Fall is coming!

Although here it is in the 90's again - but when it cools off at night into the 50's and 60's, you know it won't be long...Of course, that's OK by me, it means it's time to make Christmas gifts!, and ornaments, and cards...maybe some cookies...:-) The Just Cross Stitch Ornament issue should be coming soon - lots of great ideas (and recipes! :-) for contest entries. Let's make this year's tree loaded with your ornaments!

(Photo is local stitcher Diane Keilman with her recently completed Serendipity Nativity, outstanding!)

Mill Hill's newest kits are darling, ornaments and magnets, Arctic Circle Santas and Jim Shore Santas, the beaded and buttoned kit assortment...all self-contained, reasonably priced and quick to finish. The latest Prairie Schooler set is in, and they're wonderful, animals, spooky creatures, Santas...and all simple and quick to stitch, and as one stitcher pointed out, they use consistent color schemes - no new thread to buy!

Samplers are again surging in popularity, and many new ones are here with more to come; we also have new Celtic designs, flowers, baby patterns, fairies, new Lizzie Kates - and we're waiting to see what their new DoubleFlip series will be, now that we're finishing the current Merry Christmas series.

We also have some yummy new fabrics, threads, beads and buttons to embellish your work and frames; your imagination can run wild. :-)

And now for some whimsy...you may have heard of them...

Biscornu is a French adjective that means "that which has an irregular form, with projections" or "complicated and bizarre."

Biscornus are interesting little eight-sided pincushions that have become very popular in recent months. The word biscornu (sometimes written biscournu) is derived from a French adjective, meaning skewed, quirky, or irregular, literally, "two-horned". Sandy made two for the Wasco County Fair, one a pincushion and one an ornament. One of our Hood River stitchers has even made large ones into doorstops! Any square or round design can work - and you can use up scraps of fabric and odd bits of thread or leftover beads and buttons - the ultimate recycled gift!

Our Idaho neighbor, My Big Toe Designs, has these wonderful tutorials on her website:

http://www.mybigtoedesigns.com/Tutorials/Tutorial_Biscornu.htm

http://www.mybigtoedesigns.com/Tutorials/Tutorial_Ornament.htm

VACATION for Sandy: Sept. 1 through 7, Sept. 17 through October 5; SHOP WILL BE STAFFED Tues. through Sat. 11 to 3 during that time, so don't hesitate to come in! We NEED your support, and thank you heartily for thinking of us first for your needlework needs and desires! We know how easy to is to "go online" - but it's very difficult to to compete with all "they" have to offer and that "instant gratification". We try to fill that need, too - please check us out and let us order for you!

Closed for Labor Day weekend, Sept. 5-7. Picnic! Hike! Swim! Play croquet with your kids/grandkids! And don't forget to stitch a little. :-)

Winter/Spring?!

It's March and there's new snow...too bizarre. But, for Sandy it's just more good stitchin' time! And after the Nashville show, there are many new things to stitch! Stop in to see the bounty - and the new samples we've stitched. We especially love "Live Simply" and "Crabby All Year"! Next up are Monthly Mockeries from Raise the Roof ("I know you are but what am I?" - sounds just like Sandy's little brothers!), Lizzie Kate's DoubleFlips for Halloween and Nora Corbett's fairy Letter A (Letters from Nora).

Mill Hill's newest kits are in stock, and more are coming soon - snowmen from Jim Shore - maybe they'll ward off more snow! The flower and vegetable bead and button kits are wonderfully bright, the spring magnets fun and appetizing! - a hot fudge sundae!, popcorn, root beer float...yum!

Stoney Creek has several great new books including bib designs for the new bright bibs from STS Crafts, made in Brazil, Pets with Attitude and Vintage Cycles; Quaker designs abound (see photo) and are really fun to stitch; Nora Corbett (Mirabilia) continues her fairy alphabet series as well as a new Santa, his sleigh and reindeer - we love Rudolph!

We brought back lots of new free designs from Nashville, too - and there are many sources online as well. Try one or two as a bookmark for your Bookmark Challenge! We'd be happy to give you remnants to stitch on, or we also have pre-made bookmarks and lots of colors of perforated paper to use. Encourage a young reader - it's a small gift that will mean a lot. Plus, we're giving prizes! Upon further reading, we see Nordic Needle is again doing their $100 gift certificate drawing, so if you'd rather, we'll send them there so you can get in that drawing. Deadline for that will be May 1, 2009; for bookmarks that will stay in our area, you have until May 30 - and yes, you can stitch for both! :-)

ONLINE TRADE SHOW - The spring show is coming up, April 15 - 20; do check it out. There are always lots of designers we don't see anywhere else - it's where we found those "naughty words" (see below) last year! :-) Then be sure to let us know if there's something we can get for you. Some have minimums, but we'll try our best to accomodate you.

CELEBRITY CROSS STITCH! They say celebrities attract people to their hobbies - think Vanna White. :-) Finally we read of an actress who stitches! Miranda Richardson ("Harry Potter", "The Phantom of the Opera", "Enchanted April", "Blackadder", dozens more) found the perfect way to pass the time when she isn't in front of the cameras during 12 hour days of filming - "I spent my time cross stitching." She goes on to say she stitches "naughty words onto handerkerchiefs" - hmm, we can get those! :-)

AND ON THE RED CARPET - Paris Fashion Week, March 2009; Christian Dior's collection by designer John Galliano included "dove grey suits trimmed with fur, and featuring bubble hems, caught with CROSS STITCHING! How cool is that?!

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!

Here's the Christmas tree with 2008's nine fabulous ornament entries (hot pink tagged); stop by to see it! And, here's the first set of Lizzie Kate's DoubleFlips for 2009; some of you weren't able to access the link for some reason. Computers - phooey!, I'd rather stitch anyway! (ONE of the reasons for the slowness of posting the blog...)

It's such a busy season - with house guests to pamper, songs to sing, concerts to attend, cards to write, cookies to bake, presents to wrap, gifts to finish! Back to stitching!! Please do stop by to see what's new...Sandy really has to work on this snake...! :-)

(I'm so glad the false flap about "Happy Holidays" has "left the building"; Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Happy Chanukah (we DO have Jewish friends, after all), ETC., don't all fit in a headline!)

May yours be merry and bright, and may your retirement funds come back big time in 2009! :-)

Just a Quick Hello

I received a message that this blog might be spam - !!, so am posting just to keep from being - deleted?? Too strange. Maybe that message was spam! :-)

Back from our Cascade Singers trip - one photo attached (most of the group in a ring fort - where we sang "Home in the Rock"!). Still stitching!, working on county fair projects...did lots of eyelets on my Hardanger table runner while on the tour bus!

Summer??

Erratic weather, that's what it is. Our back yard cherry tree still has green cherries on it! We're eating lots of garden strawberries, though, and the birds are leaving them alone - because they're off hunting for ripening cherries elsewhere?? (Two of Sandy's favorite cross stitched pieces are her Strawberry Sampler from Blackbird Designs and Cherries Crate Label from American School of Needlework - wonder why? :-)

The aboriginal design pictured is Sandy's "souvenir" from last September's trip to Australia and New Zealand - Aboriginal by Prairie Moon (Hog River frame), a favorite designer - we have most of their new patterns in stock. This and Native American are the first in their new International Folk Art series.

Speaking of last September's trip - Sandy's been making greeting cards from her photos - check them out, here at the shop.

NEW, NEW, NEW!!

We sent an email about Lizzie Kate's new Double Flip series for Christmas, but another favorite is Housework Never Killed Anyone - come see it to find out why not! Other new favorites are Primrose Needlework's Mum's the Word; Little House Needlework's The Rain Fell (that's appropriate!); Country Cottage Needlework's Joyful Summer; Mouse Hunt from Lynn's Prints; Seeds of Kindness from By the Bay Needleart; Spring Fever and others from Cinnamon Cat, an English designer; April Showers from Praiseworthy Stitches; Brooke's Books' Spirit of the Bride and Dutch Treat Designs' God Bless Our Home and The Lord is My Shepherd, all designed for perforated paper; Nora Corbett's latest reindeer and her new alphabet series, A, B and C so far- these are fabulous - see them on Wichelt or Hoffman, as they're just out and not in stock yet; Four Leaf Clover from Rosewood Manor; many new baby samplers, including a book from Stoney Creek - and their new Dragons & Wizards; A Dog's Life I and II from X's & Oh's; and last (not really, just have to quit somewhere!) Birds & Blossoms and the superb Virtue Samplers from Homespun Elegance. Sandy's got a lot to stitch!!!

FREE, FREE, FREE!!

The teapot series from Just Another Button Company is adorable - one each month! There are lots of other freebies, too...come 'n' get 'em!, please! :-)

If you enjoy Michael Powell's designs as much as we do, log onto his website, join as a member and have access to some darling free patterns - the latest is the Greek Window. No half or quarter stitches, easily done on aida if you choose - sweet!

And while they last, we still have some birthday gifts for you...OUR 17th birthday!

VACATION!

Sandy's off to Ireland and the U.K. to sing with Cascade Singers June 28, back in the shop on July 22. The shop WILL BE OPEN 11 Am to 3 PM each working day except July 5, so do stop in!! Orders will come in and you'll be called if you have an order arrive. Also feel free to call, 541-296-3939. Email will be stopped during that time.

Who Knew?!

I thought I was the only one - ! Of course, we don't have major league ball here, but we certainly do have baseball!

Promote Needlearts — Celebrate Traditions — Strengthen Community

Celebrating the needlearts & baseball!

WHAT is Stitch N’ Pitch?
Stitch N’ Pitch brings together two wonderful traditions – Baseball and the Needlearts. Every season, Major League Baseball (MLB) and The National Needlearts Association (TNNA) hold Stitch N’ Pitch events. Fans sit together in a special section, work on their crochet, cross-stitch, embroidery, knitting or needlepoint projects, cheer on their favorite team, and celebrate the needlearts. Our events attract a unique mix of folk — men, women, boys, girls, old, young, stitchers and baseball fans. Click here for Stitch N’ Pitch Gallery. At each ballpark, there is a Stitch N’ Pitch Expo that may include demonstrations, giveaways or needlearts contests.

Needlearts gets media coverage!

WHY Stitch N’ Pitch?
Stitch N’ Pitch is one of TNNA's successful outreach programs that creates high visibility of the needlearts within the general public. The event is fun and quirky and gets us some important recognition. In 2007, we had over 15,000 fans attend our events with major national press coverage in media outlets like New York Times, Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, and The Associated Press. We have had over 2 million hits to our Stitch N’ Pitch website from interested fans from all over the world!

TNNA members, guilds, groups and more participate!

WHO makes Stitch N’ Pitch Happen?
Each metropolitan area has a local Stitch N’ Pitch Committee that works with the MLB Team to promote each event. Committees are comprise of TNNA members, guilds, and other interested groups who see the value in this program.

WHEN and WHERE is Stitch N’ Pitch?

At the ballpark!

The baseball season runs from April to October. More than 85% of MLB Teams (> 25 Teams) are holding a Stitch N’ Pitch in 2008 in major metropolitan areas! In 2008, TNNA is expanding the program to Stitch N’ Pitch at Minor League Baseball (MiLB) venues across the country. To find a Stitch N’ Pitch event near you check out our Calendar Schedule.

Spring Cleaning?!

WHAT?! Who wants to do that when there's stitching to be done? But this is advice from Nordic Needle's newsletter about cleaning your needlework:

As a follow-up to a previous discussion, Frances D. from Minnesota wrote. “In late August I wrote to ask for help in cleaning my cross-stitch pieces that had been damaged by a faulty furnace that created an oily soot on everything in my sewing room. I got several helpful responses from your readers, but the tip that worked the best for me was from Sherryl who suggested using Murphy's Oil Soap. I was unable to find the Murphy's Oil spray as she suggested, but I diluted the regular kind and followed her directions otherwise. In case someone else should encounter a similar problem, this is what I did."

Sounds extreme, but it worked!

Spring into action: There's still plenty of time to stitch Habitat for Humanity pillows, from a free design by Count Your Blessings, for the annual auction (in August) - a quick and fun design, and a painless donation to your community. We'll even give you a remnant to use!

Spring a bookmark on an unsuspecting reader! The Bookmark Challenge is in full swing - and we have free patterns and remnants - you could win a $100 gift certificate from Nordic Needle! Just have them to Sandy's by April 30.

Spring is also the time to think of Moms and weddings, graduations and dads (and baseball?! - we watched our neighbor's son pitch in last night's Little League opening game, and were reminded of how we miss those frequent evenings at the COLD ballpark - and all the "down" time Sandy used to stitch there!). There are plenty of wonderful things to stitch for all those occasions (even baseball!), and we'd love to show you some - new designs from Lizzie Kate, Prairie Schooler, Silver Lining (pictured above, Sandy and Marc Saastad, designer), Mirabilia, Lavender & Lace, so many more.

Also check out the semi-annual online trade show with over 120 vendors!, April 16 - 21, daily doorprizes, things you'll not see elsewhere that we can get for you. http://needleworkshow.com