on sale

All BOOKLETS are 15% off today through August 6th ... one week only! Hope your week-end is stitch filled. Happy Friday!

For details click HERE!

picnic

Very humid here today and who knows why I thought it would make for a good day to picnic but any chance to be out of doors with my boys, I take it. We've been spending so much time at the pool lately which is fun fun fun but very tiring so a change in pace is welcome. After a quick stop at a video game store for Ben to spend saved money and where Zack thought the purpose of the store was to have spinning racks just for him to give a go, it was lunchtime so we took sandwiches to the river for a picnic.

Did I say it was humid? The shade was nice but afterwards we wandered down for skipping rock time and then Mama Duck and her wee ones meandered by so I had to convince the boys to halt it with the rocks and just take a few moments to chill and watch nature rather than throw it. When the ducks left, it was back to skipping, flying, kerplunking rocks. Joys of boys. Then after Ben couldn't take not playing his new video game any longer and after many there's a bug, get it off me yelps from Zack, we left the park for home. The pool still calls us so that will be in an hour or so.

Here is Picnic at Box Hill, a photo sent in by Pat in VA who added Quinton, her town. Beautiful finishing job! Such an appropriate pic to share today. Probably wasn't humid in Jane Austen time, right?

Been on a picnic lately?

::summer reading

I noticed someone at the pool today reading this memoir and remembered that I had bought it at Barnes & Noble several weeks ago while slowly looking through their staff picks shelf. Having worked in a bookstore many moons ago and having my staff picks on display a few times makes me take the time to see what the staff recommends. Sometimes it pays off, sometimes it doesn't. So far this book is quite entertaining, fast paced and interesting. Memoirs are always fascinating to me and this one jumps out at you from the getgo with honesty, laughter and real life drama.

What are you reading?

count 'em, 1 2 3 ... NEW PATTERNS!

NEW!

No 2 Gertie Sells Yarn by the Seashore

Gertie and her friends are on the way to the shore! Set your knitting aside to stitch this delightful design. Fashioned into decoration for the side of a carryall basket, this project take EWE seaside with every stitch.

NEW!

No 3 Meet Me on Pumpkin Hill

Ready for Halloween stitching? This sweet design is a frightful good time. Head over to the pumpkin patch with one of the sheep to pick out the perfect pumpkin. Watch out for bats!

NEW!

Summers by the Sea with Jane Austen

I continually read the letters between Jane Austen and her sister, Cassandra, and recently re-discovered this passage that Jane wrote in 1801:

There is something interesting in the bustle of going away, and the prospect of spending future summers by the sea or in Wales is very delightful ...

Sums up summer away for me so I wanted to capture the words in needlework. Design was finished into a souvenir of sorts with silk ribbons and vintage buttons. Finishing instructions included in chart.

Patterns are now available for purchase on The Sampler Girl website.

another sneak peek, summers by the sea with jane austen pattern

...here's another tease ... this is a sneak peek of SUMMERS BY THE SEA WITH JANE AUSTEN KIT ... available for purchase on Monday.

- - edited to say this will be just a pattern rather than a kit as initially thought.

sneak peek, meet me at pumpkin hill

Three Designs to be released on Monday and they are ...

- - No 2 Gertie Sells Yarn by the Seashore, Sheep on a Hill Collection

- - No 3 Meet Me at Pumpkin Hill, Sheep on a Hill Collection (sneak peek here)

- - Summers by the Sea with Jane Austen KIT

Until then, how about some pie? Happy Saturday ... stay cool.

hotter than all get out

Have you heard of that phrase before? It's the kind of heat today that goes through your clothes and touches your shoulders just from walking to a car in a parking lot. We lunched out with my Mom and Grandmother which is always a treat and then stopped by the market for a few items before expiring from the summer sun. One more stop ... to my dear model stitcher's house and picked up two models and then home. The models are super cool and will be 2 of the 3 designs to be released on Monday. Two are in the Sheep on a Hill collection and the other being Jane Austen-inspired.

Until then, put on a happy face and bring on the week-end.

to France! .. + free chart!

I've always been familiar with French, well ... since the first grade. I took French up to the 9th grade when I chose to try another language, Latin. I should have stuck with French. All these years later I can muster up the Latin word for water and conjugate it up and down but with French, I can still read through paragraphs of the language, speak it to get by, and know how to find a bathroom if I find myself in Paris someday.

My French teacher for the first three years was the most dear lady you could ever meet. Walking into her classroom was like walking into a small French village as she had it decorated beautifully to transport the student to this country far away ... upon entering the room we all would run to our favorite table to sit; these little round tables (which looked like giant wooden spools) were decorated with French sayings, words, pictures and such on the top. All eyes were on Madame at the large black chalkboard and she spoke to us in her prettiest accent. She was tough but soft and to make certain we learned the days of the week, she gave colorful gum drops to those who mastered it. Those were the best gum drops in the world. She took us to her house every Christmas to see her creche display which was a grand treat and a favorite field trip for many of us. Seeing her things from her home country of France was an additional insight into her and I'm fortunate she shared that passion of the country and language with us little girls.

I ran into Madame at Panera bread several years back and she looked the exact same as she did 30+ years ago. She remembered me - I don't know if that's good or bad - and I can't really express the feeling I had when she smiled at me and we chatted, but the childhood part of my heart did a twirl in happiness to have this part back even if for a few minutes.

My second & last French teacher was on another level. She was good at her way of teaching French but there were no gum drops that I recall. There was crepe day which was a day no one was absent every year.

The closest I've been to Paris is Calais. My family took a trip to England during the early days of Fergie (wish I could find that red velvet bow hair clip I got in London!) and one day we took a ferry to Calais. I don't do boats. Never have. Probably never will. The ferry ride was long - felt like eternity but I think it was an hour ride. The boat went up and down, sharply so much that you felt you had to keep your mouth closed or your stomach would upchuck. We were sitting on chairs within and I can still see chairs moving across the room as the waves came and went. My Dad, thinking that the cold wind would help, took me up to the top and seeing the waves didn't help either so back below we went. My Mom gave me a pill and I remember sitting up and then passing out. And then we were there. Calais!

The day we were there nothing was open except for a French-style Walmart of sorts and a bakery. The sweets cases had bees buzzing all about and I remember thinking yuk! but the chocolate croissants were to die for so we ate them while sitting on a bench in a gorgeous garden. We went to the store I mentioned and bought a few souvenirs and I was happy to be able to know what they were saying around us ... I can imagine what we looked like after getting off that wicked ferry. Don't remember the ferry ride back to England at all, but I remember the London news that night telling of a hydrofoil that we were begging my Dad to take instead of the ferry, being broken down on the English Channel and a pregnant woman having to be taken off by helicopter since the wait would be so long for the replacement water taxi. So the ferry ended up being the best choice. Imagine.

I was lucky to go to Belgium with a friend one summer as a kid and was struck dumb on a bus in Brussels because my French wasn't cutting the Flemish spoken there. There was a button shop there that I'll never forget with long narrow cardboard drawers filled with buttons galore. I bought lace gloves which when I got home found out were made in China. Someday I'll get to Paris for the real thing.

Until then, I continue to love all things French. I sell my patterns worldwide to countries I have to locate on my son's shower curtain map but France remains the only country outside the US that I sell to the most. Perhaps there is a little French in me after all. Oui?

I have a free chart for you today. Stitch it up and buy some gum drops to treat yourself!

*The design in the picture at the beginning of the post is French Lavender Pocket and I've been making more button flowers with old and new buttons for someone. They are such fun to create and each is different from the other.

Voyez-vous bientot! (See you soon!)

pretty things

- - by the ocean with jane austen

- - lace scissors

- - exclusive the sampler girl tote bag

- - getting away with jane austen

- - seaside memories note card

- - fabric cut as used for mother's prayers

- - one of my jane austen reading nooks

- - at pemberley, stitched by Vivi in Israel

*more patterns, scissors, fabrics & needfuls at The Sampler Girl

when it rains, go to the museum!

I've seen more legos at Downtown Disney and even at the Lego store but the current Lego Architecture exhibit at the National Building Museum was pretty cool! This morning was going to be a pool-planned one but it was raining buckets so I took the boys to the city instead. We had never been to this museum so I'm glad we finally got there. The Great Hall is very impressive with large columns and high ceilings. In the adjoining room of the exhibit there was a playroom with legos all. over. the. place. for kids to construct whatever they wished and then place their creations on a big platform. Afterwards we stopped awhile in the construction room geared to the smaller set and if it weren't for meter parking, Zack would still be there playing.

The sun is out now so maybe after Z's nap, we'll schlep over to the pool after all. All depends on my headache ... you'd think a large area filled with quiet children working with legos wouldn't be that noisy ... everyone busy working away on their masterpieces ... BUT the clink clink and rattle rattle of all those legos with little fingers was maddening. No wonder the docents in the room had a dazed look about their faces.

walk much?

Back in the exercise routine and feeling great about it. I had slacked off the past few months, sad to say, and happy to report am on the saddle again! Trying to eat 2-3 servings of fish a week to keep cholesterol in control and made this amazing meal tonight to launch my fish kick, so to speak. If you haven't tried Swai fish, do! It's delicious.

The boys & I are swimming along through hot and humid days. Zack was first to finish the summer reading log so he practically ran to the library counter this morning to turn it in for his coupon booklet of fun discounts and yummies like free ice cream, free Krispy Kreme donuts ... nice incentive, eh? We're trying to convince big brother Ben, mr. 11yr old loves to read but not be pressured about it to hurry up and finish so he can enjoy free goods too.

We've enjoyed several summer storms come through, including one tonight while Ben and I were out at a library program. I couldn't see any other place to be stranded in a downpour than the library! I picked up several new-to-me cookbooks and think I'll nose into them while I grab an ice cream sandwich because reading recipes always makes me hungry.

Glad Fiona & the Flag is well received. Her friend, Gertie, will be along soon in a pattern release. Pool day for us tomorrow ... maybe she'll come with me for a few stitches.

book giddy

My turn in the library queue for this book was up and I was quite giddy to curl up yesterday afternoon to begin it ... so far so good! I finished this book in one night ... couldn't put it down!! Still reading children's literature for my summer challenge now and then .. what are you reading these summer days?

button flowers

Remember I like tutorials? Well, this one caught my eye and while I didn't like working with bead/glass/metal type glue (oh the strong smell!), the outcome of my little project was sweet. I made them last night and decided to wear the blue one this morning; it brightened up a pouring-down-rain-Saturday-morning spent at a funeral for a special family friend who suffers no longer from Alzheimers.

People walk into our lives at just the right time, don't they? God sees to it that way for us. I will be forever grateful for Rev. Curry coming into our lives at just the right time when we needed a strong man of faith and comfort during those last months of my grandfather's life, 11 years ago. We never fully get over the loss of a loved one even though the years roll on; time stands still sometimes. It is through these tender times when angels unawares come to us and guide us through to ease the grief all the more.

The following familiar scripture The Lord is my Shepherd was included in the program and is so, so beautiful; I had never seen this Scottish version before and wanted to share it with you here.

The Lord’s my Shepherd, I’ll not want.

He makes me down to lie

In pastures green; He leadeth me

The quiet waters by.

My soul He doth restore again;

And me to walk doth make

Within the paths of righteousness,

Even for His own Name’s sake.

Yea, though I walk in death’s dark vale,

Yet will I fear no ill;

For Thou art with me; and Thy rod

And staff my comfort still.

My table Thou hast furnishèd

In presence of my foes;

My head Thou dost with oil anoint,

And my cup overflows.

Goodness and mercy all my life

Shall surely follow me;

And in God’s house forevermore

My dwelling place shall be.

-Scottish Pslater, 1650

week's end

How can Friday be here so soon? This week has been one long hot summer's day and it's been nice taking a short break from TSG. My fun, zany boys and I played in the summer sun; splashed in the pool; made a lot of smores; consumed many popsicles; read long books curled up together in air conditioning and played pirates inside our IKEA play tent. Isn't summer the best?

This morning was mailing day as promised so all packaged orders are en route ... enjoy! Please check HERE for Order Tracking. Orders received since I went on break this week will resume shipping on Monday in the order they came in. Some more cuts of red ticking fabric were added HERE. Some new cards were added HERE. Also I did a little reorganizing of my pattern inventory area and found some OOP charts so listed them HERE.

Hope your weekend is sweet as a flower. Happy day!

sun in my eyes

Well, the week is going. That about sums it up. These two boys of mine are either going to put me in a home by Labor Day or I'll find myself walking happily into one. They are quite the pair and hilarious together; if it weren't for laughter, I think I'd cry. We were at the library earlier and back inside for a few until Mama can muster the energy to put up the slip n slide and let them at it. I better get to it soon because I just caught Zack jumping backwards on the wing chair and when asked what are you doing?, was told, I do this every day, I'm a rabbit.

The first picture was taken at Panera during a sane few moments at lunchtime and the last was taken after our visit to the library on the day of their opening after 18 months being closed for renovation! You can see mischievous looks ... I mean, the sun in their eyes.

Now where is that slip n slide ...

taking it easy

No order packing for the next few days; it's a slight break off from The Sampler Girl ... all epattern orders received as of an hour ago have been emailed. Mail orders will be sent on Friday of this week and continue only twice a week through the summer, picking up to more post office runs as usual when Fall comes again. Please keep track of your order status via the Order Tracking feature on website.

New patterns, At Delaford, and Fiona & the Flag will be sent to distributors later this month. Sheep on a Hill, the Collection is an exclusive to Hoffman by the way.

I've some reading to catch up on and might pick up my stitching to work on Gertie but there will be lots of relaxing going on and enjoying little feet like these run about hither and yon. See you next week!

let freedom ring

ever play checkers with a 3yr old?

It's pretty funny. And it goes fast. Starts out okay ... you each pick red or black and set up the checkers. Slowly, very slowly, they get their places in the black squares even though the other squares look just as good. You have high hopes of thinking you will actually play a round with this little guy but it goes all wrong, all different ... and before you know it, he changes his mind on the color checker he wants. Begin again. All are in their spots once again and you think it will work, it will. So you slowly explain how to play and you're not being heard. Another game takes over. The checkers begin to move here and there and soon the mat is empty and then full again and your player says ... I win!

saturday the third of july

It's been a warmish day but not as humid and hot as the days to follow will be. It's pushing 7PM and still 86 degrees. We spent the afternoon here and enjoyed Ocean Hall. It was nice getting into the city on America's birthday week-end before it got really too busy with the crowds tomorrow. I made these little yummies for our dessert tonight and fixed a big bowl of this for tomorrow's big holiday dinner. The sale continues ... hope your Saturday has been as splendid as ours. One more episode of Miss Marple tonight to watch online here ... enjoy the rest of your summer's day.

new pattern, Fiona and the Flag

Oh my, is it already a new month?? July is a fun month, a hot month, a red, white and blue month! To start this month off with needlework, there's a new design now available, launching a new series ... could it get better than that? Well, if it were covered in chocolate or delivered by Mr. Darcy himself ... perhaps, but this is pretty fun stitching, I think. Hope you like it!

*~*No 1 Fiona and the Flag*~*

Premier design in the collection, Sheep on a Hill

Fiona is waiting for Gertie, who will go with her to the seaside. That pattern to be released in a few weeks. Each design is a different size and meant to stand on its own but they all compliment each other. They are sheep after all!

Collection's inspiration can be read about HERE. Enjoy!

July S A L E

SALE begins July 1, 12AM EST

SALE ends July 5, 12 AM EST

Selected patterns and items are 17.76% off

(As always, free shipping on US orders & overseas orders will be invoiced shipping fee.)

CLICK HERE for all details.