Monday, October 29, 2012

Go away, Sandy

So here I am, waiting for Sandy to do its thing, hoping for the best.  To all my fellow Sandy sufferers, I hope we all come through safely and with minimal damage or flooding or loss of power -- or internet.  Good thoughts for us all.

As you all know, I'm in the midst of stitching a large model for Vickie of Needlework Press.  So no stitching to show for a while to come.  In the meantime, I thought I'd show you my various sampler walls around the house.  Most aren't very impressive, but everyone seemed to enjoy my new sampler wall in the sewing room, so here goes.

I'm starting out with an area you've seen before, my A&E walls.  If you haven't guessed, I'm trying to hang my samplers in groupings.  So the ones in the sewing room are the ones with houses and grassy fields, along with animals, especially but not exclusively cows.  Then of course, there are my A&Es.  Which you've seen, but you might like another look?


Please ignore the basket of mail and other messiness you are seeing under the samplers.  :D

So the two samplers on the left wall are Ann Sandles by With thy Needle and Thread on top and Guarding Eden by Examplars from the Heart.

Then the big wall is as follows:  Top left is Ann Smith by the Scarlet Letter, bottom left is Frances Eden by Handwork.  Then the top row from the left is Charlotte Clayton by the Northwest Sampler Guild, the Jenny Bean Creation Sampler by Shakespeare's Peddler, and Sarah Esh by Carriage House Samplings.  Second row from left is Paradise Lost by Plum Street Samplers and Know Ye (I think -- I'm having a senior moment.) by La D Da.  Bottom row from left is Margaret Pence by Goode Huswife, Fruit of the Spirit by Plum Street Samplers, and Hallow Eden by Plum Street Samplers.  If I got any of those wrong, my apologies.  I think I'm right though.

Now the other wall, same wall as the samplers on the left wall there, but farther over and past a window.


Just two more.  (There are more to be framed, but this is it for now.)  The one on the left is Ann Wheatley by Needlework Press, and the one on the right is Jane Atkinson by Scarlet Letter.

Next week maybe I'll show you my red sampler wall.  :D

This is the first Halloween, and also the first hurricane, where my kids aren't home.  It's a strange thing. I've had to check up on both kids constantly to make sure they're safe and getting ready for the storm, and also enjoying any Halloween activities.

I sent the boy child a Halloween care package.


This is the non-candy part of it.  (Not the vuvuzela though.  That he brought with him from home, a vital part of one's college equipment.)

The boy child is happy that classes have been cancelled for the day.  We'll see about tomorrow.

The girl child made me nervous by going to NYC for the weekend to celebrate Halloween with friends.  She worked very hard on her costume.  Here's a work in progress pic she sent me.


Can anyone guess who she dressed as?  Here she is all dressed up.


And from the back.


(That's one of her friends dressed as Pacman in the background.)

So do you know who she is yet?   Only Zelda fans will know.  She is Navi from Zelda of course!  (Last year, she was Link.)  So cute!  And yes, she got a hair cut a week or so ago -- she did it for Locks of Love (is that what it's called?  I think so.  Another senior moment.)

The girl child happily slept in this morning -- her work is closed for the day, which is a good thing.  But of course she made me very nervous by making her way home from NYC late in the afternoon on Sunday and then doing her hurricane supply shopping that evening.  Argh!  Always the last minute with that girl!

Mia is a bit nervous now with the winds and all.  She's been my companion day and night these days without the boy child around.  We are finally finding a mutually comfortable sleeping arrangement at night so that my legs don't get squished.  lol!  And during the day, she helps me out.  Here she is helping with the changing of the sheets.


After our vacation and with the boy child being gone, Mia worries much more when we leave the house.  She is usually waiting for us at the door when we come home, which is a bit unusual for before the boy child left for college.  (She's meowing in this picture.)


(Please ignore how messy the room is behind Mia.  lol!)

So that's it for this week.  I hope and pray that everyone in the path of Sandy stays safe and sound and that there is minimal damage.  Here's hoping the forecasters are wrong!

Thanks for stopping by and saying hi.  Have a great week!


55 comments:

Vickie said...

I am praying for you and your family Margaret.♥ (That includes Mia of course!)
I your beautiful samplers. Such hard work!!
What a GREAT tumbling blocks quilt behind Mia.

Erica said...

Margaret, your samplers are beautiful!
I am very impressed with your arranging talents! I never know how to display multiple frames. They always look so helter skelter here! LOL!
Good luck through the storm! I am so nervous about our 55+ foot trees! We have been losing them about one a year!
Winds are not so bad yet, but the worst is still to come!
Take care!
Erica

merumo said...

I think you won't have any problem filling all the walls in your house with your gorgeous samplers!! Very nice and beautiful indeed :)

Oh, poor Mia must have learned something is definitely different in the house now. Love her face of "Meawoing"!!

Happy Halloween and stay safe at home!!

BrendaS said...

Beautiful sampler walls Margaret. I'm always in awe of your wonderful stitching.

Please stay safe and I hope Sandy doesn't do too much damage for you.

Take care.

Anonymous said...

Margaret, love all of your samplers! Your work is amazing! I hope your family stays safe.
Angela

Vicki said...

I'm praying for you and all my friends in the East. I am a weather/news geek so I'm glued to the coverage of the storm. Your sampler walls are gorgeous. We may be moving this Spring and your walls are giving me creative inspiration on how I might display some of my stitching in a new home. Stay safe!

Anna van Schurman said...

Fabulous sampler wall! Looking forward to seeing red...

Sweet Sue said...

Stunning sampler walls Margaret, love your lace valance! Bring on the red:)

Deb said...

I hope that the storm goes by with very minimal damage. It really sounds like a doozy of one!! We're even getting high winds all the way over here from that storm as I write this.

I love your sampler wall! I would never get tired of looking at those!!

Your daughter's costume is so cool!!

Melanie said...

Stay safe!!!!! And DRY!!!!!!!!
It's getting windy here now but so far, so good. Let's hope that holds for the both of us!!!!!

Man, your sampler walls are so so so beautiful. I have some wall space here for a few if you run out. ;)

Love the pic of Mia meowing. Awww. She's such a sweetie.

SewAmy said...

Good luck in the storm to you and your family. I Love your walls!! Such inspiration. Thank you for sharing them. I can't wait to see the red wall.

Nancy said...

Praying for your safety during this storm! The wind and rain has picked up here this afternoon, the worst will come in tonight for us.

Your samplers are all so beautiful! As always love the pics of Mia!

The Inspired Stitcher said...

Margaret, I love the A & E samplers!!! Lots of wonderful hours spent there. I'm sending positive thoughts your way for the storm. I've had you on my mind these past couple days. Hugs!

Anne said...

Hope the hurricane will pass you by. Praying for you and your family. I love how you state my sampler wall "not very impressive". Lol! How is it not impressive?!! It's amazing!! I love seeing photos of your A & E's again!! Oooh you have a red sampler wall too?!! Haven't seen that one yet! Your daughter's costume is adorable and I hope she will be safe too. I love that photo of Mia meowing...so cute...even though she's probably telling you off or something. Give her a hug for me!

Linda said...

Love your samplers! I've not seen your walls of samplers before - so it was quite a treat on this very very rainy/windy day. Mia - she is a total love of mine! I adore seeing her in your photos - you can see every little thought that goes across her sweet face.

Linda in VA

From the Heart Needleart said...

Your samplers are beautiful! Glad you have Mia for company. My Gus (basset hound) would be freaking out with the storms. Right now he is curled up in my stitching chair. I've gotta get some work done then I will join him.

Annie said...

Love looking at those gorgeous samplers. No clue as to what costume is even after the explanation. I'm so out of pop culture it seems.

I'm trying to stay calm about the upcoming weather nightmare, but fingers are shaking at the keyboard. Take care.. it's not going to be pretty.

Krista said...

Margaret, all of your samplers are just gorgeous!! It is like a gallery, you could charge and give people tours :)

Hope you are still safe and sound and WITH power and internet!! The winds are getting fierce here, but as you can see I am still typing!
Gigi is just as nervous as Mia, they have a special sense and know there is something just not right out there. Stay safe!

Marjorie said...

Hope you all make it through Sandy with no damage. My folks are getting rain now (in PA) and 60 mph winds are forecast. Hope it does not get much worse than that!

Myriam said...

Toutes mes pensées pour toi et ta famille, je croise les doigts que tout se passe bien. Prenez soin de vous et caresses à Mia toujours aussi craquante!

Glenna said...

Oh, poor Mia! Best wishes to you and your hubby and your dear children! I loved seeing the pictures of the framing--I can just look and look and look--what fun! Your productivity makes me feel like a slacker!

Cristina said...

I do admire all your gorgeous samplers. They are all beautiful.

I wish you all the best with Sandy. I hope it fades away without leaving any damages behind.

Peggy Lee said...

Oh my...I need to go back and take another look at all those samplers! Absolutely gorgeous!!

cucki said...

I love your beautiful samplers....so wonderful..
I am praying for you and your lovely family..
big beary hugs for you all
cucki xx

Wanda said...

Thanks for sharing more of your beautiful work - spectacular! Through blogging, I have come to really like many A&E samplers so have kitted some up but have not started any yet...soon. I get alot of 'help' from our two cats as well! Be safe, Wanda

Cari said...

I love, love, love seeing all of your finished samplers. Just show them every week until you finish your model stitching. I drool every time I see them. Your daughter is simply a doll, and quite talented....just like your whole family.

Hugs to sweet Mia....love the look on her face while she's meowing!! And why is it they love to help make the bed. I usually wait until mine are sleeping and have to lock them out of the bedroom.

Be safe...I'll be thinking about you until Sandy GOES AWAY !! Hugs

Solstitches said...

I'm loving the tour of your house and sampler walls.
I spied such a pretty tumbling block quilt in one of the Mia pics - love it.
Thinking of you and all friends in the USA that are in the path of Sandy. Stay safe!
Margaret

quiltygirl1 said...

Love the walls beautifully adorned! Cute photos of Mia and the costume of your beautiful daughter.

Vonna Pfeiffer said...

I bet Miss Mia needs a sister (or brother) LOL! :) that's why we got two,but they are still awaiting us at the door when we return usually I think to tell us they'd like to eat *again* ;)
Your samplers are divine, each and every one of them stunning! And the boy child's Halloween goodies....made me smile! I remember care packages from my own mother - always a highlight of college! The girl child is spectacular in her costume and her hair lovingly rendered for others has left her with a stunning cut...it looks wonderful on her ;)

Liz said...

stay safe Margaret, hunker down out of the wind and rain! my thoughts are with you all ...
Lizzie
xxx

Deb said...

Hold tight and stay safe Margaret. I'll be thinking of you. Hugs, Deb

woolwoman said...

I hate for you and your family to be facing this storm Margaret. My parents were vacationing in Tenn and now seem to be stuck with winter weather conditions road closures and so forth - I wish they had listened to me and left on Sunday - stay safe my friend - mel

Linda said...

Your Adam and Eve samplers are simply stunning. What a beautiful display on your wall. Hoping you and your family are safe from the storm. Mia too.

Linda

ginnyt said...

your samplers are beautiful; love the arrangement on the wall. I live here in Va. Beach; it's been rough for 2 days, but getting better. Take care, cause it is close to you now :)

Cathy Lloyd said...

Wishing you well throughout the storm, Margaret! I've thought of you all day! Thanks for pics of all your sampler walls. Love them all and so jealous of your flying fingers! Hopefully you have battery lighting so you can still stitch if you lose your power! Stay warm and safe! Hugs!

Karen said...

Good luck with Sandy! We lost power for a little over an hour then it actually came back on -- talk about a shock!

Mugwump Woolies said...

What a fabulous sampler tour...and to think you pulled every stitch...amazing! Hope you and yours come through the storm safe and sound...what a scary one this is! Take good care...
Robyn

marly said...

I never tire of seeing your samplers, on the wall or not. Really enjoyed the post and your daughter looks fabulous with that hair cut. Stay safe.

Laurie in Iowa said...

Loved seeing photos of your A&E wall. The girl child looks wonderful in her costume.
Wishing you safely through the storms.

Poussy Stitches My Love said...

j'adore vos sampler I love your samplers, I pray for you my friend

bisous de FRANCE

Chris said...

Hey Margaret! I hope that you are making it through Sandy ok. My in laws in New Fairfield said the winds were really strong yesterday afternoon.
I love seeing your samplers.
Your daughters caotume is awesome!
Hugs to you and Mia!!

Brigitte said...

I definitely can't get enough of your sampler walls. I can look at them over and over again. Hopefully we'll get to see some more wall pictures while you are stitching on the model.
I hope that you and your family have been staying safe during the storm. We've seen pictures from NY city on TV and the flooding must have been terrible, as well as in some New Jersey regions. And it's still not over. Let's hope that there won't be any more damage.

Giovanna said...

Nice walls :-) I hope you all got through the storm ok.

Catherine said...

Swooning down here in PA!! Love all of your samplers ~ can't wait to see the red!!
Hope you all survived the storm ~ we managed okay compared to so many.

Debbie said...

I had to giggle about Mia helping you make the bed. My cat Tigger has always "helped" me too. She will move to one side while I pull up sheets, etc., then hop over the middle so I can do the other side!

Praying for you and your family, and all in Sandy's way.

Debbie in Kansas

Ellen said...

Hi Margaret.

I've been thinking about you so much over the past few days with the hurricane headed your way. I hope all is well with you and yur family and that you suffered no damage or loss of power.

How much fun it was to see more of your incredible sampler walls. A real feast for the eyes!

I think your daugher gets prettier and prettier each time I see her.

Nicola said...

I have been thinking of you and your children. I can understand your concern at them not being with you.

Mia's face when meowing is adorable.



Samplings from Spring Creek said...

Your samplers are beautiful, I want to come to your house and drool!

How did you fare with the storm

Mia misses her boy child

Miss Pants said...

Love seeing all your A&E samplers. It's so neat that you can put groupings together like that.

I hope you continue to weather the storm with no harm or damage.

Patty C. said...

Did you actually say not impressive? .....
Love the samplers!

Annette-California said...

I pray you are all safe from the storm Margaret. Mia is so precious.
I am more AWE of all your remarkable samplers. I have no excuse for not finishing one (a proper size sampler that is). Hope you bested the storm.
love Annette

Sally said...

Dear Margaret I hope you are all safe after the storm.

Your sampler walls are amazing!

Anonymous said...

Have been thinking of you - hope you have gotten through Sandy okay. Love your samplers. I always wait for Mondays to see what you are stitching on.

Brenda

Jean said...

I have been thinking and praying about you and yours since we saw the pictures from NYC and around. Since its 6 days out, praying you are safe and stitching away..

Sue said...

Beautiful work, I hope you and the samplers stayed safe!