Nice day in North Iowa – in the 50’s again. My chickens are so happy to get out of that barn and who can blame them.
I started cleaning up and straightening in the sewing room which means I’ll never find something that’s been laying here for months. Tonight I’m going to sew these leftover binding strips together for the UFO that’s waiting for binding.
Remember I said I could finish Yes, We Can America before February 1? Well, it turns out I don’t have enough batting so ordered more but it won’t be here till next week. Dang.
We are all pulling for you, Patti! Hope you’re able to read this and know we’re all thinking of you. I do hope your pain is manageable very soon.
Reader photos
I decided to work on the sampler wall – I had several to add to the wall and I just continue to hang them as I find them – a bit haphazardly I admit – but oh, they are so wonderful!
Here are more waiting for frames.
I have collected these samplers for many years – when Connie and I traveled, this was something I searched for – also white pitchers and planters as well as gold baby rings. So fun.
I should have posted this with Points of Interest, shouldn’t I?
Until tomorrow night…..
Luckily for me I’m allergic to beef so no Rocky Mountain oysters. And I agree – yuck.
I finished two preemie quilts. It’s raining really hard and I usually take my pictures of my quilts outside so I’m going to wait a day and hope for a break in the rain.
Mary your sampler collection is wonderful- I love that you rescue these items.
They are calling for snow here, with the worst accumulation just in time for Monday’s rush hour. That is so typical for our area. Glad I’m retired and can stay home. My knee is progressing well, I’m tired of all the exercises but do know this is how I will achieve the most bend in my knee-I will add though, my leg is straight, it used to to be quite bowed, it straightens more than it used to and bends more than it used to so there is great improvement.
Teresa – you are doing really well with your knee! And when you’re all finished with your therapy and exercises, you’ll have a perfect new pain free knee!! I love to hear about it raining – I wonder if we’ll ever hear that again.
Thank you for your encouragement. I appreciate it.
Susie from TEXAS
Oh Mary…I LOVE your sampler wall!
I have several but not nearly as many as in your fabulous collection.
You hv inspired me to get busy and frame those that need framing and get them hung to enjoy.
You are so inspiring and a blessing…on so many levels.
Good things,
Susie Emmons, Aledo, TEXAS
Mary, I love your collections, too, and the samplers speak to my heart. I have several of my own that need framing and thrift store treasures in all kinds of needlework that I love, embroidered dresser scarves, crewel work, and cross stitch, of course. “Back in the day…” when I used to knit, I made mittens in every size for my family, so I appreciate Jeanie’s 4-needle mittens. My favorite pattern was Grow Mittens, done in a ribbed design that stretched, so they fit both big and little kids! Ahh, the smell of drying mittens on the radiator and a pan of cocoa on the stove! I’ll quit rambling now.
Prayers continue. Kris in WI
And, no. No Rocky Mountain oysters for me, either!
Mary, your sampler wall looks so nice. It looks nicely arranged to me, even if you say it’s haphazard. I did a couple of cross stitch samplers when I was younger, still have one that needs framing, or finishing in some way. Maybe put fabric borders on to make a wall hanging?
Your Yes We Can quilt looks great! Don’t be disappointed that you can’t finish it in January. It will be ready in plenty of time for the summer “flag season”.
I’m working on a small wall hanging, that I’m so close to finishing this month, but don’t think I’ll make it. Just need to hand stitch the binding to the back, but will be surprising if I can finish it by tomorrow. That’s ok, I don’t like to put deadlines on my hobby. Had way too many deadlines when I was working, happy to be retired and able to do things more on my own schedule.
No Rocky mountain oysters for me! Or tripe, tongue,chitlins, sushi, or octopus either, for that matter.
Do I see a strippy lemoyne star there on the top of the mix? Bravo. One of my favorites.
Gary Larson, the “Far Side” cartoonist published many wonderful animal caricatures. The Rocky Mountain Oyster themed one still makes me smile.
I am enjoying your blog so very much. I have only recently come upon it! Your samplers are wonderful. How nice to save those old pieces of needlework that represent so much work and love. Do you frame them yourself? Do you use frames found in thrift shops? I applaud your collection and the collector!!!!
Carol – yes, I frame them very casually – usually in plain black frames from Walmart if I didn’t buy them framed. Today at the thrift stores I did. Heck out the frames but didn’t find any. I will take all those that need frames to Hobby Lobby or Walmart and get simple frames for all. I’ve meant to work on this wall for several years so I’m thrilled to get caught up.
Such a tragedy with the plane/helicopter crash. With a pilot in the family this hits close to home.
I love the sampler wall. I would sit and study them for hours. I used to cross stitch so have quite a few projects of my own. When we cleaned out the in-laws house I took quite a few of hers. There were just too many so some went in the sale. Hopefully someone else is treasuring them.
We got a good rain overnight of about 2 1/2”. Lake levels are still down so we can definitely use the rain.
Hi Mary,
Thank you for sharing your sampler wall. I have a few, some I framed, that either I or my sister have done! A couple are up on the wall, but now I know what to do with the rest! Thank you for the idea. Would love to know how you frame them. It would be very helpful.
I have had an experience that I want to share, since it could prevent someone from having the same experience! I am very fair-skinned and lived in Florida for 35 years. However, I go to the dermatologist annually and sometimes twice a year. I discovered a small bump on my lower eyelid and asked my opthamologist to look at it. He was concerned that it might be skin cancer – on my lower eyelid?? He sent me to another specialist who biopsied it and, yes, it was basal cell skin cancer!! So, last week, I had lower eyelid surgery. Not bad except for the numbing shots that are very painful! The upside of this story is one eye will have fewer wrinkles but no eyelashes!!! Just sharing my story to make readers aware. My doctor says this is a common occurrence! I have never heard of it!! Thanks for reading!
Jan, I had never heard of this either until this happened to a friend of mine. I believe hers must be a different kind of cancer though. She has cancer under the upper lid. She was never one to get out in the sun either. Last I heard she has to do a chemo eye drop in that eye & may have to have plastic surgery. Thank you for letting us know of your situation & so glad you had a Dr check on this!
Oh Mary! My heart leapt at the photo of your sampler wall! As someone who is interested in the history of samplers and stitches reproductions as a hobby, I want to thank you for appreciating the effort that was made in stitching them. They are wonderful.
Such sad news this morning from Washington DC. I find it so interesting that everyone won’t try Rocky Mountain Oysters, our family raises beef cattle. You don’t know what you’re missing, I’ve ate them my entire life and they are the best. My mom sliced them thin, rolled in egg/milk and then crushed saltine crackers and deep fried them, my brothers and I would fight over them. Now, I’ve never tried sushi or do I have any plan to. I think it’s what part of the country you grow up in!! Off to spend the day in my quilt room working on Kim Diehl Simple What Not Club projects! It’s suppose to 55 here today, it’s the end of January and unbelievable weather, we just want moisture!
Well, now, you just come on down here and you can have all the moisture that you want! LOL The forecast was for a “dusting to an inch” of snow, and we ended up with a foot of the heavy, wet stuff in under 4 hours. It is just So Much Snow, and so heavy to have to move. The schools didn’t even cancel today as it wasn’t forecast to be such a significant amount! The weekend is forecast to be lovely and much warmer, so it should melt quickly.
Beautiful collection of samplers. I used to make them when I was younger and none live in my home now. I should probably collect some. They are lovely.
That’s quite the collection of samplers. I love it.
So hoping for rain today. Maybe is all I hear from the weather reports. But it’s warm and perfect for walks.
Not going to sew group today mainly because I need to stay home. This week got away from me. Was gone yesterday to help a friend with her long arm. Tomorrow I have a haircut appt, and errands. So find me in the sewing room today. I did finish the last block of applique I had to stitch down on Tuesday! I hated that part of that project. They are 22″ blocks all 12 of them. I am ready to do Clue #2 of the mystery quilt today if I don’t spend my time on the long arm.
Fresh air everyone! Get out and get some if you can!
Wednesday was such a nice day that I just had to get outside. I had an old boxelder tree that blew down that needed cleaned up. Pepper the dog, LC the cat, and I got out the lawn tractor, big trailer and the chain saw and took care of the mess. I just have a battery operated chainsaw so I couldn’t cut up the main trunk of the old tree but I took 3 trailer loads of branches to the burn pile. My son will fire up the big chainsaw and cut the tree trunk into manageable pieces. Maybe we will get some rain so it’s not too dry to burn, but I’m not going to hold my breath. Pepper was just sure there was a mouse or chipmunk in the part of the tree that is still standing. She guarded that tree for 2 hours after I was done hauling brush. Since there was no nap in the afternoon for her she slept really good all night. I sat on the front porch in the sun and read a book for about an hour before it got chilly with the evening air.
I really would like to make the Yes We Can quilt. Can you tell me the cost, address, etc and I will send money for the pattern, please?
Donna, it’s not Mary’s pattern and she did post that information. The company is Timeless Traditions and you can google their website.
Love your sampler wall. I hope women continue to collect those. I have several and hope someone will want them when I’m gone. They are such a labor of love.
Mary, I am in awe of all of your samplers. I have a few and love them too! Jeannie in SD your mittens are so well done. I tried mittens once. Neither mitten matched the pattern. 🤣
It’s supposed to be warmer here today, maybe mid 40s. It’ll feel like spring! Hope everyone has a good day!
My aunt always had “The house by the side of the road” hanging in her kitchen. I finally found one in an antique shop. I bought it and it hangs in my living room. I think of her every time I look at it.
Today I received a lovely hand made card from Alice in Ohio. Thank you, I love seeing that craft is still being enjoyed.
It’s amazing to see what people collect. One of our residents unexpectedly passed in her sleep last Saturday night. Her brother was here today to clear out her stuff, she had well over 100 coloring books, most of them untouched. Tons and tons of markers, crayons and colored pencils, unopened CDs, DVDs, VHS and cassette tapes, vinyl records (but no players for any of them) and a bunch of dolls. The residents went wild over everything, it was quite the feeding frenzy. The only thing I grabbed was 4 coloring books for a resident who spends hours in the bistro coloring.
Jamie, I wish I could say I made that card, but a dear friend did. When I downsized 7 yrs ago I gave her all my supplies even though I loved making those cards. All I asked was for her to make me some cards in payment. So happy you liked the card! Hope your finger heals well & please keep us up to date on what’s happening where you live! They have to have some type of food service! I pray you have answers very soon!!
Mary, I’d like to know how do you fra me your samplers? Do you lace them or use the sticky board? I love your sampler wall.
I love your samplers, too. I only have one that is precious to me because my daughter stitched it when she was in high school. It hung on the wall of several different homes, and then it fell and the glass and frame broke. Thank heavens, it did not hurt the sampler. Now I need to reframe it and I am not good at that. I noticed in your photo that the unframed ones look quite stiff. Do you starch them? And, do you get the frames at thrift stores? I need to follow your example and get it done!
I had a chance to try Rocky Mt. Oysters once…long ago…and turned it down. I still don’t think I am brave enough.
I’m in awe!. Love your samplers Mary, just wonderful. Look forward to seeing more.
Have a heavy heart as news came in about 9:45 East coast time of a collision of a plane and a helicopter near Reagan National Airport. Both the plane and helicopter fell into the Potomac River. Rescue and search is underway but it’s unlikely there will be any survivors. The temperature of the water is 35 and hypothermia sets in within 15-30 minutes.
Prayers for all the families with loved ones on that flight.
Your collection Mary is really extensive. I do like samplers as well.
Thinking of Patti in Florida and all that are struggling with health issues. You are in my prayers.
Pat in Md
Patricia – oh, we just heard about the plane crash! This will not be good!
Mary, your collection is beautiful. What is your oldest? Are they all cross stitched, or are some embroidered?
What we all collect, I find interesting. Me..I look for duck decoys and wood planes. If I find an unusual sewing machine, it comes home too.
Love all those samplers, it’s a wonderful collection of some lovely workmanship. Isn’t it a shame that they aren’t kept by the makers family? I loved collecting Munising Mi wooden bowls and rolling pins. I truly love owning them and using them all thru the house. We had some wonderful weather the past few days and most of our snow is gone but the winds have been brutal. Nice to stay inside and work on unpacking my quilting space.
Kim – when I find one of these samplers, I feel like I’m rescuing it. I have one in the shop that I will post – the woman’s name is on it and her family sent it to the thrift store!!!
Mary I love your sampler wall. Part of the fun of collecting is the hunt. I am at a standstill on my quilt made of orphan blocks. My goal was to not buy anything for this quilt. I’m piecing leftover binding & I thought I could piece scraps of batting, but there were too many small pieces. I ordered batting that should be here Saturday. Your red, white & blue quilt is awesome. You got it together so quickly.
I love all the samplers! Makes me want to start collecting them. I want to send pictures of my garage conversion studio. Too bad I haven’t been able to move much into it yet! The weather has kept us from moving my sewing desk and other furniture in. Plus I still need to get someone out to install decent heating. It doesn’t look like that is going to happen until spring. In the meantime, I just take a little at a time out and I’m able to really sort through it and get rid of a lot!
Colleen – you surely need heat in your studio, don’t you? I can’t wait to see it – did you plan it for convenience – where your machine sits, etc? You have the perfect scenario to make everything just like you like it!!
Impressive collection of samplers!!!!! You have so many wonderful collections of beautiful things! I love when you post about them!
My girlfriend group drove out to Severance for dinner at Bruce’s this evening. Heard of Rocky Mountain Oysters? Bruce’s is where they were first served! We did not imbibe. Salads and burgers were good though!
I love Millie in the desk cubbie! Cats are so entertaining and sure do like to be in a “box”, don’t they?
Where’s your sense of adventure???
Betty in Rapid City
You asked about the prosperity chickens. They are made from fabric scraps and hang from yarns with beads and a bell attached. Legend says if you hang them in your doorway you will be blessed with prosperity. Mine is hanging from my inside door handle.
Google it to see pictures.
I googled and found an explanation of prosperity hens. In northern India, a poor region of the country, having a flock of chickens was the difference between living comfortably or in abject poverty. Most of the articles were recipes for Prosperity Chicken for Chinese New Year! Apparently a similar tradition in China. Very interesting.
Haha! I’ve had Bruce’s oysters many times before. My thought is “they taste like chicken”. I wasn’t willing to pay the price when no one else was willing to help me eat them.
I’ve heard of that place and dish for years… I don’t blame you for not trying Rocky Mountain Oysters. They sound disgusting to me. Yuck
Diane – no Rocky Mountain Oysters for me!! I will take that to heart about my collections – I have more you haven’t seen ! Haha!
Absolutely love your sampler wall. I’m going to look them all over carefully. Thanks for sharing!!