Monday, April 27, 2009

By the Skin of my Teeth!

Petites Lettres Rouges by Blackbird Designs
Stitched on 30 count Liberty Gathering Linen by R&R
Silk 'N Colors "In the Burgandy" and a few Gentle Art colors.

I'm not sure if I'm in time to enter the Blackbird Designs contest, but I've stitched all day, and I'm finally finished with my little red sampler. I had a devil of a time stitching on this fabric. I kept getting messed up on the threads.

I loved the way the first entry put her Grandmother's name on hers, and after much debate, I followed suit. My Grandmother was quite an inspiration to me. She was an art teacher, and taught me much about color and design. She was a perfect homemaker, and loving wife. I admired her so much. I miss her terribly, as she just passed away in January. I put a little blue in this piece, because it was her favorite color. She had blue everywhere in her house! She even had a blue Christmas tree! Ethna Marie Webb Larson, was the name she went by, but when she filed for Social Security in her 60's, she was shocked to discover that her name was different on her birth certificate. Apparently they named her (I believe Katharine), but her dad started calling her Ethna, and that's what it remained throughout her life.

Not a prefect piece by any means. I should frog out the bird and move it up a couple threads (that doesn't sound very fun!)
Have a good night.

9 comments:

Siobhán said...

Woohoo!! It's beautiful, Loraine! Great job. Your grandmother would be proud. It's a wonderful tribute to her. I found her name to be very interesting... Eithne is an Irish name, sometimes pronounced as "Ethna". Cool beans! :)

Jan said...

Oh I love that you remembered your grandmother in this way, and love that story behind her name. I haven't stitched this yet, but had already decided to use my dear grandmother's name. She has been gone for many, many years, but I still miss her each and every day. It is just lovely with the addition of the blue, Loraine.:)

Rachel said...

Congrats on getting that one finished Loraine - and how wonderful that it's dedicated to your grandma.

Deb said...

Way to go Loraine! Glad that you got this done in time! There were so many of us doing it and I think so many of us were getting by "by the skin of our teeth"! LOL I do love the colors you used for it! And I would just leave the bird where it was. I think it's perfect (of course, aren't we our own worst critic?). And I think that your grandmother would be very happy with this piece and your inclusion of the blue just for her.

Chocolates4Breakfast (Terri ~ Boog) said...

Great job, Lorraine! I love the touch of blue for your grandmother!

Heather said...

You finished, good job! I am sorry for the loss of your grandmother. I am very close to my grandma’s as well, they mean so much to me.

Have a great week :)

Mylene said...

I love the colours you have used with the sampler. It looks great and i think the bird is fine where it was.

Tammy said...

I'd leave the bird! It turned out great and very sweet to put your Grandmother's name there. I miss my Granny every single day.

Carol R said...

A lovely version of this pretty little sampler. I love the touch of blue! I dedicated my version to my grandmother too - such a wonderful lady.