Jingle Bell Bracelet

We just loved these Jingle Bell Bracelets last year -- and begged the creator to make us some. We were on her list and our delivery arrived today!

Each bracelet comes pre-wrapped in a white box with a red or green ribbon. We have a very limited supply -- and when they are gone, they're gone.

Each bracelet costs $20. They make great stocking stuffers in addition to gifts for teachers, babysitters, tutors etc. So call or email us to place your order.

Rosemary Stocking for Claire

Rosemary has been working valiantly on stockings for her grandchildren. But just as she finishes one stocking, there seems to be the need for another one. This weekend, Rosemary's daughter and new grandson, Tom came in with her. They were all here to pick up Claire's finished stocking but also to order one for Tom. In the meantime, Rosemary is working on Peter's!

Claire' stocking is a beautiful, traditional stocking. Santa is wearing a long coat and is surrounded by toys. Rosemary did a wonderful job on Santa's beard!

Fish Ornament

This fish ornament is just lovely!  The stitching is lovely and the finishing just makes it perfect!

Great Project bags

We are discounting all our instock project bags by 20%, partially because of Small Business Saturday. This great project bag comes in several different colors and has lots of room for your accessories. We have a number of these in stock so you should be able to get one before the end of the day.

Olivia's Stocking

Lucky Olivia who is getting this lovely stocking. It is beautifully stitched. I'm sure she will enjoy it for many, many years!

Colors of Praise is Leaving; THe Princess and Me Expected

We love having a designer's trunk show in. Tomorrow is the last day for the wonderful Colors of Praise Trunk Show. There is still time to come in and pick out one of her canvases. (If you registered your American Express card for the Small Business Saturday, you would get a $25 credit on your statement!) This was really a fantastic show.

And we know that The Princess and Me trunk show is already on its way to us! At the right, there are two finished examples of their delightful ornaments. It's a great show to inspire you for next Christmas. And of course, you can pick up an ornament when you pick up this year's finished ones.

Here's Come Santa

The last time I posted this, we couldn't remember whose canvas it was. We had to find it for a customer who just loved it. But we were smart enough to order a second one. Let us know if it has your name on it.

Christmas Bunny

There are definitely some animals that have a large following -- bunnies are definitely one of them. (At home, we have a four foot stuffed bunny in the living room.)

For Christmas, I enjoy have decorations around that suggest Christmas but don't make my house look like a department store's window. I just love the idea of this Christmas bunny as a doorstop or even a pillow. He could also be the front of a basket for your holiday cards.

Angel Toppers

Several customers have made Angel Christmas Tree toppers from Melissa Shirley. We just received this beautiful one in the store. Just imagine her dress done in purple velvet or a silk! Her front of her wings could be done in a filled lattice pattern. And I would make web stitches in River Silk for some of the flowers. If you started now, you could have if finished by Christmas 2011.

Memory Thread

Recently, I have had the opportunity to play with Memory Thread. It's a DMC thread that is very twistable so it's great to embellish a canvas. I like to twist the red and white memory thread to make candy canes for stockings and ornaments.

Last week, Helen and I played with the memory thread to make spider's legs for a Halloween canvas. It's looks great!

A Great Lighting Solution

I usually use a free-standing light that stands next to where I stitch. Recently, I've been working on Tony Minieri's In theFootsteps on the Pharoahs . It's a beautiful design but I'm finding it difficult to see clearly. Then I saw this fabulous magniscope. It's a magnifier that is backlit. To me, it's like working on #10 canvas! What a difference it makes.

At the right, I've taken a picture the piece through the magnifier with my camera. I'm not sure that's an accurate way to show how fabulous the magnificaton is -- but hopefully, you get the idea.

I've also included a picture of Nancy S. using the magniscope on the same piece.  She's using it with a Needlework system Four but it can be used with other stands, too. The light is very well-balanced.  I've also seen it used with a Lowry. It comes with a clamp so it can be attached to a table.


We have one set up in the store for you to try. If you like it, we can get it for you. For those taking Tony's class in January -- it may be a lifesaver.

Of course, you could always ask Santa to bring you one.

Great Christmas Presents

Sometimes, you want to give a gift that is more than store bought. These bags are just perfect because they are great purses but you can personalize them by stitching and inserting the recepient's monogram on the bag. The bag is beautifully made with several pockets for holding those items that tend to sink to the bottom. It's not too large but can hold your wallet, a book or ebook plus the daily essentials. It works well for everyday but also makes a great travel bag.

We can have the initials done quickly. You can finish the stitching in one or two nights. We'll be delighted to put the insert in for you.

We have the bags in the burgundy, grey green and cognac. They are just waiting for the initial canvas.

Flying santa

I can't wait to see this canvas finished. I imagine Santa being a fabulous stand-up, being held up by a stick. But he could also be hung from a cord so he is actually flying.

Stockings Similar to Helen's

Customers who have been in the store since Helen's Santa stocking came back have been admiring it. We have three Christmas stockings that are very similar to hers. They are wonderful stockings to use creative stitches and threads with. All three stockings are on #13 mesh so they are quicker to finish. In addition, all three have large blocks of color so they are great for decorative stitches. Helen used a Rhodes heart on her stocking plus a great background stitch. They are just stunning.

A Great Christmas Present

Do you know someone who loves his or her ebook? If so, then this is a great gift. The leather case fits the older and newer ebooks. There is a choice of canvases that go into the opening. We are actually able to finish these on site before Christmas if you get it stitched!

Inside, there is a place for your business card.

I just finished the one on the right for myself. The leather covers come in red, grey green, maroon and brown. I happen to love this florentine design but there are many other options. We are expecting two in tomorrow so call if you want one.

Thanksgiving Decorations

Seven of the participants in our Larry the Turkey class finished their turkeys by the October 1 deadline. Today, we received the seven turkeys back from our fabulous finisher. We just couldn't resist taking a picture of eight finished turkeys together. We rarely get to see so many of one canvas finished at the same time.

Below, is the picture of six remaining turkeys ready to be picked up so they can decorate someone's house for Thanksgiving. Do let us know if you are interested in taking this one session class in the Spring. We used lots of fun threads and stitches -- perfect for people wanting to go beyond the traditional thread and stitch.

A Winter Scene by Melissa Shirley

This wonderful winter scene is by Mary Lake Thompson, one of the designers represented by Melissa Shirley. I love the children bringing the tree in while the cow is in the pasture. For me, this canvas has great movement. There is also a lot of opportunity to do stitches since there are blocks of color.

Thanksgiving Canvases

I fell in love with these fabulous Melissa Shirley canvases at last year's show. Imagine how wonderful these four canvases would look at the entrance to your house or on your dining room table on Thanksgiving day.
Unlike Larry the Turkey (who is just adorable), these canvases are elegant. And for me, they epitomize the spirit of Thanksgiving. We have already sold one of the canvases so let us know if you want us to order them for you.

Look at the wonderful borders. All four canvases have flowers at the top but the bottom border on each one is unique. There faces are lovely. I would have to use bullion knots for the pilgrim's hair. Think of the threads and stitches you could use!

We also have a stitch guide available for each one.