January 25, 2012

We're Alive, Alive, and We Are Fearless*

This first picture is for Siobhan (it's the Delaware Memorial Bridge). Yesterday I headed to the Cape again, and it was a blessedly uneventful trip. I've done the trip enough to know what radio stations to tune in to as I drive: 104.5 around Phila., 89.9 around NY (a good hour of 1930s music by Fats Waller, Louis Armstrong and others); 95.5 around Providence; 93.1 around Boston. *The title of today's post is from Dala, two Canadian women singing "Alive" on 93.1 (WUMB--U Mass Boston). You can stream this station.


I needed to feel fearless: my dad and I headed into Boston today. I don't know Boston well, so even though I'm comfortable driving in and around cities, I wasn't so comfortable here. Actually, I don't know Boston AT ALL. While I grew up 70 miles from Boston, we seldom went there, except on the occasional class trip. then I moved away. Dad goes for an annual checkup at Brigham & Women's Hospital, and my mom always went with him, so I filled in this time, the main reason for the trip.


Everything turned out great: he's fine, Boston drivers were on their best behavior today (or they were worried about the erratic driving of the Virginia car), and we got out safely--and to Plymouth just in time for a trip to The Sampler and dinner.


I met the owner, Bonnie, who is as nice as can be. This is just one of the sampler walls. I wish I had taken even more photos, but I had left my dad in the car, and I didn't want to keep him waiting when he was hungry and tired from his day.


This is a Chessie & Me pattern called Liberty Mill Sampler--possibly out of print?


Another Chessie & Me: "Blessings of the Bees."


This is "My Friend." Although Bonnie told me who the designer is, I can't remember (must take notes!) Do any of you know who designed this?


This is the "Nancy Tucker Sampler" by Handwork Samplers. I snagged one of these--you'll be seeing this start soon. The letters and numbers are cross stitched, and the scene at the bottom is embroidered. The background is satin stitch. It's charted for NPI


Does anyone know who the designer of this might be? Or its name? [Edited to add: Thank you, Cindy!!!! It is indeed a Words of Praise design, which I was able to confirm on the net. Its name is, not surprisingly, "Nativity."] I rushed out before I thought to ask. I love it--it's so different. Thank you, Bonnie, for being so kind, and for having some beautiful models to drool over!


To my sister, meet your new little sister. Isn't she beeeyootiful? She says that Dad likes her better than he likes you and me. LOL!


There, that's better.


See you tomorrow with a new (smallish) start, but no fishing.

21 comments:

Krista said...

Sounds like you had a great trip, Glenna. What fun stopping at the needlework shop and seeing all those stunning samplers! You picked out a good one, can't wait to see your start. Have a great time at the Cape.

Catherine said...

What great samplers!! And such a pretty kitty!

Cindy said...

I believe your last model-the Nativity is by Words of Praise. A company out of Richmond, Va. She used to sell only kits. Beautiful linen but only DMC floss. I am talking about 25 years ago. Haus Tirol in Williamsburg was still carrying some of her charts only as recently as early fall. Good luck. I just finished another one of her kits.

Cynthia.earnhardt@gmail.com

Laurie in Iowa said...

What a pretty kitty! Glad you made it safely to the Cape, Boston and that your Dad had a good check-up.
It's great that you could squeeze in a quick trip to the LNS.

RG said...

Don't go fishing in this weather for gosh sakes. Wait until somebody's catching them!

Can you imagine all the poking of needles through cloth it took to do that wall?

And they think guys and cats are weird ....

(Says a guy with a wall full of cross-stitched lighthouses)

marly said...

OMG is that Nancy Tucker sampler fabulous. Hello kitty.

Michelle-ozark crafter said...

Kitty, kitty is so cute. Oh my but that stitching hanging on the wall were so pretty.

Louise said...

I'm trying to feel fearless too. Tomorrow I have to drive to Marseille (France), and though it's only two hours away, it's the Big City!
I found the My Friend sampler for you. It's by A Stitcher's Hand. You can see it here:
https://www.stitchingbitsandbobs.com/cgi-bin/Store/showimage.cgi?AStitchersHands0MyFriend1200

Crafty Green Poet said...

What a lovely shop! Lovely kitty too! Glad you're Dad is okay

Mouse said...

oooo sounds like you are having fun even with driving somewhere new .. love the samplers and cooooo want them all ...lol and how nice to see your new sister ;) love mouse xxxx
ps glad your dad is ok :)

Giovanna said...

Oh my, those WONDERFUL sampler pictures have got me drooling! I think my stitching wish-list has just spilled over into life #5, lol. Look forward to your new start.

Margaret said...

Fun fun! Is that Friends piece from CHS? Maybe not. Anyway, love seeing all the samplers. You are very very brave to drive in Boston! lol! Glad your father is well and his visit to the doctor was good. and that you got to go to the shop!

Katrina said...

Gorgeous samplers!!!! I need to go on a search for Nancy Tucker, I love those samplers with the alphabets :-). Sweet new kitty sister, I hope she provides your dad with lots of love and affection.

natalysneedle said...

I haven't been to the Sampler in years. Looks like you had a great time. I am glad your father's check up went well. The kitty stole my heart! What a cutie!

Karen said...

Woohoo, Glenna, you are the WOMAN, driving in Boston! I don't even like to drive in Pittsburgh; I can't imagine driving in Boston.

What a pretty kitty your new sister is :-) Is she a tortie? What's her name? I'm glad your dad found a furry companion.

Kellie said...

Love the sampler eye candy. :)

Loraine said...

What fun samplers! Thanks for posting about the stitching store, because I'm going to Boston in April. If you don't find out who the patterns are, then I will ask when I go. I love all of them! Your new start is my favorite.
Glad you had a great trip. :)

samplerlover said...

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time with your Dad. My goodness Nancy Tucker is really lovely.

Siobhán said...

Awww, what a sweet little kitty!! I hope she settles in well. :) I loved seeing my Delaware Memorial Bridge, even though I get the willies while going over it. 104.5 around Philly... oh, deep sigh of longing. I enjoyed seeing the photos of the sampler shop! I LOVE Boston but haven't been in jiminy crickets, I had to count back and how did I get this old?? It's been 20 years since I've been in Boston. My dad's cousin, who was like a sister to him, lives in Hingham, where she raised her family. When their daughter visited me, my cousin's DH, who is from CT, spent the whole time commenting on 'Massholes' and their driving techniques and how they compared to Irish drivers. LOL

Bonnie said...

Hi Glenna,
It was great meeting you during your recent trip to Plymouth. I just read several posts on your wonderful blog...you have such an easy and entertaining style of writing! It's amazing how many beautiful pieces you're working on simultaneously...your LNS is fortunate to have you working with them! Glad you had a safe, uneventful trip home :)

Brigitte said...

Ahhhhhhhhhh. That's all I can say about this gorgeous sampler wall.