I hope you’re all having a lovely Valentines day!
This week I did something very random – not so much random per se but random for me.
Back in the days when I had little children and hadn’t discovered quilting, I used to think cross stitch was the ultimate portable sewing project and I used to love samplers. Mostly, I made them as gifts but here a few stray ones that happen to still be around the house.
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| birth samplers |
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| valentines |
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| quotes |
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| alphabets |
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| This black work band sampler is one one favourites |
So you could be forgiven for thinking that, once I got bitten by the quilting bug I would LOVE making sampler quilts. But, with the exception of Glorious Applique and a vague plan to make a picture/alphabet quilt one day, my enthusiasm for making a collection of different blocks and sewing them together is zero. I see wonderful blocks that I genuinely think look fab on everyone’s blogs and I’m very tempted by skill builder series and BOMs but I think ‘What would I do with them? – twelve cushions?’
So, how random is this? I suddenly fell completely in love with this book…
…and even though it’s written in Japanese and even though I could have bought about four yards of fabric, I tracked it down and ordered it…
So now I’m somewhat shell-shocked and nervously waiting to see when it comes (if it comes) whether my whole quilting future is set to soar off in a new direction or whether I’ve just made a terrible mistake and wasted a lot of money I can’t afford.
How random has your week been?
Janine @ Rainbow Hare
RAINBOW HARE 
Karen
I too am a former cross stitcher and have a couple of larger pieces framed. I didn't get so into samplers but yours are so beautiful!
I too want that book – can't wait to see what you make :)
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Celtic Thistle
That looks like a very interesting book Janine. Will look forward to reading all about it when you have deciphered the Japanese!
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Books_Bound
I like samplers! I think it's because although I love modern fabrics (very much!) I am sort of a traditionalist when it comes to block and quilt designs (wonky doesn't usually appeal to me–I like symmetry, I guess!) So though I've only made one sampler quilt so far, I don't mind them. Lots to look at, I figure. :)
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Patti
Not much cross stitch in my past, and I'm so impressed that you jumped right in there Janine! I can hardly wait to see what you create! I'm a lot more interested in portable projects since I started my first EPP!
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Yon Quilting Wife
I love your cross stitch. I never quite had enough patience for it. Your book looks quite exciting too. My random moment this week was when I decided to make a phone cover that looks like a tardis.
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Cindy Sharp
I too have a past in the murky wood of counted cross stitch. It was fun. I enjoyed learning new stitches. But eventually I got bord.
I haven't yet met a quilt sampler that I was really excited about. Although, I am about to start work on one of my own design. “Oops” will start in June. Come join us.
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Cynthia Brunz Designs
The great thing about samplers is you only have to make a block once….I think some of my projects become UFOs because I get bored.
The book looks really interesting.
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P.
I totally get your love of samplers, stitched and/or sewn. For me, it's the variety that appeals. No mind-numbing repetition of the same block over and over (not that it can't be fun, but sometimes it does get a bit boring IMO). I've still got a couple of samplers framed in my sewing room. The last one about killed me because my eyes were changing and close work was harder. The second quilt I ever made was a sampler. It was a skill builder/learn to quilt kind of thing, and I love it! I've been thinking about a drunkard's path sampler with a limited number of samples (4 or 5). Mostly because I can't decide on one block to make a whole quilt from. Enjoy your new book!
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moonlightsewing
I actually DO love sampler quilts. I think it's fun how a color scheme (or scrappy scheme) can unify a variety of different blocks. Perhaps once you make your own, you'll fall in love too!
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Soma Acharya
I used to cross stitch a lot before. Yours are beautiful! I feel the same way about sampler quilts as you do. That book looks beautiful though and I am sure you will enjoy making at least some of the designs from it.
Here's to randomness :)
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Nicky
Love X stitch samplers and don't as a rule love quilt ones! Got that book and it has very cute blocks in it! Do want to make a sampler quilt like the Green Tea and Sweet Beans one – just got to think it out!
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Nicky
Love X stitch samplers and don't as a rule love quilt ones! Got that book and it has very cute blocks in it! Do want to make a sampler quilt like the Green Tea and Sweet Beans one – just got to think it out!
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Live a Colorful Life
I paid a lot of money for that book too. I haven't made anything from it but it's got great blocks
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