Black Books sampler

[yamwam]

This is a cross-stitch sampler inspired by the late British comedy series Black Books. It's a birthday present for a friend who's also a fan.



The shelf of books in disarray is for the messy bookshop Bernard and Manny run. The grapes are for the episode "Grapes of Wrath"; the poker hand, card suits and racehorses are for the episode "A Little Flutter" (note the card Bernard tries to cheat with, Mrs Bun); the elephant and the balloon are for the episode "Elephants and Hens"; and the wine bottles and glasses are because Bernard and Fran are always getting drunk. "No Timewasters" is something the misanthropic Bernard writes on a board in his shop.

Close-ups:






I don't take very good pictures, but it's white 16-count Aida fabric. I hope she likes it!

[pugwash]

I think she'll love it. I'm a huge fan of the show myself, and would be proud to hang that on my wall

[scuttlebutt]

Never heard of the show, but this is really great! I love the font you used! And that elephant is adorable

[Acadian Driftwood]

No cellphones
No wigwams...?
None of those
Or any of the others!

I adore this! I think my favorite part is Mrs. Bun the baker's wife.

[smelsmin]

I love how you've thought this out . Hurray for the elephant and his balloon!
(It's too good! We have to burn it!)

[GeekySweetheart]

(It's too good! We have to burn it!)

I'm with you, pretend to drop a fork, meet me under the dinner table and we'll talk about it....

x G

[sophieangele]

This is awesome! I love Black Books. Reminds me of the hours we spent during my Masters, avoiding work by watching the DVD boxset

[jemimah]

Fantastic!! I love Black Books too.

Would you be OK with someone using/adapting some of your pattern?

[yamwam]

Would you be OK with someone using/adapting some of your pattern?

Certainly. All the different elements were culled from a stack of cross-stitch books from the public library. If I had a scanner I could scan the pattern I drew on graph paper, but I think you can figure it out from the pictures alone.

[when_im_sixty4]

YES!!!! I love this series- your project is fantastic! I'm jealous- wish I had been your partner!