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Restored needlework sampler featuring herbs

5 years ago

I just got an old project returned to me and it is now hanging happily on the wall at my house, although in a hallway since the main space walls are full. It was a lovely antique needlework sampler that was just sitting on a dusty dirty fireplace top in a mouse and bug infested shack where I used to work. I later moved it to a kitchen counter in the house where my office was but it was still out in the open and deteriorating further. No one knows where it came from, but since it was an arboretum and the shack was built as a program space by the arboretum's founder, it could have come from anywhere in the community. Only one more person left alive to ask to see if they know . . . I asked my boss about how we might preserve it and he wasn't interested, so I just took it upon myself to show it some love. If they want it back they can have it but no one cared so I doubt they miss it. Here's the before and after shot. I took it to the custom framer right before the pandemic and she finally opened back up and finished it. She said she got a lot of offers to buy it so I might eventually sell it. Not that I don't LOVE it, but it doesn't have sentimental value to me, I just value the thoughts and amount of work and craft that went into making it. I would give it back too if I knew they would share it with others where folks could see and appreciate it, and take good care of it. For now it is safe and appreciated. Framed with UV protective glass and mounted to preserve fabric and stitching.

Before shot, taken by the framer. It was stapled to a board with rusty staples and then covered by a raw wood frame, all acidic so eating away at fabric and stitching . . .

Before

After, with details below

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l pinkmountain
Original Author

5 years ago

Well, I would Bbstx, if it no longer "sparked joy" for you. Sorry, been binging Marie Kondo all day as I cleaned the kitchen and made dill pickles . . . we'll see how much joy they spark. I now have nine jars . . . and two more big jars of fresh pack in the fridge. I haven't even started on the bread and butter slices . . .

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Comments (24)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years ago
So no one knows who PEG was (either Peg or their initials) back in 1972?

tj
teeda
5 years ago
That is lovely!
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nekotish
5 years ago
That is truly a work of art. No wonder you had it so lovingly repaired.
mtnrdredux_gw
5 years ago
really pretty!
l pinkmountain
Original Author
5 years ago
Where did you see PEG 1972? The quote is from Gen 1:29 (Genesis 1:29)

I would love to know where it came from and am going to try and find out. The person who had my job before me in the 90s may know. She's an herbologist.
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
5 years ago
Very pretty indeed - and seems perfectly 1970s too.

I wonder if it might've been a kit?
party_music50
5 years ago
That's beautiful!
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years ago
“Where did you see PEG 1972? The quote is from Gen 1:29 (Genesis 1:29)”

First pic, lower left in the margin.

tj
l pinkmountain thanked tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
l pinkmountain
Original Author
5 years ago
Oh, now I see it, down at the base of the part that was unfolded when she framed it. I did not look there. It's covered now. But that gives a hint as to who it was. And a date! Thanks sleuths!! Funny the framer didn't mention that . . . but I don't think she knew I was seeking the artist . . . But I will definitely include that part. I hope she didn't cut it off. Can't tell but I don't think so, and I don't think she would have discarded it. She's an art conserver . . . . but boy, I had no idea. It was in that horrible wooden frame when I took it in, I didn't want to mess with it much for fear of ruining it.
l pinkmountain
Original Author
5 years ago
Ironically, those are my late mother's initials with her maiden name. She also did an embroidery sampler that I am going to have framed. It's framed well now but no glass cover and it is getting dirty over the years . . . This one was the test case before I do the other one. But mom didn't do this one. But she would have loved it . . .
tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱
5 years ago
My wife does cross stitch so I knew to look there as that’s where most folks sign them.

tj
maddielee
5 years ago
These crewel/cross-stitch kits were popular in the 1970s. A quick search brings up a few including on Worthpoint, Etsy (Sold) and this one on EBay…

https://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-Embroidered-BIBLE-Verse-SAMPLER-Genesis-1-29-God-Herb-Spice-/234078338365?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l49286&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0
Tina Marie
5 years ago
What a wonderful find!
Annie Deighnaugh
5 years ago
Lovely!
carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10
5 years ago
Good sleuthing maddielee!

Noted this:

"vintage bucilla sampler kit, entitled ‘herbs and spices.’ #2695"

I do not agree with the 'antique' label tho - it's less than 50 years old. Way to make some of us feel old 😄
l pinkmountain
Original Author
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
I thought it might be older. It certainly LOOKED older, due to the wear and tear it had suffered. Sadly, the one on Etsy looks to be in better condition than mine.
eld6161
5 years ago
Yours has more character.
Bunny
5 years ago
Love it!
bbstx
5 years ago
Holy cow! $130??? I actually embroidered that sampler. It is tucked away unframed in a sweater box. Maybe I ought to list it on eBay!!!
texanjana
5 years ago
That’s beautiful, Pink.
Allison0704
5 years ago
Very pretty. My maternal grandmother made a herb sampler that was longer in length. She had several in the breakfast area. My cousins got them. :(
l pinkmountain
Original Author
5 years ago
On the plus side, at the rate millennials are ditching their parents and grandparents stuff, you can get almost anything from your past for sale on eBay or some similar spot. I wish I was better at it, I'm just not into online shopping much . . .
HU-590608159
3 years ago
I have one that I found at garage sale. Framed and good condition. I would like to know more about it too.

Restored needlework sampler featuring herbs

l pinkmountain
Original Author

Comments (24)

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

teeda

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nekotish

mtnrdredux_gw

l pinkmountain
Original Author

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

party_music50

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

l pinkmountain
Original Author

l pinkmountain
Original Author

tsugajunkie z5 SE WI ♱

maddielee

Tina Marie

Annie Deighnaugh

carolb_w_fl_coastal_9/10

l pinkmountain
Original Author

eld6161

Bunny

bbstx

texanjana

Allison0704

l pinkmountain
Original Author

HU-590608159

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Restored needlework sampler featuring herbs

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Comments (24)

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l pinkmountainOriginal Author

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l pinkmountain
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