Something new! A biscornu!

 I am excited to bring you a new original design... a biscornu!  

Using the floral motifs from my Jane Bell sampler chart I have created a symmetrical design that can be finished into a biscornu!   The pattern is so adaptable, you can stitch both sides or even just one side to make a pin pillow or ornament.  

I used the same materials as in the Jane Bell Sampler so it is the perfect companion.  My model was stitched on 40 count linen Zweigart light mocha with four overdyed cotton threads.  

The pins in the biscornu were from My Big Toe designs and the biscornu was finished by Faye Riggsbee 'the Carolina stitcher'.  

Here it is shown with the Jane Bell sampler and if you would like more information please visit my Etsy shop here!

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving!!  

Krista 

A quick finish!

I am back again today to share my finish of Bountiful Blessings!  Please visit my last blog post for all the details and freebie pattern.  Enjoy!  

 

Bountiful Blessings freebie!

 We are days away from Thanksgiving and it is the perfect time for me to share this freebie with you all!  

Bountiful Blessings!  A big basket of fruit, styled from an antique in my collection, with my own spin of color palette.  Click on the photo to enlarge and save to your own device.  

I have pulled the DMC colors... 347 / 729 / 3046 / 3051 / 3778 and will be stitching mine on 40 count Bowtruckle linen from Tabbycat Linens....   

Thank you for your support of Just Stitching Along!  

Wishing you all a Happy Thanksgiving and holiday season! 

Krista 

Floss drops!

 Hi Everyone!  I wanted to let you know that I have added a limited quantity of floss drop sets in my Etsy shop. 

They feature designs from the latest release, Agness Thomson, a fun and colorful Scottish sampler!  There are six designs, with three of each, for a total of 18 floss drops.  Blank on the back for thread notations.  Along with a key and crystal charm.  

There are enough drops for all the 17 colors in Agness' sampler or they are fun for any stitching project you may have on the go!  Visit my Etsy shop for more info:  Just Stitching Along X

Thanks for looking!  

Krista 

New! Agness Thomson 1819 Scottish Sampler!

I am very excited to bring you the reproduction sampler of Agness Thomson 1819!  A happy, colorful Scottish sampler!

Agness used some very traditional Scottish motifs in her sampler, such as the rabbits and trees along the bottom, the five-flower urn and peacock but also added some fun interests such as striped birds, and especially that zig-zag band through the middle.  

Mostly all in cross stitch over two with some over one cross stitch used in her name and some of the small initials she placed throughout.  

The reproduction sampler uses 17 colors of dmc thread and I stitched the model on 40 count Zweigart vintage country mocha linen.  The stitch count is 140 x 217.  The frame was ordered custom sized from The Rusty Roof on Etsy.  

                                        

The chart for Agness Thomson is available in pdf format in my etsy shop here!   and also has hardcopy from your favorite needlework shop!  The model is currently on display at Hobby House Needleworks in Pittsford N.Y.

In conjunction with the release of Agness' sampler I have also created a limited number of floss drop sets that include 3 each of 6 designs from the reproduction sampler, 18 in all, along with a key and crystal charm on floss ring!  Please contact Hobby House Needleworks for more information on these sweet floss drop sets.  

Thank you for your interest and support!   Happy Stitches Always! xx

Krista 

Booklets now available in my Etsy shop!

 A selection of printed booklets are now available in my Etsy shop.... here!

All booklets are in full color with details for materials and specialty stitch instruction where applicable.  

Currently shipping to the U.S., I hope to add other countries in the future.  

Thank you for looking!  Happy stitching always.....   Krista 

New!! Sarah Ann Fernley 1826 ~ The Zodiac Sampler!

 I am very excited to bring you the reproduction of Sarah Ann Fernley's fun sampler!  

I call it the Zodiac Sampler as Sarah used a rhyme on her sampler about the Signs of the Zodiac... not the names we are more familiar with but the descriptive words of each sign.  This verse, or rhyme, was penned by Isaac Watts in the 1700s and was found in children's books.  While I was unable to find historical information about Sarah Fernley because of not having details of location or age it is most likely she was familiar with the verse from her childhood.  

                                              

The sampler is quite striking and dramatic all in black thread.  It is 134 stitches wide x 160 stitches high.  I stitched the model on 40 count Zweigart linen in the color Burch using Splendor silk in black for the cross stitch and Algerian eyelets and Au ver a Soie 100/3 in Noir for the over one cross stitch.  I would suggest using your favorite threads or favorite color!  

                                              

The chart for Sarah Ann Fernley 1826 is available in pdf format in my etsy shop here and also as hardcopy charts from your favorite needlework shop!  The model is on display at Hobby House Needleworks in Pittsford NY.  

Thank you for your interest and support!  Happy Stitches Always! xx

Krista 

New for Market! Sarah Lockhart 1845!

 Hi Everyone!  Today starts the Nashville Needlework Market weekend and I am excited to be going again!  I have a new reproduction sampler releasing today, Miss Sarah Lockhart 1845!  

A really sweet sampler with lots of red and green using cross stitch and some specialty stitches... eyelets, four-sided stitch and cross stitch over one.  

It was difficult to trace Sarah Lockhart to know for sure where she hailed from but the sampler is very reminiscent of a Scottish sampler.  I stitched the model on 40 count light hazelnut by Xjudesign using Anchor threads.  

Sarah Lockhart 1845 is available as a full color booklet from your favorite local or online needlework shop or as a PDF download in my Etsy shop here!   There will also be a short video posted at my Instagram: JustStitchingAlong.  

The model will be on display at Attic Needlework in Mesa AZ after Market so please stop in if you can to see it in person!  Nashville Market is such a fun trade show and it will be very special since it has been two years since many of us have gotten together.  

Have a nice weekend!    Happy stitching!  

Krista 

Find Happiness in Simple Things

Last year I finished the beautiful Ann Gott sampler from NeedleWorkPress.......

I stitched my Ann Gott on 40 count Abecedarian linen from R and R Reproductions using the called for Classic Colorworks cotton thread... except! for the Bandana color.  For that I used dmc 816 for a brighter POP! of red.  

I also added my initials and year at the bottom and changed the verse to Find Happiness in Simple Things.   Someone reached out to me to ask if I had charted this verse and thought that was a great idea so that anyone who would like to use this verse on this sampler or for any other project can do so!

I have included the little bits of leaves on either side of Simple Things to help with placement within the Ann Gott sampler.  

It truly was a fun stitch and I was unable to put her down once I started!  However you choose to stitch your own Ann Gott I am sure it will bring you many happy stitches!  

Enjoy this freebie!  

Happy Stitches Always!  

Krista  

New!! Jane Bell!

 Happy Valentine's Day!  

I have a new release to share and it is filled with hearts and flowers and pretty red and pink so today is the perfect day to bring this fun sampler out!  

Meet Jane Bell.... a reproduction sampler adapted from an antique in my collection.  

Jane's original sampler (see video on my instagram @juststitchingalong) seemed to start as a sampler with a plan but Jane ran out of room and then used the bottom of the sampler for practice stitches, eyelets and satin stitches and such.  I adapted the design to feature some of these elements and love the outcome!  

A darling sampler with sweet motifs that could also be done as a small pin cushion, ornament or scissor fob!  

My model was stitched on 40 count light mocha linen from Zweigart with Classic Colorworks cotton threads in:  House Wine / Old Blue Jeans / Balsam Fir / Old Money / Holly Berry / Pine Needles.  

 The stitch count is 105 stitches wide by 88 stitches high.  The pattern is in cross stitch over two with just a small bit of cross stitch over one (the two little birds on the line with Jane Bell's name).  

While it is not known when Jane stitched her sampler I would venture to guess it was from the 1800s.  One of my favorite parts of this sampler is the thistle and roses motif in the upper right corner with the birds and crown.  Perhaps this is also a glimmer that suggests that Jane may have lived in England?  It is a mystery but fun to ponder.  

This sampler is available in my Etsy shop JustStitchingAlongX as a PDF download only.  The PDF has both color and black and white charts to suit your preference.  

I hope you think Sweet Jane is as darling as I do!  

Happy Stitches Always!  

Krista 

New!! TGA Redwork Sampler!

Something NEW and something RED!  

I am pleased to present my new release!  The TGA Redwork Sampler!  

Featuring two-tone red alphabets, along with fun florals, baskets and a grey kitty cat!

From the research I have done I would guesstimate this sampler is from the late 1880s to 1890s and has been reproduced from an antique in my collection.  I have named it the TGA Redwork Sampler because the stitcher only included their initials, TGA, and not their name.  So it is a mystery sampler of sorts but I do believe it is Italian or Italian-American based on the motifs used.  

The stitch count is 302 wide x 118 high.  I have stitched the model using 40 count R and R Reproductions linen in Espresso using all Gentle Art Sampler threads.  A conversion to DMC is also provided although may give a different result.  

Gentle Art:  Bluebell / Cherry Wine (2) / Cottage Blue / Deep Sea / Grasshopper / Highland Heather / Midnight / Moonlit Path / Pomegranate / Punchberry / Schoolhouse Red (4) / Sunflower / Willow

OR DMC:  928 / 815 (2) / 926 / 924 / 370 / 3727 / 930 / 453 / 347 / 211 / 816 (4) / 742 / 744

Also included is an additional alphabet in the font used for the TGA so you can use to personalize if you wish!

The chart is available from your favorite shop which is done in a full-color chart OR pdf is also available with both color and b&w charts in my etsy shop here!

Thank you for looking!  

Happy Stitches Always. xxxxx

PDFs on ETSY!

You can find my designs now on ETSY!  

This will give the option to the buyer if they prefer to get a booklet from their local or online stitching shop OR a PDF digital download for instant gratification.  

The PDF digital downloads will have both color and black/white charts included as well as all the details found in the printed booklets!

You can visit my Etsy shop, JustStitchingAlongX here!

Favorite the shop to learn when new items are added!  Thank you for looking!  

Happy Stitching Always x

Krista 

Mary Barker 1830 conversion update!

 Whoops!  

As I am stitching along on my #MondayswithMary I noticed that two of the silk colors were noted in the wrong place!  All the colors are correct but the 693 and 763 NPI need to be swapped.  

Here is a snap of my progress through last night with the colors noted above.  

Sorry for any confusion or inconvenience!  

Here is an updated conversion list with the NPI color numbers in the correct place!

#MondayswithMary !

Hello there! I hope you are all enjoying your Summer! and for those down under... Winter! We are coming around the corner to #SamplerSeptember very soon! My Miss Mary Barker 1830 model is on display at Attic Needleworks in Mesa, AZ so if you visit be sure to take a look-see! The model was stitched using dmc thread but I have now created a silk NPI conversion which can be found on my instagram @juststitchingalong ! Here is a look at the pretty colors and my start from Monday night. I thought it would be great fun to have #MondayswithMary heading into #SamplerSeptember so come along and join me if you like! On Miss Mary Barker, or perhaps another sweet 'Mary' sampler!

In the meantime, I have been busy working on a few of my favorite Wips! Here is my August update on the Martha Dawson Sampler which is being done as a stitch a long following a month-to-month schedule. If interested in more info please find the Our Sampler Years group on Facebook. I have monthly Stitch with Me videos as we make progress along the year!  I am using 100/3 au ver a soie silk on 40 count Old Sheep linen from XJudesign.  

Next up is pic with me! holding my progress on Those Who Sing by the Drawn Thread.  Such a fun stitch, I love all the birds and the pretty flowers done in satin stitch.  I am doing this also as a stitch a long as a birthday SAL with Colette (Highway stitcher on Flosstube) as we both share the same birthday!  This is the second year we have had a dedicated stitch a long for our birthday year.  I am using the silk package from the Drawn Thread which was mostly Dinky Dyes silk - which I absolutely loved!  On 40 count zweigart Summer Khaki linen.  

I did have a finish in July!  - I was so surprised at how quickly this sampler stitched up!  This is Ann Gott from NeedleWorkPress which is a dedicated stitch a long from Attic Needleworks this year.  I chose to change the verse and add my initials, and also changed the Bandana color to dmc 816 for a brighter pop of red.  I stitched this on 40 count Abecedarian linen from R and R Reproductions.  

And last night I wasn't sure what WiP to pull out next but settled on one I haven't seen in quite some time.... Elizabeth Furniss from Hands Across the Sea Samplers.  I fell in love all over again with her.  I am doing my sampler in dmc thread on 40 count vintage country mocha linen.  I have some ideas to change things up but we will see how it goes.  I love my bling-y needleminder!

Some other beautiful Hands Across the Sea Sampler charts have made their way across the ocean to me too!  So many samplers so little time.  I have gotten the silks to do Harriett Godhard so maybe soon there will be a start!  And, that Jane Hopkins with those flowers!  I have the dmc all ready to go on that one too!  

So aside from stitching I have been getting out more and more lately.  I went in to NYC for the first time since beginning of 2020.  I went to one of the Van Gogh experiences and it sure was! Such an amazing visualization in combination of sound and reflection.  Highly recommend!  

I also visited one of my favorite, happy places near my home... Candlewood Lake in Connecticut!  Always so relaxing to sit by the lake!  

The colors have been fantastic this Summer, the flowers have been really soaking up the sunshine!  

And I was surprised to find this display at my local Michael's store!  A whole rack of Anchor threads!  I am looking forward to trying some.  It even provides the dmc coordinating color so if the dmc thread is out there is another option!  

I think that catches things up for now!  Some things to look forward to.... I have a new release planned for next month.... something very RED!  

You can also find me @juststitchingalong on Instagram.   Hope you will join me on #MondayswithMary !  

Take care and Be well!  

Be Thankful Always

Happy Thanksgiving!  

I thought today was the perfect day to share this sampler with you.  A freebie sampler from me to you!

Miss Mary Yerger 1859 is a sweet Pennsylvania German sampler that I reproduced from my personal collection.  I stitched the model almost as Mary had stitched her own structuring some of the motifs and letters to give it some balance.  I have also adapted it to add a special message at the bottom, Be Thankful Always!  

I stitched the model on 32 count Apple Brown linen from R&R Reproductions using Ginny Thompson Flower Thread.  A fun thread to work with, one strand is comparable to using two strands of DMC thread.  They come already wound on floss cards and very easy to unwind as needed.  

I have also provided a DMC conversion so Mary Yerger's sampler can be stitched on any fabric of your choosing!   Here is the DMC color conversion:  

You can access the pdf of the chart here !

Enjoy!  

You can also find my updates for Just Stitching Along on Instagram @JustStitchingAlong 

I wish you all a wonderful holiday, albeit a different kind of holiday this year.  

Be well and stay safe! 

Krista 

Choose Joy

Well, hello there!  It's been quite a while! 

I have been busy stitching and look forward to the colder months when I can stay in, stay warm, and stitch, stitch, stitch!  I was inspired from one of my antiques to create a sweet ornament, a freebie gift to you, called Choose Joy. 

 I have chosen to make it into a perforated paper ornament but it would also be real cute done as a small pincushion.  The stitch count is 51 wide x 43 high. 

Here is a little sneak peek of some recent stitching.....  Lots of pretty colors, like springtime! 

I am looking forward to the New Year and working on my WIPs, and especially starting on the Ann Roberts Sampler SAL which I will be leading in the Our Sampler Years facebook group.  Each month we will be doing a part of it so I look forward to sharing it with you as we all stitch along!  

For more info about the sampler please visit Hands Across the Sea Samplers website here.

It seems like winter has already come out in full force here in the Northeast!  We are all covered in ice..... it is soooo very sparkly and beautiful!  but cold!!!

Wishing you a very Merry Christmas! and Happy 2020!!  

What's New and Exciting!

Hi there!   It sure has been a long, long time-- a whole year in fact! 

In between stitching I have been going to some fun markets.  This was my first year visiting the Penn Dry Goods Market in Pennsylvania.  I signed up for six of the lectures and learned so much about the history of floral samplers, Moravian needlework, Mary Linwood and more.  If you have not heard of Mary Linwood check out this link.  It was a fascinating series as well as a great market with wonderful quilts and antiques.  

 

 

 

 

 

Penn Dry Goods Market 2017

And just last weekend I had a great time in Rhinebeck NY for the annual Country Living Fair.  It was a perfect day for walking the Dutchess County Fairgrounds.  There were so many unique items.  Lots of inspiration everywhere!  

Rhinebeck Country Living Fair 2017

So that's a quick peek into what's new and exciting here!  

Have a great week!!  Wishing you miles of smiles............