A New SAL - and - I Won a Contest!

The Postman couldn't have made someone more happy than me this week.

On Thursday I received a package from Attic Needlework in Mesa, AZ, with the complete kit for stitching their 2014 Stitch-A-Long project, "Por Luciana Delgado" by NeedleWork Press.

The kit contains a beautiful chart with full color pictures and graphs, 40ct Vintage Light Examplar linen from Lakeside Linens, and 14 of the most gorgeous colors of Gloriana 12-stand silk.

The sampler is based on one purchased from a New Hampshire antiques dealer.  An interesting factoid is that it had no name or date, but when NeedleWork Press was charting it, infrared light showed part of the phrase "Por Luciana Delgado".  Spanish, perhaps?

The finished piece will measure 23" x 10" on 40ct, although I'm sure there will be some stitchers who use 45 or even 50ct linen to stitch their pieces.

I'm not sure when the SAL will start, but I'll be ready to begin.  This morning I basted the fabric onto a set of 30-inch scroll rods which Dear Husband made for me a few years ago for another large project.

A second treat from our Postman this week was the book "Common Thread / Common Ground" by Marsha Van Valin of The Scarlet Letter.  

As some of you may know, there is an international Stitch-A-Long of Scarlet Letter samplers which is on a blog entitled Nicola's Scarlet Letter Year found at http://scarletletteryear.blogspot.co.uk/

During Advent last month, Nicola sponsored a daily contest to win various charts and books from The Scarlet Letter.  Lucky me - I won this fabulous book:

The book, autographed by Marsha herself, is a series of chapters and essays on early sampler and historic needlework.  There is one particular chapter on "Early Samplers of the Netherlands" which really interests me.  I love seeing the illuminated letters, tiered-roof houses and windmills that are typical of Dutch samplers.

I hope your Postman is as nice to you all this coming week!

~Terry