Auction Time....

This past weekend I spent some at the auction house not to far from where I live.  My mom goes all the time so much so one of the guys refers to her as "pit bull" I usually go to the auctions on holiday weekends.  My weakness is needlework and my husband's is stamps.  My husband will not bid - a list is always available of the stamps to be auctioned he will diligently review the list and compare to the stamps he needs.  I will then receive the list back with the amount not to exceed and then let the games begin.  Pretty funny since most of the time I am the only woman bidding.  This weekend I really just went to see what they had and hang out for a little while.  As soon as I walked up I spotted the cabinet sitting on the corner - drawing the bidders in.

The spool cabinet drew quite a bit of attention. When it was up for bidding I just kept my card up - I was bound and determined it was coming home with me (just call me "pit bull" junior).  I ended up staying until the end because what I really made the trip for was a 12 gallon McCoy crock.

Finally it was time for the crock and I won.  At the check out counter there was a guy there and he told me "you stole the crock from me" - I thought he was joking around because I outbid him.  I told him I didn't exactly steal it (considering I couldn't pick it up if my life depended on it - I can hardly walk off with it).  My mom and I were ready to leave and he stopped her because apparently he is a regular just like she is.  He told her he bought it for more than I paid for it and I kept walking....All I heard her say was well that's the chance you take when you put it in an auction.  He said something else and true to form all I heard was just leave my daughter alone she really is a pit bull considering she is only 5'2" and this guy was probably close to 6'5"....next auction may be really interesting.

To wrap up my auction week here is a peak at my newest sampler acquisition.  I just fell in love with the sampler and how different the design is from what we normally see. The dark background and scalloped edging I just had to have it.

New Market Releases

I am very excited that my models and charts will be making their way to Nashville for the market the end of February.  I will be sending Susanah Rayment and Margaret Morley along with my two new releases.

The first one is an accessory to Susanah's sampler.  What young lady is complete without her needlecase?  Using elements from Susanah's sampler I designed a needlecase for her.   It will allow you to store threads, needle's, scissors and of course a small ruler.

Susanah Rayment's Needlecase (Front)

Susanah Rayment's Needlecase (Inside)

Thread Keeps and Ruler are from Kelmscott Designs

Susanah Rayment's Needlecase (Back)

Design is stitched on Lakeside Linen 32ct Buttercream

Using Gloriana Threads (One over Two)

Olive Silk Duponi

Olive Satin Ribbon

Stitch Size 114 x 127

Overall Size of Finished Needlecase 

8 1/4" x 4 1/2" (when closed)

I will also be releasing a third sampler from my collection.  The original sampler is in very poor condition.  As a result I am releasing this as an adaptation since I had to make assumptions in certain areas due to the thread loss.  The name on the sampler suffered so much thread loss when I began to stitch I just named it the Mystery Castle Sampler and I contemplated leaving the name off at the bottom.  Since I began this one at the top left I had plenty of time to contemplate.  Once I did get to the name section I just didn't have it in me to leave her name off.  I thought I would take a chance with a fresh set of eyes and look at the original again.  It was if she spoke to me.   Up until this point I could only make out the age, year and kart.  Finally I was able to make out her first name and the beginning of her last and realized she had added a little circle shape between her age and year.  It was as if I had just solved a puzzle.  Now I am working on the genealogy research and will provide more information on Ann Lockart.  The colors of the sampler are vivid to say the least and it definitely has Scottish influence given the reds, greens, initials of family members, castle and of course the two little Scottie dogs.  This was a fun sampler to stitch and I really did feel like it continued to reveal itself to me as I was working on it.

Ann Lockart - Age 12 - 1842

Sampler is Stitched on 

Lakeside Linen 32 ct Pearled Barley

Silk Threads - Gloriana and Needlepoint Silk

138 x 202 stitches

Framing by Total Framing, Fairfax, VA

Model Stitched by LaDonna Snellbaker

Hope you enjoy my new designs!