Friday, September 7, 2007

Show and Tell: Cross-Stitch

Welcome to Show and Tell Friday. To read more, please visit Kelli at There is No Place Like home.

Today, I'd like to show you several cross-stitch items that I have made for my home over the years. This is just a sampling of my work, as I have given much more away than I have kept! We have very few traditional pictures hanging in our home. Most of what is on our walls is handmade.

You may click on any of the images to enlarge them.





This first garden sampler hangs in my laundry room.











I originally made this for my kitchen when we lived in another home. It now hangs in my dining room.








As does this,








And this.












And this!












This sampler hangs in my kitchen.










These make their home in the living room, and look like they need to be straightened!











This picture is a real conversation piece. Everyone loves it. It hangs outside the children's bathroom.






I just made this last year. Verne didn't know what I was working on until I had it framed and hung it. He was tickled that after 17 years, I made a marriage sampler for us. Isn't it funny how a small gesture can touch someone?







I'm thankful that my husband blesses me by praising the work of my hands. He's always thrilled to see me working on things that make our house our home. I've taught both of our girls to cross stitch as well. We also have several pieces from them displayed in our home.

I haven't stitched anything since last year, but I have all of the material for a beautiful large sampler. That's a project for the winter. Thanks for visiting me today!

38 comments:

ellen b. said...

How wonderful to be able to create such beautiful cross stitch. It is great that your hubby encourages you. Blessings on you and your home...

LadySnow said...

Those are all wonderful! Thank you for sharing. :)

someone else said...

Those are all beautiful. I used to do a lot of needlework like that, but over the years I kind of got out of the habit. I love yours!

Susan said...

You do beautiful work!!!
Susan

Jenn said...

Wow, those are all so gorgeous. I've never really seen any great cross stitch that I have loved before. Didn't think I really liked it....but wow, yours are really great! So homey looking, too. Thanks for sharing!!

Jenn =)

Barbara H. said...

Those are all so nice! I haven't done any stitching in years and most of it was for gifts, so there isn't much around the house.

Barbara H. @ Stray Thoughts

Marci said...

You do beautiful work. Very, very nice.

Unknown said...

You do beautiful work, Tracy. I'm glad you hang it up for everyone to see.

Marci said...

I thought I had asked you one time, but could not find it to see if you answered... Do you have relatives that live in the Daytona Beach, FL area? You are younger, but almost identical to someone we know. =)

Suzy said...

Those are beautiful samplers!I've been thinking about getting back to some cross-stitch when the weather turns!
I also have a hubby that praises my work, and I thank God for him!

Jennifer said...

Oh I love cross-stitching!

Your out-house piece is certainly a conversation starter. How unique!

My Mom used to own a cross-stitch shop... actually 2. One was called "The Stitching Post" and the other was called "Memory Station." I guess she's the one that passed on the love of this often forgotten craft.

I don't cross-stitch much unless it's in the winter either.

These are all beautiful! Great work!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Karen said...

Everything you've made is just beautiful, Tracy. I love cross stitching so much, and I've made several for my home as well. I also have a couple that a dear friend has made for me over the years. Hers are so neat that you can hardly tell the front from the back! I'm not that neat! LOL!
It is a blessing that Verne appreciates the work of your hands. Gordon has always been supportive of that as well.
Have a great week-end!

Momma Roar said...

Your work is beautiful Tracy. Its been years since I've done any cross-stitch, well, its been since before little ones. I would love to do some more again sometime - I just haven't found the right one! My mother in law did a marriage sampler for us when we were married - it perfectly matches the quilt my mom made us.

I have to say the outhouse cross stitch is just great - I love the frame! Did someone make that for you? Very fun!! Our neighbors at our last house had an outhouse in their backyard that she used as a potting shed - she had lots of flowers around it - it was cute. They also had a red English telephone booth in the backyard!!

Rebecca said...

Amazing! There are SO many! Having done cross-stitch myself, I know just how much WORK (and love) was put into those! Probably not hard to believe, but I stopped cross-stitching when my babies started coming. I was constantly losing count!

Each one is unique and precious. Thank you for sharing!

Short Stop said...

Tracy, I just love these. They are wonderful! I love homemade things, and the few things that I have in my home I just cherish so much! You really do beautiful work!

Stephanie D said...

Nice work! I gave up cross-stitching for quilting, but still have some of my pieces that I never framed. Yours will be heirlooms someday!

Stacie said...

Mrs. K,
Those are really pretty! I just got through making one that says "Jesus Christ. THe Same Yesterday, Today, and Forever."
It's alot of fun, isn't it?

Sheri said...

Tracy those are beautiful! What a special way to "make a house a home."

Carole Burant said...

I've always admired people that can cross stitch...that's something I was never taught...I know, I'm so deprived! lol You do beautiful work and I can imagine how wonderful it feels when you can decorate your home with things you made yourself:-) xo

Reviekat said...

What beautiful work! It's so nice to see handmade art decorating walls. :)

Unknown said...

wow. That is a lot of work!!! I lokked at your kids blogs too!! so sweet. Your Son plays awesome guitar. My Son also plays. anyhoo. very sweet!!!

Great Show & Tell.

Mica

Christy said...

I used to cross stitch when I was younger-my grandmother taught me. Now I have the itch to try again! They are beautiful!

Betty said...

You do beautiful work.....very nice...thanks for visiting me and commenting....Betty

Kelli said...

Tracy, your work is amazing...I can tell you have put a lot of hard work and love into these beautiful pictures. The one outside the bathroom is too cute!!

Kelli

Lori said...

You have lots of beautiful cross stitch wall hangings. You do a great job!!!

Sorry I have been missing haven't I.
I have just been terribly busy.
I worked outside the home for 6 of 7 days straight. Then when I had Wed/Thurs/Fri off I had to get caught up at home here.
I missed you too and I'm trying to catch up on yours and everyone's blogs.

Sharon said...

Those are beautiful!! You have spent many hours working on those. Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

Tracy, every piece is just beautiful. I have not stitched in years, but I know the time and effort put into each one. I am sorry I never kept any of my work, but I'm glad I passed it on to bless others. What a joy to see the work of your hands. You are a remarkable woman! God has blessed you with many talents. Your family is blessed. I am loving getting to know more about you!!!

Mrs. Anna T said...

Tracy, my mother taught me to cross-stitch not long ago (I'm a bit of a late learner in the housekeeping/cooking/crafts department!), and I love it. I'm currently working on something, a simple project, but so satisfying. I hope to do more elaborate things in the future.

Crochet remains my all-time favorite, though. :)

Beach Girl said...

I used to cross stitch, but just sort of got out of it; I knit more now. You have made me think about picking it back up again. :-)

Vanessa

Tom said...

Lovely. I feel inspired to pick up some unfinished projects.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

What beautiful work! You must be the cross-stitch Queen!!

Katherine

blessedwithfour said...

What lovely cross stitches you have made. It is my favirite past time so far. Unfortunately I need to take mine out of the box that holds them and display them as you have.
God bless~Cindy

Aunt Angie said...

Tracy---those are awesome! I love the new look on your blog too! Sorry I haven't been visiting in a while---I have been swamped!
You are so talented---the Lord really has blessed you girl!!!
God bless!

Julieann said...

I wasn't able to do the show and tell this Friday, but I wanted to say how beautiful your cross stitch is!!!

Hope you are having a fantastic weekend:)))

Julieann

Gena said...

Your work is lovely. I, too, love to cross-stitch but haven't had the time in recent years. I used to cross-stitch all of my Christmas gifts. Now, most of the stitching I have up was done by my oldest daughter.

Kelli said...

Hi Tracy!
I had to laugh at your comment about Fern and the teacups! Surprisingly she left them alone. Now Benjamin playing legos nearby is what made me nervous. ;0)

Kelli

Elise @A Path Made Straight said...

I used to cross stitch as a young girl - I loved it! Did some very big projects, too! Yours are all beautiful and cozy, friend.

Ruth said...

This is the ONE crafty thing I do. Well...used to do. I have a couple of pieces that I have done, but most I gave away...to VERY good friends.

Your work is so pretty! One day I'll do it again.