the original color of the linen and silks!
I took her to my local needlework store and with the help of another lover of samplers, we chose the silks and linen by pulling and matching to the closest possible color...it was great fun and very exciting!  We were on a mission to do right by Ann! 

Now chart is complete...silk and linen chosen, time to start stitching!  Again, I lucked out...my friend, Lenore Ramos lovingly stitched her for me.  She is a beautiful stitcher, loves samplers, and I think a speed stitcher...she puts me to shame!  Anyway, the end result is something I am very proud of...the new Ann Merchant looks like an old sampler...mission accomplished!  I have added a sneek peek for you.  She will be released in about 2 weeks.  I am now preparing her for her release.  She has had her picture taken ( a hundred times...to get the best photos), and I have almost completed her instructions, working on her DMC conversion and putting together her family tree information.  I had a great time and I feel like I saved another one of our American Samplers!  If you are a sampler stitcher, I hope you will enjoy this one!

Speak Kindly Release

Hi Everyone!  Just a quick note.  I've had several e-mails regarding the release date for "Speak Kindly".  It should be released tomorrow through Hoffman.

Also, thanks to everyone who has begun to sign up for this blog.  It is appreciated and in the next couple of weeks I will post a contest so someone can win a couple of sets of my latest designs.  Tell your friends to sign up too!

Still working on my Christmas design.  Had it almost complete and then decided I didn't like one of the colors.....of course it was a major part of the design.  Took me almost all Sunday afternoon to take it all out.  I kept wondering if it would have been easier to just start over!

I don't know about you but I am sure looking forward to Fall and Winter!  It will still be warm here in south Texas but it will tolerable! 

Will be spending next week in Dallas for a work conference.  Hoping to get out to a few needlework shops while I am there.  Any recommendations?

Speak Kindly!

While on vacation, I haven't designed or stitched much.  "Speak Kindly" did make it back from the framers and will be available soon at your local needlework shop.  Here's a peek!  This is part four of the series, " Live Simply, Care Deeply, Love Generously and Speak Kindly".  I've had many kind e-mails saying that you have enjoyed sitiching this series, and I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to e-mail.  What's next....well, I have 2 reproduction samplers in the works, a Christmas Design and I am working on a small booklet of various designs.

I have also promised myself that I am going to start blogging more often and get this going properly!
When you visit, if you haven't already, sign up.  When I get at least 30 followers signed up, ( and I know that there are alot of you already reading, who haven't yet signed up) I am going to post a contest and will give away a couple of sets of the series!  So hurry, sign up, so we can start the contest!  I hope everyone is enjoying a great summer!  Stay cool!

Vacation!!!!

It has been a very hot summer here in South Texas but we took a little time off and headed to one of our favorite spots...South Padre Island.  Every year we try to spend as much time there as possible.  It is a tropical paradise to relax, shop and of course the seafood is great! 

As you can see Coco loves it too!  After a hot day she likes to come inside and get a quick nap.  Some how she managed to get a pillow in her dog bed!  We still haven't figure out how she did that....she is something else!

Christmas in June?

Today I worked on my Christmas Design! It's kinda hard to get into the Christmas spirit when it's 95 degrees outside! Now to order the supplies and decide on colors and then work on the stitching. I have several projects in the works...which reminds me of a post I read on one of my favorite blogs. The writer said, today I have stitcher's ADD, I've been jumping around from one project to another. I totally understood what she was saying...I just never knew what to call it. I guess we all have those days when you can't seem to settle on a project. BTW...I am looking for model stitchers. If you are interested, email me at gaylereger@aol.com and I will give you the details. Three more weeks until my Catherine Jorden class. I'm so excited...it's a combination of a little stitching, painting and dyeing fabric. I received the instructions for what to bring to class and it mentioned not to wear good clothes....so we are gonna have a great time! The rest of the summer is full for me....and before I know it...summer will be over. My husband and I are going to spend a week at the Gulf of Mexico right after my stitching class, then 2 weeks later I am off to Chicago for a conference and then back to Dallas for a second conference. So I have stitch when I can... I purchased a beautiful tote to make my stitching supplies a little more mobile. It has 3 cat faces and was designed by Laurel Burch who also designs needlepoint canvases. I'll get a photo of it and post it later. I hope you are having a great weekend!