Anniversary Sampler (really "Heirloom Wedding Sampler")

Author: Thea Dueck (The Victoria Sampler)
Copyright, The Victoria Sampler

Started: August, 2002
Completed: December, 2003
Hours: no idea. I stopped counting about 1/3 of the way in with 50
Materials: Soie d'Alger, Kreinik braid, silk ribbon, perle cotton and Trebizond on platinum Cashel linen
Stitches: cross stitch, silk ribbon embroidery, drawn thread (hemstitching), hardanger and various specialty stitches

I modified this wedding sampler to be an anniversary sampler for my parents' fiftieth. I stitched all the parts charted in 032 pearl Kreinik braid to a gold braid and replaced the "LOVE" band with a big "50" and the years my parents married and celebrated their anniversary. I also replaced the bullion knot roses with spider web roses (the directions had you starting the roses with a square base, and this made no sense to me!) I used a different alphabet than was charted. You really can see the words in normal lighting. This was very fun to do although I have no desire to do divided wrapped bars ever again!! I gave this piece to them for Christmas, although it was hard to let it go once it was framed. :) The verse says, "The best in life is yet to be / Joan and Mac / Celebrating January 30".