November 6, 2008

THREADS OF THE PAST

About a year or so ago on our BLESTB postings, one of the members had brought to our attention about an out-of-print issue of Country Homes, October 1988 that featured an article on reproduction samplers. The samplers were designed and stitched by a very talented young woman in the most primitive fashion. She stitches on homespun, linen, and what looks to be osnaburg. Her colors are the early blues, golds, and browns. In the article it states that she really didn't have a pattern, she just stitched. Well, after a year of hunting for this magazine on ebay, in antique shops, and "google-ing", I finally found this most treasured issue on ebay last week. I was so excited when I received it in the mail this afternoon!!!!!

It is a wonderful issue....although...all the issues were wonderful way back then...so primitive and early were the homes they featured. The young woman who made these samplers has a six page spread of her wonderful, primitive home! It was so worth the wait. If any of you, who love early style stitching as much as I do, have this magazine, KEEP IT!! for those who don't...FIND IT!!!
It is a very inspiring article that will keep your creative fingers stitching!! Twenty years later.... I wonder if this woman is still making these incredible samplers and if she still lives in her beautiful home.

11 comments:

Plumruncreek ♥ said...

Bobbie~Isn't it great when you finally find something you've been searching for. I'll have to look through my magazines.

Boggy Creek Stitches & Loops said...

Wow Bobbie! What a wonderful treasure find!!! Lucky you :-)

Kathy (woolfind) said...

congrat's on your find! Love it when patience pays off and we find what we are looking for. Sounds like a really good issue.

Farmhouse Blessings said...

I can hardly wait to begin searching for it!

Smiles,
Lea

HomeSpunPrims said...

Bobbie,
I had that mag years ago and I don't know where it went! I do have their house in a hard cover book of homes from that year but I'm going to look for the mag too. I have from time to time thought about that article on her stitching and wished I still had it. Lucky you to finally have one. Enjoy. Lori R

Lori from Notforgotten Farm said...

You know, I keep my issue in such a safe place that I can't FIND IT!!!

now you have me searchin all over the HOUSE for it again Bobbie!

Happy that you found yours~
Blessed be,
Lori from Notforgotten Farm

Rosemary said...

I just found your blog and i also have loved that article on bobbie bollenbach. I know someone who knows her, and she sold her home and all her wonderful prims and went totally modern :( I don't think she stitches anymore either.

Unknown said...

Hey! My grandmother and i were curious if you ever found out more information about Bobbi Bollenbach or the Threads of the Past. I am interested in finding her work. This was such a great article! I couldn't agree more with you.

A Primitive Homestead said...

This is an article I would be interested in reading & looking at. Blessings! Lara

Linda, NE Iowa said...

I seem to remember (but, then, I'm getting old) that Country Home had another article on Bobbie Bollenback about 10 years after the 1988 article. I can find the 1988 magazine but not the later one. Was so very disappointed to hear that Bobbie sold everything and went modern and does not do cross stitch anymore. I was so hoping that she had published her patterns. I hope someone who sees these posts lets her know that there are so many people interested in her stitching and who would be willing buyers of her patterns.

Great.memories of days gone by said...

I was so disappointed to see that Bobbie Bollenbach is no longer in business...Her samplers are wonderful....I will be checking this blogsite periodically for updates if anyone knows anything about her or if she is making them again....thanks so much and God Bless!!!!...♥