Houses are my favorites, but I also love to add barns my scenes. This first one is a detail from Picking Peas, which I made in 1986. I used the sewing machine to applique the door and window, but hand embroidered leaves along the ribbon tree branches. See the full fabric relief picture on this post.
detail from "Picking Peas" 1986
These barns are on the title page of the first edition of Mary Had a Little Lamb from 1995. At this point, I sewed everything by hand and no longer used a sewing machine. The “snow” is an old linen table-cloth.
detail from "Mary Had a Little Lamb" 1995
Jump ahead 9 years to this illustration from the 2006 board book, Jack and Jill. I’m using wool felt, so the look is softer and more fuzzy.
- detail from “Jack and Jill” 2006
The last two barns are from Pocketful of Posies. The roof is a piece of bark and the door is driftwood.
detail from "Pocketful of Posies" 2010
This barn from the Mary Had a Little Lamb rhyme makes use of hook and eye parts. The lamb is about 1/2″ long.
detail from Pocketful of Posies" 2010
SALLEY MAVOR 
as always, I love the close-ups. I love seeing your stitch patterns isolated. Even in person, it is impossible to notice all the details.
All of the barns are charming. The hook and eye door hinges are really super! And I love the way you incorporated driftwood and bark into one work–so organic. Living in New England, barns are such an icon. Your barns are beautiful!
How good to see how your style has evolved. Each house and barn is beautiful but I really love the drift wood barn. Have a great weekend, Jane x
Love seeing the close ups and the details.
I like the use of the different types of fabrics in your early pieces.
Debbie
Salley, I now have my own copy of “Pocket Full of Posies,” and spent last night pouring over the pictures; what a joy! I love your houses and barns, and all the amazing details.
Beth
There is just something so gentle, calming, warm, and refreshing about your work. I just love your blog, and thank you for being so ‘sharing’ about how you do your most excellent needlework.
Your details as well as the whole designs are so ingenious, inspiring and frustrating all at the same time. I just plain LOVE
your work. The details make me crazy and inspired. And all this is good!!
I love house shapes, too. Your barns are adorable and I just love getting to see your fantastic ideas!!!!
My grandfather built barns back in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. Some of the ones he built are still standing. You’re barns are wonderful and fit right in to my childhood memories and imagination. thank you very much for your work