Heartstring Samplery Finish Blog

Auld Lang Syne

2012-02-03T07:49:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Joy.

She created it just how I like... by using up leftover bits of linen and thread.

I Will Stitch You in My Heart

2012-02-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Dora.

It is stitched on 32 count natural Belgian linen with all the recommended threads.

Auld Lang Syne

2012-02-01T07:41:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Patti.

She stitched it on Fiddler's Cloth using threads that were on hand. The initial sets represent her Grandparents.

Make it Do

2012-01-31T08:28:00.001-08:00

Stitched and finished by Faye.

I Sew'd My Heart

2011-12-30T06:06:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Teresa on 32 count Glennshee Natural linen, using the called for threads.

This is another lovely finish prompted by my Around the World collection of photos. You can get this pattern emailed to you for free if you send me a digital photo along these lines.

Sing We Then Merrily

2011-12-29T10:13:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Catherine.

A Partridge in a Pear Tree

2011-12-28T10:13:00.000-08:00

Created by Connie Schwarz.

Church Doll Sampler Roll

2011-12-02T07:58:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished (in record time!) by Connie Schwarz.

She stitched the sampler on Weeks Dye Works 35 count Cappuccino linen and used the recommended threads until she ran out of a few colors. The border is done in Bullfrog, and Palomino was used in place of some of the Havana. The squirrel and kitty were stitched with Pelican Gray.

I can't tell you all how relieved I am that my instructions were follow-able. By far my most complex pattern, getting it written up was positively nerve-wracking! I hope I get to see photos of more finishes soon!

Let Us Be Truly Thankful

2011-12-01T07:10:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Patti.

Give Thanks

2011-11-30T09:42:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Pilar.

It was made for and given as a gift to an American friend who was spending her first Thanksgiving in Spain.

Simple Bounty Cupboard Sampler

2011-11-11T09:16:00.001-08:00

Stitched and finished by Connie Schwarz.

I love her addition of antique buttons!

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

2011-11-09T08:46:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Sandi Dannenberg.

She did a lovely job of adapting this design as a wedding sampler for her son and daughter-in law, didn't she?

Harry Tyler's Lion

2011-10-20T07:53:00.000-07:00

Stitched and finished by the swift fingers of Carol Sims.

I Sew'd My Heart

2011-10-19T10:52:00.001-07:00

Stitched and finished by Dora.

Yet another piece from one of the contributors to my Around the World collection.

Her description of her finish: "This prim finish will be used as a little mat on my sewing table, perhaps to rest a pair of scissors or pins on.. It was stitched on 42 count white Italian linen which was coffee stained prior to stitching. All recommended threads were used with the exception of cinnamon. DMC 434 was used instead. It is completely hand stitched and has warm and natural quilt batting between layers. The finished measurements are 5 1/4 X 7 7/8."

I absolutely love it!

I Sew'd My Heart

2011-09-23T13:34:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Catherine in honor of her Grandfather's little Sister. Click here to read the whole story.

A Bountful Harvest

2011-09-22T13:38:00.000-07:00

Not one, but two! pinkeeps stitched and finished by Vonna Pfeiffer.

You probably already know about Vonna and her lovely work, but if you don't, be sure to click that link above to visit her blog.

I Sew'd My Heart

2011-09-16T09:08:00.000-07:00

This is the first finish I have seen of the free chart I am giving out in exchange for photos for my Around the World contest.

It was stitched by Peggy Lee, who made a few changes and altered all the colors to suit her taste and her stash on hand. I love how her adaptation looks!

Update:

She got it framed! And the frame is positively perfect for this sampler...

I Always Have You in My Heart

2011-09-16T09:03:00.000-07:00

Stitched and finished by Peggy Lee, who says, "I stitched it for my husband...who I most certainly have stitched in my heart!"

Bountful Harvest

2011-09-15T10:56:00.000-07:00

Stitched and finished by Robin.

Click on her link-i-fied name to read all about the making of her pinkeep.

Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the Americana Edition

2011-08-13T14:09:00.001-07:00

Stitched and finished by Dora, who used the called for threads and fabrics.

I always love seeing the creative ways she completes her stitched pieces.

With My Needle

2011-08-09T13:15:00.001-07:00

Stitched and finished by Sandy.

She backed it with strawberry wool to turn it into the sweetest little pillow/cushion. Lovely work!

Permit Me Not to Stray

2011-06-10T10:03:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Teresa. You can read more about this sampler finish here.

Ann Taylor

2011-06-10T09:45:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Melissa. You can see many more photos and a description of the materials used here.

Permit Me Not to Stray

2011-06-10T09:41:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Melissa. You can read more about her color choices and adaptation here.

Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the May Flowers Edition

2011-06-07T09:32:00.000-07:00

Stitched and finished by Dora.

Her description of this piece: "It is stitched on 36 count light examplar using one strand of floss over 2. I substituted DMC 745 for honeysuckle and GAST dungarees for blue jeans. I finished the edges with tiny X's using GAST endive.

This was photographed today at beautiful Pickity Place in Mason, New Hampshire."

I Will Stitch You in My Heart

2011-04-28T10:17:00.001-07:00

Stitched and finished by Elizabeth in honor of her 30th wedding anniversary. It hangs on her husband's side of the bed, where he touches it each night as he turns out the light. (I love that!)

Make it Do

2011-04-27T10:41:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Faye in record time!
Click over to her blog to read about her thread choices.

Let Us Be Truly Thankful

2011-04-27T10:39:00.001-07:00

Stitched and finished by Deb, and shown in the photo along with a turned-wood container made by her talented brother!

Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the March Edition

2011-03-21T09:36:00.001-07:00

Stitched and finished by Dora.

All colors were as recommended, but she stitched it on a lower count linen to make a little pillow and hand-stitched antique lace trim around the edges.

Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the March Edition

2011-03-21T09:31:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Catherine.

I like how she always finds a way to squeeze in the year and her initials.

I Always Have You in My Heart

2011-03-03T08:10:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Cat.

Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the Valentine Edition

2011-02-17T11:05:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Catherine, who is doing a great job of keeping pace with me and my little Thankful series. Click the link to see more photos of this finish on her blog.

And no, I didn't purposely plan for there to be 14 diamonds in the bottom band... that was pure design magic, and I hadn't even noticed until you pointed it out!

To My Valentine

2011-02-17T11:01:00.001-08:00

Stitched and finished by Connie.

In her words, "The other day, in the middle of the snow storm, my hubby was lamenting the fact that he had not purchased a valentine for me. I have not bought one for him either. Since he pays little attention to what I am working on, he didn't notice this design was being stitched. It was a freebie you gave out last year, stitched on a Silkweaver Solo from my stash, with Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe fibers in recommended colors. The pillow was finished with the 4-sided stitch at the bottom that was threaded with an extremely narrow, wrinkled, overdyed silk ribbon. A pretty soft pinkish-beige piece of wool made the back and it is stuffed with sawdust and cloves. And because my valentine is a fisherman, a couple of fish thread winders finished it off.

I presented this to him and he was thrilled. My hubby loves to give and receive cards, but I think this made a good substitute for him. I photographed it on his recliner in the game room where it now resides."

I've Got My Love to Keep Me Warm

2011-02-11T09:18:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Dora.

She used the recommended fabric and flosses. She also did the framing herself, using a custom frame from Michael's. And see how she tucked the year down there in the bottom band? (click the picture to see a larger version) Love it!

I Will Stitch You in My Heart

2011-02-08T08:41:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Lee O'Neil.

Lee told me, "I like to send a little stitched Valentine to my daughter each year, and this design was perfect She's a college student, so you can understand why I always add a money pocket!

I stitched it over one on a piece of scrap linen... I also used WDW Aztec Red instead of DMC 300."

Tokens of Affection

2011-02-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Patti Gagliardi.

This is an adaptation of my Tulips for My Beloved design, which is in the Tokens of Affection booklet.

Unna von Bergen

2011-02-08T08:10:00.001-08:00

Stitched by Michele Bruce.

She filled in many of the missing stitches, creating a sampler that looks like the antique would have when first finished, and opted to use a little more DMC 931 in place of some of the 333, in order to cut down on the purple.

Rachael Holmes

2011-01-14T10:35:00.001-08:00

Stitched by Marie with a few stitch-style changes, and framed by Attic Needlework (I love that molding!)

Unna von Bergen

2011-01-06T08:31:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Karen McCaffrey.

Give Thanks

2011-01-06T08:28:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Karen McCaffrey.

Let Us Be Truly Thankful, the Winter Edition

2011-01-05T10:14:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Cat Gerenser.

Flock of Christmas Wishes

2011-01-05T10:01:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Dora.

A perfect use of this pattern, using both wings and the included alphabet to be creative and festive. I just might have to copy this one for myself!

Give Thanks

2011-01-05T10:00:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Cath Willey.

Flock of Christmas Wishes

2010-12-15T08:31:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Petra.

Flock of Christmas Wishes

2010-11-29T15:19:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Dora.

The red fabric is by French General, the linen is an unknown 40 count, and the floss is Kris' Bon Bon by Weeks Dye Works.

And now, I am feeling inspired to make a few more for myself... I love how she adapted the wording on the wings!

Earth Day Sampler

2010-11-24T12:41:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Corrine.

Let Us be Truly Thankful

2010-11-20T10:21:00.000-08:00

Stitched and framed by Catherine Gerenser.

She chose 36ct Barn Owl from her stash, and used GAST Toffee, Summer Meadow, Picnic Basket, Burnt Orange and Avocado as substitutes for the DMC threads. She (and her husband) like this one so well, she is planning to leave it up all year long. I'm with you on that decision- I'm pretty sure my version will be staying up too!

Rachael Holmes

2010-10-19T10:32:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Joyce Shannon.

Joyce had fun with this design, and made a few slight changes. She used a combination of charted colors and alternate suggestions, and instead of using Eyelet stitches in the diamond section, she used Rhodes stitches. This being one of my favorite designs, I was so happy to see her completed version... didn't she do a lovely job?

Give Thanks

2010-10-19T10:26:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Pat Dee.

Imagine my pleasure and surprise when I received this photo via Snail Mail a few months ago (sorry it took me so long to scan it in!). Dedicated stitcher and kind person that she is, Pat took the time to send me the photo and a hand-written note. Have I ever told you just how much I love receiving pictures of your finished pieces? Well, I do... and I don't care how you send them! Pat doesn't have a digital camera or a blog, but she didn't let that deter her. Thank you, dear lady, and may I say that I really like how my little Thanksgiving freebie looks in that frame.

With One Accord

2010-07-10T11:41:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz on 32 count Summer Khaki with all of the chosen DMC colors with just a couple of minor exceptions.

Said she, "Back a month or so ago, I said that my goal was to finish With One Accord by July 1----Well I did it. At 9:55, Jun 30, I put the very last stitch in the fabric. And here it is. I loved and enjoyed every stitch. This design was a lot of fun for me because it was constantly changing."

Beautifully done, my most faithful contributor! :)

Welcome Spring! (Free Chart)

2010-04-14T10:05:00.000-07:00

Stitched and finished by Lei Brown.

She stitched it on 32 count white linen and made it to hang on her bedroom door.

Tulips for My Beloved

2010-04-14T09:54:00.000-07:00

From the Tokens of Affection booklet:

Stitched and finished by Connie Schwarz.

Connie told me that it is stitched on 26 count Peach Bliss linen that was dyed by a friend of hers. The fibers are Victorian Motto Sampler Shoppe in a bright pink color. The spider pin on the front is handmade silver with a rhodolite stone that she found in Taos, NM.

It is stuffed with lavendar and backed with a piece of vintage pink wool. She keeps the pillow on her bedside table and it is "so refreshing to smell when I need to relax (or if my head is stuffy from allergies)".

To My Valentine

2010-02-19T09:18:00.001-08:00

Stitched by Christi Cameron.

I was absolutely thrilled when I got the email from Christi sharing her finish. Why? Because she is my very own cousin, and up to this point, the only other family member who has stitched one of my designs was my own Mother (her very first AND very last cross-stitch project, she says!). Its not that my family members haven't been supportive and proud of my endeavors, its just that they, like most Westerners, don't share my decorating style, and samplers are just not that interesting to them. Not to mention that none of them cross-stitch... except Christi.

And here is what she said about this little freebie design: "I was really excited about this free pattern. I love your work, but I never have done any before because it doesn't fit with my decor. The vintage valentine was right up my alley though. I even used some of the linen that you gave me for Christmas several years ago. I didn't guage the count, so I'm not sure on that and it is a light tan linen. I stitched over two threads and used DMC 380 (gold), 309 (raspberry), and 3768 (teal). I also used french knots around the heart instead of standard stitches."

Love those French knots... and bravo to you for doing SO MANY of them without going crazy!

Lovebird Pocket Watch Token

2010-01-26T15:47:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Connie Schwarz, who says, "I fell in love with this guy when I first saw him and hoped you would do a pattern. It took me several days of work to stitch him as my eyes just have a hard time with over 1 stitching. It is stitched on 28 count American Blend (R&R) linen with the recommended fibers with the exception of the DMC 3011. I chose to use CC Joshua Tree."

I really like how Connie finished this little guy, and the photo props are just perfect!

Give Thanks

2010-01-26T15:44:00.001-08:00

Stitched and finished by Evik. See more on her blog.

Constance Sullivan

2010-01-26T15:41:00.001-08:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz, who says, "Stitched on 28 count Vintage Pearled Barley with mostly VMSS fibers using the designed colorway. It is framed in an antique frame that goes along with the frame of Hannah Stewart. I added some height to the design to fit the frame better and I could have added a little more. You will notice that I added some space and repeated some of the band motifs. I think she is a super sweet little girl."

Thank you, Connie!

Brave New Year

2010-01-11T11:31:00.001-08:00

Stitched by Joy.

Joy said of this piece, "I used R&R 32 count Golden Walnut and the following DMC colors: 644, 939, 3011, 3045, 3371 and 3857. I chose the words trust and peace as I believe it takes courage to trust there will be peace in our hearts...thus the heart."

I myself have not finished this piece yet, but after seeing yours, Joy, I can't wait to get mine started!

My Home is Built in Glory

2010-01-11T11:13:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Sherry.

I have watched over the last several months as Sherry has posted her progress on this sampler on her blog. It was a bittersweet finish for her, completed in her Dad's memory. I am honored that my design has been chosen to hold such a special place in her life story.

Sherry says, "I used Hardanger 22ct and DMC threads. Towards the end, I began to run low on some colors so I had to make some leaves and weeds a bit smaller than called for on the chart." I would have never noticed... it turned out beautifully!

It Was Enough

2010-01-11T11:06:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Sherry.

Brave New Year

2010-01-11T11:02:00.000-08:00

Stitched by kcjewel.

Read more about this project here.

A Partrige, A Pare, and a Turteldove

2010-01-04T13:57:00.001-08:00

Stitched and finished by Dora, who says, "Your wonderful antique design was joyfully stitched on 40ct. Lambswool, one over two. It measures 2 3/4 x 4 and is filled with crushed walnut shells. Five matte gold jingle bells embellish the bottom."

Give Thanks

2010-01-04T13:50:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Cris Nixon.

Says Cris, "When I made this cross stitch I had just used a coupon to purchase a yo-yo maker, which has become one of my favorite toys, so everything I have made recently from cross-stitch to crochet has a yo-yo".

And now I want a yo-yo maker too!

A Partrige, A Pare, and a Turteldove

2009-12-10T15:41:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Barbara Chatterton-Luuring.

She converted the called-for DMC to HDF silks and stitched it on 36 ct Cream HDF linen. She also corrected the spelling because my mis-spelled words bothered her a bit too much... and I don't mind one single bit... I actually like it when stitchers take my designs and tweak them a bit to make them their own.

Joy to the World!

2009-12-03T09:34:00.001-08:00

Stitched by Patti Gagliardi.

I can't begin to say just how much I love what she has done... splitting the design in two to make companion fobs!

Give Thanks

2009-12-03T09:33:00.000-08:00

Stitched and finished by Patti Gagliardi.

Give Thanks

2009-11-09T10:52:00.001-08:00

Stitched by Julie Nichols.

She used a jute-type cording for a hanger, which I think suits the design nicely. Julie stitched on 18th Century Grey linen by R&R and used a combination of Crescent Colours and GAST threads.

Give Thanks

2009-11-06T09:13:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz.

This may very well be my favorite finish by Connie... I love the fabric and trim added to the sides, and the frame is absolutely perfect!

Joy to the World!

2009-11-06T09:09:00.000-08:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz.

Connie stitched all three designs on one piece of 32 count Cream linen that she tea-stained first. She says, "The colors are all close to what you called for except that I used two greens instead of one. On the third and smallest design, I extended the top and bottom borders and moved one of the motifs to the left. I then added two partial side borders using the flowers from Joy to the World. I added a couple of small motifs and some snowflakes (hardly visible) to fill in the space. When framing, I decided there was too much space in the center and I added the brown satin ribbon. It is framed in an 11 x 14 frame."

I love the creativity she used, and seeing all three designs together in one frame is fun.

Heav'n and Nature Sing

2009-10-30T11:03:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Patti Gagliardi.

This little design (from my Joy to the World booklet) is tiny, just 2 1/2 by 3 inches, stitched over-one on 22 count hardanger. And so festively surrounded by greenery... makes me feel just a tad bit more ready for the Christmas season to arrive!

Woodpecker Pair (Free Chart)

2009-10-21T13:46:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz.

Yet another darling finish by Connie... thank you so much for sharing your photos with me!

A link to this free chart can be found in the sidebar.

Much Beloved

2009-10-21T13:43:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz.

Connie personalized this design (which can be found in my Birds and the Bees Springtyme Sampler booklet) by eliminating all but the border and bird. I think it makes a very sweet little pinkeep.

Annabelle Bradshaw

2009-08-12T16:51:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Tanya Anderson.

Tanya used an overdyed thread for the top alphabet, and placed her sampler in a frame that suits it just perfectly. I think we would all like to have your Grandmother shopping for frames for us too...

Grapevines at the Old Homestead

2009-08-11T09:36:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Jeanne Hamilton.

Hannah Stewart

2009-07-30T12:29:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz.

Yet another finish by Connie! Her needles must be absolutely smoking!

Hannah Stewart will be hanging near Ann Taylor in Connie's home, and this silly designer (me!) used the same two critters on both samplers... oops! So Connie substituted a dog and her favorite bird, a cardinal.

As always, a lovely finish- thank you for sharing with me!

Emily Acorn's Pinkeep

2009-07-13T14:30:00.001-07:00

Stitched and finished by Connie Schwarz.

I really, really like Connie's version of this pinkeep.

Connie says, "I like to call her 'L'il Em.' I had just completed Maggie's Keepsake Box from Prims of the Midwest when you announced Em and I knew they were meant to be together. I wasn't happy with my acorn so I did one the way Maggie taught us and attached it to L'il Em's back (or front). So she is off to school with her acorn backpack and her needles and pins to do her lessons. Oh I almost forgot, she has a lovely old ribbon (it belonged to her grandmother before the old lady made the mistake of getting on my husband's bird feeder) and an old button nose ring (her mother was NOT impressed)."

"Although most ladies do not talk about this in polite society, I must mention that she is stuffed with sawdust. This is the first thing I've done with sawdust (or shavings) and I just love the feel. It is not nearly as pouf-y as fiberfil, lumpy as with rags, or heavy as with bird litter. The acorn is filled with wool roving to keep it light also (the lanolin is good for your needles)."

I say, You go L'il Em! Be proud of your sawdusty interior, and flash that lovely nose ring in public as often as you can!

With One Accord

2009-07-13T14:22:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Lorraine Badorek.

Three cheers for Lorraine! She is doing her very best to keep up with me, and has once again done a beautiful job stitching her sampler.

American Eagle

2009-06-02T16:24:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Bonnie Olson.

Bonnie stitched her piece over-one on 32 count linen- it came out a tiny 3 1/8 inch by 3 5/8 inch- Oh My!

Lyon Rugg

2009-06-01T18:25:00.000-07:00

Punched by Pam Timewell.

Pam wanted to make this in miniature as a gift for a friend. She had to leave out much of the detail, but the finished size is just 2 by 2 3/4 inches! I love that she chose to use a thicker wooley thread to make the lion's head and tail fuzzy.

Much Beloved

2009-05-11T08:50:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Patti Gagliardi.

This is one of the charts included in my "The Birds and the Bees (4 Little Springtyme Samplers)" booklet.

1763 Band Sampler

2009-05-07T18:51:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Lorraine Badorek.

Lorraine changed the color of the dog because she wanted it to show up better on the linen (I forgot to ask what floss color she used), and I like her choice very much. She further customized it with initials and a date that are significant to her. She now waits on her personal carpenter/husband to make a frame for it.

Ann Taylor

2009-04-28T14:22:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Lorraine Badorek.
Frame by her talented husband!

Olde Bouquet

2009-04-28T14:21:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Nicole Martin.

Ann Taylor

2009-04-28T14:14:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz.

Connie stitched her sampler on Lakeside Linen, and changed the colors up a bit; I just love how it turned out.

She says, "I used GAST Antique Rose and Chamomile for the top and bottom alphabets; GAST Cherry Bark and Dried Thyme for the larger alphabet. There is also a GAST Limited Edition for one of the grass spots on the bottom. I replaced DMC 300 with 221 and 356 with 223. I switched the straight line borders inside with 3012 and the outside border is 3051 (I think that is what you called for). Other colors were the DMC you called for. All DMC colors were given what I call a "primitive wash" with a very light mix of tan dye."

The frame she had made locally, and says, "The frame is a dark burgundy with "splats" of a gold-y mustard-y color that picks up the color of the linen."

It is lovely, Connie!

Come Buy My Sweet Flowers

2009-04-28T14:04:00.001-07:00

Stitched by Jan Robison.
Finished by Vonna.

Welcome Spring!

2009-04-28T13:08:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Patti Gagliardi.

She says, "I have to admit that their are several mistakes in this piece... The sunshine rays are the wrong color, the clouds are off, I put in my standard bunny by heart forgetting that I wanted to use yours... but I have a philosophy of never ripping out unless absolutely necessary... :) I really hate ripping out! I did take the liberty of changing the bird to a robin as they are my favorite. I hope you don't mind."

Nope, I don't mind at all. And I completely agree with Patti... I avoid ripping out at all cost, and a funny little bit of trivia about me... I often go back to my computer and change the chart to reflect "mistakes" I make while stitching models. (shhhhh... don't tell!)

American Eagle

2009-04-28T13:06:00.000-07:00

Stitched by Connie Schwarz.