// little house on the prairie //

 

"As the years pass, I am coming more and more to understand that it is the common, everyday blessings of our common everyday lives for which we should be particularly grateful. they are the things that fill our lives with comfort and our hearts with gladness - just the pure air to breathe and the strength to breathe it; just warmth and shelter and home folks; just plain food that gives us strength; the bright sunshine on a cold day; and a cool beeze when the day is warm."

-Laura Ingalls Wilder

When I was growing up, there was one night of the week that I was allowed to stay up past my bedtime. Mondays. For that was when Little House on the Prairie aired; the series on television based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. I read these books cover to cover several times and the show was a great joy to savor. When there was a special 2-hour episode I was beyond giddy. Not only was I able to stay up then 2 hours past my bedtime but I'd have another whole hour of the Ma and Pa and Laura and Mary stories.

One of my favorite parts, if that would be a word to describe it, routine might be better ... was when sisters, Laura and Mary, would get ready for bed. They'd don their gowns (looking much like my little Lanz gowns of the time) put on their night-bonnets and hurry in bed to get warm. For there on their beds were the most beautiful, coziest of patchwork quilts - those blankets captured my eye and ever since, I've been one to hoard/collect quilts and blankets. Pillows too!, but that's another blog post. I wanted a bed like that, in the loft of the little house, and to be covered and warm with all those blankets made by Ma.

In 2009, I designed a cross stitch chart entitled, Laura's House in the Woods .... it's one of the patterns of mine that has gone to Archives but I share it here with you to stitch and bring a piece of Laura Ingalls Wilder to your little house.

LAURA'S HOUSE IN THE WOODS
(click chart to enlarge and print)
Stitch count: 93 x 66
Color Code: DMC cotton floss

M    DMC 3371 +    DMC 831 O    DMC 730 /    DMC 3857 |    DMC 829
W  DMC 645

Happy New Year, Love // FREE CHART //

I hope your Hannukah was happy and your Christmas very merry! May your New Year be bright and filled with all things sweet and good. Our Christmastime was unseasonably warm but ever delightful and bountiful in love and family.

Here is a free chart from me to you ... enjoy and see you again in 2016!

HAPPY NEW YEAR, LOVE

copyright 2015 The Sampler Girl

(click chart to enlarge and print!)

a Jane Austen free chart for you from me ~ happy Christmas!

(click chart to enlarge for printing)

A little free chart with Jane Austen verse for you to enjoy this holiday season with threads and fabric of your own selection. I'd love to see your creation so if you are on Instagram, stitch it up and tag it with the hashtag #thesamplergirl and I'll be sure to see it !!

Hope springs / a free embroidery chart

 

Materials Needed

:: muslin fabric

:: fabric pencil to transfer template to muslin
:: DMC cotton floss in colors of your choice
:: size 24 tapestry needle
:: embroidery hoop
:: scissors

Directions

Print pattern and cut out.

Cut out a piece of muslin fabric, leaving 3 inches on each side for finishing purposes.

Using masking tape, gently affix template to a sunlit window (or lightbox or table beneath good lamp-light). Hold muslin fabric on top of template securely with hand (or masking tape). You will see the image come through the fabric! Using fabric pencil, trace image and remove from fastening.

Secure your fabric into an embroidery hoop which supports the size of your muslin cut. Using a blunt, size 24 tapestry needle and DMC cotton threads of your choosing - embroider the image with 3 strands of DMC cotton floss.

Once your embroidering is complete, take your fabric out of the hoop and iron well. There are a variety of ways you can finish your needlework be it a little framed picture to grace your desk or a sweet-scented hanging pillow displayed on a cupboard door you open daily.

If you finish this little lovely, email me samplergirl@cox.net a picture and I'll share it on the blog!

one week tll DOWNTON, season 5 !!!!!

Oh my. It's been nearly a year! Time for Sunday evenings with Downton Abbey to begin again, a week from tonight!!!!! I'm watching Season 4 in eager anticipation. Remember this pattern?! Enjoy.