The design is Mary's Wreath by Barrick Samplers. I love everything about this sampler--the simplicity of the design, only three colors, Birds of a Feather linen, and important facts about Grandmother. Does anyone else miss the Birds of a Feather linen? I think the frame is from Valley House Primitives.
This is a mourning sampler also stitched in memory of Grandmother Rebecca. This was a freebie design by Hillside Samplings. It is stitched over one. The weeping willow represents the sorrow and dejection of the bereaved. The weeping willow was a common motif used on American mourning samplers. In England the weeping willow motif refers to the early death of George IV's only daughter, Princess Charlotte.
As I was writing this post, I started looking around Thistle Manor for other needlework about Grandmother Rebecca. I could have sworn I had other pieces. Hmmm.
