Story of the first Christmas!     
 

“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 centre. This Nativity scene of peace and love was the centre piece 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! - Thea

    
Heirloom Nativity Sampler
Design area: 329h x 72w (23.5”h x 5.1”w)
Models: 28ct Smokey Pearl Cashel Linen
Cut fabric: 30” x 11” for framing

ACCESSORY PACK: Ask for the Heirloom Nativity Accessory Pack at participating needlework shops. They are also available online in our Catalogue.
 

• Heirloom Nativity MAIN Accessory Pack (#87P)
  (enough to stitch this long sampler)
• BUNDLE A
  Gloriana silk #135 “Bellagio” - multi blue, green, cherry, gold - 2 yards
  Gloriana silk #117 Elizabethan Green” - olive greens dk - 3 yards
  Kreinik Mori #0553 - blue lt - 1 yards
  Kreinik Mori #7014 - tan - 4 yards
  Needlepoint Inc. #0143 - rose dk - 1.5 yards
  Needlepoint Inc. #0304 - rust brown - 1 yards
  Needlepoint Inc. #0925 - grey blue dk - 2.5 yards
  Needlepoint Inc. #0966 - grey green dk - 2 yards
  BUNDLE B
  Gentle Art Sampler Threads “Sable” - multi browns - 4 yards
  Kreinik Mori #7086 - golden yellow med - .5 yards
  Kreinik Mori #6126 - purple - 1 yards
  Access Au ver a Soie #1835 - grass green - 1 yards
  Access Au ver a Soie #4624 - red - 1 yards
  Access Au ver a Soie #creme - cream - 1 yards
  Access Au ver a Soie #noir - black - 1 yards
  BUNDLE C
  Kreinik #4 Braid #002HL - metallic gold - 8 yards
  Kreinik Mori #0103 - flesh - 1.5 yards
  Kreinik Mori #0523 - grey lt - 1 yards
  Kreinik Mori #0724 - yellow lt - 1.5 yards
  Kreinik Mori #7087 - golden yellow dk - 2 yards
  Needlepoint Inc. #0126 - brick red dk - 1 yards
  Needlepoint Inc. #0642 - green - 2 yards
  Needelpoint Inc. #0923 - grey blue med - 1 yards
  BUNDLE D
  Mill Hill petite bead #40557 - gold
  SJ Designs petite bead #1818 - clear silver
  SJ Designs petite bead #18114 - bronze iris
  SJ Designs 2mm pearl beads - white
  Access Mother of Pearl Star beads - 5
  Mill Hill Treasure #12093 - red gold heart - 1
  Star charm - gold - 1

.Heirloom Nativity White Floss Accessory Pack (#87WFP)

(enough to stitch this long sampler)

• Kreinik Mori #8000 - white - 16 yards

Extra Materials Needed:

• Evenweave Fabric - Zweigart Smoky Pearl 28ct Cashel Linen
• DMC #12 Perle Cotton - white (Not in Accessory Pack)