Sesquicentennial Finish

It is so wonderful when something gets done on time. And it is even better when it is done early! I put the last stitch into my O Canada! Sampler this weekend, and I am so happy with how it turned out.

O Canada! Sampler, designed by Thea Dueck of Victoria Sampler

I love this design so much! It was originally released by Thea Dueck through her first company, Lamplight Designs, back in 1992 for Canada’s 125th birthday. She included many Canadian symbols, like our Parliament/House of Commons building (aka the main home of our federal government), a Canada Goose, a beaver, grain (for our prairies), and snow (for the arctic). The words around the Parliament Building come from our national anthem (called O Canada), and the Latin words at the bottom are Canada’s motto. It is official translated as “From Sea to Sea” and “D’un océan à l’autre.”

O Canada! Sampler, designed by Victoria Sampler

The two crowns at the bottom represent our ties to the Queen Elizabeth. One of her many titles is Queen of Canada, so while we many refer to her and her family in general as the British Royal Family, thy are in fact also the Canadian Royal Family. She is technically the employer of all government officials and staff. The Queen also approves all federal laws, which is done through her representative, the Governor General of Canada. She is represented at the provincial level by lieutenant governors. In practise, these officials approve all bills presented to them (but first they must pass vigorous debates and voting by elected officials), paving the way for them to become laws.

O Canada! Sampler, designed by Victoria Sampler

I stitched the chart more or less as it was charted. Unfortunately, it called for Needle Necessities Overdyed Floss #126 – Mulled Wine which has long ago been discontinued. I used ThreadworXs #1038 – Cherry Cola, and one 5 yard skein was just enough. I also changed one of the rows of pulled stitches to a different stitch, and I left out one row just above the motto (I got the spacing wrong…). The biggest change was recharting the 125 to 150.

I’m so happy that I was able to finish this well before Canada Day! Hopefully I will get ti framed before then! 😉

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14 Responses to Sesquicentennial Finish

  1. Wonderful piece. Congratulations on finishing the piece early.

  2. Gracie says:

    Really a nice accomplishment, well done.

  3. There are many parts of this I love… you have done some amazing work. Look forward to how you finish it…

  4. Well done – it has turned out beautifully!

  5. What great accomplishments!!! Beautiful stitching hon!

  6. Joanne P says:

    Congratulations on the Happy Dance for your country’s speciall anniversary! I love all the little symbols and meanings in the design.

  7. Darlene says:

    It looks really nice. Great accomplishment getting it done before July 1st.

  8. Oh wow! What a beautiful way to celebrate our nation’s birthday.

  9. Desiree Ehleiter says:

    That is really beautiful! Congratulations!

  10. It’s beautiful, Heather!

  11. This is beautiful. Thank you for taking the time to explain all the pieces of this sampler. It was wonderful to learn

  12. Diane Prenatt says:

    This is lovely! And thank you for the information about Canada!

  13. Sheryl says:

    A lovely design and I like the thread you have chosen.

  14. kaisievic says:

    Such a gorgeous finish, my dear – you should be proud of yourself. But, I must just ask – I thought that Canada had gained independence from England and no longer had governor-generals? Am I wrong?