Monday, September 7, 2009


We Celebrate Labor Day!


Labor Day, the first Monday in September, honors the accomplishments of working people -- but to be honest, I always associated this holiday with the unofficial end of summer and the beginning of school. But today is a memorable Labor Day for me, a milestone of a 7-month-long project. "272 Words" has been stitched and framed. This blog, however, continues on. After all, President Lincoln's Bicentennial year extends to February 12, 2009 and there's lots to talk about. It's rather a luxury to have an entire blog devoted to one design. I will publish a chart of the design in the coming months -- details to be posted in mid-September, along with stats (design size, framing specs, etc.).

Today's story is told in pictures. Please click on the photos for a close-up view. Your encouraging comments over these last months continue to inspire, going forward into the next chapter of this sampler's life. I very much appreciate your taking the time to visit!

At times friends asked whether I tired of the project. Apart from a bit of physical fatigue (eye strain, finger cramps), I never tired of Lincoln's message. As stitchers, you are well acquainted with the amount of time involved in stitching even a small piece. With each stitch, the prose slowly appears on the linen, letter by letter -- that gives us time to meditate on each word. The Address unfolded in slow motion, allowing the stitcher time to absorb the depth of Lincoln's message. The Gettysburg Address is a national treasure. Thank you for joining me today.

"272 Words" -- The Gettysburg Address


"Four score and seven years ago, our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation . . ."




". . . conceived in Liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal."





"Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live."






"It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this."






"But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract."






"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us . . . "




". . . that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom . . . "







". . . and that government of the people, by the people, for the people . . . "







". . . shall not perish from the earth."




Wrought by Elizabeth C. Gorski, in Honor of
President Abraham Lincoln's Bicentennial Year
New York City
July 4, 2009

22 comments:

  1. It looks great!! I love the dark color frame.

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  2. It's beautiful!! The frame sets off the sampler so nicely... lets the verse and the design be at the forefront. Lovely job!

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  3. Hi Liz, congrats on a fine job very well done! Such a special gift you have given the American People. I thank you.

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  4. It's beautiful! congrats on finishing it.

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  5. Absolutely breathtaking. Well-done!

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  6. Hopefully the stitched version -- which is beautiful and I want it! -- says something different than the words underneath because the correct words are "the world will little note nor long remember what we say here" not "what they did here" -- ordinarily I wouldn't say anything but it changes the whole meaning of the paragraph. I don't mean to be critical, just accurate. I apologize if I hurt your feelings as I really love the piece and want to stitch it myself if you publish it!

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  7. Susan, thanks for the clarification regarding the blog text. The stitched version is correct (just click on the photo to read the print.) I've corrected the accompanying blog text . . . you have an editor's eagle eye, thanks for picking that up, and for speaking up. I appreciate that very much!!!!

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  8. WOW!!! This is an instant hheiloom. You did an amazing stitching job. I would love to stitch this too!!!!!!

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  9. Beautiful. Happy Labor Day. You have certainly labored long and hard and to great effect.

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  10. No problem -- I'm just glad I didn't offend -- I LOVE Mr. Lincoln and have seen several of the exhibits here in DC this year for his bicentennial birthday.

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  11. WOW! I have been following your blog as you stitched this. What a great tribute to Mr. Lincoln!

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  12. What a beautiful piece Liz and I'm so glad to see the final framed version. You did our Mr. Lincoln proud for sure. I am so glad you decided to publish the design for all of us who also want to stitch it. I look forward to my own year of '272 words'. Congratulations on your achievement!

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  13. Quite inspiring! Using needlework as a creative avenue to express your celebration of President Lincoln ~priceless!
    I anxiously await the release and my journey of "272 words".

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  14. It looks wonderful, Liz! Don's framing is perfect - stands up to this wonderful achievement! As the French would say - magnifique!

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  15. How beautiful it looks all framed up, completed now. Just gorgeous! A fitting tribute to a wonderful man, loving wrought by your hands...stunning piece it is :) Congratulations!

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  16. Absolutely stunning! I'm definitely a political junkie, so this is one I absolutely want to stitch at some point after it's made available. :)

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  17. So beautiful! I cannot wait until it is available for us to do! When I was in 6th grade, I memorized the entire Gettysburg Address. Not because I had to, but as a personal challenge. I absolutely have to do this project! Congratulations on a gorgeous finish!

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  18. As a designer I admire what a beautiful sampler
    you created and how much work you put into creating such a beauty.

    I cannot wait when you release it since this
    will be one I will absolutely want to stitch
    and hang in my house.

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  19. Stunning and meticulous work, Elizabeth!

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  20. Elizabeth -- I just became aware of your beautiful artwork when it was referenced today on the NY Times Wordplay blog page. I absolutely love it and must get the pattern so I can hang it in my own Gettysburg address. Congratulations on a job well done.

    Kathryn
    Gettysburg, PA

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  21. Hello Kathryn! You're from Gettysburg? Welcome! I think I recognized your nom from the Wordplay blog.

    I would love to see your finished sampler some day. Lincoln's words continue to inspire, and your proximity to Gettysburg makes it especially meaningful. Thanks so much for connecting.

    Best,

    Liz

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