My Inspiration

I am often inspired by my ancestors who crossed the plains in the mid 1800's. Their lives were filled with wonderful experiences despite great trials and tribulations. When I stitch a folk art sampler, I transport my mind back to that era and try to view life through the eyes of a child. A young girl's first samplers were a means to learn the alphabet and new stitches. They usually consisted of an upper and lower case alphabet; the numbers 1-9; the date, (which I represent by the reversed numeral); and the child's name. Interestingly, the letter "j" was often left out of the alphabet. I have nine children of my own and an ever increasing number of grandbabies, which gives personal worth to the always present 1-9 numbers and the "x's", (one for each grandbaby). As I stitch a sampler, I view it too as one of my children. I feel as though I must fins each one a good home, where it will be appreciated and loved.

So each time you look at the "gentle art" of my handwork, take yourself back to that wonderful place in time where life seemed to be plain and simple. Accept this heartfelt gift from me to thee, knowing that "I Done My Best".