where samplers rule the attic · the attic page8 2018 summer school our summer school faculty has...

Where Samplers Rule

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

THE ATTIC J u s t 1 5 m i n u t e s f r o m t h e A i r p o r t a t t h e

SE CORNER OF DOBSON & GUADALUPE

1 8 3 7 W . G u a d a l u p e R d , S u i t e 1 0 9

M e s a , A Z 8 5 2 0 2

www.atticneedlework.com Issue No. 18-7 2018 April 6

T O L L - F R E E : 1 . 8 8 8 . 9 4 . A T T I C

T E L E P H O N E ( 4 8 0 ) 8 9 8 - 1 8 3 8

Our April Samplers of the Month

Clockwise from above:: ELIZABETH (153 x 185) ~ MARY MARGARET (153 x 180) ~ MOLLY (152 x 186) ~ and below, SUZANNAH (153 x 185)

From Carriage House Samplings

So many lovely “new” sampler releases, and too difficult to choose one, so I went back to these girls from long ago ~ I’m sure each of us has a daughter or granddaughter that is reflected in one of these designs. And how fun to change up the colors a bit … like mine will have red shoes! Have fun with it!

Purchase 2 of the 3 items below and receive a 15% Sampler of the Month discount: * Chart $10 * Linen ~ 40c, $19 w/2-inch margins; cost

varies with count and margins * Charted for NPI (approx. $70 but

includes DMC conversion (ND on DMC)Our In-Shop Model

http://www.atticneedlework.com



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THE ATTIC PAGE2And More from Carriage House Samplings


Clockwise from above: ABEL ~ GEORGE ~ JACKSON ~ JEREMIAH

And now there is an accompanying Boy Series for our sons and grandsons ~ each chart is $10 ~ each design, 152 x 186




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KINGSFORD SAMPLER $7, 180 x 118 ~ first released in 2007, I stitched this a decade ago but still love it!

THE ATTIC PAGE3More from Carriage House Samplings

MISS LILA’S HOUSE $9, 101 x 133 ~ our Sampler of the Month for April 2008. The Belle Soie silks just glow on the Lakeside Sienna Night linen, and I love how the subtle color changes on the sidewalk, in the roof, in the trees, in the leaves, and in the red pot give such life to the sampler. Stitching with these beautiful overdyed silks makes me feel like I'm painting with thread. The beautiful hand-grained frame from Priscilla's Pocket adds the perfect finishing touch to the piece.

THE SONG THEY SANG $9, 96 x 175, first released in 2005 … and mine is still only partially stitched, again with Classic Colorworks’ Belle Soie.


GREEN TREE $9, 140 x 107, a 2003 release ~ the shadows on the linen are cast from a tree in the shop display, so appropriate with this message about “a green tree in your heart”




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THE ATTIC PAGE4More from Carriage House Samplings

Block 10 from CHRISTMAS AT HAWK RUN HOLLOW ($36, 278 x 371) that I stitched in Classic Colorworks’ Belle Soie and recharted the verse to include all of the words in this verse from the Oliver Herford poem.

Above, GARDEN GLADE $14, 130 x 178 ~ right, I again converted the colors to overdyed silks and changed some of the colors, like the outline of the leaves, etc., when this was our Sampler of the Month in September 2010. It was obviously inspired by Hannah Carter’s exquisite canvaswork piece, top left, from the collection of the American Folk Art ~ and is now available as a reproduction from The Scarlet Letter, below left.





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THE ATTIC PAGE5And More from Carriage House Samplings

HOUSES OF HAWK RUN HOLLOW $32, 369 x 278, first released in 2004

Each of these models was stitched by Courtney Glau before she began designing herself Courtney Collection.


WILD ROSES $12, 95 x 435 ~ but Courtney’s model is a bit longer as she added the bottom alphabet and attribution

M A I R M A I D ’ S SONG $8, 156 x 259, w i t h C o u r t n e y ’ s modificat ions : the verse moved to the top ad again the alphabet a n d a t t r i b u t i o n included at the bottom




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Attic Events Schedule

Saturday, February 3, 10:30-12:30 Beginning

L i n e n This class is appropriate for b o t h beginning stitchers and a n y o n e wishing to refine their skills. The class p r o j e c t i s L i n d a /

Customer Appreciation/Stitch-In, Thursdays, 4 - 8 PM. For as long as I can remember, The Attic has been open on Thursday nights and, along with that, provides

the setting for customers to gather to share their needlework with others. This is an opportunity for me to host a weekly time with our customers, to show them the newest and greatest, preview new designs and great needlework stuff, and also see what you’re stitching! As a valued customer, you are invited to join us!

Every Thursday

As an Attic Addict member, in April receive a 15% discount on your purchase of: * Carriage House Samplings Charts * Lakeside Linens Stitchers’ Quarters & Halves * NPI Silk Threads

April

August 2018 Summer School ~ Registration is Full! Waiting List Only!

Save the Date … Details coming soon!Sampler Sunday has been temporarily suspended until further notice.

”Embroidering a sampler is embroidering the soul of the past” . . . Isabelle/Reflets de Soie

The Queen Sampler from The Needle’s Prayse, left, beautifully embroidered by Linda Vinson. Several of you have responded that you wo u l d l i k e t o d o a monthly workshop with Linda’s guidance to stitch this exquisite sampler. Watch for details in a future newsletter.

Friday night 5 P M t h r u Sunday at 1 PM, November 9-11 ~ a special weekend with t h e s e v e r y talented & fun d e s i g n e r s ! Details inside!


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The SAL parts: * Chart $25 * linen of your preferred count (40c $32) * Gloriana overdyed silks (Tudors for

high-count linens $93.50, or 12-ply $140.25 or Classic Colorworks hand-dyed cottons

Above & left, Robert’s progress to date.

Message from Robert, our SAL leader: April Progress to Date This month I completed Page 5 and started work on the red house starting on page 9. I decided that I needed to start stitching the bottom part of the sampler a little bit early since there is a lot more stitching to do with all the sheep, people and the lawn. I am continuing to do some of the over one lettering along with one small little lamb (he is very tiny on the 46ct linen). I have been limiting myself to working on this sampler only one week a month (usually the first week) so that I do not get too far ahead of the group. That is very tempting since this is a very fun and colorful sampler. My plan for May is to complete the lettering in the center of the sampler on page 6 and continue to work on finishing up the house, border and grass on page 9. That should keep me fairly busy. If you are stitching this sampler as a part of the SAL please post your progress pictures to this page.

Happy stitching everyone!

Sarah’s original sampler

TYPO IN THREAD LEGEND

It has been brought to our attention that two threads in the cotton o v e r d y e s w e r e i n a d v e r t e n t l y interchanged. A new Thread Legend is being prepared and will be emailed to all who are u s i n g c o t t o n s . T h e Caramel and the Ripple should be interchanged.

THE ATTIC PAGE7The Attic’s 2018 Stitch-Along from . . .

SARAH STEWART HARDMAN 1824 $25, 236 x 254. . . . NeedleWorkPress




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Registration is full. It was full in minutes. Your faculty and The Attic thank everyone who registered for your support of this special Attic event. The waiting list is in place ~ you will receive notification when a cancellation occurs. I am so sorry that we can’t accommodate everyone.

THE ATTIC PAGE82018 Summer School

Our Summer School faculty has some very fun and interesting projects planned for you! Our faculty includes our very talented and creative designers in the desert: Linda/Samplers Remembered, Gloria/Milady’s Needle, Vickie & Maegan/NeedleWorkPress, Linda/Needlemade Designs, Tanya/The Scarlett House, and Apryl/Priscilla’s Pocket. We‘ve met to begin the plans & projects, and we are all very excited to invite you to our sixth annual Summer School presented by The Attic. By popular student request, Pieces of Olde returns as this year’s theme, inspiring your faculty to busy themselves reproducing and designing projects drawn from Pieces of Olde. I can assure you that you will be thrilled! We are very excited about the Summer School Curriculum for this year and have provided a few sneak peeks below.

For your Summer School Tuition of $550 you will receive six beautiful reproduction samplers, and some will include a project derived from the sampler, all of your meals, some fun gifts, and more wonderful surprises. This amazingly reasonable tuition is only possible because all of these designers are local and, therefore, have no airfare expense. Don’t miss out on the funnest Summer School ever! We hope you’ll plan to join us!

We had our first planning meeting, and we’re all very excited about what’s in store for you at this year’s summer school! Here are a few sneak peeks of several of the incredible samplers that will be used to inspire projects for you!

Our Summer School opens at 5 PM Friday night, August 24, and closes with a lunch at noon on Sunday, August 26, at Hyatt Place Mesa. The hotel is offering us an amazing summer rate of $89/night for both King and Queen/Queen. Call 1.888.HYATT.HP (1-888-492-8847). Local phone number is 480.969-8200 ~ don’t forget to ask for the “Attic Needlework” group rate. I haven’t yet received the link, but as soon as I do, I will include air here for you to make your reservation online.

Registration is Full - Waiting List Only




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THE ATTIC PAGE9A Primitive Holiday Celebration with . . .

The creative minds that fuel Blackbird Designs, Chessie & Me & NeedleWorkPress are happily engaged in preparing primitive holiday projects for you to enjoy at The Attic’s November 9-11 Workshops. While these ladies aren’t ready to divulge the specifics (and, trust me, they’re true delights), they did reveal that in addition to a charming cross-stitch project by each designer, they’re collaborating on a fourth and fantastic multi-media treasure that you’ll cherish for many years to come. Of course, each designer is looking forward to spending a long weekend creating memories of our shared passion for needlework. They can’t wait to see you in November!


. . . Blackbird Designs, Chessie & Me & Needlework Press

I am thrilled to present the weekend faculty for this event: After a 5 - 6 PM supper ~ * Friday night, 6-9 PM, Vickie & Maegan Jennett/NeedleWorkPress * Saturday 9 - 4 PM - Alma Allen & Barb Adams/Blackbird Designs * Saturday evening, 5 - ? PM, reception at The Attic, with food & refreshments including adult beverages served * Sunday, 9 - Noon, Linda Lautenschlager/Chessie & Me ~ followed by lunch.

Please note that the above schedule may be modified a bit to include the collaborative project.

Your $495 fee for this Primitive Holiday Celebration includes all classes & kits, and all meals (a light supper on Friday night, breakfast, lunch, and coffee/tea breaks on Saturday, a Saturday night reception at the shop with refreshments and supper, and Sunday breakfast and lunch).

We are pleased to host this event at the Hyatt Place in Mesa, located just 15 minutes from The 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 ($124 King, $134 Queen/Queen plus tax) or register online. These rates are available 3 days pre and post the weekend for any of you who wish to come early or stay longer. The rates include a deluxe continental breakfast, free Wi-Fi throughout all guest sleeping rooms, and shuttle service within a five-mile radius upon availability. The hotel is just 8 miles from the Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport (Hyatt Place does not provide airport shuttle service). Rates are available until October 10, 2018.

Friday night, November 9 thru lunch on Sunday, November 11, 2018

Registration is by email only, to [email protected] ~ Registration opens at 8 AM Phoenix time on Wednesday, April 11. Most of Arizona, including Phoenix/Mesa, is on Mountain Standard Time, as opposed to Daylight Savings Time. To determine what time it is in Phoenix with relation to your time zone, PLEASE DO NOT call the shop but, instead, ask Google, “What time is it now in Phoenix?” That will give you the information you need. My staff cannot be responsible for determining your registration time. Thank you very much for your cooperation with this.


https://phoenixmesa.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?corp_id=G-ATNV

https://phoenixmesa.place.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html?corp_id=G-ATNV

mailto:[email protected]




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The original sampler A close-up shot of the magnificent floral section of this sampler.

THE ATTIC PAGE10Here Now from Samplers Remembered

LUZ GONZALEZ 1851 $24 … This sampler was one of the stars at our 2017 Summer School, and finally, your wait is over! This beautiful reproduction from Linda Danielson will be available in March at our Market Day. You may reserve yours now. Many of you already have after seeing it last August, and we have your order on file. We will contact you to confirm it, and to see if you would also like to add linen and silk. The reproduction was stitched on 40c Lakeside linen with 22 Au Ver a’Soie silks ($94.60). The reproduction of this exquisite sampler is on display on the front table … where others from our half dozen local designers will also be displayed. We and our customers are so fortunate to be able to see these in person!

The beautiful silks & linen that Linda chose for her reproduction.




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A New Teaching Piece from . . .

. . . Merry CoxPAGE11


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‘Tis Christmastime’ By Merry Cox

How wonderful, that despite Merry’s inability to teach to us in person at this time, she has designed a sweet little 4” x 3” needlebook to celebrate this Season of Joy … with a sweet original poem by Merry on the back. Her model is stitched on 40c Vintage Country Mocha with cotton threads, but it could easily be done on 36c linen if that is more comfortable for you, and its size becomes 4.4” x 3.4.”

The needle pages & scissors holder are made with antique linen from 1870 that Merry purchased in Germany. The antique button for the closure is from England. Merry also includes the lovely ribbon that ties the needle book shut at its “binding.”

We are thrilled to present this is an Attic exclusive from Merry. The 5-page chart includes all of the finishing instructions with photos. The $25 chartpack also includes the 1870 German antique linen for the needle pages and scissors holder, the antique button from England, and the ribbon. The silk lining fabric is NOT included.

We are offering with your chartpack a cut of 40c or 36c linen, your choice.

The overdyed cottons finally came in, and so we’re including those with your linen choice.




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AMY CANN 1831 $29, 307 x 276, a most charming sampler that can you read more about on the following page.

THE ATTIC PAGE12Here are ALL of the Latest Releases from . . .

. . . Hands Across the Sea Samplers

SARAH DAWS circa 1840 $31, 294 x 523, is a magnificent sampler with a unique border that is different on two sides, eliminating the boredom of borders ~ the motifs would work well on their own individually. What a remarkable piece of needlework!

The Attic is privileged to have these exquisite samplers on display for your viewing pleasure … and to inspire you! It is always so much better to see the actual samplers stitched as opposed to a photograph of them stitched, so please plan a visit to The Attic to see these and many other beautiful samplers.

ELIZA ELL COX 1832 $31, 307 x 433, features a magnificent bird surrounded by an exquisite border. The Thread Legend is provided on a bookmark in addition to the inclusion on the back of the chart




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More about AMY CANN 1831 from . . .


Look how she spelt “finnished” when your surname is Cann you can understand the logic in the little girl’s mind.

Sometimes when you open your heart and mind a sampler maker speaks strongly to you during the countless hours you spend reproducing her. Amy the little girl still echos strongly in her needlework. I sense that Amy was full of giggles and endless chatter, a fidgeter and a dolly day dreamer. She would have sported the brightest of ribbons in her mop of hair. I expect her teacher despaired of ever making Amy concentrate. Whilst we don’t know her age I sense that she was very young possibly between 6 to 8. When you stitch her sampler you will see that Amy wasn’t always focused on her work or the best at counting. She kept me on my toes reproducing her and Lisa on hers whilst stitching her.

Lisa and I hope that she charms and entertains you as she did us.

Amy has been reproduced in AVAS and the usual DMC conversion is provided, however, Lisa provided an additional conversion to NPI and the model was stitched using NPI silks.

. . . Hands Across the Sea SamplersTHE ATTIC PAGE13

Amy’s most charming sampler has been one of the most popular of the new releases from HATS. Here’s what Nicola says about this sampler: When I first saw a small dark and fuzzy photo of Amy Cann’s sampler on an auction site I was puzzled by what she had stitched. What was Amy trying to depict in her school girl artwork? I showed the poor photo to Lisa Brown and Amy whispered to us “please, please reproduce me”. When the sampler arrived we were so pleased that we had listened to her pleas. Amy’s delightful sampler depicts a wonderfully imaginative landscaped park with a velvet lawn, specimen fruit trees and shrubs together with a pinery flanking the terraces as they rise up to a classical temple. This young sampler maker has used her needle to create an ornamental pleasure ground so typical of the Georgian period. Amy filled her sampler with giraffes, deer, squirrels, dogs, hares and an aviary of birds including owls, parrots, doves and partridges in pear trees. Butterflies, moths and bees can be found no doubt attracted to Amy’s garden by the lilies, tulips and stylized carnation border.




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THE ATTIC PAGE14More New Releases from . . .

Below left, HANNAH GASKELL 1823 $31, 478 x 517, also with its Thread Legend included on a bookmark as well as being printed on the back cover. Its verse is below.

Below right, the very beautiful JANE VAUGHAN 1724 that is so much more beautiful in person than on the chart cover. We are thrilled to exhibit it!

. . . Hands Across the Sea Samplers


Above, SARAH MARY LARKWORTHY 1727 $29, 242 x 341, a beautiful sampler that uses only 5 colors and features a gorgeous border surrounding The Lord’s Prayer. I have loved this sampler since I first saw it in one of the Witney Exhibition Catalogues several years ago and I’m thrilled to have the opportunity through this reproduction to stitch it myself.




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. . . from Hands Across the Sea Samplers is not new, but in its new display position down off the wall and in the trunk, one can truly appreciate the uniqueness of this sampler, particularly its unusual and whimsical undulating border. It is filled with fauna and flora. Owls, parrots, geese, partridges, pheasants, squirrels, sheep, butterflies, caterpillars, bee skeps and beautiful freehand sprays of flowers abound, making this sampler quite special and unique.

THE ATTIC PAGE15Elizabeth Beaven’s Beautiful Sampler . . .




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THE ATTIC

The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842)

Treasured “Smalls” on the HATS Blank Greeting CardsPAGE16

These lovely designs are each from the back or one of the Hands Across the Sea blank greeting cards. The cards are available in sets of 10 for $20 or 6 for $13.


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. . .

New & Very Limited from . . .

. . . Beth’s Magical Finishes

7” x 7” project bags featuring cherries, cherry blossoms and creatures beloved by stitchers everywhere! (Background color closely matches DMC 739)

Back of e a c h design

Sets include: * zippered top bag with tiny zipper pull

adorned with silver heart charm * Interior scissor pocket * Hand-painted companion thread

winder * Cherry blossom needle book adorned

with antique scissor charm * One exquisite jeweled counting pin

Example of a complete setF r o n t designs of e a ch b a g s h o w i n g t h e i r companion threadwinders

Order according to the number shown on each design (7 designs available ~ one number is assigned to both the front and back of each design $48/set (Scissors NOT included)

Interior scissor pocket and needle book ~ Scissors not included!

Front and back of needlebook

Needlebook interior

Closeup of counting pin





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PAGE18New in our Attic from . . .


THE ATTIC. . . Werkstatt fur Historische Stickmuster

The cloth is divided into horizontal stripes, at the top there are two tapestry patterns and a lush bouquet of carnations, a crowned double-headed eagle, parrot, lion, rooster, Christ's instruments of suffering and a paradise tree. Then follow the "Sibmachermuster", like the Lamb of God, the peacock and the lying deer. The finale is made up of 16 increasingly narrow decorative bands, which were repeatedly used to decorate the clothing. In addition, the cloth is typically arranged lengthwise to the ornamental borders, four alphabets and a row of crowns and a cartouche with the year 1729 and the initials of the embroiderer ISL. This particular arrangement of the alphabets and crowns makes it clear that the cloth is a treasure for embroidery ~ the pattern was intended and should not be framed as a wall decoration should serve. Regardless of aesthetic criteria, every space on the linen was used, because linen and yarn were expensive and represented a considerable value. Today we find the very fact that the cloth was embroidered on two sides particularly appealing!

ISL 1729 $35, 242 x 704

The following was translated from the Historical Embroidery Designs Website: The original replica of the sample cloth acquired here in 1910 by the Württembergisches Landesmuseum Stuttgart is probably from southern Germany and dates back to 1729. The dimensions of the cloth are typical of Saxony.




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. . .

. . . . . .


THE ATTIC PAGE19Also from . . .

. . . Werkstatt fur Historische Stickmuster

Each is perfect for several personal choices: thread color and linen count, over 2 on your choice of beautiful linens or, as the designer suggests, for enthusiasts of fine embroidery, embroider it over 1 on a 28- or 32-count linen. Each is a veritable treasure trove of alphabet and patterns, which of course you can use for many other purposes. “So have fun stitching without end.”

BIEDERMEIER ROYAL $27, 310 x 341

Translated from the Historical Designs Website: With this sampler you will find a truly magnificent Biedermeier cloth, with its lush flower bouquets, the many charming wreaths and the realistic animal depictions.

This cloth is a reproduction of a privately owned cloth. However, I have made some changes, but only refer to the arrangement of the motives. The original looks a bit unfinished due to the random and uneven arrangement of the individual motifs. This small "defect" I have balanced by a more harmonious arrangement.

Below, 2 monochromatic samplers embroidered in classic red (or your favorite color), Classic Red 1, left, and CLASSIC RED 2, right, each $24, each approximately the same size, 371 x 371




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THE ATTIC PAGE20Although no longer exclusive to The Attic, we are thrilled to offer this exquisite reproduction. The chart ($20) thread legend lists DMC choices ~ for other like-minded silk lovers, we’ve done conversions to overdyed silks [$330 for Gloriana 12-ply, $220 for Gloriana’s Tudor silks for the high-count linens; Au Ver A’Soie (AVAS) silks, $189.90, or NPI silks, $220].

From Mani di Donna: Eunice Tanquerel





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I’m sorry, I’ve run out of time once again … please call the shop and ask anyone on the staff if you need titles for any of these stunning designs!

THE ATTIC PAGE21Our Front Table Displays the Local Designers’ Newest





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. . .

THE ATTIC PAGE22March’s Sampler Sunday

Tedra’s A MARYLAND INSPIRATION from Heart’s Ease Examplar Workes


Tedra’s O TANNENBAUM

from With Thy Needle & Thread




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Michelle’s STONEWARE BUNNY from Priscilla’s Pocket and A PINCUSHION FOR THEE from Kathy Barrick

THE ATTIC PAGE23More from March’s Sampler Sunday

Carmen’s SAMPLERS from The Scarlett House

Carolyn’s STONEWARE SNOWMAN from Priscilla’s Pocket & MERMAID KISSES from Erica Michaels

Tr u d i e ’ s WAT E R F I E L D BAND SAMPLER, an OOP design from The Samplar Workes




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March Sampler Sunday (continued)THE ATTIC


PAGE24

Trudie’s SONNE SPOTTE from Long Dog Samplers

Trudie’s CELTIC SPRING from Lavender & Lace

M o l l y ’ s S A R A H S T E WA RT HARDMAN 1824 from NeedleWorkPress

Molly’s ESTHER IDDISON 1832 from Chessie & Me

Lynne’s O TANNENBAUM from With Thy Needle & Thread




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The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842) www.atticneedlework.com Dorie’s CHLOE JENKINS from The Scarlet Letter


THE ATTIC PAGE25More from Sampler Sunday

Dorie’s A SAMPLER OF STITCHES by Darlene O’Steen/The Needle’s Prayse

Above, Janet’s CHRISTMAS AT HOLLYBERRY FARM by Stacy Nash ~ below, Janet’s HELLO SPRING from Plum Street Samplers




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Maria’s FARMHOUSE CHRISTMAS from Little House Needleworks

D e b ’ s p r e - m a d e zippered case from JBS Designs with Deb’s selected alphabet

Margaret’s 7th berry in Erica Michaels’ series, 12 BERRIES OF CHRISTMAS

March’s Sampler Sunday (continued)

Deb’s PETER & PEEP from With Thy Needle & Thread

Jean C’s SEAFLOWERS TINY BOX from Olde Colonial Designs

Kay’s O BIRDY from La-D-Da




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Shelly was visiting from Texas and shared her beautiful ANN MAUGHAN 1851, also known as SOLOMON’S TEMPLE, from Gigi R, one of my favorite samplers … stunning!

THE ATTIC It was a Special Sampler Sunday . . .

We celebrated Beth’s birthday (and Easter) with a wonderful cake ~ and Linda found the perfect candles: 29 AGAIN!!!





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Our Customers SharePAGE28


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What the photos can’t share with you, however, is the music that accompanies the opening of the doors … playing magically (actually through the very clever use of a Hallmark card’s music) is the Hallelujah Chorus! Claudia knows how to have fun with her needlework. The desserts looked good enough to eat!

This tag hangs on the handle that opens the dessert cupboard.

One of our greatest pleasures at The Attic is seeing the remarkable creativity of so many of you. On a day last week Claudia brought this in from her car, and we were all simply enchanted. Her needlework dessert cupboard was amazing!!!!




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John Kazmaier’s Award-Winning Needlework


PAGE29THE ATTIC

FIRST PLACE at the Woodlawn Plantation’s 55th Annual Needlework Show: ELIZABETH BEAVEN 1835, stitched on Lakeside’s 52-count V. Sand Dune with Gloriana’s Tudor hand-dyed silks using The Attic’s conversion. Here’s what John wrote to Nicola Parkman of Hands Across the Sea S a m p l e r s a b o u t t h i s m a g n i fi c e n t reproduction: I want to share a couple of things from Dr. Cheryl Christian’s judges critique: “Congratulations on an exquisite work of needle art. Elizabeth Beaven’s Scottish Sampler is delicate with engaging motifs gracefully and airily arranged. I hope it was as enjoyable to work as it is to view.” “This sampler has excellent graphic appeal, with elements placed for an effective composition. The motifs are intriguing and the animals joyous and fun; they make us smile. This is a work you can look at again and again and find something new. How lucky Elizabeth was to stitch it, and how fortunate that you chose to stitch the Hands Across the Sea reproduction. It gives great pleasure to the viewer.” I opted not to stitch the inner border, but the area across the top with five motifs needed something, so I selected three and converted them to cross stitch. Samplers are displayed in the center hallway where I enjoyed talking with people about my three entries, especially by Elizabeth with a friend of yours from France. I can’t thank you enough for giving Elizabeth a rebirth! I really enjoyed stitching her, and wish you could have seen the joy on the faces of the hundreds of people that admired her at the show!




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Our Customers Share

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And here’s more of J o h n ’ s b e a u t i f u l needlework, this the glorious ISABELLA U F F I N D E L L , stitched on Lakeside’s 52/60 with Gloriana’s Tudor silks. He’s almost ready to start Ann.

K a r e n’s f u n fi n i s h o f MIRROR MIRROR by Abbey Lane Designs

I was so happy for Terry, to see that she’s begun BERLIN WOOLWORK SAMPLER, and knowing what a fun journey is in store for her with all of its wonderful motifs!





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THE ATTIC Nadine’s DEAR MOTHER from Gigi R Designs, left, and, right, her MARY MOTESHED from NeedleWorkPress

Pat’s MARTHA EDES from NeedleWorkPress

Celeste’s wonderful tribute to her son’s baseball career




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Nadine finished the M A R Y GRIFFITHS 1873 SAMPLER from Gigi … I absolutely love this! Wish mine were done!

THE ATTIC Celeste’s GREEN ON GREEN from Rosewood Manor Designs … how wonderful that Celeste shows us how exquisite this design is in your favorite color if it isn’t green!





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Inside Our Attic

The Attic, Mesa, AZ Toll-Free: 1.888.94-ATTIC (1.888.942.8842)

THE ATTIC

Speaking of Rosewood Manor, The Attic was privileged to host Karen Kluba for a few hours on a Monday in March. It was very special to have Karen with us if only for a few hours. And behind us on the wall, our model of Karen’s beautiful design, CROWNS OF THE KINGDOM

This week we were privileged to have these ladies visit The Attic from Michigan and Texas … from the left above, Luann, Michele, Sandy, Susie and Lorna! Michele told me a visit to The Attic was on her bucket list, and truly, that is such a heartwarming feeling for all of us here at the shop … we love to share our passion for samplers with like-minded needleworkers. Thank you all for coming so far to shop with us! We truly appreciate your patronage.

Linda visited from the UK for our January Symposium, and she was anxious to try the 52/60 linen. Here’s her progress on SPIRIT OF MARKEN from Long Dog Samplers … Here’s what she says about the linen: Thank you for the introduction to the fabric. It is lovely to work with. As you can see, I’ve nearly completed the bottom sections. It’s been very enjoyable.


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Easter Greetings from Ophelia …


Our dear friend Bernie from Belgium was visiting after being away for more than a year, and it was wonderful to see her once again.

Left, these ladies, friends for over 30 years, bring the joy of their friendship to The Attic each year when they get t o g e t h e r f o r a w e e k e n d o f s t i tch ing. I s t i l l l a u g h w h e n I remember the year Ardie couldn’t come in person but she was there anyway, as a paperdoll …

This newsletter was originally scheduled to be sent before Easter … even though Easter is over for another year, I wanted to include Merry’s sweet message from Ophelia and friends … and Merry, too!




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Temporary Email Address For the next number of weeks I will not be reading emails. We have established a new email address for you to use beginning April 12 until further notice: [email protected]

The Attic staff will be reading and replying to your emails at this address.

Thanks very much, Carolyn, for setting this up and to each of you for your cooperation in making this temporary change.

Dear Friends, I’m asking for your understanding and patience for the next few months. I’m not exactly sure for how long, but our staffing will be reduced by one, and the remaining staff will be doing their usual wonderful job but doing more than they signed up for, very willingly. It is one of my greatest blessings, the amazing staff that I have … well, you already know that from your dealings with them. I have been diagnosed with Stage 3 primary peritoneal carcinoma and am scheduled for surgery on April 12, which will be followed by a regimen of chemotherapy. I am determined to beat this (I have way too many beautiful samplers to finish) and feel very positive that, with God’s help and the support of my dear family, friends, needleworkers (the best of all friends), each of you, I will be able to do that. I have an amazing role model in our mother, who successfully fought, first, breast cancer for 5 years and then the metastasized bone cancer for 10 years, confounding her doctors who repeatedly gave wrong estimates on how long she would survive. I will be in touch. Love to all, Jean


It’s been a very special couple of weeks, with brother Jer & Nancy and also brother Mike & Debi here, along with our son and family! We’ve made some wonderful memories for sure.






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