Happy Birthday, America!

On February 12, Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday, I began stitching "272 Words," a sampler featuring the full text of Gettysburg Address. Because this is Lincoln's bicentennial year, it seemed logical to begin the sampler on the President's birthday. But when considering a completion date I chose July 4th largely because Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays.

Until a few weeks ago, I hadn't realized the double significance of July 4th as a completion date, compliments of President Lincoln himself. If one does the arithmetic, Mr. Lincoln's famous intro, "Four score and seven years ago," refers to the events of July 4, of 1776.

Today I present photos of the unframed piece. My stitching frame is too small to stretch the entire length and breadth of the sampler. Therefore, with your patience, I present closes-ups of the sampler from various angles. In August I'll publish a photo essay of "272 Words," after it is professionally stretched and framed. A frame will bring the sampler to life.

The final photo shows the sampler, minutes after it was completed yesterday -- 143 days after the first stitch in February. It seemed to me, that a ray of sun beamed onto the work table at the moment the linen was liberated from its frame. I quickly snapped the photo, not noticing the wrinkled linen after months of handling, or the funny way it draped across the table. It was finished. Stitchers know that feeling of elation -- the last stitch is as exciting as the first.

Thank you for joining me on this July 4th, as we celebrate our nation's 233rd birthday. It has been an honor spending these last few months with you, and I look forward to our conversations during the coming months.

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The Gettysburg Address, by President Abraham Lincoln

"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 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 . . . "



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




. . . shall not perish from the earth."

THE ADDRESS AT GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA
DELIVERED ON NOVEMBER 19, 1863
ABRAHAM LINCOLN

~ Wrought by Elizabeth C. Gorski of New York City

on July 4, 2009 ~

"A Star Is Born"

It's approaching 1:15 A.M. on July 3, and what a week it's been! Let's just say it was the perfect storm of work-related, home-related stuff -- which resulted in stitching being pushed back further into the wee hours. A few hours of stitching ahead of me tonight, but I thought I'd post quickly once more before Saturday, July 4. I can't believe that this sampler is almost finished!

I chose this star design, with the five-fold symmetry, for part of the border. There are fifty stars in the sampler -- one for each state, to represent the contemporary configuration of stars on the flag. Up close, the star pattern is not perfectly symmetrical, but when seen from a distance, as is the case with cross stitch "pixels", it appears to have five-point symmetry - reminiscent of stars on the American flag.

It is said that Betsy Ross's superior sewing skills were demonstrated by her ability to cut and stitch a perfect five-point star -- one of the most difficult shapes to craft. She was a real pro!

Today a friend emailed me, asking if July 4 marks the end of this blog. No, no, not at all . . I've only just begun! After July 4, I'll start preparing the sampler for framing. And with a piece this size -- stitch count is 355w x 382h -- the prep time will be significant.

But first things first . . I'm nervous and excited about July 4. It's been a long and exhilirating process -- by far, the largest stitching project I've ever designed or stitched. I'm so grateful that we've travelled this road together -- thank you for helping me on this journey . . . See you in a few hours . . . ciao.

"Breaking For Coffee . . . "

It's Saturday and that means -- planning the next week's stitching, and merging 24 to-do lists into a more manageable set of 23. Seven days to July 4th, and now it's time to pull out all the stops. So much to do, including choosing the types of stars for the border . . . and then stitching them! (There's always a catch . . )

This is the perfect time, of course, for some emergency home repair -- nothing serious, but I can't post for a few days; my computer/work area is inaccesssible until next week.

The stitching, of course, continues, no matter what . . . the show must go on! It's official: it's primal around here -- lots of coffee and loud movies to keep a stitcher awake into the wee hours. See you in a few days . . . have a good weekend!

"Freedom's just another word for nothin' left to lose . . . " ~Janis Joplin

"Freedom" is also the name of the new color introduction . . . the "L" and "N" are part of the ABRAHAM LINCOLN section of the sampler, stitched in Freedom, a dark blue from The Gentle Art. Never a linear thinker, I routinely stitch in reverse and in patches. (The sampler looks a bit odd right now.) Today I salvaged a few miniature roses from the garden, but 3 weeks of drenching rains in NYC have taken a toll on the floral display.

The PENNSYLVANIA is part of GETTYSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA, stitched with Chives, from The Gentle Art.

How's this for telepathic synergy . . . just as I finished stitching PENNSYLVANIA, an email arrived from Liz in Philadelphia . . . about Stephen and Russell's needlepoint shop in Philadelphia. Rittenhouse Needlepoint is located at 1737 Chestnut St., Philadelphia. The store's blog is lovely. Doesn't it make you want to drop in for some coffee and stitching . . . and shopping, bien sur! I love their slogan -- Instruction, Coffee, Conversation.

And cross stitchers, check out the photo on the blog . . . Nora Corbett -- the distinguished cross stitch designer and artist behind Mirabilia -- is featured with the proprietors at a recent trade show. Very nice convergence of star power . . .

Thanks to Liz from Philly for the intell on this shop. Stitchers, if you're in Philadelphia, Rittenhouse Needlepoint will assist in that all-important activity -- stash enhancement.

"We're not retreating, just advancing in the opposite direction" ~Author Unknown

Wow, two color changes in two days! This lettering (stitched with Gentle Art's Chive) is executed in classic schoolgirl sampler-type capital lettering. It's part of the "ADDRESS AT GETTYSBURG, PENNSLYVANIA" portion of the sampler.

Green is an eerily appropriate color introduction. Last night I spent a lot of time FROGGING, hence the quote above. I misjudged the amount of space needed to separate the green lettering from brown block of letters (the Gettysburg Address text). "Breathing space" is essential between the dense text lettering and the "informational" lettering below -- otherwise, it'll look too squished together.

That's the downside of designing-while-you-stitch. I never know if something is right until the floss is stitched onto the linen. I guess frogging is like advancing in the opposite direction. We have to take things apart, make corrections, and build on a stronger foundation. (But it's SOOOO frustrating sometimes!)

I loved The Greatest Game Every Played -- thanks for the recommendation, John! The film is about golf, but much, much more. I'm not a golfer, and I was enthralled throughout. Keep hankies on hand . . . the end is a stunner.

Tonight's film is As Good As It Gets with Helen Hunt and Greg Kinnear. I've seen it a few times, and it's still a favorite. Great scenes of New York City and Brooklyn. But the scene stealer is Verdel, the dog. What a cutie!

A good Tuesday eve to all!

"Better to remain silent and thought a fool,

than to speak out and remove all doubt"

~Abraham Lincoln

Mr. President, I came across your advice a tad too late. I've removed all such doubt on at least one or two or, er . . . 10,000 occasions. But no more than that!

Today marks a dramatic new shift in stitching . . . . . . a color change! It's barely noticeable in the photo above, but see the dotted line? That's Gentle Art's Cinnamon, the first color change since the inaugural stitch in February. Until now it's been Gentle Art Nutmeg all the way.

The dotted line marks the beginning of the inner rectangular border that delineates the perimeter of the Gettysburg Address text. After experimenting with a solid row of stitching (too severe-looking) and an uninterrupted line of backstitching (too puny), a dotted line --the simplest cross stitch technique -- was just right. Eureka. The dotted line looks snazzier than a solid line, sort of like a little Broadway marquee. More color changes to come this week, thank goodness. I've been feeling like a Janie One-Note since February!

Becoming Jane was fantastic, and a perfect accompaniment to this weekend's stitching marathon. Tonight, at John's suggestion (my friend from Vernon), I'll watch The Greatest Game Ever Played and tackle the SE quadrant of the sampler. Lots more work to come, including a constellation of stars.

Have a good Monday ~

"The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here . . . " ~Abraham Lincoln, The Gettysburg Address

When I stitched this portion of the Gettysburg Address, I chuckled to myself, thinking . . . well, even the smartest people are occasionally wrong. I wonder whether Lincoln ever expected that his 272-word address -- which he delivered in under three minutes -- would be one of the most-quoted speeches in U.S. history.

I'm counting the days to completion now -- only 14 days until July 4th and I'm downright scared! There's so much to do . . . tonight I must do a marathon mega-stitch blowout while watching Becoming Jane with Anne Hathaway as Jane Austen. James McAvoy (of Atonement fame) is also in the film and he's gorgeous. Eye candy helps with the creative process, I think.

Thank you all for following this project, which started in the icy month of February. Truth be told, I've spent a whole lot of time stitching, and not much time blogging. When the sampler is finished, I'll have more time to go into finer details. I look forward to writing more while the piece is being framed in July.

Today I introduce four new members of the cast, from The Gentle Art. The colors (from right to left in the photo) are: Freedom, Chives, Mulberry, Nutmeg (already introduced) and Cinnamon.

"Freedom" is a perfect blue for Lincoln's name at the bottom of the sampler. It's masculine-looking, but muted. Honestly, I didn't choose this blue color because it's called "Freedom" -- that's merely the universe doing its magic!

I will use "Mulberry" for star motifs, "Chives" for lettering re Gettysburg (the green reminds me of the beautiful Pennsylvania landscape). "Cinnamon" is a darker brown for backstitching or border work (I haven't decided yet).

Okay, I'm off to start stitching for the day . . . thank you all, for staying with me throughout this process. I love seeing your friendly faces in the "Followers" box -- you are my Windows of Hope.

Hugs to you all, and Happy Father's Day tomorrow. My father passed a few years ago, but I think of him every day. In my mind's eye, I see his kind face and I smile.