*NEW* M is for Mermaid

As things usually go when being inspired by life rather than doing things in proper order, the sixth letter in my alphabet series is actually the 13th letter in the alphabet. But hopefully no one will complain too loudly, because sometimes there is no controlling the creative portion of my brain.

You all have been asking for years now, when I will get around to designing something mermaid-ish, nautical, ocean-themed; when, when, when? Well, I’ve finally found the perfect time to dive in head first (pun intended). I had so much fun with the colors, the flowing hair, the multi-shaded scales on their lovely tails. It is highly likely that merfolk will appear again in the designs of my future. I hope you enjoy this one as much as I have!

Mythical creatures are perhaps one of my favorite motifs on antique samplers; partly because they are rare, but mostly because they show a quality of imagination that I can identify with. In my formative years, all of the stories going on in my brain involved outer space or Pegasus or time travel or anything possible that wasn’t deemed “reality”. For some reason, mermaids weren’t high on my list of favorites; perhaps because I wasn’t fond of swimming and the thought of living under water made me feel claustrophobic. My utmost apologies to Tritan’s daughters and fans… I have had a change of heart.

I don’t have a planned release scheduled for this series. With 26 letters to chart, it might take me ten years to get through them all, since I have other ideas and plans and designs in the works too. They won’t be released in alphabetical order, but instead, as inspiration strikes. The one thing you can count on is that they will all be round, designed to fit into the same frame, which can be found on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/178555694/6x6-picture-frame-with-circle-opening?ga_search_query=circle+frame&ref=shop_items_search_2 When you purchase a frame from their shop, they have generously offered a coupon code just for my customers! Enter HEARTSTRING10 at checkout to get ten percent off of your order (this coupon code won't work in MY shop, but only in the SignedandNumbered shop).

You could buy one frame and swap out the letters as you see fit, or a grouping of four or more of them for a nice collection to spell out your last name or a favorite word.

Or, you could finish your pieces as ornaments for an alphabet tree. The options are multiple; use your creativity!

Stitch Count: 80 x 80
Model stitched with one thread over two on R&R Reproductions' 32ct. Winter Brew

Using threads from:
Classic Colorworks: Poblano Pepper, Cinnamon Toast, Honeycomb
The Gentle Art: Green with Envy, Brethren Blue, Ruby Slipper
Weeks Dye Works: Skinny Dip, Havana, Collards, Holly, Cadet, Teal Frost


Conversion to DMC included with the chart.

Frame by Signed and Numbered:
6” Circle Opening Vintage Turquoise


This design is now available in my etsy shop, and will soon be in the hands of my distributors and the shops on my auto ship list. If you prefer to bypass etsy and order directly through me, you can send me an email: beth@heartstringsamplery.com