Although I have been stitching away on my two projects, I don't want to post any photos just in case the recipients happen by. I did find a mistake on my Summer project, though, so I may do a little ripping out before I go to bed! As I have no other progress to show on anything (even though the days feel longer, I feel like I have less time to stitch!!), I thought I would share one of my needlework books. I bought this one early on when I started getting into samplers. The book is divided up into five sections: Reproduction Samplers, Schoolroom Samplers, Celebration Samplers, Flora and Fauna Samplers, and a Celebration of Childhood. While not everything is to my taste, there are some very nice things in the book. It was a very worthwhile purchase.
This is my favorite project in the book. It is a band sampler worked in the style of a seventeenth century original. I even have this one all kitted up. It has a variety of different stitches. My favorite is the bargello band--I think that looks very impressive. I have never stitched a reproduction sampler such as this, but I do have a few in my stash from The Scarlet Letter and The Essamplaire. I have thought it would be really cool to stitch a sampler from each era and from each country. I wonder how many I could come up with (just one representing each country or region say). Of course if you want to look at a lovely selection of samplers take a look at The Sampler Cove! Her work amazes me! I would love to have so many gorgeous stitched pieces! I can barely get some small project finished these days! On that note, maybe I should go and stitch instead of messing about on the computer!