I am an artist, antique sampler collector and reproductionist, cross stitcher and the owner of 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers. I live in a one room schoolhouse that was indeed built in 1897 and own a church built next door in the 1920s. My husband, Grant, and I are also caretakers of three classic British vehicles, a 1957 Series I Land Rover, a 1980 ex-military Series III Land Rover formerly deployed as part of the British Army of the Rhine and a 196I Triumph TR3a. I have spent many years learning to paint and draw and teaching myself many different crafts, including cross stitch.
As caretaker of a growing collection of antique schoolgirl samplers stitched from 1726 to 1978, collected mostly from Great Britain, with the remainder from the U.S.A, the Netherlands, France, Spain, Switzerland and Canada and owner of 1897 Schoolhouse Samplers, I am committed to reproducing antique needlework and producing patterns for the modern stitcher, increasing exposure and interest in historical textiles and needlearts within and outside the stitching community. I present to individuals and groups interested in my collection and in learning more about samplers and their history.
