FlossTube 36 - A perfectly imperfect finish, lots of sampler stitching, and quilts! (Sept 10, 2024)

Hi everyone, welcome to FlossTube 36!
Today I've got some finishes, on of them is "perfectly imperfect", lots of September sampler stitching, some stitchy haul, I ponder what stitching to do next, an upcoming mini symposium and more information on our quilt surprise.
(And no, it is not FlossTube 37 as I mentioned, it is FlossTube 36. . . not sure where I got 37, but that will be next time. 😊 )
(When commenting on our “quilt surprise” please be over 18 to comment.)
KAREN'S INSTAGRAM / karendcombs
KAREN'S ETSY PAGE www.etsy.com/s...
KAREN'S WEBPAGE www.karencombs...
KAREN’S EBAY www.ebay.com/u...
WEBPAGE MENTIONED
Litchfield Historical Society
“With Their Busy Needles” Mini Symposium
Information:
www.litchfield...
Registration:
tinyurl.com/yn...
Sewn in America exhibit - DAR Museum
Tuesday Talk
• August 2024 Tuesday Talk
SAL MENTIONED
Hope and Love SAL
Judy Hall
/ hallandhousehome
#hopeandlove1881sal
(Chart available from Hands Across the Sea, search for Clara and Maude Pickernell 1881, available as a PDF download.)
The chart (Clara & Maude Pickernell 1881) is available from Traditional Stitches. If you wish to purchase the PDF, this link will also give you options for linen and flosses.
www.traditiona...
SHOPS MENTIONED
Attic Needleworks
atticneedlewor...
Country Sampler
www.shopcountr...
Hobby House
hobbyhouseneed...
123Stitch
www.123stitch....
Hillside Rookery
www.etsy.com/s...
Sassy2Stitch (Colonial needles purchased from)
www.etsy.com/s...
FLOSSTUBES MENTIONED
‪@sweetwaterstitcher‬
‪@Roberta.SABLEStitchers‬
‪@stitchingincostume‬
‪@ComfortStitchingJackie‬
‪@periwinklestitcher‬
‪@professorstitch9171‬
ITEMS MENTIONED IN VIDEO
Bobbin Box for Vikki Clayton silks
amzn.to/3z3yvQR
(As an Amazon Associate, if you purchase through these links, we may earn a few cents on the sale.)

[@isabellegt9826]

It’s so beautiful the way it is. No one is ever perfect except G-d. I love the way it is. It makes a fantastic conversation piece. Never be ashamed of your work. We are all human.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Isabelle! 🙂

[@leslies6008]

If anyone comments that one tree is shorter than the other, tell them it’s a younger tree and just hasn’t caught up to the other one. You, of all people do NOT need to apologize for your work. You are most inspiring and encouraging and your friends and followers love you!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Leslie! (I like that idea of a “younger” tree.). 🙂

[@karenyoung815]

From one Karen to another - I love all of your samplers, even the imperfect one! I especially love the star quilt. Have fun at Hobby House & happy stitching!

[@karencombsstudio]

@@karenyoung815 Thank, Karen! 🙂

[@FibersandFlossCanada]

Oh Karen I ❤️❤ LOVE LOVE LOVE❤❤ you sharing your piece and the trees. As a flosstuber I I think it is soooo IMPORTANT for us to keep it real! This is life! Albeit disappointing but own it - take the piece to the table, post it, share it, rename it if you like. Move on. Celebrate it, your stitching is beautiful and the piece is perfectly imperfect which makes it unique to you. Thank you!

[@karencombsstudio]

@@FibersandFlossCanada Thank you so much for your lovely note! I appreciate it so much! 🙂

[@mmason9069]

Love your flosstube as always. Star is my favorite. Your stitching is beautiful and amazing.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you! 🙂

[@MelodyPatterson-u6h]

Always so glad to see what you are stitching. Very beautiful samplers. You're such a joy to watch. Modern French Braid Star.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Melody! 🙂

[@thephysicalstitcher]

Karen thank you for your inspiring video. My mom discovered some missing stitches on a piece she stitched after it was framed. At first she was upset and then we chuckled over it as it was “special”. Now 20 years after she has passed it is my favourite one on my wall as I think about her every time I look at it. Just think of it as your “special” piece. ❤️

[@karencombsstudio]

@@thephysicalstitcher Thank you so much, I love that! 😘

[@laurab5889]

Lovely work on the STAR quilt

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Laura! :)

[@gailsnead2832]

Modern, French Braid, Star Your quilts are gorgeous!!!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Gail! 🙂

[@lindaskinner5887]

Modern, French braid, Star. Thank you for sharing. Happy stitching. ❤

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Linda! 🙂

[@leslieprice9224]

I absolutely love your channel and your finished piece! You are much too hard on yourself, your stitching is spectacular and your piece is unique! Thank you for sharing! We’re so hard on ourselves yet create beautiful masterpieces. Absolutely love this finished piece, including the frame.

[@karencombsstudio]

@@leslieprice9224 Thanks, Leslie! 🙂

[@sandraadams2677]

Loved your modern quilt runner- such a modern vibe. Your star quilt is so comforting and beautiful to look at. Love your sampler- leave the perfectly imperfect trees- they make it “your own “. The frame was a perfect find. Keep up the good work and look forward to your next video.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Sandra! I'm still in shock over finding the frame that is so beautiful and is a perfect fit. I do love Sarah and her unique tree does make it "my own". You are right. Sarah create such a lovely sampler, I'm still in awe of it. It looks like jewels sparkling when you look at it. Just so pretty. :)

[@laurab5889]

So generous of you to share your perfectly imperfect sampler. We all do it & it’s a personal choice how we deal with it. I personally don’t mind my mistakes either 😊

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Laura! :)

[@cynthialanger1813]

Wouldn't it be a Star to have the Modern French braid quilt on a bed. Love your KZbin Karen! I'm always inspired!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Cynthia!

[@MaryAnnArnold]

I enjoyed seeing your samplers very much. I don't stitch many of them, but I appreciate their beauty. Your perfectly imperfect piece is wonderful! It is unique and should be appreciated. It looks very good on your wall. Looking forward to your next video.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Mary Ann!

[@aliciapugh3075]

I didn't notice until you made us aware of it. I don't spend time looking for mistakes. I make plenty myself. Love "Perfectly imperfect".

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Alicia! 🙂

[@melaniedavis2526]

Oh Karen! It's a pure privilege listening and watching your flosstube videos!! I can't thank you enough for taking the time to make flosstube videos! Sharing all you do with all of us watching you! Everything you show is ABSOLUTELY gorgeous!! I learn so much from you! As for the September Sampler & should you start another.... I try not to get too many going & focus on what you can make good progress on & head for the finish line. If I have too many starts then I find it harder to get others finished not to mention the anxiety it gives me. I know right. It's just not worth it I don't think. Since I've started focusing that way on projects I've already started I'm finding I get more finished that way. Thank you again Karen!

[@karencombsstudio]

Hi Melanie, so glad you enjoyed the video and I appreciate your nice note so much. 🙂

[@debbiecarter1198]

Thank you for having the courage to show your perfectly imperfect sampler, it gives us all encouragement to embrace our mistakes. I love your sampler just as it is and I love Leslie thought that one is a smaller tree. I have a sampler that has a 3 legged deer. Thank you again and happy stitching

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Debbie! I debated about showing Sarah at all, but the lovely frame find and the beauty of the sampler itself helped me decide to do it. I still love her, even with her unique tree. Will take time to decide if I will fix it or leave it. Too soon (for me) to decide right now. I love your story of your three legged deer! Thank you for sharing it! :)

[@joyceoquist703]

Karen, your Sarah is perfect in her own unique way. Love her for that. Enjoy watching your videos, your quilts are gorgeous. Modern, French Braid, Star.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Joyce! 🙂

[@beckyess7399]

The minute I saw you show that Meetinghouse sampler, I paused your video, found it, and ordered it. Don’t tell my husband! 😂 As for the tree top, I understand how you feel, because I beat myself up over my mistakes too, but please don’t give it another thought. I certainly didn’t notice it until you pointed it out. I heard one time that Amish quilt makers will leave their mistakes in their quilts. It’s all part of how hand-crafted items turn out, and it keeps us humble. Great video, Karen. Thank you! See you next time! ❤

[@karencombsstudio]

@@beckyess7399 Hi Becky, so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you so much for your nice note. Isn’t the meetinghouse sampler something??!? I was going to wait to order it but since it’s an older chart, I didn’t want to run the risk of missing out. Glad you were able to get it as well. 🙂

[@beckyess7399]

@@karencombsstudio ❤️

[@user-GailinVA]

Another great Floss Tube! Love everything you’re working on and purchases! I can’t wait to see your new finish hanging behind you! Beautiful! No two trees are the same! Modern French Braid Star

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@ellenchester132]

It's always such a delight to see another video from you. Your voice is so soothing, and your stitching is so inspiring. I can't believe how perfect that frame is for Sarah Milthorp. Sarah is such a beauty. Perhaps I'll buy the chart when I'm at HH next month. I hadn't noticed the difference in the two trees until you mentioned it. It's obviously something that currently bothers you. If you're not sure what you want to do, why not hang her on the wall for a month or so and see if the omission still bothers you? If it does, then you'll know what you should do. Just yesterday, I completed the beautiful Margaret Anderson. Although she's relatively small, there's much more stitching than first meets the eye. Hoping to get to know you better at the great British Weekend at HH. Fingers crossed that the doctor gives me the go ahead after my back surgery next week.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks Ellen, I appreciate your comment so much. Still deciding what to do about Sarah, I agree with your suggestion. Give it a bit of time and the answer will become clear. She is a stunning sampler, one of the prettiest I think I’ve ever seen, and the frame was a delight to find. I pulled out Margaret Anderson a few days ago, and thought about going back and stitching on her. I saw your Instagram post, she is beautiful. Looking forward to seeing you at Hobby House, hope you will be able to attend! 🙂

[@JeanetteMastin]

I absolutely love your Sarah Milthorp sampler. I think your lack of symmetrical trees just makes the sampler yours. I have an Amish picture I stitched years ago that has a stitch wrong on one side of the house that I never saw until it was framed, but that makes the stitchout uniquely mine, and that is what your sampler is - uniquely yours and beautiful.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Jeanette! 🙂

[@virpir2453]

*modern* *french braid* *STAR* I love your quilts!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you! 🙂

[@stitchingincostume]

Karen thank you so much for the kind shout out! I have to confess that I did not see the difference on your Sarah at first… and I’m currently stitching her and just finished that tree! It did just take my breath away though! Thank you for sharing her anyway… I’ve done the same thing where I thought I was done,showed it on my Flosstube and some kind person told me what I missed. I second that she is perfectly imperfect ❤ l look forward to seeing what else you choose to work on this month😊. Modern,French braid, star ⭐️

[@karencombsstudio]

@@stitchingincostume You are most welcome! And thank you for your kind comment. it is much appreciated! 🙂

[@debrapena-franson9530]

Love your perfectly imperfect sampler and other finishes. Star and French braid.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Debra! 🙂

[@marybd123]

All your pieces are beautiful. Don’t change the trees…a reminder that all are different and unique. Thanks for sharing!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Mary! I rather like it as she is. I can really see the beauty of the linen with that little bit of open space. 🙂

[@njheise]

Modern, French braid - nice quilts ; Congratulations on your finishes !

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you! 😊

[@carolbogansky506]

Karen, you are a super STAR in my eyes.🤩

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Carol! 🙂

[@juliejackman6103]

Star. Modern. I am sorry you feel sad about the trees. I am also grateful to be validated that my feel bads about mistakes i have made sad joy uncommon. When we lit so much work into our projects we just want it to be our best perfect work and then on occasion we discover we are human. Thank you for your vulnerability. It is so a stunning piece of work!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Julie! 🙂

[@pattygoza4013]

Your stitching is beautiful ❤ . Your quilts are stunning. Star

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Patty! 🙂

[@stitchingbythemoon]

I think Sarah is beautiful! I would have never thought that anything was missing. I understand your desire to cry when you first noticed it, but it really is beautiful as you stitched her. ❤

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@bjoyp7463]

Sarah is beautiful. I hope you come to fully love her and smile whenever you catch a glimpse of her cherished place on the wall. It’s good to have a few stories mixed in with our handwork! Keeps it real. Because we ALL have a story. At least one! We always say in quilting, there are no quilt police. The same is true with cross stitching. 😉

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you for your nice note, I appreciate it! 🙂

[@Susan-zy2in]

I loved seeing your beautiful work, and I love how you are always genuine in your videos. I loved your Sarah Milthorp, and I especially loved your trees. There will be such fun speculations in the future as sampler gurus puzzle over the reason for the two different trees…”did she run out of floss?” “Had she just had enough?” “We might never know the reason…”. So many of us love quirky samplers, and find the particular quirks to be most charming. While I can imagine your frustration, irritation, and disappointment once you noticed your “mistake”, I say, embrace the quirky new design element. Love your videos…but I was and am eager to see the contents of that final basket. ❤

[@karencombsstudio]

Hi Susan, love this! Thanks so much! 🙂

[@sharonkenshalo831]

Star I enjoy your videos your quilts are all fantastic.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Sharon! 🙂

[@elizabethconley9956]

I love Sarah. I wouldn't fix it either. I've missed stitching motifs too, but it's a hobby I enjoy and do for myself. Iy looks great.

[@karencombsstudio]

@@elizabethconley9956 Thanks, Elizabeth! 🙂

[@LindaHankey]

You are among friends and I think all of us at sometime have made that type of mistake. Your talented stitching and quilting keep us all inspired. Modern French Braid Star

[@karencombsstudio]

Linda, thank you so much! 🙂

[@karlamakowicz6087]

I feel for you for your missing stitches. I think we have done that all at one time or another. It’s still beautiful finish. Your quilts are gorgeous. You had me with the star quilt. I am always drawn to star quilts. Happy Stitching.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Karla! :)

[@Stitchnlady]

You are a STAR. Both your quilts and your stitching are beautiful.

[@karencombsstudio]

@@Stitchnlady Thank you. 🙂

[@dianesutton9282]

I can understand all your emotions ❤ it’s a great talking point and you can always say yours is original. I just dropped off Jane Hopkins yesterday at the framers and I checked all my stitches at home, at the framers I check again and with his lighting I found 2 stitches missing in the vase 😂 it happens. Your stitches are perfect and you should be proud of that. Please don’t worry about others opinions as there is so much love in that beautiful work and your opinion is the only one that matters in relation to the finished product.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Diane! 🙂

[@sharonbeck-hl7cf]

My dear friend, your stitches are perfectly lovely.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Sharon! 😘

[@sharonbeck-hl7cf]

@@karencombsstudio 😉

[@paulettehabbit5482]

Your stitching is beautiful and I have learned so much through your videos. I do feel your disappointment. Allow yourself some grace .. a lesson that I have had to learn for myself. If I am disappointed with a project or work product, I take a little time to decide what to do…what it means to me.. not to anyone else…and then I make my decision. Take a breath and with this piece do what will make you feel content and happy. By the way…for all that you share with us, I think you are admired and loved. Thanks so much!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Paulette, I appreciate your sweet note. 🙂 I do love Sarah, even with her “unique personalization”. Such an elegant and beautiful sampler and to find such a lovely frame makes her even more special. Thanks again for your note 🙂

[@KDG727]

I admire you so much. This makes the admiration stronger because you are a true teacher of the craft.

[@karencombsstudio]

Aw, thank you so much. 🙂

[@SewGood1956]

I understand your feelings! I remember working really hard on a quilt, got the flimsy finished , quilted and bound, showed it to my group of artsy friends. One person said "did you know this triangle is wrong". I could have cried. But then another said Only God is perfect!. She continued that In her culture they always left one small thing imperfect because -only God is perfect. Made me feel much better!

[@karencombsstudio]

Totally understand. Sometimes we just miss things. . . .makes us unique (and human). Love the quilt as it is, I’m sure it’s simply beautiful! Thanks so much for your note! 🙂

[@cammybee12]

Oh my! I stitch just like you do. I use the poke and stab but I also go from top left to bottom right then bottom left to top right. Love your quilts.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Cammy! 🙂

[@debrajohnson6774]

Thank you for the video. I like to wear my hair in a French braid- makes me feel like a star!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Debra! Love that! 🙂

[@yvonnevigil7489]

Hi Karen , wonderful video. You are so talented in everything you do. Your sampler is beautiful ❤. I also l9ve Colonial Needles thanks to Jackie. French Braid, Star and Modern. Can't wait for you next video dear. Take Care

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you, Yvonne! 🙂

[@lorikoch8010]

I think Sarah looks so beautiful! I do hope you take it with you and share with everyone!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Lori! :)

[@cjd7602]

Modern French Braid Star Karen, you should not be embarrassed about your short tree. Your Sampler is beautiful, and the frame is perfection. Unless the sampler is displayed next to the sampler, no one will ever know.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@elaineshultz9544]

I use those bobbin boxes for my appliqué thread that are on bobbins. They do work great. I bought Mary Ann Cobb today! Colors are so pretty. I am a firm believer to let our mistakes be but when you showed your sampler I felt for you. I understand your feelings. I would say put it aside and love it as it is but if you do decide to fix it you may be happier. The frame is beautiful and your stitching is remarkable. Such an inspiration.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Elaine! 🙂 You are going to enjoy stitching Mary Ann, it is such an elegant sampler. I’m enjoying her so much. 🙂

[@debrajohnston1790]

Karen, I love your videos. I like your voice it is so soothing. I can understand why you are a excellent teacher, your voice is very encouraging..

[@karencombsstudio]

@@debrajohnston1790 hi Deborah, thank you so much for your lovely note, I appreciate it so much! 🙂

[@marysorensen220]

I’m SO glad you showed your “mistake” because it made me look at my own stitching differently. I have been known to spend a lot of work on something and then when finished if I found a mistake would literally toss it! That’s taking perfection too far! Thank you for teaching me to be okay with imperfections. It helped me tremendously.🙂Looking forward to your next video!

[@karencombsstudio]

Hi Mary, thanks so much for your note, I appreciate it so much. 🙂

[@triciabyrnes4061]

I love everything about your videos, even the intro. I especially like when you compare linen colors so we can see the difference. I have a lot of the charts you show, and it makes me want to get mine out and get stitching. You have an eye for color, so I listen to hear if you are changing linen or threads. Your stitching is beautiful! Take your sampler as you had planned, and BE PROUD of your beautiful work! EVERYONE makes mistakes.

[@karencombsstudio]

@@triciabyrnes4061 Tricia, thank you so much for your lovely comment! 🙂

[@stitchingbytheriver8666]

Those trees in.your sampler are as unique as we humans all are...and they are beautiful,just as they are. Thank you for sharing your stitching journey. Take care and happy stitching.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you so much. I love that thought. 🙂

[@harleyriderstitcher3951]

As usual you are the perfect enabler! Thanks for helping me find what I love! Years ago I took an ANG class that you had to send the piece to the teacher after completing for her critique. I followed the directions exactly. I finished it and was ready to mail it out. After a few hours away from the piece, I noticed half of the roof of the birdhouse was not stitched. I verified the chart instructions and the instructions by the teacher. There was nothing. I had to chart it myself and have it be a mirror image. I notified the teacher. She was shocked! No one noticed it was missing! Lol. I could have left it alone and no one would have noticed!

[@karencombsstudio]

Glad I could help enable! :) Wow, what a story, amazing no one saw it. Just shows, no matter how many times or how many people look at something, we often miss it. Thanks for your note!

[@KDG727]

The spiral spine was a perfect suggestion. I have shared it with several stitchy friends

[@karencombsstudio]

I’ve done this with several of my (reference or pattern) paperback books, and I find it makes a big difference. So glad you found it helpful. 🙂

[@kellyperry71]

Thanks for another eye candy video! Don’t need to be perfect, it’s beautiful! French braid, star

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Kelly. 🙂

[@lesliedelooze3681]

Sarah Milthorp is gorgeous. I can’t believe how perfect that frame is! I also got my chart at Sampler symposium and have finally gotten the right fabric for it. (Will use the piece we got for other things.) 😊

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Leslie! (I decided to use the linen we got for something else as well. :) )

[@annellis9108]

I found your channel today and it made my day. I am so looking forward to following you and looking at your previous videos.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Ann and welcome! 🙂

[@JustOnlyKristi]

Sara is beautiful! It is somewhat comforting to know someone as incredibly talented as you are makes a mistake too. Please take it and show it!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Kristi! 🙂

[@LindaHansen-ot9sy]

Your sampler was beautiful, I wouldn't change a thing. Modern, star

[@karencombsstudio]

@@LindaHansen-ot9sy Thanks, Linda! 🙂

[@terrygillies8413]

Hi Ms. Combs. Another lovely flosstube visit with you. I just wanted to say thanks for your advice regarding the little storage box for the V. Clayton silk bobbins. Got mine today from Amazon. You are right about having to push the bobbins into the little holes. I'm so looking forward to your next video. Keep well.

[@karencombsstudio]

@@terrygillies8413 Hi Terry, I am so glad you enjoyed the video and thank you for your note. So happy you received the bobbin box and it’s working well for you. I need to order a few more, they certainly come in handy. 🙂 Thanks again for your note!

[@emilywittenberg6802]

You are a star! Thanks for sharing 😊 Emily

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you, Emily! 🙂🙂

[@thecozydh]

Comb-binding your reference books is my favourite trick. I worked in a copy shop years ago and was able to do all my knitting books at the time that way, maybe I should take a few more in now that I have a cross-stitch library!

[@karencombsstudio]

It’s a good trick to know. So helpful on many of the reference or pattern books. Perfect solution for knitting books! Thanks for your note !

[@PegC52]

Re: Sarah - you do you. I have a piece that is framed and on my wall that I finish "during the year of Covid" in 2020 and there is a bit on it that when I really contemplate it, know there is a small part I want to redo...but I've been looking at it for 4 years and love it all. However ... it will be my "sampler September redo"...I will make the change because then I know that every time I look at it there will only be rest in my heart. We all do these things. Elaine from Annabella's in Waynesville NC has the very motto you mentioned: "it's perfectly ok to be perfectly imperfect." I'm not an "always forward never back" kind of person. I'm a "what makes your heart sing" one. So, wishing you rest in your heart and enjoyment of your amazing accomplishment.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks Peggy Ann! 🙂

[@VintageCottageStitches]

Great video. Such beautiful quilts. I love all of your sampler patterns so empowering. I want to stitch them all. Modern French braid star

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks so much! 🙂

[@christyschiesswohl-fx7cv]

Motif #1 is in Rockport, Massachusetts. Rockport is a town you would like…good roadtrip to see the where your mom painted!!!! Great video as usual.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks Christy, I look forward to visiting there someday. About 10 years ago, I was teaching in that part of New England and had a free afternoon between classes. I visited Gloucester and can’t believe I was so close to Rockport and missed seeing motif #1. Oh well, just means I need to make another trip to that beautiful part of the country. 🙂

[@staceysago4476]

Splendor is a great silk. I use it a lot for needlepoint and also in cross stitch. It’s a solid color thread and the variety of color families is amazing.

[@karencombsstudio]

@@staceysago4476 Thanks, Stacy! I look forward to trying it out. 🙂

[@Melinda_likes_stitching]

I enjoyed your flosstube episode. The perfectly imperfect sampler is absolutely beautiful! I can’t imagine not taking it. I hope you do and do so proudly. 😊 lovely quilts. Modern , French Braid , Star. ⭐️

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Melinda! She is a stunning sampler and I absolutely love the frame I found for her. Thanks again! 🙂

[@MichiganStitcher-1944]

Karen, don’t you dare be ashamed of your beautiful sampler! I would not even attempt such a fine count to stitch on and your work is stunning and is perfect in that frame. You have made it uniquely yours and you are a shining star in this world of stitchers and quilters! I have used splendor many times and it is lovely to work with, enjoy! Rene

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Renee! I’m glad to hear your review about the silk and I’m looking forward to using it. 🙂🙂

[@barbarahouser]

Hey Karen, so good to see you again. Please don't fret over Sarah; she's like one of your children. and you never love one more than another, but she has this cute little crooked smile that melts your heart every time you look at her and she carries a special place in your heart! We all have something a little crooked in our looks or personality but that is what makes us unique and special to all those who love us! Enjoyed seeing your Finishes and WIPs and looking forward to seeing the rest of your Sampler September basket! xoxoxo

[@karencombsstudio]

@@barbarahouser Hi Barbara, thank you so much for your lovely comment. Love this! 🙂 Thanks again!

[@disorderlystitcher]

Karen, your humanity shines in your sampler. We are fallible, and as you said, move forward. I too would go through all of the emotions, and then put it aside and think on it. Thank you for sharing. Take care!.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks so much! You are right, it takes time to process what to do. Still love it, regardless of the unique tree. :)

[@sharrikremer9987]

Your Sara Milthrop is beautiful! I have done the same thing. I actually was able to fix mine in the frames and on 2 finished drums recently. So, maybe you are in good company!!🙋‍♀️ Fix it or don't but you will always remember and smile. My tip, take a photo before you send to framer or finisher, look the photo over a few times. You are a wonderful stitcher, never doubt it. My best to you!❤

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Sharri! Excellent suggestion about taking a photo! Thank you for sharing it. 🙂

[@neilstephen6761]

Thank you for sharing I enjoyed the video immensely

[@karencombsstudio]

So glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much for your note. 🙂

[@kckoehler1766]

You are a star Karen !

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, KC! 🙂🙂

[@pamelacox7535]

LOVE your videos, I always learn so much! STAR

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Pamela! So glad you enjoy them. 🙂

[@kckoehler1766]

Sarah Milthorp is so gorgeous & the frame could not be more perfect. 🤩

[@kckoehler1766]

It is perfect and you are an integral part of this community - always inspiring and encouraging. I thank you. Keep sharing - I anxiously await your flosstubes each time. 🥰 I bet if I had stitched Sarah as you had - you would encourage me to love it!!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, KC! I always enjoy your sweet comments and appreciate them so much. 🤔

[@kimphillips7903]

Modern, French Braid, Star, Karen you are so talented and do such beautiful cross-stitching and quilting...I love your floss tube Blessings!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Kim! 🙂

[@connieenevold1745]

Karen - Sarah is so lovely! I heard the love in your voice as you shared her with us and then I was heartsick when you said you didn’t want to share her anymore. None of us are perfect and that doesn’t keep us from loving and sharing. IMHO, I wish that you can embrace her/your imperfection and let her shine. Peace 😌

[@karencombsstudio]

Hi Connie, thanks so much for your sweet note! I really do love Sarah and also love the frame I found for her. Her “unique personalization” is growing on me. . . . 🙂🙂 Thanks again!

[@roxyvoorhees1838]

Modern, French Braid, Star are all beautiful. I love your Sarah Miltorp. It looks gorgeous in the frame. Move on….everyone has imperfections on their walls. I finished stitching “And They Sinned” and paid a fortune to frame it. Showed to my secretary, who was an ace proof reader. You got it..,, she found the 1 stitch I forgot the last leg on. I was sick, cried and my mom said, “Move on…❤) So I hung it on my Sunday School wall years ago. No one has ever noticed or mentioned the missed leg. I see it everytime I look at it….I smile and remember with love, what a wonderful secretary I worked with ❤😂

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Roxy! I appreciate your kind comment so much! 🙂

[@ThePajamaStitcher]

I didn't realize there was anything wrong until you Siad something. Trees in nature are not identical. They all grow in their own way and at their own pace, so I think it is just fine. Don't be afraid to show it off. It was a lot of work and it's beautiful. Everyone has a piece that doesn't quite match the chart. We all frog, fudge, or forget at some point. I've never done a Sampler but I do have a couple. Your work is so beautiful and inspiring, I may start one. By the way, there is one more Friday the 13th this year. It is in December. Modern, French Braid, Star

[@karencombsstudio]

@@ThePajamaStitcher Thanks so much for your note, I appreciate it so much. Yes, please start a sampler and be sure to let me know how it goes. 🙂

[@reneebebla422]

What a wonderful video! I would have never known what was wrong with Sarah until you pointed it out. I am sure lots of us have those imperfect memories. I know I do. Love your finishes, they are beautiful. So many wonderful samplers and I wasn’t going to start any but started the Hope and Love sampler in honor of our anniversary. Also started Georgiana Williams on 56 count. I was in Rochester last week so a trip to Hobby House Needleworks was a must. Got lots of linen. I love the Modern Star and French Braid, absolutely beautiful and very kind of you. I think it is Dark November and I have Ann Campion for that. Have fun stitching all the samplers!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Renee! I’m looking forward to my visit to Hobby House so much! How lovely you were able to visit. 🙂 Thank you for the information about dark November, I couldn’t remember exactly what month it is. Now to decide which sampler I’d like to start for it. 🤔 Thanks again for your note! 🙂

[@judyhall8269]

Karen, I enjoyed spending time with you today. Thank you for shouting out the Hope and Love SAL. I know so many are hesitant to stitch these larger beauties, but with a breakdown and friends they are at least willing to try. thank you for sharing the news. One correction though. The chart is NOT free even though it is a PDF. There are free Bristol charts out there, but this one is not. You’re making a lovely start on Harriett. she was my first Bristol and will always have a special place in my heart.

[@karencombsstudio]

@@judyhall8269 Hi Judy, so glad you enjoyed the video and thanks for your note. 🙂 I realized the chart was a paid PDF after I posted the link to purchase. Must have mixed it up with another chart. I will make sure to correct in the next video and did post the HATS link to purchase as well as the link to Traditional Stitches. I will be working on Harriet Salt, cheering everyone on from the sidelines. 🙂 Thanks again!

[@Roberta.SABLEStitchers]

We've all been there Karen! Maybe that happened to some of the original sampler stitchers as well and seeing those now makes us wonder if they ran out of thread etc? It's beautiful just the way it is! An enjoyable video, as always.

[@karencombsstudio]

@@Roberta.SABLEStitchers Thanks, Roberta! 🙂

[@madonnamarrin4280]

It is very beautiful! I could only hope to be half as good as you in my stitching. You should show it as much as you want.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Madonna. 🙂

[@talingochian6276]

It is absolutely beautiful 😍

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you so much! 🙂

[@waldavanrij802]

Hai Karen, I know exactly how you feel. I did exactly the same thing with my Sarah Braizear sampler. After I finished her I checked thoroughly if I did not forget anything. There were a lot of tiny birds or insects on the sampler and I was very keen on stitching them all and not forget one of them. No, checked everything, forgot nothing. Laced the finished sampler, framed her and even send some pictures to Nicola Parkman to show off my sampler. Fortunately the pictures were not the best and probably she did not even notice it. But after a few days , suddenly I saw it.😮😮😮 On the bottom part of the sampler there are two trees stitched in rows of two colours. A dark colour and a light colour. The tree on the right was completely finished but the tree on the left was only filled in with the dark colour and I left out all of the light stitching. I could not believe that I had done such a stupid thing and …….you know the rest. You probably felt the same things. But it is still hanging in my room with the unfinished tree intact. It took a while before I accepted my mistake and know is does not bother me anymore. Had to laugh terribly when you told your story. Sorry for that.😔 Your sampler is very beautiful. Kind regards, Walda van Rij, The Netherlands

[@karencombsstudio]

@@waldavanrij802 Thank you, Walda! I appreciate your comment so much! The more I look at Sarah, the more I like the “open” tree, the beauty of the linen really shows. . . . so, I probably won’t change it, just leave it as is. But, I was so frustrated at myself. It happens, just not sure how I missed it. 🤷‍♀️🤦‍♀️ Oh well, I really do love this sampler and love the frame I found for her. If I hadn’t restarted her on a smaller linen, it never would’ve fit. Just meant to be. 🙂 Thanks again for your note!

[@susanreamy6239]

Karen, the beauty of hand work is in its imperfections. Please bring Sarah with you to HH next month. I would love to see your work in person, we can all celebrate together!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Susan. I will certainly think about it. 🙂🙂 I’m looking forward to HH so much! See you soon!

[@jaxcreativeinspirations]

Hi, Karen! I recently used Splendor on a project. I truly enjoyed using it. My only drawback was it had quite a bit of “static cling” so I used either wax thread conditioner (not a heavy coat), or I would run it across the surface of a damp sponge. Both of these made it less “static-y”. I used one strand at a time, looped on itself, as I do Aida and use the loop start method for my 2 over 1 square. I had beautiful coverage, and as expected, the floss got “fluffy” or “fuzzy” over time. I will definitely use it again. Star, Modern, French Braid

[@karencombsstudio]

Excellent information, thank you for sharing it. 🙂

[@nancymarsh2540]

Star. Love the plaid batik’s ❤

[@karencombsstudio]

@@nancymarsh2540 Thanks, Nancy! 🙂

[@ContentedNeedleworkerKim]

Karen, your Sarah is beautiful! I’m sure all of us (including me!) stitchers have stories we could tell, and often want to linger on “mistakes.” I hope you will embrace your gorgeous finish and share her. ❤

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Kim!😘

[@clappjl]

Dear Karen, as one perfectionist to another, I feel your pain. Your beautiful stitching should not bring sadness. But when it does, it is worth it (to me) to fix a mistake. A few hours of repair (and nominal expense) greatly outweigh the future years of dwelling on leaving a mistake in a stitch, and seeing it every time you look at the sampler. In this same vein, whenever I find a mistake, I frog it immediately so that the next time I work on the project, it is fresh and ready to go. I realise this is not a popular opinion, but it makes my heart happy in my hobby.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks for your note! 🙂

[@cathytrapp5482]

Karen you are a star of the floss tube world. I make sure that I watch while the modern days are here.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Cathy! 🙂

[@gailsnead2832]

I know how you feel but I love it it is beautiful…. Jean knows best! ❤❤❤

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Gail! (And, yes she does. 🙂)

[@SchoolBusStitcher]

#blacksamplernovember. You are a star in our home! Thank you for making such inspiring flosstubes! Keep up the great work.

[@karencombsstudio]

Aw, thank you so much. 🙂 Thanks for the November hashtag. 🙂

[@VirginiaEfta]

Dear Karen, Your stitching on Sarah Milthorp is stunning. What a gorgeous chart. You know, if you hadn't said anything, I would not have noticed the tree. Of course, I saw it the second time, but not the first time. And who cares, it is yours and it is "perfectly imperfect." I also thought you were so courageous to tell us all about how you felt. You are so much more a part of this community just because you have been so honest. Thank you, dear Karen. You know, you have inspired me with this stitch of yours of Ms. Milthorp. I think I will have to stitch it as well. So as long as you can inspire one person with your stitching, no matter the final result, you have made a good impression and have done great things. In my book, you are a STAR!!!

[@karencombsstudio]

Hi Virginia, aw, thank you so much! 🙂 You know, my husband often says to me, “You know, you don’t have to tell all you know.” And then he will chuckle (and I chuckle) because he knows that’s how I am. 😂😂 I guess that applies in showing Sarah, I debated what to say, and I thought just be honest. 🙂 Your sweet note has touched me, thank you so much for that ! 😘

[@ginnygilbertson4964]

Karen..love the sampler...remember only God is perfect!!

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Ginny! 🙂

[@susanlearn6625]

Great sampler ...love it. Modern

[@karencombsstudio]

Thanks, Susan! 🙂

[@periwinklestitcher]

Hi Karen - thanks so much for mentioning my Flosstube - I can't tell you how much I appreciate your kindness! Sarah is so beautiful- you shouldn't worry a jot! Please can you tell me the linen Mary Ann is on because I cannot get R&R American Chestnut - she looks beautiful!! PS. The old Pumpkins are a dilly - I'm pretty sure Lori and Christy Cross Hatch quilts are stitching together!

[@karencombsstudio]

@@periwinklestitcher Thanks so much for your note, and you are most welcome for the mention. I really enjoy your channel and videos. Mary Ann Copp is on 36ct Amaryllis by Under The Sea. It has a touch of yellow in the linen, so I am using the back, which is just a little lighter. I purchased it from Cecilia’s in Branson, Missouri, last summer. Thanks again for your note! 🙂

[@periwinklestitcher]

@@karencombsstudio it’s fabulous! 💛

[@karencombsstudio]

It really is a beautiful linen. Creamy white base with bits of yellow here in there. I'm using the back to it "smooths" out and lightens the yellow bits. Not sure where it might be available, I've never seen it before I found it at Cecila's last summer. She might have some left. Cream and Sugar by FOAW might be a good option. I did have a bit of a time finding the right linen for this project, but am happy with the Amaryllis. Wishing you the best as you search for your linen for this project. The sampler really is lovely. :)

[@stychaddict4499]

Hi Karen. I'm so sorry you were heartbroken over Sarah. I'm sure we all have similar stories - my Jenny Bean FTP has a bird with no wings sitting in a tree for all eternity because he can't fly off! I have worked with Splendor silk, it was lovely and did not seem to get fluffy. Looking forward to the next episode! Modern, French braid, Star.

[@karencombsstudio]

Thank you so much! Sarah is growing on me, as she is. It’s such a lovely sampler and I do love it (even with her “ unique personalization”. 😂) I love your description of your flightless bird, that is perfect and makes the sampler unique ! Thanks again for your note 🙂