Wednesday, February 24, 2010

hope's sampler

I was thinking about the sampler I made for Hope's wedding last fall and I realized that I never showed you pictures. I had the idea that I wanted to make it the biggest grid sampler I could manage. It ended up being 60 squares and boy did it ever take some time to finish.


Looking back at these pictures, I'm remembering how lovely it turned out. I toned down my usual bright palette to match Hope's more sophisticated tonal palette and I used some of my very best buttons and buckles and lace and such.




I'm thinking about starting a new one of these extra large samplers and just tackling one square per day. If it's a busy day, maybe it's just a button sewed into place. Less busy days get more elaborate squares. Doesn't that sound fun? I'm thinking it would be a fun project for my birthday month. Next month I turn 39. I can't believe it. This will be my last year as a thirty something. How about that?

24 comments:

donna!ee said...

thanks for sharing this...i am doing the spring sampler e-zine with teresa mcfayden and you have inspired me with a slew of options!

Tania Pelletier said...

That is beautiful! I think a square a day would be a pretty do-able goal! Can't wait to see what you come up with!

Tania

BailiwickStudio said...

happy Birthday to come! Why not do a sampler with 39 squares to celebrate? ::Jill

Suz said...

Amy, That is beautiful. You did such a beautiful job and you did tone things down. I know she loved it.

Speaking of your age, I thought the other day that you were a thirty-something and that I have an aged thirty daughter! Interesting because I think of you as a peer and a mentor in the art world. It didn't hit me until then how much older that I was!

I have never been a big one on age anyway...after a certain point we are all adults.We do have events we pass through that "age" us (the death of a parent) but we all have hardship and wonderful times and things in common, like art and craft, which make for a commonality.

I sure blabbed on!

Thanks and love to you and your family, Amy,
Suz

campsusie said...

That is just gorgeous Amy, what a treasure for Hope!

marie said...

I think it's lovely that you're planning on doing soemthing so special during your birthday month. You've inspired me to think of something special to do for my birthday month. I was born in 1955 so I'll be turning 55 this year. Hmmm ~ I need to come up with something really fun I think!

The wedding sampler is so beautiful!

Evelyn (elh1960@yahoo.com) said...

Oh my gosh .... this sampler is just stunning! It is so beautiful! I am so inspired - I want to make one for ME!

Happy BIRTHDAY! I celebrated the 10th Anniversary of my 39th Birthday back in December. Somehow I was just never able to say FORTY...something! Shoot, it'll be FIFTY the end of this year ... guess I will just keep having anniversaries from now on!

Thanks so much for the wonderful inspiration!

melissadc76 said...

Wow, it is beautiful. Great colors, it will be fun to see a bright one too if that's what you decide to do.

Ryan said...

lovely

Jennifer Kolakowski said...

Happy almost birthday!! This is absolutely beautiful.
Thank you for sharing!

Jen Kolakowski

Heidi said...

What a lovely gift! I'm sure they'll treasure it forever!
Blessings, Heidi

Tra La La Boom De Ay said...

This I would love to see and would follow you each square of the way. I love fun beautiful stuff. :)

ros said...

I am with Cherie - it woould be fun to follow you. I love you work I joined the Valentine projects zine that Teresa of Silver Bella did and loved your project there. Maybe you could do it like the 52 Projects blog where people can put in their project and everyone could follow along. Either way it is a great was to celebrate. Thanks for all the interesting ideas
ros

Piper said...

my goodness. So beautiful! I started mine about a year ago, I think that's when I saw your first post about these. It's become kind of like a journal as well. I have one square left. Thanks for the inspiration! I loved the wreath!

Bev said...

so pretty :)....I think a project as you celebrate you last thirty something and head into your forty wonderful years :)...is a perfect way to spend a birthday month...Celebrate and Enjoy!

Anonymous said...

Your sampler turned out charming as can be and I think a birthday month project sounds perfect! 39 will be a lovely year for you, and the 40s ahead will be richer than you can imagine, sweet Amy! :-))

Marti Schrock said...

I will turn 39 a month after you - no problem! We'll be great!

gwen said...

what an amazing piece of art, your friend is very lucky :]

Shell said...

Your sampler is beautiful. Being 39 is a breeze...enjoy it.

Doreen said...

That is so beautiful!!! I am trying to get the hang of embroidery with your kit, it's not easy! I would love to do the project with you - that would be fun! My birthday is actually tomorrow. I've been saying I'll be 3013, but I love Evelyn and her anniversary of her birthday! Clever!
PS - how many strands do you typically use? I don't think I was using enough. I've redone some of my sampler. I have no excuse for not doing more and I think your project would be the perfect thing to get my creative juices flowing again!!!

Saucy said...

Your samplers are beautiful Amy, this one in particular. Someday, I have a hankering to try one - but maybe not the patience. I like your idea of doing one square per day... keep us posted!

Maija said...

Enjoy your last year as a thirty!

I'm in my last year as a 40!! Yikes!!!!

Hatuli said...

This sampler is beautiful!!

Hatuli said...

This sampler is beautiful!!