Welcome to a beautiful fall!  Our trees are the prettiest they have been in several years with all of the beneficial rain and looking out the window is a burst of color - for a few more days, anyway!  What's new in the shop?  If you missed signing up for the Silly Sassy Socks ornament program, I have ordered extras of each design and the first three are now in stock.  They are being released the first of each month until February 2012...cute, contemporary designs which also lend themselves to color changes if you like something more traditional.  Several canvas designers are offering fall sales, so there are new things coming in from Alice Peterson, Birds of a Feather, Mindy, NM Arts, Whimsy and Grace, and maybe a few others - stop in regularly as they are shipping as available.

November's specials are a little different that our usual canvas trunk shows.  The week of November 15, there will be a Trunk Show of quilted bags by Stephanie Dawn.  These are cute, fun, bags of all shapes and sizes for needlepoint projects and more - and best of all, made in the USA!  The items in the shop will be for sale, but it is impossible to bring in each style in every color, so check the catalog in the shop or  at www.stephaniedawn.net and place an order ahead of time. You can also order during the show for later delivery.  I have a hobo style bag in the shop which is great for small - medium projects, but theck out the extra large tote and large tote for those bigger pieces!.  The small bags, including the gadget bags, make great gifts, too.

On the strictly needlepoint side, November's feature is the counted canvaswork that many of us also love to create.  Samples of different "variations on the theme" and different color choices are being featured, along with new designs by Laura Perin, Kathy Rees, Threedles, DebBee's, Brenda Kocher and more. Tony Minieri's Stars for the New Millenium is back in stock, and our 4 stitched samples are featured.  Two colorways of Kathy Rees' Galaxy are on the wall, as well as completed Appalachia, Tropic Seas, and Graphite - don't miss these "Variations by Trish".  Don't forget to check out the Libby Sturdy designs which are line drawn canvases with terrific stitch guides.  Purchase a chart and receive 15% off the materials (materials discount available until 11/30 with receipt for chart).

NEW CLASS!!!  Want to do some seasonal stitching? 

I have chosen a series of 6 cute Santas, about 4" tall, by NM Arts for a new series for 2012.  However, I am having so much fun creating them(stitcher's potato chips - can't have just one!) that I am offering the first class on Saturday, December 3.  This little Father Christmas looks like he's wearing a puffy down coat and has a walking stick topped with a tiny fir tree (a little sparkly, of course!)  My plan is that each one will have the same background threads, but a slightly different stitch.  The canvases are about 9x9, so a larger version than a small ornament is possible. The ornament size model is in the shop.

The first class will be Saturday, December 3 from 10:30 a.m. til 1:00 p.m.  The canvas on stretcher bars, all threads for the ornament size model, stitch guide and instruction is $50.  Advance registration and  50% deposit required.

There are a couple of openings in the November 19 Brilliant Blooms Violet class - Great threads and cute design!

More later, but December will bring the annual tool and gadget sale........

Once again, a little late, but just in time for the beginning of the Kate's Path/Rosalie Peters   (http://www.rosaliepeters.com ) trunk show!  These great canvases will be here until November 1, and include Kate's 3D houses, traditional Rosalie pillows, bellpulls, a few specially priced rugs, and many more pieces large and small.  Take a look and see if anything appeals and be sure to stop in to see the many many models!  We have a holiday belt canvas on the top of a stocking, many of the houses, lots of great pillow ideas, keychains, standups......and more!

Now that all of your holiday pieces have been turned in for finishing, it is time to start something new!  Some new stocking canvases have arrived - just in case you need another one for next year!  Come in to see the new scissor/key fobs made by an artist in Stuart's Draft - cute beads in a unique presentation - great for holiday gifts.

There are still a few openings in the last Brilliant Blooms class, and a session has been added...also space available in Friday's Painted Canvas class...see below for details:

Brilliant Blooms Violet - Saturday October 29, Friday November 4 or Saturday November 19 from 10:30 a.m. till 1  p.m.  $80

This one is all about the threads - well, the flower and stitches are cute, too - but we are using all new thread introductions on this canvas.  The flower is done with the luscious new Painter's Thread in ribbon and silk perle.  The leaves are Gloriana silk perle and the background is Silk Lame braid.  Plenty of sparkle set off with the big Zecca button center.  Add this to your collection, or do it as a single standup in a flower pot or squared off to set in an easel frame.  Come in to see the model!  Price includes all threads, canvas on stretcher bars, and stitch guide. 

So, you bought this painted canvas - now what?  Friday October 14 from 11 a.m. till 12:30

Explore the possibilities of adding texture, interest and dimension to your canvas using new threads and maybe some different stitches.  You may bring a canvas (new or in progress) to contemplate while you listen.  You're sure to get a least one great idea for your creation from the teacher or your fellow classmates.

 

Fee: $10.  Each participant may obtain one written thread and/or stitch plan for an additional $10 for a canvas of his or her choice.  An additional 15% discount will be offered on threads for that canvas.  Class limited to 6 participants - call for reservation!

Well, half of September has vanished, but never fear, there are still some treats in store!  The Lee Leather product and canvas insert trunk show began this week and will be here until October 5.  Take advantage of 15% off our regular prices on the items in the shop and in the catalog.  This includes any canvases, even if it is not a leather insert.  View this extensive and attractive line at www.newleesneedlearts.com and let us know what appeals to you!  Plenty of great ideas for holidays gifts - stitched by you or the lucky recipient.  New introductions include an Ipad cover and a belt with circular stitched buckle.

New colors of Silk Lame braid appear with each Rainbow Gallery order - check them out!  And, at last, the Painter's Thread order is on its way.  A little hiccup in the initial order due to market overload and vacation - but we are starting with 13 colors and will add more if it is popular.  The featured product of the line is an overdyed ribbon floss with metallic running through - with names like Picasso, Matisse, Gaugin, Chagall, and even Grandma Moses!  We have a couple of stitched samples in the shop and one will be featured in the third (and final?) Brilliant Blooms class this fall - see below for details.

Beginning October 11, our last big canvas trunk show of the year will be Rosalie Peters/ Kate's Path (www.rosaliepeters.com) This line has the traditional Rosalie designs as well as some whimsy from Kate and other artists.  Everything from pillows, frogs, bellpulls, rugs to 3d standups!

Two new classes for the fall, then we'll take a break for a short bit.  Watch for the next series of Stitch Clinics in early 2012 and a Kelly Clark Tassel class to introduce the March trunk show.

So, you bought this painted canvas – now what?

Explore the possibilities of adding texture, interest and dimension to your canvas using new threads and maybe some differentstitches.  You may bring a canvas (new or in progress) to contemplate while you listen. You’re sure to get at least one great idea for your creation from the teacher or your fellow classmates.

Fee:  $10.  Each participant may obtain one writtenthread and/or stitch plan for an additional $10 for a canvas of his or herchoice.   An additional 15% discount willbe offered on threads for that canvas. Each class limited to 6participants.  Advance registrationrequired.

Saturday October 8 or Friday October 14 from 11 a.m. till 12:30.

 

Brilliant Blooms - Violet

This one is all about the threads – well, the flower and stitches are cute, too – but we are using all new introductions on this canvas.  The flower is done with the luscious new Painter’s Thread in ribbon and silk perle.  The leaves are Gloriana silk perle and the background is Silk Lame braid.  Plenty ofsparkle set off with the big Zecca button center.  Add this to your collection, or do it as a single standup in a flower pot or squared off to sit in an easel frame.  Come in to see the model!

Saturday October 29 or Friday November 4 from 10:30 a.m. till1 p.m.   Fee:  $80 Includes all threads, canvas on stretcher bars, and stitch guide.

 

Stop in soon and keep stitching!

THREADS PARTY MARKET

Well, not really a party, but a sale!  From Wednesday, August 17 through Wednesday, August 31 all items that I brought home from the TNNA Cash and Carry market will be 15% off the regular price...temptations abound!