On this gorgeous fall morning in Arizona’s White Mountains (while husband Niles is scouting fly fishing waters for an upcoming camping trip), I elect to don fuzzy slippers and stay in the cabin charting a wonderful 1827 sampler with Arizona ties. I am bound and determined to finish this project for release in 2012, the year that marks our state’s centennial.

To my friends. You know who you are. You’re scattered here and there; next door and across the globe. Sometimes, we chat or write or e-mail on a regular basis. Other times months or even years come between our visits. No matter what, though, the hinges of friendship keep us together; hinges that never will rust.

A while ago—a long while ago, actually—someone with the initials K.H. tried her hand at stitching a rather folksy spot motif sampler. A rather proud blackbird joined myriad other motifs including angels, a deer, a rabbit, flowers, a red bird and a blue bird.

Not only have we been busy putting the finishing touches on our three new offerings, but also celebrating an 80th birthday (Vickie's mother, Maegan's grandmother-in-law).

Somewhere in the middle of Montana, my sister Kathie has a beautiful studio overlooking the still snow-capped Crazy Mountains. As I sit with my stitching in hand (a soon to be released project called "May the Hinges of Friendship Never Rust"), I think how fortunate we are to share our love of fiber arts.

Ever since I had my first Brownie camera, and later a 35mm SLR, I’ve gone somewhat ballistic shooting photos of flowers. My dad chastised me back in the day when 30 of the 36 images on a roll of film turned out to be flowers. 

Wondering if the “Country Life” really, truly is for me?!? The past few days “in the country” (where we have lived for 22 years) certainly challenged the bucolic serenity depicted in this wonderful Scarlet Letter sampler. 

Chances are the motifs in this mini-sampler were selected by its maker because of their significance in her life

This summer Maegan and I have the pleasure of presenting Ann Wheatley’s 1829 sampler as a serialized project at out hometown haven from the heat, Attic Needlework & Collectibles in Mesa, AZ.

Maegan and Vickie are Hoffman Distribution's Friday Feature this week. Click here to take a look! http://www.hoffmandis.com/index.cfm?page=ffdet&desID=NWP