A Schoolgirl’s Work

A Schoolgirl’s Work: Samplers from the Spencer Museum of Art by Blackbird Designs is a beautiful 100+ page book published in 2011 by Kansas City Star Books. It is long Out of Print.

Barb Adams and Alma Allen of Blackbird Designs have joined with the Spencer Museum of Art to share historical schoolgirl samplers with the cross stitchers of today. You will find examples of samplers spanning the years of 1710 1841. Nine projects to stitch based on these wonderful works of art that were crafted by children so long ago.

I was lucky enough to find a fellow stitcher who sold me the book for the regular retail price which was $28.00. Current listings on various sites are asking $300 for the book. I plan on stitching all of the projects in the book.

So Fade My Hours Needlebook

For this one, I selected a piece of 16ct Moonstone from Fiber on a Whim with most of the recommended colors.

• CC Country Lane (DMC 3064)
• CC Dublin Bay (DMC 926)
• CC Jakey Brown
• CC Nutmeggie (DMC 3772)
• CC Pea Pod
• GA Aged Pewter
• GA Dried Thyme
• GA Endive
• GA Heirloom Gold

I am going to mount it on a box rather than finish it as a needlebook. I bought an unfinished wood box from Temu and painted it Winter Blue. Stitching is mounted on the top.

I lined the top and bottom of the inside with some fabric also by Blackbird Designs from their Blueberry Crumb line.

Hannah’s Small Basket

Hannah’s Small Basket is stitched on a piece of 25ct antique white Lugana with the recommended floss. I did use a couple of DMC colors since I did not have the recommended floss. I used 3 strands of floss over 2 threads.

• CC La Tierra (DMC 38600
• CC Muddy Puddle
• CC Stepping Stones (DMC 642)
• CC Weeping Willow (DMC 3012)
• GA Mustard Seed (DMC 832)
• GA Tin Bucket

I decided to mount the stitched piece on top of a wooden cigar box.

I lined the inside of the box with some fabric by Blackbird Designs from their Rhubarb and Ginger line.