Robert Burns

1759-1796

2009 sees the 250th anniversary of the birth of Robert Burns. Throughout the world festivities and events will celebrate the work of this great man.

The beautiful colours in this sampler evoke the very essence of the wild and mystical Scottish countryside.  Its inspiration is the famous Scottish poet, Robert Burns and the design features his birthplace at Alloway together with excerpts and images from his lyrical poetry, including the famous Tam O’Shanter. 

Finished size is 30cm x 23cm (12” x 9”)
Fabric: 14 count rustico aida

Jane Austen

1775-1817

The famous author of much loved novels such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility and Emma was the daughter of a Hampshire clergyman. This delicate sampler is a tribute to the literary skills of this very talented woman  

Finished size is 30cm x 23cm (12” x 9”)
Fabric: 14 count rustico aida

William Shakespeare

1564 – 1616
William Shakespeare was born on April 1564 in Stratford-upon-Avon. He was baptised at Holy Trinity Church at Stratford where he was buried 52 years later. The date of his birth is unknown but it is celebrated on 23 April – the same date as his birth.
After marrying Anne Hathaway and the birth of three children William left for London where he became an actor and playwright. Success in London was great and soon he owned a share of the most famous of Elizabethan theatres – The Globe. 
Shakespeare made a lot of money in his lifetime and left behind farmlands and houses.
This sampler depicts his birthplace, the Globe Theatre, Trinity Church and Anne Hathaway’s pretty cottage 

Finished size is 30cm x 23cm (12” x 9”)
Fabric: 14 count rustico aida

1771-1832

This nostalgic sampler is a tribute to the great Scottish writer, Sir Walter Scott.  As well as his most famous words from poems such as ‘The Lay of the last Minstrel’, this sampler depicts some of his favourite haunts in the Borders, his beautiful home at Abbotsford and other locations which influenced his writing.  The border of the sampler is particularly interesting as it was inspired by the design on the banister in Scott’s study at Abbotsford.  There are many small, fascinating motifs throughout the sampler all of which have particular significance.  Full details of these motifs are given within the kit.
Finished size is 30cm x 23cm (12” x 9”)
Fabric: 14 count rustico aida

William Wordsworth

1770 – 1850
William Wordsworth, born in Cockermouth in 1770, the son of a Lakeland lawyer, was to become one of England’s greatest poets. His parents died when he was young and he was brought up by an uncle and aunt. He was educated at the grammar school of  Hawkshead and St John’s College, Cambridge, followed by travels on the continent.
William returned to his favourite area, the Lake District, to live with his wife, Mary Hutchinson, and his sister, Dorothy at Dove Cottage, Grasmere.   In 1813 they moved to nearby Rydal Mount where he was to die on 23 April 1850. He is buried in Grasmere churchyard.
This sampler depicts the buildings, which shared in the life of this special man. The quote is from “I wondered lonely as a cloud” – perhaps one of his most remembered poems.
Finished size is 30cm x 23cm (12” x 9”)
Fabric: 14 count rustico aida