What a surprise when I went to the mailbox a few weeks ago and found that “our own” Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett had sent a copy of her new book, Sonoran Borders, Threads of Friendship.
Vicki has a booth at Merchant Square Antique Marketplace in Chandler offering an eclectic collection, including antique samplers. And, for a number of years, she has been placing ads for Attic Needlework in Mesa in our sister paper, The Country Register. Little did we know that Vickie is a writer and has been working on this delightful book.
Putting the rest of the mail aside, I thumbed through the colorful photos found on most every page, excited to see what the book was about. The photos draw you to the pages and the tender story captures your attention. Later I learned that a number of the antiques that are shown were purchased in Arizona.
Sonoran Borders, Threads of Friendship is a fictional story about two young girls, Emily and Feliciana, whose paths cross in the Sonoran desert of Arizona Territory more than a century ago. Their time together is brief but their friendship spans the years through correspondence and a shared love of needlework.
Using real life antique crossstitch pieces and samplers from that era, Vickie portrays a beautiful story. Each needlework piece is creatively woven into Emily and Feliciana’s lives blending cultural and every day struggles that impacted the lives of young girls a century ago. Beautiful photos of the antique samplers and eleven projects (including three samplers) provide details so that readers can create their own pieces of history.
Skilled needlecrafters who would like to see their arts appreciated and taught to the next generation will want to have a copy of this book. The projects are carefully detailed with easy to follow instructions making it easy for even a novice to create.
Sonoran Borders, Threads of Friendship: ISBN 978-1-61169-093-4 Dimensions 8.5 x 11 inches, soft cover, color illustrated, 96 pages, Published by Kansas City Star Books, Retail $27.95.
Locally, Sonoran Borders is available at Merchant Square, 1509 N Arizona Ave., Chandler, and at Attic Needlework, 1837 W. Guadalupe, Mesa. Also, check with your favorite needlework shop, go to pickledishstore.com or order on Amazon. To order wholesale, email Jack Beasley at jbeasley@kcstar.com or call 888-719-5003, Kansas City Star Books.
Win a Free Copy!
One lucky reader will win a free copy of Vickie LoPiccolo Jennett’s new book, Sonoran Borders, Threads of Friendship!
To enter, send an email to: info@antiqueregister.com and put Sonoran Borders in the subject line. Or send a letter or postcard to: The Antique Register, 515 E. Carefree Hwy, #1128, Phoenix, AZ 85085. Be sure to include your name, address and phone number. One entry per person, please.
The drawing will be held on December 1 and the winner will be announced in the January-February issue.