Ursula Smith will exhibit botanical and other counted cross stitch works at the Southport Memorial Library during the months of July and August.

As an 8-year-old in Germany, Ursula's grandmother, Omi, taught her how to embroider a small tablecloth as a Christmas gift.

She did not enjoy this task because she enjoyed playing with her friends outside. But this first simple task began a life long love for working with textiles. A love Smith passed on to her daughter.

The collection displayed represents several different designers and represents many hours of work and joy. They inspired Smith to undertake larger and more complex projects such as hand-weaving. She is now the proud owner of several floor looms and her love of textiles continues.

Smith has taught weaving to youngsters in Boothbay Harbor as part of the CLICK program at the Boothbay Harbor Memorial Library.

The Art of Counted Cross Stitch starts with a blank piece of fabric, which can be thought of as a canvas. With the help of a chart with different color symbols and colored threads, the embroidered scene slowly emerges one stitch at a time.

All featured embroidery is done on even weave linen except for Noah's Ark and the Heron which are done on Aida cloth. The Heron was embroidered by Karen Smith, Ursula's daughter. Notice that not even one thread of the background fabric can be seen. The thread used is cotton, flower thread and embroidery floss.

Included in the collection will be a counted cross stitch piece in progress together with the chart, so that the process will be explained.

In addition, Ursula Smith will be participating in the library's Christmas in July sale, July 10 and 11, where her woven articles will be featured.

The Southport Memorial Library's summer hours begin Wednesday, July 1. The library will be open 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays with evening hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 7-9.

For more information, call 207-633-2741 during these hours. The library is located at the southern end of Southport Island; 1032 Hendricks Head Road.