What's that sampler in the header picture??

Ok, I've been meaning to mention this. And I've gotten a few questions about it, so I'd better do it now! lol! The sampler I used in my header for this blog. It's beautiful, isn't it? I just love it! So what is it? Here it is in all its glory!




Not a great picture, I know. But you get the idea. The piece is Charlotte Clayton by the Northwest Sampler Guild. It came out last year and as soon as I saw it, I fell in love. You know what I mean. That big THUNK! OMG! moment where you just gasp and can't move your eyes from the picture. :D Yes, this was a big time falling in love. So I immediately bought it, kitted up. And immediately started working on it. And I'm so glad I did. It uses NPI silks, and I can't remember what fabric I used. But luckily, I note down such things in my photobucket album. So I can go take a peek and say, oh yes, I used 40ct Vintage Sand Dune. I don't think that was the fabric called for, but it was recommended by Jean at the Attic, and I love how it came out.

So now you know what that sampler is in my header. I do think it's one of my favorite pieces. The picture on the chart itself is of the original antique piece. It was rather frustrating because I'm one of those people who want my stitching to look exactly like the picture on the chart. And of course, that's impossible when it comes to having the original piece on the chart. The same thing happened with Dutch Beauty, which also has the original piece shown on the chart. But it can be a rewarding experience when you don't know how the piece will look in the end. You end up being surprised and pleased with the colors forming on your fabric. It's like an adventure, charting whole new territories.




So that's the story of my header. Thanks for asking. And thanks for reading my blog and posting your comments. I'm so enjoying meeting so many fellow stitchers out there!

Oh, and a ps. There's also a link to my photobucket album on the sidebar to the right. If you visit my album, I hope you all notice that there are two albums -- if you look carefully, you'll see there's a WIP album as well as the main one. I admit I haven't been putting photos in my WIP section recently. But it's there.