Martha Mortenson Sampler

I bought this Scarlet Letter sampler kit many years ago and am happy to say that I finally got around to completing it :) The description of the piece as written by the Scarlet Letter reads:

The Martha Mortenson Sampler is a simple, early 19th century New England marking sampler, whereby the young girl practiced her lettering and stitches in preparation for marking actual household linens in her career as a maid or housewife. It is worked on 25 count, unbleached, natural linen, in faded hues...

My favorite samplers of all to stitch are those based on antiques. I guess that's mainly because I love to imagine what that first little girl was thinking about when she made the same stitches as me all those years ago. Was she at home or at school? Was she alone or surrounded by her family? Did she enjoy the work or was it more of a chore? I find imagining the answers fascinating.

Here's an illustration from The Workwoman's Guide, first published in 1838 England, of a classroom full of little girls learning to make the stitches they will use for the rest of their lives. Is it just me, or do you wonder too if Martha was in a classroom just like this one...

Happy stitching, everyone!!!
Sandy

Another Pinkeep

I love this "Basket of Flowers Pinkeep" pattern by Stacy Nash and kept thinking of springtime the whole time I was working on it. Aren't those red flowers wonderful??? Not only that, but the design is just perfect for Valentine's Day!

I stuffed it with wool roving and decided to back it with a 19th century reproduction turkey red fabric. I usually back my pinkeeps and pillows with wool but those flowers were begging for something just a little different this time.

The weather is beautiful today where I live so this is my way of sharing a little bit of our sunshine with those of you still dealing with winter weather. Hopefully, warm and sunny days are just around the corner for everyone :)

Sandy