THE ATTIC. November s Sampler of the Month from Samplers Remembered Mexican School Girl Practice c1830

Transcription

1 Where Samplers Rule Just 15 minutes from the Airport at the NE CORNER OF CENTER & MCKELLIPS 106 E. McKellips Rd, Suite 111 Mesa, AZ TELEPHONE (480) FACSIMILE (480) THE ATTIC 2011 November 18 Issue No November s Sampler of the Month from Samplers Remembered Mexican School Girl Practice c1830 Left, Mexican School Girl Practice c1830 ~ and as our Sampler of the Month, save 15% by purchasing 2 of the 3 parts during October: chart $15 Lakeside Linen (40c cut w/2 margins is $28) Silk: Combo of Au Ver A Soie s Soie d Alger, Caron Waterlilies, Dinky Dyes, and NPI $ Below, Linda s circa 1830 antique which inspired her to recreate this Mexican sampler for sampler stitchers of today. Linda has provided several pages of interesting commentary on this sampler from her collection which you will enjoy reading as you stitch this beautiful and colorful sampler, but the most interesting information to me is what she says about the writing in the upper left-hand corner: There is a rather unusual message worked in the upper left-hand corner, SIESTEDECHADOSEPERDIERECO. The translation means If this sampler (dechado) is lost return to and ends there. Maybe the stitcher was trying to think of just the right person to inherit her work and would complete the message later. She must have treasured her sampler and wanted it to be kept safe... it is treasured and safe with me! She has stitched the name Antonio but it isn t connected to the message and is stitched using a different color so I m not sure Antonio was to be the chosen one to take care of her dechado or not. We re so fortunate this dechado found its way to Linda!

2 THE ATTIC! PAGE 2 January 2012 November As a member of our Attic Addicts Club, during November you may save 15% on your purchase of the following: All Samplers Remembered charts AVAS, Waterlilies, Dinky Dyes & NPI Silk Threads All Hand-Dyed Linens, custom cuts December Saturday, December 3, 10:30-12:30, Beginning Linen with Linda s Tulip needlebook design as the class project. The $30 fee includes Linda s expert instruction as well as the chart + materials for this very useful learning project. Saturday, December 17, 1-4 PM, Our Annual Kris Kringle Party. Special Holiday sweet treats and the Attic s famous fruit punch + ornament exchange for those wishing to participate. Sampler Symposium Celebrating Arizona s Centennial January 13-15, Friday evening through Sunday noon, with optional add-on class ~ Preliminary details with more to come as soon as possible. I am thrilled to present our faculty: *Vickie Jennett of NeedleWorkPress, presenting a project based on a sampler in her collection with interesting Arizona history. *Paulette Stewart of Plum Street Samplers, designing a special sampler for this event that s a companion piece of sorts to her beloved Paradise Lost + a small accessory item. *Tracy Riffle of Hands to Work, presenting a special project with a box, a pincushion, and a tiny sampler to go with ~ we were so excited that Tracy, absent from our industry for a time, said yes! *Darlene Anderson, presenting a slideshow on Adam & Eve Samplers, as well as her stunning array of sampler-based ornaments. *Catherine Theron of Theron Traditions presenting a beautiful sewing accessory AND an optional add-on class on Sunday afternoon and Monday for her stunning Peaceable Kingdom Sampler. 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 time-tested recipes as well as complimentary designs from 11 designers. November 19, 6-8 PM, Our 14th Annual BCRF Benefit, with all proceeds benefitting breast cancer research. See Page 3 Silent Auction to Benefit BCRF I m p l e a s e d t o November 2012 announce the dates for o u r M e r r y C o x Workshop weekend: Thursday through Sunday, November 8-11, we look forward to welcoming you to a special 4-day weekend of workshops with Merry Cox, when she will teach Le Nouveau Palais Royal twice, Sweet Little Blossoms, Souvenir Book, and another project to be announced. No further information is available at this time. Prices and specific days and times will be announced within the next six weeks. This year the Silent Auction will be held at a new location, the Gathering Place, 1837 West Guadalupe Rd., Mesa, formerly known as Abbey Gardens Teahouse. It s conveniently located a mile east of Loop 101 on Guadalupe Road. Final bidding (with wonderful hors d'oeuvres and refreshments) from 6-8 pm on Saturday night, November 19. Bidding closes promptly at 8 pm. Mark your calendars now and plan to be with us for our 14th Annual BCRF Benefit ~ help us reach our goal of +$23,600 for breast cancer research!

3 THE ATTIC! PAGE 3 Isn t her sampler stunning? I wish I d stitched this. It seems so doable on a monthly basis. Here s what Paula says for November: Here we are in November and this lovely piece is almost done it has been great to have a bit of variety each month, yet to be able to look at this piece and see what I ve stitched these past months forming an almost complete sampler. This month, the row to stitch is a variety of motifs using a number of the colours from the rows above and while nothing repetitive for traveling stitching, I found the motifs worked up fairly fast. Next month I will show you the piece, finished and framed! Spanish Mystery Sampler Stitch-Along with Paula La-D-Da s Margaret Cottam Above, La-D-Da s reproduction of Margaret Cottam s 1806 sampler stitched when Margaret was just 9. Left, the time-worn original sampler that Lori used as her inspiration for this project. Charted for Weeks cotton overdyes on Weeks 30c linen, we also offer a conversion to silk overdyes on Lakeside linen in varying counts. We all love so much the hand-dyed products available to us today. One of the defugilties the dyers regularly deal with is when the dye product comes to them altered in some way that changes their final product. That has happened with one of the colors we chose in our conversion. A substitute has been made and we re on our way! I d intended to get a bit of Part 1 stitched with the silks on 40c Lakeside but my schedule the past week or so hasn t allowed for it. Stay tuned! Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: ATTIC ( )

4 THE ATTIC! PAGE 4 On Its Way to Us Now and will be here in plenty of time for gift-giving: We ve ordered the book in both hardcover ($60 N.D.) and softcover ($30 ND), depending on your preference. The book explores schoolgirl needlework of the Connecticut River Valley, and identifies distinctive styles developed by teachers and students at schools throughout the valley from Connecticut and Massachusetts to Vermont and New Hampshire. The book presents a stunning group of schoolgirl embroideries in the form of canvaswork pictures, samplers, memorials, and silk pictures as well as watercolors. Here Now But Flying Out the Door This is all that remains of the dozens and dozens of project bags from Crated Heirlooms. We ll be selecting more fabrics to have our stock replenished, but this is it at the moment. Each one unique, no two alike, these Attic-exclusive bags beautifully made from French General/Moda fabric have gone home, often in multiples, with our shoppers. And at $28, they are great for gifting as well!

5 THE ATTIC! PAGE 5 New in Our Attic Left, I LOVE THIS ~ a new sampler from Brenda Keyes /The Sampler Company s Birds Sampler $19, an exuberant and joyful celebration of birds. Charted for DMC, below is our conversion to overdyed silks and our linen choice. I m reminded of a wonderful this past week that made me smile: Jean you have changed my stitching life. I ve been stitching since about 1974, have stitched many samplers on 25ct, 28ct with DMC. I ve started 3 different samplers today and stopped. Can t make myself stitch with DMC or larger than 36 or 40 count... so I will be calling on you to send new supplies. Martha To which I replied with a confession that I am a silk snob and proud of it! It just seems wrong to stitch samplers in anything but silk, the fiber of choice in so many of the beautiful antiques that Right, 13 (or 14 if you don t want to use the light and dark shades of the red on the far right) silks in beautiful rich colors ($80 or $87.50 for 2 skeins in the reddish tones) shown on 2 linen choices, the one with more mottling, the other with very subtle shades of lavender mottling. On 40c, plus or minus $14 depending on linen choice and margins. We wish somehow we could show you a better color representation ~ both linens have pale green tones, and I m not sure that s apparent at all through the camera's eye.

6 THE ATTIC! PAGE 6 More of What s New Clockwise from above, 2 from Long Dog Samplers: Bhyr Oeeze $14 (262 x 262) and Paws and Claws $12 (183 x 214 as shown on Julia s Web site but not in the chart) ~ both samplers are charted for DMC and, for Paws, also in Gentle Art Sampler Threads. Please let us know if you d like to stitch these in silk, and we will make it happen for you! New Christmas Pins $18 ~ 2 from Dessins DHC/Les broderies d Artemis, Octagonal Red Box $21 and Red Lace Accessories $19 Right, from Dessins DHC Stitcher s Xmas $21, a Christmas ball for your pins, stocking for your scissors & hat for your needles! Below, from Butterly Couture, new Christmas pins, 6 in the set, $18

7 THE ATTIC! PAGE 7 More New in Our Attic Clockwise from above: 3 from The Victoria Sampler: In the Beautiful Finishing Series with techniques from Lisa Archer, these Thea Dueck designs, Christmas Crackers $59 w/accessory pack; $19 chart only, include finishing instructions for 4 tiny needlerolls ~ Cathe Jean s new Tartlet Ornaments, Woodland Babies $11 (tartlet tins are available in a 4-pack for $11); Cathe Jean s adorable Winter Squirrel design is in the 2011 JCS Christmas Ornaments issue ~ Noel Biscornu with Matching Scissors Fob $35 w/accessory pack; $12 chart, an elegant Christmas15-sided biscornu and fob with a no-cut design, embellished with small Rhodes hearts in rich red silk, beads & metallic silver. Far left, Warm Hands $16 kit includes everything needed to make these 6 felt ornaments (except the time), perhaps the best buy in the shop! And, left, a sweet organza lavender-filled bag with a loving message, a quick finish for a gift of lavender, perfect at any time of the year ~ who doesn t love lavender? Kind Friend gift with everything, including the 32c linen + a cone of lavender, $21 Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: ATTIC ( )

8 THE ATTIC! PAGE 8 New in Our Attic from Scholehouse for the Needle We rarely stock kits, except when they are made with exquisite materials that, when kitted, make it so convenient to sit down and complete a wonderful projet. Left and above, Scholehouse for the Needle kits, each one complete with the finest materials available, including Soie Perlee, Soie d Alger, Gilt Sylke Twist, Tambour #7 Gold, gold pailettes where shown, linen and Bohin Chenille & Tapestry needles: Strawe Berrie Illusions $44 features a unique construction/finishing technique for a fob that can be used on scissors, a basket, or as an ornament ~ Thimble Berrie Jewels $42 and Strawe Berrie Jewele $42, both inspired by early 17th century designs. What a great project that features several intermediate needlework techniques found on the Plimoth Jacket that served as the touchstone for the recent Winterthur seminar. Left, Rabbit Burrowe $18 celebrates the Chinese Year of the Rabbit with this charming case to hold your leaping rabbit mother-ofpearl thread winders and contains two cushions for your needles and pins. The project is worked in tent stitch over one linen thread. Right, Rabbit Pin Keepe $15 is a companion to the Rabbit Burrowe and includes a rabbit adapted from 17th century designs and can be personalized on the back. It has a felted wool center to keep your pins from tarnishing. Tent stitch used throughout. Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: ATTIC ( )

9 THE ATTIC! PAGE 9 More New in Our Attic Left, also from Scholehouse for the Needle, Cornelia Ogden (196 x 292) $15 is an authorized reproduction from a private collection. Stitched in the late 1700s, it is a queen-stitch lover s delight. In addition, there is an Algerian Eye band, multiple cross-stitch patterns, and a verse with interesting research about it as well as about Cornelia. Be Thine The Generous Heart that Borrows From Others Joy A Friendly Glow And For Each Hapless Neighbours Sorrow Throbs With a Simpa thetic Woe Also included are several suggestions about the missing numbers. Below, Debra s start on this very charming sampler Right, from a perennial favorite, The Cricket Collection, 2 very charming seasonal designs, Sugar Cookies and Christmas $8 each. These, to me, cry out for some fun JABCO buttons. Button prices vary depending on size.

10 THE ATTIC! PAGE 10 New Releases Just Announced by Kelmscott Designs Wonderful new things... just in time for gifting! Clockwise from above left: Heart in Hand Needleminder $9.50 displaying a symbol close in heart to the needlework community ~ School of Fish mother-of-pearl buttons, package of 10 $6 ~ Mon Petite Eiffel Tower Scissors $11.50, available in 2 finishes, the primitive and the silver, measuring a petite (as the name suggests) 2.75 ~ and from Susan/Acorn House Designs, 3 adorable Pretty Easy Gift Bag designs. Each bag finished measures 5 x 5 x 2 with 32c linen and included in the chartpack are Susan s clay pieces, each one perfect for the bag it decorates. The bag designs are Christmas Tree $15, Gingerbread Men $14, and Holly $14. Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: ATTIC ( )

11 THE ATTIC! PAGE 11 Clockwise from above: Another beautiful sampler from Carolina House Designs, Feathers in the Wind $15 (204 x 255) with a lovely verse: Like feathers in the wind the words we say take flight, Not to be gathered in again but scattered far and wide. And 2 from Nikyscreations: Sampler Symbols $8, shown on a sampler bag with a tiny hanging tag but also perfect for a framed piece ~ and Christmas Bells $8, each one a quick-to-stitch primitive look and finish. I love the deer!

12 THE ATTIC! PAGE 12 Clockwise from above: 2 from Paulette/Plum Street Samplers: A Colonial Garden $9.50, model stitched on 36c Lakeside Black Forest (and if you re not wanting to do this on a dark fabric, Paulette provides a colorway on 36c Examplar); both are in NPI silks and Sergei $9, a new bird friend for Olga and Boris, two earlier designs from Paulette ~ Wendy KC Designs Winter Heart Pocket $10, a beautiful hardanger heart ~ Island Cottage Needleworks amazing (amazing for several reasons, not the least of which is the price point) Noel Deere 1683 $9.50, and the chartpack includes the hand-dyed red wool and backing fabric. I LOVE this one, no doubt because it s red and has deer! And next, a SNEAK PEEK at what s to come in 2012 from Joni, a hand-dyed wool book project with pages of gorgeous hand-dyed wool, each 5 x 7 inches, and once they re all stitched and bound together with silk ribbon, you will have your own version of A Schoolgirl s Book of Needle Worke. Each month for $9.50 you will receive 2 charts for the front and back of each woolie page, each design stitched on 36c Lakeside linen with Belle Soie silks. OOOH, I can t wait to see the model in Nashville!

13 THE ATTIC! PAGE 13 Here s What Our Customers Are Stitching Above, Diane s Black Hollow Sampler $14 from Stacy Nash Primitives ~ Carol s Expression of Gratitude $11 from Blue Ribbon Designs ~ Evie s My Home Town $18 from Carriage House Samplings Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: ATTIC ( )

14 THE ATTIC! PAGE 14 More From Our Customers Needles Clockwise from above: Evie s Thirsty Hart $12 from Heartstring Samplery ~ Evelyn s Christmas Quaker II $18 from ByGone Stitches ~ Janet s Emblem of Friendship from Blackbird s Tokens of Friendship $18 ~ Katie s Bringing Home the Tree from Pineberry Lane $10

15 THE ATTIC! PAGE 15 A fabulous weekend of workshops with Jackie du Plessis is now just a memory for us, but as you can see from the project photos left and below, there are many more beautiful projects to covet ~ and we look forward to welcoming Jackie back soon when her schedule allows. In the meantime, we are making plans to teach the Jackie class shown at the left in 2012.

16 THE ATTIC! PAGE 16 Family! John all dressed up for the Marine Corps Birthday luncheon ~ grandson Tyler s title game (they came in 2nd!) ~ brother Mike, his wife Deb, and my grand niece Imogen (yes, we start them young as Packer fans) ~ niece Katie and Bill It s been a very busy past few weeks with Wisconsin family visiting, fantastic Jackie workshops, Tyler s football title game, and more! Life is good ~ just too busy sometimes! No time to be bored ~ or to sit and contemplate ~ or stitch ~ but John did find me catching a quiet moment in our front parlor ~ with my ipad!

17 THE ATTIC! PAGE 17 We also bid a fond farewell to beautiful needlewoman Ardeth as she prepared to move to the Northwest to be close to her children and grandchildren. We all understand that! But we will surely miss her and her beautiful needlework. Here she s holding the last piece she finished in time to have Sandy frame it. And, finally, I am so grateful to have Barbara in my life, for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that she regularly shares interesting sampler/needleworkrelated treasures that somehow find their way to her in her wonderful network that she has. This past week she sent me an (with the subject 1939 Girl Scouts prize-winning samplers): I came across this morning and thought you would enjoy the photograph. And then, after I followed the link and thanked her for sending it, this: I am glad you enjoyed the Girl Scout samplers photo. I have fond memories of the Girl Scouts. I actually hated my first Girl Scout stamped cross stitch sampler. :-) It looked messy, so I turned the linen over and stitched the sampler in a counted method on the reverse. I told my little 6-year-old self that I would never do another cross stitch. Funny that. I became a GS leader for my daughter Jessica's troop and taught them sewing & craft skills in a more enjoyable way. And we are all so grateful that she did do more cross stitches ~ because today we have Queenstown Sampler Designs! Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: ATTIC ( )