"And the Vase and the Flowers Were the First Motif"

The first motif on the "Quaker Virtues" sampler, finished this morning.  I didn't find it as jarring as I thought, switching back to the soi-disant "Danish method" of working all half-crosses in a section, then going back to make them full crosses, so I probably could have worked on both at the same time, but as it happens the stitching on "Anna Ohman" is finished --

-- and as I said, has been a pleasure every moment.  I'm delighted with the color and the ThreadworX floss, and the linen from R&R Reproductions, and even more with all of these together.  I "signed" it with my initials and the year in half-cross using a beige-brown strand -- of I think DMC 840 -- very similar to the background so that it would clearly not be an antique sampler but wouldn't jump out at you.

It has been good to have these calm, almost serene pieces to work on, these days.  David was called back to work a few months ago, which was a great relief though of course these days few things feel particularly secure, and then this past Monday he was told that along with most of his department he is being furloughed again.  It is what it is, of course, and we are all healthy, there is that.

I am still knitting, though admittedly not much at present, but when the weather turned suddenly cold last week, I decided it would be a good time for that Copilot cowl.  I haven't got very far yet, as the rows are extraordinarily long, but the wool is deliciously soft, like knitting a cloud --

Comments

[Sarina]

The stitching is beautiful! Work is giving you guys quite the roller coaster ride - hope things stay steady!

[dawninnl]

Your finished sampler is beautiful in monochrome. The contrast with the backing is perfect.
I like your idea of adding your own initials unobtrusively.