Heirloom Nativity Sampler-Ninth in the Heirloom Series #87, The Victoria Sampler

“Sweet angels sing on Christmas night
Come shepherds see the wondrous sight.
Come wise men see the star above,
A Babe is born to bring us Love.”

This elegant snowy Heirloom Sampler was inspired by many warm Christmas memories. When I was a child in Holland and then in Canada, the emphasis at Christmas was on the celebration of the Nativity story. Since we’d already received our presents from 'St. Nicholas' early in December, we were very focused on the coming of the baby Jesus! Usually, a week before Christmas, we decorated our new Christmas tree with sparkling ornaments and white candles. We would hang pine and fir boughs on the walls. But I wasn't tall enough to decorate the tree or walls, so in our family, my special joy and privilege was arranging the Creche. On our best side table, I would lay fluffy white cotton and some sparkles to make the snow shine. Then I added the barn with Mary and Joseph, the Shepherds and their sheep, the three Kings with a camel, and a gorgeous floating Angel hanging above. Finally, after much shifting of the figures so they were all arranged to perfection, I carefully and gently placed the little baby Jesus in his creche in the center. This Nativity scene of peace and love was the centerpiece of our house and it added such deep meaning to the scent of pine and candles, cookies baking, and the tinkle of bells and carol singing. For me, Christmas was the most magical hopeful time of the year. I hope that this sampler will bring that peace and beauty to you as you stitch this sampler with all its rich emotional imagery of the story of the First Christmas! 

• Design area: 329h x 72w (23.5” high x 5.1” wide)
• Models: 28ct Cashel Linen - Smokey Pearl 
• Cut fabric: 30” high x 11” wide

Suggested Materials

• Gloriana silk #135 “Bellagio” - multi blue, green, cherry, gold - 2 yards and #117 Elizabethan Green” - olive greens dk - 3 yards
• Kreinik Mori #0553 - blue lt - 1 yards, #7014 - tan - 4 yards, #7086 - golden yellow med - .5 yards and #6126 - purple - 1 yards, #0103 - flesh - 1.5 yards, #0523 - grey lt - 1 yards, #0724 - yellow lt - 1.5 yards #7087 - golden yellow dk - 2 yards and #8000 - white - 16 yards
• Needlepoint Inc. #0143 - rose dk - 1.5 yards, #0304 - rust brown - 1 yards, #0925 - grey blue dk - 2.5 yards, #0966 - grey green dk - 2 yards, #0126 - brick red dk - 1 yards, #0642 - green - 2 yards and #0923 - grey blue med - 1 yards
• Gentle Art Sampler Threads “Sable” - multi browns - 4 yards
  
• Access Au ver a Soie #1835 - grass green - 1 yards, #4624 - red - 1 yards, #creme - cream - 1 yards and #noir - black - 1 yards
• Kreinik #4 Braid #002HL - metallic gold - 8 yards
  
• Mill Hill petite bead #40557 - gold
• SJ Designs petite bead #1818 - clear silver and petite bead #18114 - bronze iris
• SJ Designs 2mm pearl beads - white
• Access Mother of Pearl Star beads 
• Mill Hill Treasure #12093 - red gold heart 
• Star charm - gold 
  
• Zweigart 28ct Cashel Linen - Smoky Pearl 
• DMC #12 Perle Cotton - white
• DMC #8 Perle Cotton - white
• #24 Tapestry Needle
• #10 short Beading Needle