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THE ATTIC
2012 January 18
Issue No. 12-1
www.atticneedlework.com
January’s Sampler of the Month from The Scarlett Letter
“Tablet Sampler circa 1755”
I’ve always been intrigued by tablet samplers but never inspired to
stitch one before ~ until I saw the model of this one in person on my
visit to The Scarlet Letter last June. And ever since then, this one
has been haunting me, the stunningly beautiful floral border that I
simply couldn’t get out of my mind, and so I had to stitch it. I only
wish photographs could somehow capture the intense glory of the
silken flowers.
Here’s what Marsha Parker of The Scarlet Letter says about
this reproduction: The earliest tablet format samplers were created in England
during the first quarter of the eighteenth century. The inspiration for the design
was derived from the painted signboards often posted in English churches at that
period, displaying religious slogans and Biblical excerpts for the edification of the
literate members of the congregation. Many of these eighteenth century painted
boards still survive and are displayed in English parish churches. The form was
ultimately derived, of course, from Moses' Tablets, and on samplers the Ten
Commandments were often stitched within that surround, along with Biblical
verses. The exuberant, naturalistic, balanced border is reflective of canvaswork,
very popular at this time, and was possibly a pattern exercise to prepare the
unnamed sampler maker for the next logical step up in embroidery. On the original
sampler cross stitch is the primary mode of execution, with some embellishments of
stem, satin, double running, and petit point stitches. The emphasis on the printed
message, and the use of mainly cross stitch, indicate the sampler's gradual
evolution from the elaborate pattern and stitch records of the seventeenth century, to
the more literary and pictorial image that became increasingly popular later in the
eighteenth century. No longer was the purpose and emphasis of the sampler an
exercise in technique and patternmaking: it was becoming an educational tool for
budding housewives and artists.
On 40c linen the finished reproduction sampler measures
approximately 19 x 24.
As our SOM, save 15% by purchasing 2 of the 3 parts
during January (prices below are before the discount):
• chart $22
• Lakeside Linen (SH is needed ~ 40c $56; 36c $52)
• Silk ~ 3 options this time:
• AVAS (beautiful 7-ply French silk, Au Ver A’Soie) $146.20
• AVAS + 13 Florimell (Gloriana’s overdyed silk using
AVAS as its base) $181.30
• our Silk Combo using Belle Soie, Dinky Dyes, Florimell,
Gloriana Silk Floss, Gumnuts, and Thread Gatherer $218.75
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
The Scarlet Letter’s “Tablet Sampler”
PAGE
Clockwise from above: 3 photographs I took of Marsha’s model on our
June visit to The Scarlet Letter ~ and a photograph of my progress thus
far with the overdyed silks I’m using. The huge flower is in actuality a
little less red and a bit pinker than it shows below.
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
2
THE ATTIC!
As a member of our Attic Addicts Club, during
January you can save 15% on the following items:
January
PAGE
3
Tomorrow Night . . .
Scarlet Letter charts ~ All Silk Threads ~ Valentine’s/Heart designs
Sunday, January 22, 2 - 5 PM, Sampler Sunday Because of attending
the TNNA Tradeshow here in Phoenix this year, January’s SS will start an
hour later. Please don’t arrive early because there’ll be no one to open the
door for you. Please call to register; waiting list only at this point. Fee $10
Sunday, February 5, Super Bowl Sale,
11 - 3 PM Now that I don’t care who wins
this game ... we’ll have a bargain day like
none other here in our Attic to help us make room for the new
Nashville Market merchandise. Details in a subsequent newsletter.
You won’t want to miss this one!
February
Saturday, February 11, 10:30-12:30,
Beginning Linen This class is appropriate for
both beginning stitchers and those who would
like to refine their skills. This informative class
features Linda’s Tulip needlebook design as the
class project. The $30 fee includes expert
instruction + all project materials.
... come to the shop for a Meet ‘n Greet beginning at
6 p.m. with Tracy Horner/Ink Circles ~ meet
Tracy and see her newest designs, pictured here, in
person! It’s always better in real life! Also on display
will be models of several of her earlier designs from our
customers as well as “99,” Maegan’s favorite!
Saturday, February 18 - Semi-annual Framing Frenzy This is your
opportunity to save 20% on your custom framing order, including frame,
mat, and fillets, when you let Sandy use her expertise in selecting the
perfect frame to enhance your needlework. Give her your budget and your
likes and dislikes (“I don’t like gilded, but I love primitive”) and she will do
the rest. This discount does not apply to the framing labor charge nor to
readymade frames. All orders will be processed in the order received, and
orders with deadlines are ineligible for the FF discount.
March
Nashville Market, Febr uar y 25-26,
shopping, shopping, shopping, for the latest and
greatest in needlework just for you!
Saturday, March 3, Nashville Market Day This is our biggest
event of the year, and some of you travel from neighboring states
to be with us as we “take off the wraps” on all of the best that’s
new in our needlework world. Doors open at 9 AM for our Attic
Addict members and 10 AM for the general public. Don’t miss it!
Thursday, March 8 - Sunday, March 11, Junipine Retreat
This annual Attic event is always sold out, with previous year’s
attendees given priority, limited by the size of the facilities. Waiting
list available. $300 fee includes 2-bedroom creekhouse (shared with
3 others) for 3 nights + opening reception + door prizes.
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.
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
PAGE
4
Merry Cox November 2012
Merry Cox Workshop weekend,
Thursday-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
So Dear to Thy Heart (the 2011 Williamsburg piece). Following
Merry’s current teaching at another venue, workshop prices &
schedule will be announced, registration will open and deposits
taken, and kit preparations for pre-stitching will begin!
I appreciate your patience; please, no deposits taken until
prices are announced.
I know that many of you are
anxious to register and pay a
deposit. Thank you for your
patience until the prices and
schedule are published.
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
PAGE
5
Ann Dale 1827 - Big & Beautiful
Clockwise from above left: The chart photograph of “Ann Dale 1827 Big &
Beautiful” ($30) from Shakespeare’s Peddler ~ our conversion to all
overdyes ($221.75) ~ the silks as called out in the chart (NPI + Belle Soie
+ Gloriana, ($168.50) ~ the fabric suggested is Lakeside’s Vintage Pear,
and for both 40c ($56) and 36c ($52), it will require a full Stitcher’s Half.
(Please note, there was a linen price increase beginning January 1. Join
our SAL, purchase the entire project, and receive a 15% discount.
I was thrilled when Paula offered to again lead this Stitch-Along.
While I love this sampler, especially because of all the red touches,
I knew I’d have to enjoy it vicariously through Paula’s postings
(occasionally I am realistic about what I can stitch).
Paula’s January “writing” about her Ann Dale:
Welcome to the Ann Dale SAL! I knew instantly that I would want to
stitch this when I saw her. It will be much more time stitching Ann than last
year’s Spanish Mystery Sampler, but I have broken Ann Dale into 12 months
and it is doable. I am stitching mine on 40-count Vintage Pear by Lakeside
Linens and am using the overdyed silk conversion by Jean Lea.
For the January stitching, you will see I started with the middle tree in
the top row. When I looked at this sampler, I felt that this was a sampler that
I needed to start in the middle and after that, I would then count up and stitch
a good width of the 3 borders. I find this is a safer way to ensure that my
stitching is centered properly on the linen and again, like last year, I will be
stitching the borders as I move along so that the borders don’t become mundane.
The other great thing about stitching the trees first is that then, as I stitch the
borders, I have a reference to ensure that the borders and trees are matching up.
Here is Paula’s “January” portion ~ on the Vintage
Pear, a beauteous color that is so difficult to replicate in
photographs, especially for amateur photographers
like me. It is a lovely “ground” for the red in the
sampler, but if green is simply not your color, there are
other choices, for sure!
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
“Dorcas Haynes” from The Needle’s Prayse
PAGE
6
Left, Marianne’s beautiful finished “Dorcas
Haynes” reproduction by The Needle’s Prayse.
We have received many requests for the reproduction of this beautiful
sampler, currently housed in the Fitzwilliam Museum (my apologies for the
misprint in our last edition) ~ here’s a link to the Search page on their Web
site: http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/opac/search/search.html ~
simply type in “Dorcas Haynes” and it will take you to the antique.
While Darlene’s reproduction is not currently available for purchase,
this stunning and exquisite “Christmas sampler” (Darlene calls it that
because it is dated on the “25th Day of the Twelves Month”) has been
reproduced by The Scarlet Letter. The SL reproduction says “the colors
have been matched to the somewhat faded, soft tones visible on the front”
~ and therein lies the most obvious difference between the two
reproductions because Darlene used “the brilliant colors chosen by
Dorcas” from Darlene’s access to the back of the sampler during her visit
to the museum.
The photograph below shows the silks in Darlene’s reproduction in the
top row and those called out in the Scarlet Letter chart ($24) in the
bottom row. In the next several weeks, during the quiet times, I am going
to work on a silk conversion blending the two palettes and perhaps
incorporating some silk overdyes as well. If I’m successful, I’ll publish its
availability in a subsequent newsletter.
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
PAGE
7
More from the Very Talented Darlene O’Steen
Please note: Chart prices shown are plus or minus a dollar or two, considering
current printing costs; charts are available on an order basis at this time.
Clockwise from the upper left: “Pinkes Sampler”
$25 ~ “Spanish Sampler” $25 (one of my alltime favorites and, yes, I have it started) ~
“Marking Sampler” $11 ~ “Irish Stitch
Pincushion” $6 ~ “Diamond Pincushion” $6
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
The Needle’s Prayse Continued
PAGE
8
Clockwise from upper left: “A Colonial Huswif ” $28
~ “The General’s Huswif ” $28 ~ “Patchwork” $7
~ “Heart & Home Sampler” $12
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
PAGE
More of Darlene’s Beautiful Designs
9
Clockwise from the left:
Outside and
inside of “Sailor’s Huswif ” $28 ~ “Lily
Sampler” $13 ~ “English Garden
Sampler” $18 ~ “Grapevine Sampler”
$8 ~ “Gillyflower Pincushion” $7
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
PAGE
10
More from Darlene
Clockwise from the left:
“Daisy
Sampler” $8 ~ “In God We
Trust” $6 ~ “Carnation Sampler”
$8 ~ “Next Step Sampler” $8 ~
“Mary’s Sampler” $8
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
More of Darlene’s Samplers
PAGE
11
Clockwise from above: “His Name Shall Be”
$18 ~ “Lady Brittany’s Sampler” $14 ~
“Oak Tree” $8 ~ “Golden Acorn
Sampler” $16 ~ “Sampler of Stitches” $8
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
The Needle’s Prayse Continued
PAGE
12
Clockwise from the left: “Treasured
Friends Sampler” $8 ~ “Heart’s
Sampler” $12 ~ “Garden of Eden”
$11 ~ “Patrick’s Sampler” $15 ~
“Drawn Thread Sampler” $8
We are currently taking
order s for Darlene’s
samplers. Thank you for
your interest in the decades
of work of this renowned
needlewoman.
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
PAGE
13
New in Our Attic
New from Blackberry Lane Designs, a charming
receptacle for your thread clippings, with a
pincushion on its top to park your fun pins &
needles. The “landscape” fabric in the background
is also available for finishing the inside of your pail.
The 4-page chart + 2-page finishing instructions,
$16 ~ the ort pail, $5 ~ lining fabric with enough for
a pocket, $3, and without a pocket, $2
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
New from Blackbird Designs
PAGE
14
“Winter,” #3 in the current Loose Feathers Series,
has come and gone ~ with more on their way!
The colors called out in the chart are
duplicative of those used in Parts 1 and/or 2,
and so there’ll be no new silk conversion for
you on this one.
Clockwise from upper left: Front of the chart
and then the back of the chart showing the
extra projec ts ~ (love th e “ Evelin e
Cunningham” sampler with the deer ~ as well
as the “Winter’s Night Drum”) ~ and, left, the
3 parts shown stitched together! Beautiful
birds, aren’t they, and berries and borders and
florals! Well, it’s just all wonderful ~ but then
it’s from the Blackbird ladies, and we have
come to know that everything they design for
us is pretty wonderful!
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
PAGE
15
“A Schoolgirl’s Book of Needleworke” ~ each “monthly” page is $9.50
This amazing wool book from Island Cottage Needlearts
begins this month with the front page of the wool book, shown at
the left. Included in the chart pack:
* the woolie page in a custom hand-dyed wool color from Island
Cottage Needlearts (January’s wool color is Antique Pink
Rosey)
* the chart and a bit of information about the woolie book.
January's page is stitched on a 36-count Lakeside linen, and the
stitch count is 48w x 87h ~ the threads are Crescent Colours Belle
Soie: Poison Apple, Noir, Scarecrow, Chocolate and Crème de
Menthe.
Margaret Cottam Fully Revealed
Right, for those of you who waited to have the “mystery” revealed
before making a decision about stitching this beautiful La-D-Da
adaptation, here is Margaret Cottam’s entire sampler
reproduction/adaptation. (It was quite badly deteriorated along
the top, so that some if it had to be “surmised.”) It’s available in
3 parts, each $8. We, of course, did a conversion to silk overdyes,
using both Belle Soie and Dinky Dyes, $47 ~ and 40c Lakeside linen
cut with 2-inch margins is $14.
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
Our Customers Share!
PAGE
16
Clockwise from above: Neila’s “Holiest of Nights” from
Homespun Elegance stitched on 40c ~ Paula’s “Love
True” from Erica Michaels that Paula stitched on 40c
linen ~ Erica Michaels’ chart model stitched on 40c
silk gauze ~ Carolyn’s “Christmas Elegance” $13 from
Milady’s Needle that she had Linda finish as a glassed/
soldered pendant with beads ~ in the “side” shot you can
see the beveled glass (if you’re interested in having that
type of finish, call the shop and speak with Linda) ~
With Thy Needle & Thread’s “Word Play - January’s
Door Bells” that Diane stitched for her nephew’s January
birthday ~ Tedra’s “Joy to the World” $15 from
Heartstring Samplery, and the chart includes 2
designs other than this one, a great Seasonal trio!
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
Our Customers Share!
PAGE
17
Clockwise from the left: Felicia’s beautifully stitched “Ann Bowers Sampler”
from The Examplarery (special-order kit w/cotton floss approximately
$100) ~ Jean D’s stunning “Jane Rees” ($24) Bristol sampler reproduction
from The Scarlet Letter ~ Carol’s wintery and beautiful “Crystal
Reindeers” ($18 each reindeer w/crystal embellishments) and “Sleigh”
from Hinzeit, with the custom-painted frame from Sandy’s studio.
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
Happenings in Our Attic the Past 2 Weeks
PAGE
18
Monthly, the second Wednesday, a group of dedicated and funloving needlewomen meet to stitch and chat and share in our
classroom, and in January they kindly treat the Attic staff to a most
delicious salad bar that would make Sweet Tomatoes green with envy.
Thank you, Ladies, for treating us to the best lunch we have all year!
Our 2012 Sampler Symposium
Celebrating Arizona’s Centennial
Friday night began with Vickie Jennett of NeedleWorkPress presenting her interesting research on a sampler
in her collection with ties to Arizona history, (the sampler being from the family of the first mayor of Phoenix)
~ the reproduction is amazingly close in every regard to the original. Attendees received an autographed copy
of the reproduction chart as well as charts for several lovely derivative projects, all to be released at Nashville.
Vickie’s family has played an integral part in her passion for alphabets, samplers, and Arizona history, and she
cleverly introduced each one of them in the telling of her journey as a sampler enthusiast.
Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
More from Our 2012 Sampler Symposium
PAGE
19
Next, Darlene Anderson gave a PowerPoint
presentation featuring her collection of handmade
sampler ornaments. The breadth of her collection,
we found out on Saturday, was only the beginning
from this amazing needlewoman. She brought with
her over 5 dozen ornaments for us to drool over.
And then Paulette Stewart of Plum Street
Samplers presented her special workshop project,
“A Lady’s Trimkeep,” a beautifully presented
project with a kit that included everything needed to
make this very adorable accessory item. She also
gave each attendee an autographed copy of her
“Brother’s Keeper,” a fabulous 10-block design that
will also be released in Nashville. (She’s actually
holding the framed piece in the photo on the right,
but I can’t show it for a few more weeks!)
And THEN she gave everyone a complimentary
design commemorating the weekend!
And Heather came on Saturday
morning with her Trimkeep finished!
Saturday morning Darlene Anderson gave a
most interesting lecture on her research and a
PowerPoint presentation of her remarkable
Adam & Eve sampler collection.
Following her presentation, she held a most
amazing and remarkable door-prize give-away:
She gave away TEN hand-stitched Adam &
Eve smalls, all from her hand! Darlene is one of
the most generous needlewomen I’ve ever met,
both with her research and knowledge and
passion about Adam & Eve samplers as well as
with her needlework! Simply amazing!
(Photo of Darlene and the lucky winners on page 20.)
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
More from Our 2012 Sampler Symposium
PAGE
20
Saturday’s symposium favour was a
1.75” square ebony wood tape measure
in which John used his laser engraver to
“stitch” his first sampler that he
designed ~ he quipped with the ladies
that he stitched it over 1 on 0 count!
These are available for purchase in the
shop for $40. They come gift-packaged
in a cranberry organza bag.
After a morning break, Tracy Riffle of Hands to Work taught everyone how to
create a fine China teacup for their orts! Well, maybe it really wasn’t fine China!
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
More from Our 2012 Sampler Symposium
PAGE
21
After lunch on Saturday Tracy Riffle of Hands to Work presented her
Symposium Snowdrop box project with boxes made by an Amish woodman,
that Tracy outfitted with a lavender-stuffed pincushion. The “Snowdrop”
sampler can be either framed separately or fit into the larger part of the box.
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com
THE ATTIC!
More from Our 2012 Sampler Symposium
PAGE
22
Sunday’s favor was a personalized needlecase filled with everyone’s favorite needles, Bohin 28’s! John’s lathe and laser engraver were busy
making one for each of the attendees. Personalized needlecases, special order, $40.
Sunday mor ning Catherine
T heron/T heron Traditions
distributed the kits for her beautiful
“Stitcher’s Envelope” and we took
out our needles! Didn’t quite finish
all of the pieces, though :)
Before returning to New Jersey, it was time
for delicious Mexican food at Tia Rosa’s!
It seems like ages ago since I
took this photo ... of Hannah
on Christmas Day with her
Kindle. Her head buried in a
book warms the cockles of
her Grandpa John’s heart,
even though it’s a book in the
Twilight Series that she’s
reading. Just as long as she’s
reading, it makes him very
happy! And she just became
6th grade champion in a
District spelling bee!
The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com