We cherish the carefully carved wood ornaments on our vintage Christmas tree and we appreciate the decorations that have accompanied us from childhood to the present.

Bringing new life to vintage designs is Maegan’s forte! This and her vibrant use of color were recognized recently by the Counted Thread Group of TNNA and as a result, this newbie to the needlework design world will be displaying her work at the winter trade show in Phoenix!

Gratitude knows no limits! Our hearts swell in appreciation of our families, our freedoms, our friends. Sometimes, though, it's simple appreciation for the little things that adds joy to our days.

When our favorite pastimes can benefit a good cause, our actions are doubly blessed! Such is the case with The Attic’s annual silent auction to benefit Breast Cancer Research.

Not only did this week mean time to turn the page to begin a new month, but also starting to schedule more and more 2012 activities and events. Hard to believe that another year is coming to a close! If you haven't seen our Book of Days for 2012, stop by your favorite needlework shop to see what's new for the coming year.

Have you ever encountered needlework in unexpected places? I recently did and couldn't wait to share the experience. 

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).