Thursday, July 23, 2009

An Adventure

Working on Betsy is like going on an exciting adventure trip. You know where you are going and what you will see a long the way, but when you actually get there and see all the beautiful sites, you go wow. That is how I feel about Betsy.

I am really enjoying this journey. The more I do the more I fall in love with her. She is so beautiful and not at all complicated

She now has a house and half a fence with one tree. I have another 2 trees with birds to go.

I am sorry if she looks a bit washed out in the photos. It was slightly overcast when I took the photos. But you have also remember that a lot of it will end up being stitched in black. Especially around the Queen stitch border. I think when that happens will really come alive.


I have also been enjoying researching Mary Balch and her school and some of her samplers. I find it so interesting learning about people who worked these amazing samplers. What an amazing collection they are. Wouldn't it be wonderful if they were all in a special collection for a short period of time in one of the Museums. Sort of how they bring together a famous artist and his collection of paintings, e.g. Monet.

Thank you to Pat to alerting me to a beautiful sampler that Betsy did when she was around 8. It is quite interesting to see how she has progressed. The Sampler is one of Joanne Harveys kits. I will have to go a searching to find the graphs lol.

What an interesting week last week was. They found the Back Packer safe and well. He can't go home to England for 6-8 weeks as he has fluid in his lungs and can't fly. His story is quite amazing as he survived some really cold weather. A lot of the experts are quite amazed that he survived his experience.

His father at the time when he was found was sitting at the Airport awaiting for his flight to be called to fly home. He got the call from the Police to say that his son was found and alive and well. They put Dad into a helicopter and flew him back to the mountains.

We also had a Tsunami alert last week, although I am totally safe where I live. There was an earthquake off the South Island of New Zealand with the 2 plates pushing against each other. I heard this morning that New Zealand is apparently 30 cm's closer to Australia. I just told my 14 year old. He was so excited that his comment was "Big whoop" and walked off lol.

Anyway, everybody was safe and sound. All we ended up having was a King Tide.

Anyway, I hope you all have a lovely weekend. I never know what I will end up doing lol.

12 comments:

Kathy A. said...

Such a lovley piece. I have enjoyed watching you work on this one.
Glad the young lad is safe. His dad must be ever so grateful.
Aren't young son's just so enthusiastic about things lol

Margaret said...

I love this piece! It's so much fun seeing your progress. That other Betsy piece -- I wonder if it's only a class piece right now? It's really pretty as well. Still happy to hear about the backpacker despite the lung fluid. He's lucky to be alive!

Deb said...

This is such a beautiful piece that I think I'm going to have to break down and order it. I love everything about it and your stitching is beautiful.

Colleen said...

Beautiful piece! Here's another one I want to get and start...LOL

Karoline said...

Betsy is looking gorgeous, great progress

Jeanne said...

It's really beautiful Sandra. The first thing I thought when I opened your blog today and saw the photo was "that looks like a Mary Balch sampler"! Her style was so distinctive with the urns and columns. I started American Sampler from Treasures in Needlework a few years ago and sadly it's still a UFO. :) Your work is really lovely!

Cindy F. said...

Betsy is gorgeous! So glad you're enjoying her!

Glad you guys are safe!

Anonymous said...

Sandra,

Your Betsy is just lovely. It is so neat to be able to locate another sampler done in her early. Please let me know if you find out where one can get her 8-year old kit! I think it would be so neat to stitch both of her samplers, and be able to tell people that the same stitcher actually stitched the originals!

Deb said...

Hello,dear friend, Once again, your sampler is coming along so well. Betsy is blooming and is just gorgeous. I know she'll be finished in no time, because you're so focused and dedicated! Wasn't that wonderful about that boy being found? I had a feeling he would be. Those young men have such resiliance, even when it's cold. To even go in there alone took some guts!! I'm happy his father's anxiety and pain had an end...parents suffer so with their children.
Sending love and hugs, Deb
PS: Talk to you soon!

Melissa said...

Hi! I just want to say I found your blog via Glenna's today. She'd mentioned you are stitching Betsey Davis. Wow, she's so pretty!

I must say I feel a bit intimidated too by this and will watch your progress with interest!

Happy Stitching!

valerie said...

How interesting that you mention Mary Balch. I am vacationing in Rhode Island in 2 weeks and will be visiting the RI School of Design museum which houses 40 samplers...many from the Mary Balch School. I'm very excited to visit! Your Betsy Davis is coming along stunningly! I look forward to seeing your progress!

Unknown said...

I so enjoyed my visit to your blog...Hello. This post is likeable, and your blog is very interesting,congratulations :-).
I love your blogs...
I look forward to seeing lots of posts of beautiful work.

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