3/16ths Finished

This morning I finished the next page on my Bristol redwork sampler. "Just" thirteen pages to go. The top photo shows all that I have done so far. I am reeally more than 3/16 finished as I have extablished the top row all the way across and have done small parts of the lower bands to establish the length of the sampler. As I go down the rows on the sampler, the size of the bands get smaller...so on the side of the sampler I am working on now I have done the widest of the patterns. I am really enjoying doing this sampler. I think of the girls who did the sampler first back in 1857...two orphaned sisters who were residents at the Bristol Orphanage in Bristol, England. It was run by George Mueler and his wife and they really made an impact on these children's lives. Their is an interesting story background on this sampler. It has been nicknamed "The Dirty Bird Sampler," as one of the sisters was not known for her cleanliness. The girls did these samplers to learn how to mark linens and other things in households where they hoped to work one day. The one sister, the dirty one, was not able to keep her employment due to her lack of cleanliness and ended up back at the orphanage. I just think about all the work that these two girls put into their sampler...even with two girls working on it, it was a lot of work for young girls. Of course, we don't know how long it took them. I'm certainly not getting very far very fast! But I do enjoy stitching on it...it's comfort stitching and once the pattern is established, I can go across the band without looking at the pattern page...I can refer to what I have already stitched. Today my sweet neighbor went around my yard on his riding mower and swooped up the leaves and he blelw leaves off my ramp, front walk, and driveway. He told me that he has a lot of extra time on his hands as he works for the Department of Defense out at the Center (where Woody worked) and is on furlough due to the government shutdown. This afternoon Carolyn and I ran a party errand. Party time is getting closer! I just got home from prayer meeting and think it is time to just sit for the rest of the evening! To be continued! Be safe! Be well! Be cautious!