All of my life I have associated the phrase "sweet land of liberty" with a romantic view of the family farm. (I grew up in the midwest on a farm, though not as a farmer, so maybe that's why.) This pattern is a nod to that association.
The model was stitched on 40-count Americana Froth linen by Dames of the Needle using the called-for over-dyed cotton threads.
This little sampler has a decidedly Halloween feel to it, but with a hopeful twist. (Because that's the way we roll here at Violet & Sunshine.)
The model was stitched on 40 count "Haunted" linen by Seraphim Fabric using the called for over-dyed cotton floss. The model is finished as a pin pillow but this sampler would look beautiful framed as well. Stitch Count: 124w X 133h
I love Christmas carols, and Silent Night is one of my all-time favorites. Something about the song has always evoked a scene in my imagination of a cabin in the snow-covered mountains surrounded by woods, and enveloped in silence. The air is crisp and clean, the stars are twinkling in the deep... Read more
Autumn is my favorite season. The colors are stunning, the air is crisp, and everything is just a bit cozier. This little design is my ode to the season.
The model is stitched on 32 count Winter Moon linen by Zweigart using a single strand of wool floss by The Gentle Arts. The pillow is... Read more
Autumn is a delightful season. With the crisp days come cozy sweaters and comfort food, bonfires and brilliantly colored leaves. This little pattern was created as an ode to the peace and beauty of Autumn. May it bring you as much joy as Autumn itself!
The model was stitched on 40-count Hazelwood Linen by Fiber on a Whim using the called-for Au Ver Soie 100/3 silks.
I love so much about Autumn: the bold colors, the crisp air, the rich flavors, the cozy sweaters. It is a season that invites us to slow down and breath deeply. This pattern is full of some of my favorite bits of autumn: mushrooms and acorns, pumpkins and falling leaves.
This little pin keep was inspired by traditional Quaker motifs. The words are a reminder of what we stand for as citizens and what so many people have died for.
The model was stitched on 40 Count Patriot's Brew hand-dyed linen by R & R Reproductions using the called for over-dyed threads. Stitch Count: 76w X 94h
Gloria in Excelsis Deo! Glory to God in the highest! So the angels sang to the shepherds 2000 years ago, and so we still sing today. Gloria is the third pattern in our Christmas carol smalls series, and is our take on Angels We Have Heard on High.
This pattern is executed mostly in cross... Read more
O Holy Night is second only to O Come Emmanuel on my very long list of favorite Christmas carols. The soaring melody never fails to thrill my soul and neither does its message of hope. I think it is fair to say that we live in a weary world that is in need of some rejoicing. I hope you find this... Read more
Washington, DC in springtime is without a doubt one of the most beautiful cities on the planet. The Tulip Magnolias and Cherry Trees, as well as the Hyacinths, Daffodils, and Crocus all in full bloom is just stunning. Everywhere you look the joyful colors and textures of spring are on full display.... Read more
Some time in the late 18th century 12 year old Agnes Mitchell stitched a beautiful Scottish sampler in red and green. We have reproduced her sampler as "Agnes Mitchell Aged 12." As we were working on that reproduction, we decided to create a smaller Christmas sampler inspired by Agnes, so... Read more
We don't know much for certain about Agnes. The one family that seems to fit the the initials included in this sampler, does not have a child named Agnes. If this is truly the family that she lived with, then her sampler dates no later than 1793. It is possible that she is a niece or a ward to... Read more
Elizabeth Worgor 1769 is a reproduction of an original antique sampler currently housed in a private collection, and is in remarkably good shape for its 254 years.
Elizabeth executed her sampler in a combination of cross and Algerian eye stitches in a variety of colors, alphabets, and... Read more
I ran across a quote by Thucydides recently that essentially said the secret to happiness is freedom and the secret to freedom is courage. It occurred to me that so much of our freedom rides on the back of the courage of others, which we all too often take for granted. And, in taking the courage of... Read more
Second in our American Flag Series, Liberty and Justice was created as a tribute to these mutually dependent virtues that are so important to the American experiment. To secure one, we must have the other: Liberty without Justice is merely license and Justice without Liberty is tyranny. (A good... Read more
The United States of America has been called "The Great Experiment". It is more than a mere federation of loosely connected states, it is a diverse but unified Nation that is dynamic-growing and changing through the years. This pattern was created as a reminder that diversity and unity are... Read more
Recently, I was reading Katherine Lee Bates' poem "America the Beautiful" and was struck by the third stanza, which speaks of heroes and nobleness. That lead me to think about all of the heroes in my own life (both known and unknown), all the people who gave up their time, talents, and... Read more
O Come, O Come, Emmanuel is a 9th century Christian hymn that is traditionally sung during the Advent season leading up to Christmas. To me, it beautifully captures the anticipation and hope of the season. I designed this piece to reflect the traditional Advent wreath with its four candles that are... Read more
Nothing says summer to me like a cottage on the beach. This little sampler was designed to capture the essence of summer by the sea. It is filled with a variety of stitches from Cross Stitch to Fence Stitch to Straight Stitch and more. I have included detailed instructions of most of the stitches,... Read more
I love the Spring. I'm a fan of all of the seasons really but by the time Spring rolls around, I am more than ready for flowers and blossoming trees. This little sampler is my way of bringing the Spring happy dance of color into my home all year long. It is a sampling of several different stitches... Read more
While I have been unable to determine with certainty who Mary Maynard was (there are at least three young ladies who could have been the Mary of our sampler), it is clear that in 1797 she stitched a beautiful sampler filled with colors, motifs, patterned dividers, and selections from section 7 of... Read more