2013, august 22 enewsletter

Where Samplers Rule

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THE ATTIC 2013 August 22

Issue No. 13-21

www.atticneedlework.com

August Sampler of the Month from The Traveling Stitcher My infatuation with Arabella’s beautiful needlework has continued, enhanced for me by using such beautiful materials to reproduce this unusual and elegant sampler: Lakeside’s 50c uneven weave linen (perfect because that’s obviously what Arabella used to create a rectangular shape with a 246w x 245h stitch count) with the lovely Gloriana Tudor silks, so very perfect for this fine-count linen.

The reproduction is charted for NPI & AVAS silks (DMC is also listed) and the suggested fabric is Lakeside’s 40c V. Lt. Examplar.

I’m stitching mine on 50c V. Meadow Rue with Tudor silks, and its finished size will be 8.2w x 9.4h (with the selvage running vertically).

One m in th ore w ee During August save 15% on purchasing 2 (or e Sa for y mpl k in Au 3) of the following: e g ou t o sa r of th ust for eM ve o * chart $20 Ara n yo o b ur A nth spo ella’s p * linen w/2” margins: 40c = $21; 50c = $19 la rabe tligh lla s t ~ ce * silk as charted (AVAS + NPI) $70.10 upp a lies! nd - with Gloriana 12-ply $127.50 - with Gloriana Tudor silks $84

Other Reproductions from The Traveling Stitcher

“Helene Govane 1827” $16 My reproduction in progress

“Caroline Baird 1843” $20

“E. Bloeser 1854” $12

Above, another great purpose for Tudor silks: over one on 45c!

The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com

THE ATTIC! August

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November

As an Attic Addicts Club member, save 15% on the following in August: * The Traveling Stitcher charts * Gloriana Silks * Lakeside Linen Special Cuts Sat & Sun, August 24 & 25, St. Charles Needlework Market ~ One of my most favorite parts of my job, shopping for all of you! Can’t wait to see all the new things to bring back for you! Saturday, August 31, Market Day!!! Doors open at 9 AM for Attic Addicts and at 10 AM for the general public.

September

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November 8 - 11, 2013 ~ Jackie du Plessis Workshop details and project photos, pages 5-8. November 23, 2013 ~ Our 16th Annual Silent Auction for Breast Cancer Research, 6-8 pm, at The Gathering Place, 1837 West Guadalupe, Suite 107, Mesa, right NEXT DOOR to our new shop!

More Shop Photos!

Saturday, September 6, 10:30-12:30, Beginning Linen This class is appropriate for both beginning stitchers and anyone wishing to refine their skills. The class project is Linda/ Needlemade Designs’s Tulip needlebook design, and the $30 fee includes her expert instruction + materials.

Saturday, September 7, Punch Needle Basics, 10:30-12:30. Several of you have been asking for this class, so we hope you can join Christy to learn this fun, fast and easy centuries-old technique and see a number of her beautifully finished models featuring a variety of finishing techniques. for you to learn this fun, fast, and easy centuries-old technique. Details about the class project will be included in our next newsletter, as well as the fee, which will include everything you need to get started: #3 Punchneedle, special locking hoop, design printed on weaver's cloth, and a threadkit, and you will also receive a 10% discount on all supplies ~ patterns, thread, etc. ~ for your next punchneedle project(s).

Saturday, September 14, Stuffed Stand-Up, 10:30-1:00. Here’s another class that several of you have been asking for. Christy has scheduled it, and we hope this date and time will work with yours. Class fee includes instruction and all finishing materials except your chosen backing fabric. Fee $30.

Sunday, September 15, Sampler Sunday, 1 - 4 ~ Join us for this special once-a-month Sunday afternoon for an inspiring sampler show & share. Fee $10. Please register.

We still have some BCRF cookbooks left. Support a great cause (all net proceeds go to breast cancer research) by buying a copy(s) of the Recipes for a Cure cookbook for a donation of $14.95 (or more) with fabulous timetested recipes as well as complimentary designs from 11 designers.


THE ATTIC!

Jackie du Plessis’s November Workshops

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I am pleased to publish photos, workshop prices, and hotel information for this very special Attic event. We are privileged to host these Jackie workshops the weekend of November 8-11 at the Hyatt Place in Mesa, located just 15 minutes from our new Attic, with shuttle service available to and from the shop. Reservations with the hotel can be made by calling 888-492-8847 or 480-969-8200. You must ask for the “Attic Needlework” group rate (King $99; Double Queen $109) or go online to http://www.phoenixmesa.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html These rates are available before and after the weekend for any of you who wish to come early or stay longer. The rates include a deluxe continental breakfast, unlimited high-speed Internet access, 24-hour access to the StayFit@Hyatt fitness room and e-room business center, and use of the swimming pool, 9-hole executive putting green, and shuttle service within a five-mile radius upon availability.

The weekend schedule with workshop prices is as follows:

Friday, November 8, 2 - 8 pm (with a break for a light supper at 5) ~ Attic of Dreams $150 Sold Out ~ Waiting List Only! Saturday, November 9, 9 - 4 pm (with a lunch break at 12:00) ~ The Un-Played Piano $200 Saturday night, 5-??, Wine & Food Reception at the shop open to all workshop participants Sunday, November 10, 9 - 4 pm (with lunch at 12:00) ~ Ebony & Ivory $200 Sold Out ~ Waiting List Only! Monday, November 11, 9 - 4 pm (with lunch at 12:00) ~ Secret Garden $250

Attic of Dreams Specialty stitches adorn this functional needle and thread keep sampler. Stitched with fine hand-dyed fibers and finished Swith olda specialty dyed ribbon, this sampler is a mustO for all sampler enthusiasts.

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aitlinen, Kit includes all fibers, and ribbons to ing picture. complete project as seen in Lis All you t O and need to do is add your favorite needles nly silk fibers. ! No pre-work required for this project. This is the debut of a series, with a basket with needlework accessories coming in the future. “Attic of Dreams” was created just for us and our workshop events. Jackie says she had such a wonderful time the last time she taught for us that she wanted to give back ~ and the one way she could do that was to create a special sampler piece. And because she cannot help herself, the sampler grew into being part of a collection. I am honored to have a special Attic project from Jackie!


THE ATTIC!

Saturday: Jackie’s Un-Played Piano

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“The Un-Played Piano,” a three-dimensional etui constructed into the shape of an upright piano, is stitched on 32ct linen with silk and hand-dyed silk flowers. The entire top section of the piano folds back to reveal a functional silk interior, created to hold and store your treasured tools. Once the piano is opened, two storage sections can be found, one with a pageable Scrimshaw piano key bar for a tiny laying tool, bodkin or buttonhook and the second for a removable storage tool tray. Jackie recommends you bring your favorite tools to class so that we can customize your removable tray to fit your tools and etui. The upright piano’s front panel has two spiral trellis stitch medallions that are adapted to function as magnets to temporarily hold tiny needle or pin. Tiny brass-colored brads are used as decoration and as stoppers so that the etui balances open without toppling over. Jackie used a vintage vegetable ivory button for her model, but she will not be able to supply these buttons and will substitute with a reproduction mother-of-pearl shank button. (If you would like to hunt for a look-alike, it should be a 1/4" shank in a rust/wine color). Your kit will include all the supplies to stitch and assemble the “UnPlayed Piano” as well as the scrimshaw treat seen attached to the interior of the bodkin storage area. Pre-work will be available ~ prestitching materials available in mid-August. Optional items: The tiny etui scissors and Scrimshaw sheet music thread winder will be available for purchase. I LOVE this etui ... perhaps because I once played the piano, but it is now unplayed!


THE ATTIC!

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Jackie’s Ebony and Ivory, Sunday’s Workshop

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“Ebony and Ivory” started as just a needlebook. Jackie says, “A friend of mine gave me a tiny Shaker needlebook, and I wanted to re-create the poplar wood and ribbon weaving. So I spent many hours looking and playing and finally found a guitar guy who does inlay work to cut bone for me and this is what I used in the back of the needlebook.” Stitched on 34ct Devonshire cream linen with Sosilk. Ebony and Ivory

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“After the needlebook was doneW I needed something to hold the needlebook so I aiti created the necessaire.”

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This is a big project so it is broken up, for bothttime Onand cost considerations. Our workshop will include the needlebook, necessaire withly fob, ! and laying tool holder. The ort and carrier will be an optional kit ($75) to order. Silks used are Silk Bella, Au Ver A’Soie and silk ribbons. The buttons seen in the piece are also made in class, tiny Dorset style buttons. Pre-work will be available ~ pre-stitching materials available in mid-August. Stunning black and white set!

“Ebony and Ivory” is all silk - ribbon, fibers, fabric. Jackie says, “I loved the check fabric so much that I used a check edging stitch seen in one of the pictures to mimic the check fabric. To add the different layers of color using only black and creme, I added ribbons and fabric behind areas. The tiny fob, as check fabric lining the eyelet stitches, creating a windowpane effect. I really like this piece but it is a nightmare to kit and so expensive...I do not know if I will ever teach it again.”


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Jackie’s Monday Workshop: Secret Garden Necessaire

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See the sweet little watering-can pincushion!

Inspired by the lush and peaceful 16th and 17th century gardens, using contemporary embroidery techniques, each student will create a practical necessaire. The "Secret Garden Necessaire" stores flat into a hand/ pocket-sized case with strap closure. A variety of silk fibers will bring the garden to life using a multitude of stitches creating paths, hedges and spectacular flowerbeds. The entire necessaire is bordered with an exquisite brick wall teaming with vines. These four brick walls stand upright once the necessaire is opened to reveal the secret garden interior. The secret garden interior will showcase flowerbeds, hedges, maybe a fountain or more to tuck and stow your needlework tools. This class will focus on all stitches and hand finishing techniques. Kit is complete with stitching and finishing supplies, including color instructions and graphs and detailed color pictures of stitches and finishing steps.

Jackie is particularly proud of this piece, and she says it is especially dear to her because she created it while her Mom was sick and finished it after she passed. There is so much silk in this kit. There are two folding walls to hold tools; the two smaller walls are finished as pockets and attach to one another to create the secret garden box. Each of the flower beds are functional ~ they either hold tools or needles as a needlebook. The fountain is stitched with detached buttonhole and opens to store buttons as a pouch. The back panel is stitched too and attaches to the front creating a secret storage area as well.

Students should bring: magnification and additional light, if needed, notebook and pencil, and general stitching and finishing supplies, such as pins, needles, shears. Also bring a Q-snap and or frame for a 8" x 8" cut. Included in this kit will be a tiny watering can pincushion, the supplies to create the topiary, and the ribbon vine scissor embellishment. Every “Secret Garden” needs a secret treat ~ and that will be handed out in class.


THE ATTIC!

“Ann Bowers” Our 2013 Attic Stitch-Along The verses on “Ann Bowers” Arise Awake Your Lamps to Take And Do No Longer Slumber You Must Then Trim To Waite on Him Unto His Wedding Chamber * Ann Bowers Her Sampler Made In The 13 Year of Her Age * * W X Y Z

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Paule’s just-finished “Ann Bowers” ~ stunning!

Love Thou The Lord And He Will Be A Tender Father Unto The WXY

August’s stitching: Below, the upper-case alphabet in Algerian eyelet, dividing band also in Algerian eye, and the verse worked in cross stitch over one.

Below and other photos on this page are of Paule’s beautiful Ann. Here’s what Paule said in her email forwarding me these photos: I'm very proud to show you my Ann Bowers finished yesterday. She is absolutely beautiful, and I had so many good times stitching the bottom part (I love special stitches!). Joanne Harvey's work is incredible, and I can't be grateful enough for the pleasure she gives to all stitchers.

I know we all share in Paule’s gratitude to Joanne.

Joanne provides the following information in the kit: “Ann Bowers was born in Newport on June 18th, 1734. She was the daughter of Jonathan Bowers, a builder of boats, and Mary Boss. We know that the family were members of the Quaker Society of Friends in Newport. Perhaps due to the economic devastation experienced in Newport during the American Revolution and the death of her father, Ann and her mother moved to Swansey, Massachusetts in 1780. We have no further genealogical information to glean on the remainder of Ann’s life.” Stitches used in this piece are cross stitch over two threads, cross stitch One over wonders one thread, satin stitch, Algerian eye, and queen how back proud stitch, Ann would be of her beautiful stitch. On 35c linen, sampler size is 9 3/4 x 21 1/2; on 40c linen, 8 1/2 x 18 3/4. sampler if she knew how many needleworkers around the

The kit is available on 35c linen with DMC ($80) or 35c or 40c linen with I’m stitching witha silk onfrom 40c.the worldsilkare($150). reproducing her work.mine Above, group

It’s never too late to join us on this Stitch-Along journey to reproduce Ann Bowers’ beautiful sampler. Let us know which linen and thread you would like ~ we currently have kits in stock.


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Pre-Market News

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Above, Alma/Blackbird Designs presented these sneak peeks on her blog last week: “Away We Ride” ~ “Sisters” ~ “Midnight Ride” ~ and a note that they will have 2 exclusive market kits! Oh, my heart still skips a beat at the excitement of going to market, even after two decades plus!

Right, from Threadwork Primitives, “Beggar’s Night” $10

From Vickie & Mae gan/ NeedleWorkPress, YES! ... a 2014 Book of Days, a limited-edition monthat-a-glance calendar $12 that features two antique charts, clever and sometimes poignant sayings, and vintage artwork! And a new microfiber cloth! Both of these have price points that make them perfect for the upcoming gift-giving season. Reserve yours now!


THE ATTIC!

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More Great Things Coming at the Market! All of you blog readers out there keep me informed on what’s showing! These were shown on the designers’ blogs this week.

Clockwise from above: From Paulette/Plum Street Samplers, “A Lady’s Trimkeep & Companion” (the Trimkeep was Paulette’s class at our 2012 Sampler Symposium) ~ “1837 Crown Sampler” (I love this one!) ~ “A Yuletide Welcome” that was first taught at last year’s Shepherd’s Bush retreat ~ and there will be more from Paulette at St. Charles! We’re so excited she’ll be at the market!

Clockwise from above: From Linda/Chessie ‘n Me, “Bubble, Bubble Toil & Trouble” ~ “Noel House” ~ “Janet Reid 1835 Sampler” ~ “Thoughts of Christmas” ~ and “Shepherd’s Christmas” (I loved Linda D’s message in her email yesterday ordering this: Please bring home plenty of Chessie and Me's "Shepherds Christmas." I have been waiting for this to be available for over a year! I just saw on her blog it will be at market! I love the verse on this!!


THE ATTIC!

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Also on Its Way to Our Attic

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“Verity Fairfield Sampler & Pinpillow” by Beehive Needleworks

2 from AuryTM Designs: left, “12 Days of Christmas Part 3” and, above, “My Secret Garden”

“Mary McGinn” $12 from Homespun Samplar

“Pocket Full of Dreams” $10 from Heartstring Samplery

2 by From the Heart: “Fall” and “Psalm 23 Sampler” both $8


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More on Its Way to Our Attic

4 from Notforgotten Farm, “Oldwick Burying Ground” ~ “Reverend Gourdon Squashbottom” ~ “Widow’s Weeds” (I LOVE this one, especially the verse: “To the Memory of me Beloved Who Past Away To Soon on the 13 day of June and I shall Wear my Widows Weeds until We MEET again” ~ and “Weep Not,” each $10

Co mi ng Sep tem ber: i n e No arl tf Au y Need o r g o t lewo t e n tumn a rk P Your t Far ro m: Lor Hands jects to War i Br a nd ech m Hea lin. rt b y

Right, 2 from Pineberry Lane: “Teapot Marking Sampler” 102w x 99h, $12 and “Mary Ann Suckling 1846” 170w x 180h, $16


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And More Wonderful Things Coming

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ScissorTail Designs’ “Holly Tree” $8.50 ScissorTail Designs’ “Christmas Trio” $8.50

ScissorTail Designs’ “Autumn Trio” $8.50

Available at the Market, New from C Street Samplerworks

Above, “Ann Leech Sampler” with its wonderful verse from Pilgrim’s Song, an early Methodist hymn ~ read more about this sampler and the verse on the designer’s blog ~ “God Bless My LNS” ~ and “Evergreen Friendship”


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Coming from Lizzie Kate

“Hoot” $22, another St. Charles Market debut, a kit with 30c Northern Cross natural linen, embellishments, and the pattern for the front + back of the biscornu + the bonus fob pattern.

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“Forget Me Not”

Country Stitches/With Thy Needle & Thread “Forget Me Not” kit ($34) will be available to attendees at the St. Charles Needlework Market this weekend ~ we have reservations for dozens already, so don’t be disappointed! Reserve yours now. The kit will include Weeks Dye Works flosses, 35c Northern Cross linen, 28 tapestry needle, pattern, and the instructions if you would like to "age" your fabric as she has done in the photo. The kit is packaged in a cute little pillow package. (image below) The design size is 7 1/2" x 5 3/4". Another peek at this lovely Lizzie Kate mystery sampler! HOLLY & HEARTS MYSTERY SAMPLER

Lizzie Kate’s “Holly & Hearts Mystery Sampler” will be an autumn stitching project, with 3 parts presented in September, October and November. Don't worry, the project isn't huge, but a very satisfying size of 227W x 97H. It's just large enough to fill a perfect spot in your yearly Christmas decor but manageable enough to finish before you're overtaken with holiday busyness! Here are the details: * Design is presented in 3 separate parts, one each in early September, October and November * The model is stitched on lovely 28c Doubloon linen. The fabric is also available in 32c, 36c & 40c! Aida stitchers, don't despair! 14c and 16c Doubloon Aida is also available. * There is a thread pack available with 12 skeins of Weeks Dye Works overdyed floss. There are multiples in this design, so we encourage you to purchase the convenient thread pack. OR our silk conversion! * First shipment in early September includes Part 1 chart with thread key and stitch guide. (Be sure to save these, as they won't be repeated in the next 2 parts.) You can also get fabric and thread packs at this time. * Second shipment in early October includes Part 2 chart AND a BONUS holiday design. There’ll be more about the bonus design in the future, but Linda/Lizzie Kate says it’s a really sweet Christmas piece, perfect for framing, small pillow or box. *Third shipment in early November includes Part 3 chart and embellishments for the Holly & Hearts Mystery Sampler, as well as the bonus design.


THE ATTIC!

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Coming at Market from Cherished Stitches

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My, oh, my, Louise has been busy! Clockwise from above left: “A Quaker Family Tree” ~ a LimitedEdition kit, “Happy Jack Tuffet” ~ “Shadows of Halloween” ~ another Limited-Edition kit, “Autumn Whimsies” ~ & “ ‘Tis Time” And the row across the bottom from the left, the three newest in her beautiful Fairest Flowers Series: July (Lily) ~ August (Anemone) ~ and September (Thistle)


THE ATTIC!

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Coming to Our Attic Next Week

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Above, from Kelmscott Designs, a beautiful Pansies Needleminder $9.50 (I love pansies, but then I’ve rarely met a flower I don’t love) and 8th in this Quaker Wooden Kit Series, each including the chart + wooden octagon, $10 Right, from Acorn House Designs, “Li’l Keepier” $9, a bat pincushion! No cross-stitch needed, just some back-stitching to make a great seasonal needlework accessory! And “Poinsettia” is a handmade clay piece to be affixed to the ornament Susan designed for the Just CrossStitch ornament issue, due to arrive in the second or third week of September.

From Caroline House, “Spot On!” $10

From Wendy KC Designs, “Sit a while and Stitch with Me” $14, smalls and a box top for a Hobby Lobby box, Item 646059

Above, from Samplers Not Forgotten, a stunning reproduction sampler, 316w x 341h, “Elizabeth Lamb 1837” $24 ~ LOVE the bird, the red house, the red everywhere & the animals lounging on the lawn!

Two from The Primitive Jewel: Above, “Raven Moon Necklace Kit” $10, another in this fabulous series, this one stitched on 30c Weeks Havana (I have this on back order and I hope it comes!)

Left, “The Needlegirl” $7, an adorable miniature needlework, perfect for gifting or for your own sewing basket!


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Sampler Sunday’s Show & Share

Adria’s “Mary Woods” from Milady’s Needle

Gloria’s version of Blackbird’s design that originally said “Sewing mends the soul” and is from their book, A Schoolgirl’s Work $27

Above, Carolyn’s “Summer Silhouette Kitty Bugg Ride” from Handblessings and, below, her fob from The Scarlett House’s Summer School project held the first weekend in August.

Reproduction coming from Linda/Samplers Remembered, ~ she was so excited to begin stitching this reproduction (she’s doing it on the 50c) that she’s stitching it directly from the original before charting!


THE ATTIC!

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More from Sampler Sunday’s Show & Share

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Jean C’s start on “Ann Bowers” from The Examplarery

B e r n i c e ’s “ U n d e r t h e Wi l l ow ” needlebook & matching beaded fob from Fern Ridge ~ Rovaris’s charming “initial” kit that, of course, includes the whole alphabet ~ and Rovaris’s charming bracelet kit

Evelyn’s “Christmas at Hollyberry Farm” from Stacy Nash

Linda L’s “Sampler aux Bouquet” from Jardine Privé

Mer rilee’s “Slee py Hollow” from Glendon Place


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And More of Sampler Sunday’s Show & Share

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June’s “Needleworker” from Little House Needleworks ~ on 32c Right, Janet’s “Needleworker” from Little House Needleworks ~ on 40c and, below, Tamami’s

Right, Angelica’s “Sweet Adeline” from Gigi and, below, her “Margaret Brown” from Gloria/Milady’s Needle Left, Molly’s “And They Sinned” from Examplar Dames and, below, her “Rachel Howells” from Tanya/The Scarlett House


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And Even More from Sampler Sunday’s Show & Share

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Betsy’s “Elizabeth Sheffield” from The Scarlet Letter using overdyed silks

Tamami’s completed “Isabella Fox” from Gigi

Janet’s “Elizabeth Sheffield” from The Scarlet Letter on 40c with overdyed silks

Left, Lynne’s Summer School project from Linda/Needlemade Designs, finished as a lovely scissors case and, below, “Welcome” by Emie/Cross N Patch

Tamami’s “Elizabeth Sheffield” from The Scarlet Letter on 40c with AVAS


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From Chiara’s Needle

The Sweetheart Tree’s “Noel Quadrielle,” Chiara’s first linen project!

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The Sweetheart Tree’s “Holly & Hearts Sampler” ~ beautiful execution and photography!

From Deb’s Needle From Carolyn’s Needle

Carolyn chose this charming Acorn House design to try out the new 50c ~ EXCEPT she didn’t realize until after she was well into it that the words are charted over one! It turned out beautifully, and when you see it in person, it looks like the words are woven into the linen! Beautiful! Carolyn says never again! I hope she means never again over-one-on 50! Tempting Tangles’ “Coffee Compendium”


THE ATTIC!

Here’s another completed project from our Summer School weekend in early August: Carolyn’s beautifully finished huswife, a project from Vickie & Maegan/NeedleWorkPress as well as charted inserts from each of the other faculty members for the weekend. Each at t e n d e e re c e i ve d h u s w i f e fi n i s h i n g instructions as well as the six charted inserts from the faculty ~ and in the fabric exchange many of us went home with some fabulous fabrics to make several huswifes! Carolyn was obviously inspired after the weekend, one of our goals for everyone, and her addition of the lace and ribbon inserts and the buttons just makes this finish even more wonderful!

The Epilogue

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Here’s a sneak peek at our September Sampler of the Month ~ I loved it from the moment I first saw it! Oh, so many samplers, so little time ~ but some just have to be stitched, no matter how short the time!

Coming from Brenda Gervais/With Thy Needle & Thread at St. Charles!

Sneak peeks of four fabulous new patterns being released this weekend from the very popular designer, Brenda Gervais. We can’t wait to see these in person and bring them back for you!
