A Dark Alphabet Revisited

 

 

Julie has FINALLY finished her dark alphabet!  It looks great, and she is now contemplating framing styles...  The addition of a topper with a title and a signature block gives you some ideas about finishing off your alphabet.  We've uploaded the charts for you.

 

 

An uncial alphabet for the topper seemed appropriate, and we've always loved the look of it!  The signature is an adaptation of the simple alphabet we've been using all through the piece, and of course, placement, etc. is just a suggestion.  We'd love to see more pictures from you all as you finish a block here and there.  I've heard from some people who are using one or two blocks for ornies or smalls, and we would so love to feature some of those on the blog!

 

Julie is now knee deep in mermaid scales, as we are both tackling Amy Mitten's online class!  There's always something new to stitch!

 

We hit the "publish" button too soon last time - we forgot to add the cute little butterfly pin that lives on the NorfolkInspired Spool Huswif!  Here's how it looks with her lovely enhancement!  Because we hand-finish each of these huswifs, there are small differences between them - yours might not look exactly as pictured, but we do our best to make sure that each and every one is lovely!

 

 

 

 

Norfolk Inspirations...

Oh, we're having quite the Norfolk summer here in the Seattle area!  Thanks to Donna L.,  we've discovered a "new" sampler that has been charted!  Sarah Parr - 1825 is a lovely little thing, and has been available in the past as Sandra Murray has charted a reproduction.  Donna also contacted Jean Lea of Attic Needlework, and the sampler will be available again.  Contact Jean if you are interested.  This picture is from a years-ago Attic newsletter.  It shows the original sampler laid on top of the stitched reproduction.   I'm sure it will soon be featured in one of Jean's newsletters again!  (Just love those butterflies!)

To celebrate more of the Norfolk Traditions, we've added some new products to our burgeoning line of Norfolk and Norfolk-inspired products!  

We have a Norfolk Inspired Spool Huswif - we love the way the silk pin cushion is set off with the tea-dyed lace.  Doesn't it look like it stepped right out of an antique sewing basket?

This adorable Deer Token Accordion Foldout features charts of deer taken from some of our samplers.  The cover photo is another motif that reminds us of the Norfolk samplers.

The Norfolk Book Box Etui is a diminutive grain-painted beauty ready to get you stitching while traveling - in style! 

And the Norfolk Deer Etui is a lovely piece taken from our own design - The Norfolk Sampler Tradition!  Filled with scissors, needle threader and needle, it's an easy gift to slip into an envelope for a secret sister...

We know we've been quiet lately, and we hope to catch up with lots of you this summer, but now at least you can see what we've been up to in the workshop!   See all of these lovelies on our "What's New" page on our website!

And on the stitching front, Julie has finished her Dark Alphabet and has a couple of new charts to add for a topper and a signature square, along with pictures of her finished piece!  Next time!

M. Woods

Attic Needlework and Collectibles has a new home!

One of our favorite shops (Attic Needlework and Collectibles) and one of our favorite designers (Milady's Needle) have joined forces this week to take us back to Norfolk for a moment!  You'll recognize M. Wood if you have read Joanne Lukacher's wonderful book Imitation and Design: The Norfolk Sampler Tradition.  Featured on page 113!  

Detail from M. Woods

We can attest that having your sampler chosen as the Attic's Sampler of the Month is a thrill - when our "In the Norfolk Tradition" was chosen for January, we were so excited!  And when we traveled to Arizona to spend a weekend with Jean, Joanne and a multitude of other teachers, lecturers and aficionados, we got to enjoy that thrill to the hilt!

While there, Gloria Moore, of Milady's Needle showed us M. Wood in person - she is so dainty and so lovely - no picture can do her justice!  But now to see in the latest Attic Newsletter, that M. Wood is the June Sampler of the Month!  I'm sure Gloria is pleased, and so are we to see that this lovely reproduction is ready to stitch (on lovely Lakeside Linens fabric with Gloriana Tudor Silks!)  

Rush over to The Attic's site and read the latest newsletter - you'll be so glad you did!