Appreciated all you shared about the Jubilee. I lived in the UK for 16 years and have great respect for the Queen. Also appreciate and enjoy sitting with you each week. Thank you for all the work and all the wonderful information you provide for us.
I chose Esther Blackwood because of the dog 🐕. I lost my dog last July, he was 4 months short of his 18 birthday. The pose of the dog and his look pulled at my heart ❤️. The verse is also a nice one.
What attracts me to a particular sampler? One of the things I look for is a unique verse and/or one that I find particularly meaningful. Certain types of flowers call to me, especially carnations, so your Sarah Fletcher has definitely caught my attention. I like samplers that are a bit asymmetrical. I so enjoy the childlike quality of a “wonky” sampler. I don’t like samplers with a lot of heart motifs. Just too cutesy for me. Thank you for all the information you give on your sampler webpages. I do appreciate being able to really understand a sampler before I purchase it. Have a wonderful time in Arizona! Safe travels! Thanks for sharing the jubilee festivities. Queen Elizabeth is a grand lady and I wish her many blessings on this momentous occasion. (She became Queen 20 days before I was born!)
Wanted to answer the question about what makes you want to stitch a design. Different projects different reasons. For me it’s the ones that call out to me as a ‘must stitch’ Sometimes it’s because I feel like a challenge, something different, something new that I haven’t seen before. Sometimes it’s because a design comes out & I have the perfect fabric for it in my stash. Sometimes it’s the other way around. I find / or buy a fabric & when it’s delivered & I open it I straight away know what will look perfect on it. Sometimes it’s the colours or back story or theme or somehow the chart is connected to me. So simple answer is for me there is no one clear answer. Just whatever brings me joy really. Also I like to mix it up stitching different types of designs. Not just samplers. I love that you are only limited by your imagination. There are so many wonderful things out there to stitch. It’s my meditation for sure.
I really hope you make your flights and you have a wonderful time at the Attic. If you ever want or have time to visit NE FL - our chapter would love to see you.
What attracts me to a sampler? Something that is unusual, something out of the ordinary that stands out. Often it will have something of special personal meaning for me : Mary Wigglesworth is an example. Wigglesworth. I also look out for samplers from continental countries or other international ones. They display motifs and concepts that help break up a traditional sampler wall. I fall for angels !
The Queen and Paddington Bear were delightful! marmalade sandwiches... 'We Will Rock You' on tea cup and saucer and the crowd reaction, truly enjoyed the concert clips. Looking forward to watching the Sunday events.
What attracts me to a sampler? Hmmm…. Sometimes it is a beautiful border or house. Other times, it may be be the verse that has a special meaning to me. Having a dog on a sampler always attracts my attention which is why drew me to Esther. I love castles which remind me of a trip we took to Germany while my daughter was teaching American English in Cologne. (Several students dropped her class, because they wanted to learn real English, not American English.) The one that I am working on now was dated May 10th which is my birthday so I started it then. For Bristol samplers, it’s the story behind the sampler. I just love learning about history. I am not surprised that there are errors in books and charts. I have spent my career supporting manufacturing in both engineering and managerial positions. We always say the inspection is only 80% so 20% of the mistakes can be missed. Multiple people can reduce by just take 0.8 and raise it to the power of the people inspecting. However, in many manual jobs, inspection is unavoidable. We trike to error proof as well as we can and use automation where possible to reduce errors. Have a safe trip to the US!
I hope you don't mind my commenting, but "pamplemousse" is simply grapefruit, not necessarily a pink one - that would be a "pamplemousse rose". Your flosstubes are always so packed with information. This time, I was pleased to hear about all the celebrations for the Queen's 70 years of reign.
Nicola, you are such a joy! I am definitely first drawn to a sampler by color…beautiful color really speaks to me. But I so love the back story of the girl who stitched it, and it makes it so personal. Isn’t it amazing that you almost feel like you know her? Same thing with flosstube…we feel such friendship for someone we’ve never met in person, but feel close to. I thank you for always sharing so generously with us. I think the best thing for tennis elbow is rest, so I hope your trip will allow you to rest it for a while. Safe travels, and have a wonderful time!
I look for color, symmetry, not busy with too many motifs and then the overall appearance. Crazy I know but I do not care for for cluttered/busy samplers lol!
I am attracted to samplers with red in them as well as flowers and birds, sheep, and dogs plus houses. I love most samplers really. I am stitching Mary Wigglesworth currently with 46ct Creme Brule with 100.3 threads but have others in my to do pile. Bright colors are wonderful. I love bees and butterflies as well!
I think the most inspiring things in a sampler are the quotes, the animals and the botanicals for me. I really enjoy interesting themes. Hope your elbow heals very soon! Enjoy your travels looking forward to hearing about them soon.
I like a mix of band samplers and then the motif samplers like Elizabeth Atkinson or Cicely Margaret Ingram (my all time favorite HATS) - those two the colors appealed to me the most, then the arrangement of the alphabet & motifs. Have a wonderful trip and thank you for another great video to watch.
Up to mighty London,came An Irish man,one day. All the streets were paved with GOLD So,everyone was gay! Singing songs of Piccadilly Strand,and Leicester square ‘Til Paddy got exited,and He shouted to them there: It’s a long way to Tipperary It’s a long way to go. It’s a long way to Tipperary, To the sweetest girl I know!! Goodbye,Piccadilly Farewell,Leicester square! It’s a long way to Tipperary But my heart’s right there. And it goes on❤️
Also,dearest Nicola,I have a funny request,regarding the stitchwork piece,the “a present for a friend” piece. I am fascinated,mesmerized,enchanted,and thrilled at that funny little part of it,with the half a bird,with another bird standing in its stead! I love it so much. Would you be interested in stitching that sweet silly moment for me? I will happily pay you £150 for this tiny moment. Please consider,and I will be more than willing to pay more for your magnificent work. It would look so adorable in a tiny frame! I am obsessed with that image!!😊
Thank you so much for this video...my birthday is very soon and the frame you have I'm going to invest in with my birthday money....and the floor frame too!! I hope you get on the plane, I'm looking forward to seeing videos/pictures of your adventures to America!! Safe travels and see you again soon!! Samantha xx
I study Music History. I love choosing a sampler from a particular era or a particular year. I love being able to put myself in the shoes of someone from the era differently then when I'm performing or researching.
I will be waiting on bended knee for Sarah Milthrorp 1834 Sampler! Such Beautiful things stitched on it, oh and that house Gorgeous ♥️Hope your elbow gives you a relief, mine get awful in my right stitching hand. But I keep going😊
Thanks for this great question about what draws me to a sampler. I am drawn to samplers for many reasons. Houses always draw me in as do the sayings on a sampler. Sometimes a sampler makes me think of a family member. I am a huge lover of cats so that will make me take a second look. I am fascinated by Adam and Eve samplers as well. I love blackbirds as well. So, all in all, I love many samplers! Thanks as always Nicola and have an amazing time on your trip!
So I just ordered a Millennium frame. Yahoo! Although I live across the pond, Her Majesty is a fascination for me. Her service and dedication is extraordinary. I've watched every show I can find about her (understanding that there is a bit of fiction in there!). Then, to top off my fascination, my daughter begged for a Corgi and now we have Brie, a female with spunk.
What attracts me usually if a sampler has a lot of red in it, something I love such as peacocks or bees or right now working on Esther ... the dog looks exactly like our dog (named after Gary) Cooper! Thank you for so much information 😊 Again I could sit and chat for hours XXO Good luck Tuesday and have fun hete in the US!
Sorry you're having elbow pain - I get that from holding my hoop in the same position while stitching or leaning my elbow on the arm of my chair while I stitch. Hope it heals fast. What usually gets me about a sampler is the border and motifs - I love unusual borders like Mrs. Campbell and beautiful tree, flower, house or bird motifs. I'm looking forward to Sarah Milthorps release - that house and those beautiful motifs drew me right away. Have a safe trip and enjoy your time at The Attic!
I have chosen Agnes Scott because it is a Scottish sampler and my MIL is an Abernathy. I have another one that is by a Lutz. My MIL family name if Lutz.
Nicola - do you ever find stitches unravelling on antique samplers? I don't like a neat back because I fear my stitches will come out if I cut the end of my tunnelled thread too close. I wonder how the little girl on the Queen of the May finished her stitches. It was interesting to hear you say you don''t often use a pin stitch to finish.
I look at colors and shapes on a sampler. I am not fond of houses but love bird and flower shapes. I like geometric shapes in the motifs such as the new one you are stitching. I am not as fond of cursive type letters as I am gothic print types. I also like unusual shapes like castle ruins. I am not as fond of weathered linen as of clean linen.
The Queen was lovely and I liked the scene with Paddington Bear. I love working on Omanik frames. They work just like the Millennium frames and are produced much quicker. They are of excellent quality as well. I have all the sizes of the bars and the side bars. I have the Necessaire floor stand and the Omanik frames sit on it just the same as the Millennium frames do.
The beacon lighting would have been lovely to be a part of. I don't image I will ever see one here in Australia - they would probably set the bush alight. The samplers I most adore are authentic reproductions, quirky, non-symmetrical, colourful and interesting motifs +/- alphabets, minimal religiosity and minimal verse (unless it is something that really speaks to me). I also love red samplers, Bristols, and darning samplers.
I am drawn to colourful and pretty borders, particularly meaningful words/motifs to me and the size also sways my choice. Presently smaller samplers appeal to me. Have a safe journey and a enjoy wonderful time in Arizona, Nicola. I am very much looking forward to your next video from there.
I love samplers. Period. But if a sampler has a special significance, such as affiliation with an identified dame school or teacher, or a stitched by someone associated with important historical events, either through family affiliation or stitched while important historical events were occurring, I would be particularly interested in stitching them. Also samplers with unusual motifs, design, or colors also appeal to me. And if there are some specialty stitches or embroidery, all the better. I guess that just about covers them all.
Colors, the name (especially mine - which is a rare find), and backstory all draw me in to certain samplers. I do so love the Bristol samplers so much and love it even more when all appear to have such a happy long life. Safe travels! Looking forward to your video showcasing all your purchases.
Thank you for your lovely video! I must admit I have never used overdyed linen, but I would like to try. As for samplers am attracted by colors and quirky designs. I am never looking for symmetric samplers, as I like the uniqueness of antique samplers. Sarah Miltorp is wonderful! Will be available in HATS ? Thank you and greetimg from Lake Maggiore, Italy!
I suppose the first thing on the sampler would possibly be the colors even though I can change them and then of course if there's a saying I have to agree with it I like houses and I love flowers but I feel that at my age I know my alphabet already and I don't want to Stitch my ABCs.. for example .. keep your work clean is one I really like because I also love all the motifs around it and I also like large pear and the house one.. I don't comment as much as I should but I always do appreciate your videos and I go back to lots of them many times
I would love to find a reproduction sampler with either my first name (Lisa) or my birthday (March 24). I am also drawn to the backstory. Thank you for all you share with us!
Thank you for answering my questions Nicola, you addressed every part that I was wondering about. I’m sorry for your painful elbow, hope the issue resolves very quickly. -Patti
What attracts me to samplers? Cats! I love a sampler with cats. Aside from cats, I generally stick with name connections - usually Sara(h), but other family names as well. I’ve been waiting on Sarah Millthorpe For a long time! Mary Wigglesworth is a future connection- I plan to start stitching her on my 58th birthday, and hopefully finish her while I’m 58. I’d be thrilled to see a sampler by a Faulkenberry!
I am working on Annie Bayliss 1887 as I watch you and I am so thankful for the samplers you reproduce! You probably already know this, but just in case, you can get a tennis elbow brace that helps support your arm. I recently started wearing one and it's really helped!💙🪡🧵
What a lovely episode, hearing about the Queen's Jubilee. I loved the marmite sandwich and the twinkle in her eyes!! I remember (as a New Zealander) how strange it was when we first had to sing God save the QUEEN, instead of KING. I'm going to start a small "God save the Queen" as a remembrance for this wonderful milestone ❤
Thank you Nicola for another very informative Flosstube! I loved it! I have only purchased one Sampler thus far. It is Mary Good. During Covid is when I came back to cross stitch. I haven’t stitched a single quilt since I’ve been cross stitching. i started with two rabbit charts from Bothy Threads. They turned out adorable. They are hanging in a Granddaughter”s bedroom. I am waiting on my Millennium Bars now I’m not sure I ordered the proper size, since you were discussing about the 27” one which would be perfect for Mary Good. I’m envious that you are going to the Attic, someday I hope to go there. I also want to go to a stitching retreat but need to be on some mailing lists??? Thank you so much for the time you give all of us, I so much appreciate your knowledge of cross stitch. I will pray that you have safe travels and a fabulous time in Arizona. Hugs, Jeannette
I get excited by charts when they are my favorite color RED. I am working on the Antique Red Rooster and love it every time I see it. Also houses. I am also working on the Rose and the giant peach. I love listening to you and your British life. I use to be a flight attendant and flew London out of LAX. I never left London without having Fish and Chips and mashed peas. So glad they served them at your torch letting party. You must let us know if there is an Ariel photo of the torches.
@@nicolaparkman Thank you! I will definitely be purchasing that Sampler when it does come out. I just got back into cross stitching after a twenty year break. I love the interesting new linens available now. All the background information you give about a sampler is so very interesting. I hope you tested negative and get to enjoy being at the Attic.
Spent the weekend unpacking and catching up on all the Jubilee festivities on TV. I hope you have a great time in Mesa! I’m counting the days until Summer School 2022. What attracts me to samplers now is the sizes and the history. I’m hoping to have a sampler wall in a couple of years.🤞🏻 Thank you for sharing all your samplers with us. 💛
You asked what draws us to certain samplers - how do we choose from so many? Jane Marshall 1857 was my first sampler and I loved it. During lockdown, I went a little crazy buying other samplers (mostly HATS :-) Then I realized I loved ones with ships on them after stitching Coming to America: The Women of the Mayflower. So I focus on them and ones with my sister's name, Elizabeth, on them (I haven't seen my name on any samplers and my sister was the one who introduced me to cross stitching). But I'll still purchase samplers just for their sheer beauty and palette of colors.
I sure hope you’re not hearing voices from the videos! BUT if you are, there’s probably an APP for that!! 🤣 your armchair stitching caddy & needleminder are just beautiful! She’s such a sweetheart ❤️ The Jubilee celebration has looked wonderful. So glad y’all got to have a beacon-lighting night yourselves there in Cornwall. Light is an amazing thing! It envelopes us all. 😘❤️ See you Wednesday! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
