our january sampler of the month a welsh sampler - mary...

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. 18-2 2018 January 18

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

* Chart $28

* Linen ~ 40c, $32 w/2-inch margins; cost varies with count and margins

* Silks ~ overdyed s i l k s $ 1 9 8 ~ Gloriana Tudor Silks f o r h i g h - c o u n t linens, $132

From Gigi R Designs …

A WELSH SAMPLER - Mary Griffiths 1873

Our January Sampler of the Month

Mary Griffiths was 9 years old when she stitched her sampler that features a central floral bower with a girl standing below, a red ewer on her head and another in her hand. There is a seated cat on each side of the bower and big colorful parrots above them. The upper section of the sampler is stitched with the Welsh words: Cofia yn awr dy Greawdwr yn nyddiau dy ieuenctid, cyn dyfod y dyddiau blin, a nesáu o’r blynyddoedd yn y rhai y dywedi, Nid oes i mi ddim diddanwch ynddynt, what appears to be a Welsh version of Ecclesiastes 12:1: Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say: I have no pleasure in them. The verse has a floral urn on either side. Mary embroidered her sampler on 35ct canvas with thick woolen threads except the verse, which was embroidered with silk threads.

Well, I haven’t made much progress since we last “talked” … I was hoping to get to the bird on the right, but that didn’t happen.

http://www.atticneedlework.com



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Jacqueline’s SWEET ADELINE 1873, $15, 121 x 101

THE ATTIC PAGE2And More from . . .

. . . Gigi R Designs

THE BETROTHED W&E SAMPLER 1889, $24, 338 x 269 … and this reminds me that I must get mine out again and work on it some. I do want to finish it before our 50th wedding anniversary, and so I have about 2 1/2 years to do that. I absolutely love this sampler.

VIRGINIE GRIMOUX 1845 $22, 283 x 249 ~ I LOVE this sampler, too!

Paula’s ANNE AURIOL $22, 319 x 256, soooo very beautiful!




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Robert’s finish of one of my many Gigi favorites, t h e b e a u t i f u l A N N M AU G H A N ( a k a SOLOMON’S TEMPLE) $30, 221 x 261 ~ and this is of a size that I should be able to finish it someday I have the temple done, I think, with so many wonderful motifs yet to stitch!

THE ATTIC PAGE3More Beautiful Designs from . . .

. . . Gigi R Designs


RED DEER SAMPLER 1861-1866 $22, 264 x 260. Robert stitched this as a memorial sampler to his aunt and uncle, who loved to hunt deer, and as Robert explains, “we only have brown ones here in north central Texas!”




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A D E L A I D E SESTIL 1828 $22, an Italian sampler that includes the Area Christi, or the Instruments of the Pa s s i o n , o b j e c t s a s s o c i a t e d w i t h Jesus’ Passion in Christian symbolism a n d a r t , a l l explained in the chart

THE ATTIC PAGE4And More Beautiful Treasures . . .

. . . from Gigi R Designs

MARY A. BUNCE 1846 $22, 299 x 274 ~ and I love everything about this sampler, most especially the colors and the birds and the flowers and … and … and … someday I will finish this!





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More Beautiful Treasures from Gigi


Paula’s POLKA DOT COW SAMPLER, aka ANN HARDING $24. 378 x 434, with a pastoral scene at the bottom similar to many other of our favorites

ISABELLA FOX 1827 $ 24, 250 x 258 ~ and this is one of Gigi’s favorites, and many of yours as well! It’s filled with wonderful motifs!

Below, Jeanny’s beautiful EMMANUELA $24, 989 x 180. The original sampler is charted over 3 and over 2. Jeanny said she stitched her sampler over 2, except the top border over 4 as charted, and the right and left borders over 3 as charted.

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The beautiful silks in this design … and my meager start. I love this one, too.




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Attic Events Schedule

Saturday, February 3, 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’ Tulip needlebook design, and the $30 fee includes her expert instruction + materials. Class fee is due upon registration.

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

So Excited to Announce that . . .

Sunday, January 21 , Sampler Sunday, 1:00-4:00. Join us for our first-of-the-New-Year gathering of samplermakers for a wonderful afternoon of sharing our love and passion for samplers. Reservations required. Fee $10.

Every Thursday

As an Attic Addict member, in January receive a 15% discount on your purchase of: * Gigi R Designs Reproduction Charts * Gloriana Silks * SQ’s & SH’s of ALL in-stock hand-dyed linens

January

. . . these favorite designers will be here November 9-11 ~ watch for details coming very soon!

February

August 2018 Summer School ~ Details Inside!

Saturday, February 24, Our 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, your likes and dislikes (“I don’t like gilded, but I love primitive”), make a $20 deposit, and she will do the rest. The 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. Additionally, you should know that any non-FF incoming orders will receive preference in the order of completion, which makes it difficult to give a time estimate, but to save the 20% it is important that you understand the order of completion.

O u r 2 0 1 8 J u n i p i n e Retreat is scheduled for 3 PM Thursday thru Sunday at 11, February 15 - 18 and, with several cancellations, there are openings, which must be enough to fill a creekhouse and will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The $350 free includes 3 nights’ accommodation in a four-person creekhouse (which has two bedrooms & two baths, full kitchen, fireplace & living area), the o p e n i n g r e c e p t i o n o n Thursday at 5 PM, and a few surprises. Bring your own WIPs, or a new project, and join us for a fun weekend of needlework in a stunning setting.


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


Classic Colorworks hand-dyed cottons

. . . NeedleWorkPress

I especially love Sarah’s border … and the verse … and the fact that it doesn’t begin with rows of alphabets … and the sweet chairs … and the peacock and the birds … and the flowers! I have thoroughly enjoyed stitching my attempt at reproducing Sarah’s sampler.

The charts are here, and some of the hand-dyed products have begun to arrive, the linens, the silks, and the cottons. We will be shipping them to you just as soon as we can. But please, we ask for your patience. We know that you have other things to keep your needles busy until we can get you your supplies. SAL leader Robert just received his kit last weekend, and so you will be hearing from him soon. Message from Vickie: With the esteemed Robert Harris as our 2018 Stitch-Along leader, we're confident that the tips, quips and needles will be flying throughout the year. He's perusing his supplies as this is typed and will have a general game plan very soon. Of course, in keeping with personal preference, we're all free to stitch at our own pace. NeedleWorkPress is working on an "alternative" to the signature man and woman in the sampler, as a few people said they just do NOT like to stitch people, no way, no how. Our primary means of communication to participants will be through The Attic Newsletter, but we will set up an e-mail account for your specific questions. We're looking forward to great fun (and minimal frogging) throughout the year!

My model on 52/60 linen w/Tudor silks.

We are offering several Lakeside linen choices: Vintage Buttercream & Vintage Pecan Butter have little or no red in them; Vintage Lt. Examplar, which is what I’m using on the 52/60, has a bit of red in it.

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

linens$88, or 12-ply $132 or Classic Colorworks hand-dyed cottons

We are thrilled to announce that needleworker extraordinaire Robert Harris of Texas will lead the SAL.

SARAH STEWART HARDMAN 1824 $25, 236 x 254. We’ve been showing you sneak peeks for a number of months now, but now it is time for the big reveal! … because it is almost time to ship your chart & supplies.




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Registration will be by email again, to [email protected]. Registration opens on Wednesday, January 24, at Noon MST. Successful registrants will be emailed the Registration Form with confirmation of your registration.

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 Bunny & 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.



mailto:[email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

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THE ATTIC PAGE9How lucky are we to spend time with Nicola!

We were in awe of what came out of Nicola’s suitcases.

Ready for Nicola’s workshops!

It was an amazing week!


A quiet brunch at Vickie’s . . .

Fascinating information for sampler lovers and historians alike! Thank you, Nicola, for your wonderful presentations, sharing your passion and knowledge with us. It was surreal having you here with us, and your samplers.




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Our 2018 Sampler SymposiumPAGE10

Saturday morning Nicola Parkman took us on a fascinating journey through time with compelling stories about samplers and their makers.

Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning Betsy


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On Friday night Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett and her finisher Kathy presented A Present from England, the reproduction of an 1818 pinkeep.




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. . .

THE ATTIC PAGE11Wonderful Memories . . .

Thank you, Sandie, for sharing your photo.

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

Sigrid Eckel and her husband Torsten traveled from Germany to be with us.

I know Grace isn’t fond of this photo, but I love it … a needleworker at work … or at fun! I’m thrilled always when Grace travels from England to join us.

Canadians Loletta and Claudia joined us for the first time, and we hope to see them again at a future Attic event.

A beautiful rose … sent with a sweet note from one of the many lovely needleworkers with us for this special weekend … is still bringing me joy in our Arizona room.

Betsy’s optional Friday workshop, Maria Katarin’s Stitching

Reticule, named for her daughter, features a number of unique

specialty stitches from a sampler in Betsy’s collection, including . . .

Nicola’s first ride in an American pickup truck ~ here’s what she had to say about it: First time “riding shotgun” with Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett. Wonderful experiences that will be precious memories. American vehicles are HUGE !!

. . . the beautiful and intriguing Aztec stitch.


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A New Teaching Piece from . . .

. . . Merry CoxPAGE12


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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.

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

About the Supplies Kit … We’ve received several shipments of the chartpacks from Merry, but the accompanying supplies kit we’ve modified to include only the 40c or 36c linen, per your request, because it was taking too long to get some of the overdyed cottons, due to vendor closures during the Holidays that continued well into the New Year. We know you have cotton threads in your stash, and if you need them, please let us know.




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PAGE13New from . . .

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. . . Kelmscott Designs

. . . Whimsical Edge Designs

F I R S T L A D Y M A R T H A THREADKEEP $10 begins a new series of First-Lady Threadkeeps

FRENCH BIRDS SINGING VINTAGE POSTCARD $10

AMY’S HEART NEEDLEMINDER $9.50, a 1” miniature, dedicated to our friend Amy, who died far too early this past December ~ the royal purple background in this needleminder was to have been her wedding color.

SHEEP SCISSORS $11.50, in both primitive and silver ~ oh, these 3.75” scissors are so popular, they’re almost sold out already, and won’t be available again until late February … reserve yours now!

FRENCH SCHOOLGIRL THREADKEEP $10

SHEEP BOARD $20 is a collaboration with Lucy Beam Designs that features h e r d e s i g n , S H E WORKS WOOL, $8




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. . .


THE ATTIC PAGE14New Stuff On Its Way From . . .

LITTLE RED BARN begins the new series, Farmhouse Christmas, and an email from designer Dianne Williams says that it is about to ship to distributors, so we should have it soon. Here is a further message from Dianne: They (the distributors) may or may not have ordered enough but if they haven't we are prepared to ship more. Shops may or may not have enough thread. But we will be sure to ship more. PLEASE, stitching friends, it's not a race to see who finishes fastest or who gets patterns first. I hope you all can enjoy this lovely hobby for the beauty and relaxation it brings to your lives and not worry about the timing.

Second, one of my besties, Vonna, who is The Twisted Stitcher and one of my finishers, is creating a blog tutorial for the pillows. I can tell you that seeing all of them together in pillow form is so cool!!! She will announce when her tutorial is ready and where you can find it. Thank you for doing this Vonna!

Third, I have the entire Farmhouse series stitched on a whole cloth with border thanks to Rita Valentine DePalatis!!! This is a first for me. In a little while I will start sharing the blocks as the design unfolds.

. . . Little House Needleworks

WINTER SMALLS, $12.50THE THINGS THAT WE LOVE Boxer, $18, includes 32c Lambswool linen

. . . Lizzie Kate




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An Attic Exclusive

We are thrilled to continue to be able to offer this incredible reproduction as an Attic exclusive. 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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Coming to Our Attic or Here from . . .

. . . Stacy Nash Primitives

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Left, meet PAISLEY $12, the sweetest little Snowman in her wool scarf and greenery crown, the 6th in the Animal Crackers Series ~ she’s stitched on 36c linen with Gentle Art threads, 6” high x 3.25” wide, stitch count 62w x 105h. A n d s h e ’ s a g r e a t companion to WHITTAKER, $12, also stitched on 36c linen with Gentle Art Threads. Finished size 5.75” high by 3.25” wide, stitch count 60 x 101.

MERRYMAKING MINI: FLORAL HEART $7 includes the pink beads for embellishing, 30 x 30

This marks the 20th year of HIHN’s Collector’s Hearts. In this year’s kit are TWO heart designs. Here’s what designer Cecilia Turner says about this kit: The large design is a spot sampler that shows bits and pieces from past Collector's Hearts. There are parts of previous borders and favorite specialty stitches included. Just Another Button Company created a beautiful flower button exclusively for this commemorative kit. The small design, finished as a fob, is a heart with 20 small pink and red triangles to commemorate the anniversary year. Both the fob heart and the heart on the large design are the same size so if you choose, you can substitute the fob heart onto the large design in place of the red heart. Make it your own! $25 kit includes 28c Cashel linen and embellishments for both designs.

. . . Heart in Hand Needleart

MERRYMAKING MINI: YAY FOR LOVE $7, 40 X 39, includes heart embellishment




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A Peek Inside Our Attic . . .THE ATTIC PAGE17


And inside the glass-covered display case is M e r r y C o x ’ s l a t e s t d e s i g n , T I S CHRISTMASTIME. Details on page 12.




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Our Customers SharePAGE18


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What perfect t iming! Suzanne just sent me a short email (I have finished stitched "Elizabeth Beaven 1835" sampler. I thought it could be nice for the newsletter. I had such a good time stitching it. I love all of the animals in the border and learning how to do the free hand flowers.) What an accomplishment! This is an incredible sampler … I love the border with all of its unusual animals.




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THE ATTICNeedleworkers Share

Lisa brought her solidly stitched and very stunning HORNBOOK BESTIARY from The Scarlet Letter.

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

Shelly brought her beautiful reproduction of NeedleWorkPress’s 1745 MARTHA EDES BOSTON BAND SAMPLER

Linda brought her TIME T O S T I T C H b y NeedleWorkPress mounted in an antique clock. Wish I’d taken the photo with something else in it to give i t p e r s p e c t i v e . I t ’ s wonderful!

Nicola brought many remarkable and stunning samplers to share, and these two were among the incredible! On the left, a reversible band sampler dated 1656. Absolutely museum-quality needlework so well preserved … a treasure to see in person. On the right, Nicola’s reproduction of a very special sampler in her collection, Bathya ’s need lework wi th i t s fascinating history. Nicola will be coming back to teach a several-day workshop on this sampler.


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SARAH DAWS circa 1840, 294 x 523, model stitched by Bhooma Aravamudan

Coming at Nashville from . . .PAGE20


THE ATTIC. . . Hands Across the Sea Samplers

As with all of their publications, the chart b o o k s a r e a g a i n beautifully rendered, filled with wonderful images and artwork, historic information and perspective, all of the things we have come to love and appreciate in the HATS publications. And now something new : the T hread Legend published on a tasseled bookmark f o r t h e H a n n a h Gaskell chart. And, on the reverse, stitch diagrams and instructions!




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Another Treasured Sampler at Nashville from . . . THE ATTIC PAGE21. . . Hands Across the Sea Samplers


AMY CANN 1831, 307 x 276, model stitched by Lisa Brown




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More coming at Nashville from . . .

HANNAH GASKELL 1823, 478 x 517, reproduced and stitched by Sandra Moffitt

. . . Hands Across the Sea Samplers


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ELIZA BELL COX 1832, 307 x 433, model stitched by J.Lee Halpin

THE ATTIC PAGE23Another Treasured Reproduction Coming at Nashville from . . .


. . . Hands Across the Sea Samplers




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THE ATTIC PAGE24And, Last but not Least, the very stunning . . .

On the left, Sarah’s original sampler and, on the right, Nicola’s stitched model.

. . . SARAH MARY LARKWORTHY 1727, 242 x 341, reproduced and stitched by Nicola Parkman ~ ever since seeing this sampler in Nicola’s collection, I have been counting the days until this reproduction is available. I’m planning to stitch it on 52/60 linen with the Tudor silks below. I wish I didn’t have to sleep . . .





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THE ATTIC PAGE25And More to Share from Needleworkers

Barbara, a Sampler Symposium attendee, shows how useful she makes her NeedleWorkPress Book of Days in recording her 2018 needlework journey.

Barb’s charming pieces, finished by Beth, are, above, Hands On Design’s PUMPKIN SPICE FARM and, right, With Thy Needle & Thread’s SPRINGTIME MESSENGER


Clockwise from the left: Judianne’s S T R A W B E R R Y F I E L D S FOREVER by Blackbird Designs ~ Margie’s JACK’S BASH by Plum Street Samplers ~ 2 of Carolyn’s finishes for Christmas gifts for her children: HOW GREAT THOU ART by My Big Toe & AFTERNOON IN NEW YORK by Country Cottage Needleworks




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THE ATTIC PAGE26Epilogue

Left, we are thrilled to exhibit this beautiful reproduction, JANE VAUGHAN 1724 from Hands Across the Sea Samplers, at The Attic … and I do hope you will stop in to see it. The chart image just doesn’t do it justice. It is truly stunning and inspiring. We have more charts on order. They sold out during last week’s Sampler Symposium.

It’s that time of year again, when the snowbirds come to Arizona for a month or two, and I am thrilled that brother Jerry and his wife Nancy have for the past three winters joined thousands of others as snowbirds. The photos below were taken on the night they arrived a week ago, after three full days of driving. And Tyler stopped in to see them as well. It’s my happy time … because we have so much fun while they’re here.




our january sampler of the month a welsh sampler - mary...

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