Sampler Alert: The Betty Ring Sampler Sale and Catalogue

I'm not a sampler fiend. Actually, it took me years to realize that those who like to stitch repo samplers are actually using them as a sort of time machine to visit our stitching ancestors and explore their world. If you are a sampler lover, you'll want to read about the sale of Betty Ring's collection and the catalogue that Sotheby's is going to print to go along with the sale. Mrs. Ring's collection is very important and has samplers that aren't in her books so anyone who enjoys her books will want to pick up a copy of the catalogue if possible.  Pre-ordering sounds like a very good idea to me.  It didn't take Betty's books long to become very very expensive.  The catalogues will likely go the same route so act now.
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/betty-ring-collection-auction-catalog/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Halloween Monthly Clubs

Because it is that time of year (and because, this being my blog, I can) I have listed the Halloween-themed monthly clubs that you can join or sign up for next year.  First is the Needle Deeva Creeps set, with stitch guides by Robin King.  Here's the smug devil.  LOL
http://bristlythistle.blogspot.com/2011/10/creepy-devil.html

You can see the entire set here.  Sign up at any shop on the list of participants.  However, if you are interested in stitching Bones, this is an exclusive Creep at Ruth Schmuff's shop (second link).
http://www.needledeeva.com/creepy_characters.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/08/what-says-halloween-more-than-robin.html

Speaking of Ruth, she loves Halloween and has collaborated with Kelly Clark for the sweet Halloween treats club.  If you scroll down farther, you'll see the Halloween tree ornaments club that Ruth did 2-3 years ago.  Those are still available if you need something spooky for a tree in your haunted mansion.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/clubs.php

Chandail has done the Kelly Clark witch hats and also Associated Talents' candy corn ornaments.  They plan a Halloween club for next year using the poison bottles from Kirk and Hamilton.  Nothing is up on their website yet for the bottles but the other two series are on their website and still available.
http://www.chandailneedlework.com/

Needlenook of La Jolla offers the Kelly Clark bat ornaments as one of their monthly clubs.  The candy apples club from the same designer has a lot of Halloween-themed ornaments as well.
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/events/cod/index.html

Thread Garden has Boo Whooo?, the Cheryl Schaeffer Halloween pumpkin ornament club.  In a twist, you never know which pumpkin will arrive in the next installment.
http://thethreadgarden.com/Canvas_Shoppe/Pages/Boo_Whooo%21_Ornament_of_the_Month.html

Pocket Full of Stitches has done quite a few Halloween-themed clubs over the years.  You can do one of the Halloween Parties (either the monsters or the kids dressed up in costumes) and add the backdrop for each if you choose.  There's also the Raymond Crawford (I think) Haunted Windows that spell out Halloween, the Trick or Treat banner, and the Halloween letter ornaments with their pumpkin and scaredy cat.  Most of the designs are from A Collection of Designs I believe, although not all are credited on the PFOS website.
http://www.pfos.com/ChristmasClubs/clubs.htm

Fancy Stitches has the fun Kathy Schenkel Halloween stars.  Since they also offer her Christmas and Thanksgiving stars, you can stick to a star theme for all your holiday decorating.
http://www.fancystitches.com/page3.html

The final club I found for you Halloween decorators is the Halloween treat pail club from Needle Deeva at Beeth's Needlepoint.  If you have already done some Needle Deeva Halloween and need more, this is the club for you.
http://bethsneedlepoint.com/Dot_ClubsExec.asp?idClubCategory=6

See?  There's no excuse for not stitching Halloween to decorate a scary house for Halloween 2012!


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com