Cross Stitch for a Dear Friend

Cross Stitch Housewarming Gift

The text is a line from Sam Walter Foss' The House by the Side of the Road

The House by the Side of the Road

THERE are hermit souls that live withdrawn in the place of their self-content;

There are souls like stars, that dwell apart, in a fellowless firmament;

There are pioneer souls that blaze their paths where highways never ran-

But let me live by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

Let me live in a house by the side of the road where the race of men go by-

The men who are good and the men who are bad, as good and as bad as I.

I would not sit in the scorner's seat nor hurl the cynic's ban-

Let me live in a house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

I see from my house by the side of the road by the side of the highway of life,

The men who press with the ardor of hope, the men who are faint with the strife,

But I turn not away from their smiles nor their tears, both parts of an infinite plan-

Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

I know there are brook-gladdened meadows ahead, and mountains of wearisome height;

That the road passes on through the long afternoon and stretches away to the night.

But still I rejoice when the travelers rejoice and weep with the strangers that moan,

Nor live in my house by the side of the road like a man who dwells alone.

Let me live in my house by the side of the road, where the race of men go by-

They are good, they are bad, they are weak, they are strong, wise, foolish - so am I.

Then why should I sit in the scorner's seat, or hurl the cynic's ban?

Let me live in my house by the side of the road and be a friend to man.

Sam Walter Foss

 

 Getting Started - used old sampler as pattern, first time using waste canvas

Removing Waste Canvas - this was a chore.  Best result came from lightly moistening with a spray bottle, then using the eye of the needle to separate threads before pulling out individually.  Also recommend (carefully) cutting away excess waste canvas for easier removal.  Beware the instruction that states "Then simply pull the threads to remove..."

 Back of Piece after removing Waste Canvas

Finish and Framed (the framer added a pouch on the back to hold a copy of the poem)

Materials:
Fabric is Osnaburg
Embroidery floss, hoop and needle
Waste Canvas