sampler

I think I am about finnished on the sampler, one or two things I am not too happy with but I am always highly critical or my own work.
Whilst visiting Catherine on wednesday I showed her how far I had gone and she put it on a maroon cushion which looked really good so have introduced some maroon and will stretch it over maroon fabric I think. On the top small hardanger blocks I used some maderia 40 machine thread with the flower thread to add a bit of sparkle.This was suggested by one or two friends. Planned to use it in the main heart but afraid  had such trouble with it shredding, unpicked it and left it out.
Re the border, I do not think I can make it any bigger due to fabric restrictions hope it works okay as it is.
Not sure if the heart at the bottom should be in the maroon but do not think so but might change my mind prior to framing. The little cat charm is rather sweet and managed to find the "made with love" heart in a shop in York.The cat I allready had from ages ago, there do not seem to be many charms about now, will have to find an outlet fro when I start playing with the crazy patchwork

bithday sampler

I can see the end to this sampler now, have unpicked the cretan stitch and substituted some more blocks to do hardanger in.Also added a heart at the bottom, my initials and bless you.
Beads are scattered about, green and some pearl which I thought worked with being 40.I am going to unpick the 40 for the second time, first time done too big and now not big enough.
As suggested by a few friends I have added a border but only four sided stitch and still in green as Catherine does not want any other colour in it, hope she will accept the pearl colour beads.Not sure about the border but restricted with fabric at the top.Also wonder if I need to do any more around the large heart as the fabric looks a little bare. I am sure one of you will come up with some good advice.
I am leaving the cut work until the end.