I've been working on my sampler very slowly.  Here's the first block I did in Old Florentine Stitch following the directions in Ms. Slater's book:

My edges are very messy and some of my contrast color (dark orange) is pulled too tight and looks buried in the main color (dark green).

My second attempt was only slightly better:

I'm having real trouble getting my fill in stitches on the left side looking as full as the regular stitches.  I put off doing the third block for quite awhile because I was disappointed with my efforts on the first two blocks.

My third, however, went like a dream when I finally worked it:

I moved the canvas a quarter-turn so I was still doing the stitching horizontally, but having it appear vertical on the canvas.  I paid more attention to keeping my 3 strands of wool flat and my stitching smooth.  I'm still having some trouble with my fill in stitches as seen at the top of this photo, but I'll keep working at it.

I'm now starting the first of 3 blocks done in Parisian stitch.  I'll update when I have them completed.

Updated 20070227: Replaced 2nd photo with a better one.