Thursday, December 13, 2007

Nutcrackers and WIP

I thought I'd put my collection of Nutcrackers on my blog for my Sister. She went to the Ballet on the weekend and enjoyed it as she had never seen it before. I have been slowly collection nutcrackers for a little while. I have a few more but these are my good ones. I always wish that when I went to Germany many many years ago that I had bought one in this little village that we went to. There were 2 shops selling just Christmas things that were really lovely. I bought a collection of small wooden ornaments that look lovely on a tree, but unfortunately I haven't enough room to put one up. I usually put these on our wood heater so the black thing that you can see in the background is the chimney. Unfortunately our fire doesn't have a mantle piece, which at this time of the year would be lovely, but thats another story.
This is my progress on Margaret Gibson. I am currently doing the biblical saying which is over one on 40ct. Takes a while to do.
I find that this saying is very hard to read as it just flows all together. In case you are wonder what it is, it is from Isiah 55 and is:-

Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters,
and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat;
yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and
without price.

I think that these biblical sayings are part of the charm of antique samplers.

The last picture is another one from my collection of samplers. I did this one earlier in the year to replace the samplers that my son took with him when he moved out.

I'm sure you all know what this one is. It is worked on 32ct linen with just my favourite DMC threads.

Its still raining in the mountains and the last couple of days have been quite cool. A lot of my neighbours have had their log fires going. Crazy for Summer. By looking at the Weather Channel we still have a lot more rain coming for December. Hopefully all this rain is going into the dams down in Sydney. The Blue Mountains are a feeder source for one of the main dams.


12 comments:

Lapplisor said...

Hello Sandra
marvelous are your decorative nussknacker. I have also some with me.
I am enthusiastically of your work... on 40ct work you... so tiny small... work you with a magnifying glass on this fine cloth?
Your Quakermuster is after my heart, because I love these samples much.
Greetings from Germany von Barbara

Wendy said...

Thanks for the close-up of Margaret Gibson - its so lovely! 40 ct over 1 - I'm in awe!!

And lovely Emblem of Love sampler too!

Deb said...

Sandra,
Your "Margaret..." sampler is just gorgeous! I'd love to stitch it sometime. Sigh...There's nothing like a sampler, is there? Thanks for reminding me...It has to be especially stunning on the 40 ct.
Hugs,
Deb

Jane said...

Those nutcrackers are great! Your work on Margaret Gibson is stunning! 40 ct, wow!

Yuko said...

Oh wonderful collection of nutcrackers! It remind me that I had ballet "nutcrackers" when I was a child on the stage!
By the way, your WIP seems so beautiful but a bit complicated design, but I'm sure it's piece of cake for you! :D
And the finished one is beautiful as always!
You are so talented and I love all of your works!!!

Joanie said...

Oh Sandra, I too have a collection of Nutcrackers. Each year, for about 10 years, my DH would buy me one from Germany. I love them and seeing yours reminded me that I need to put out mine!!! Yikes!!!

Margaret Gibson is looking wonderful! You rock! Oh and BTW, watch your mail, I sent you a little something.

Email soon!

Wendy said...

Sorry, I don't see a link to your e-mail so I'm posting here.

Thank you for the Christmas wishes, Sandra! And the same to you and your family also!!

Mary said...

Hi Sandra,
Thank you so much for visiting my blog, and for your sweet comment. I am in awe of your beautiful samplers -- such tiny work, and so lovely! I also love your pretty necklaces -- beautiful! I hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas!
xoxo,
Mary

chryl kaisler said...

Hi Sandra
Your needlework is just incredible! I love visiting your blog and looking at your beautiful samplers and jewelry. You are a very talented lady. I do reproduction samplers but over 1 ct is too much for my eyes but I do love how they look. Thank you for taking the time to put your work online for others to enjoy.

Merry Christmas
Chryl Kaisler from Laurel, Maryland

Karen's Blog said...

These are lovely Sandra. The Margaret Gison sampler is really looking beautiful. I hope you had a great Christmas. See you soon.

Barbara J said...

As always, beautiful work. Nice colours too.

Happy New Year to you Sandra!

Crazee4books said...

Hi Sandra,

Hope that you've had a wonderful Christmas. I'm trying to imagine the sort of Christmas that you enjoy, with hot temperatures and rain instead of snow. It's a bit inconceivable for me. I do love a white Christmas, and boy we've been getting it. More snow for the New Year.

Margaret Gibson continues to grow and looks lovelier everytime that I see a progress photo. I don't envy you stitching the verse over one. Don't think that my eyes could take such punishment.

I love your version of Emblem of Love. Your colour choices really work well together. I like the Quakers stitched in one colour too, but the emblems on this one really stand out from one another.

Hope you've had less rain and a bit of sunshine for your Christmas.

Warmest best wishes to you and your family for the New Year.

Cheers