July 4th weekend, 2010

Dear friends,

My Mom often told me--be careful what you wish for.... Well, of course she was right, and it all started with a sweater that Teri insisted on buying. You know, she is quite crazy about bees anyway, so when Pat and Ann told her to go to the mall and buy this shockingly vibrant bee sweater, she couldn't wait to get there. With June well underway, she arranged an entire bee/beehive display here at the shop and took great joy in pointing out some of her favorite pieces to enthusiastic customers. The pictures did look very appealing both inside the shop and through the front window. The next morning--I think in celebration of her excellent work at the shop--she donned the yellow sweater, and we set off for work. Upon arriving, we were greeted by Lynnette and Sue who reported that we seemed to have a number of bees in the front window. Hmmm...how odd. They were right--there were a number of bees and their numbers were growing by the hour. Upon investigation, we discovered that we actually had a small swarm of honey bees who had flown in through a tiny, tiny hole in the brick near the front windows. I can only think that they were searching for their queen amongst our plethora of stitched hives. We then spent most of the day carefully transporting bees from the front window to a box in the backyard. We talked ever so quietly to them as we were moving them--so that they would stay calm--and stopped just short of singing to them in case our customers would think we had completely and collectively lost it. But, you know Queenie sings to her bees and they love her. All day long, we instinctively brushed embroidered bees off of the famous sweater. We were sure that we had saved hundreds of our little friends, but when the beekeeper came to fetch them, he just snorted. It was a bit of an adventure after all, and we had a laugh remembering a number of extremely odd adventures that we have had at our shop over the years. In the end, I think that some good things come from strange circumstances: I no longer feel a need to procure a beehive for my back yard, and Teri hasn't worn the cheerful sweater since.
Besides beekeeping, our June has been busy. We have several new designs ready. I think that the pictures might be on the homepage now, but I am going to put them up here as well. Our Summer Offerings are gentle and sweet--filled with our own love and gratitude for the many, many friends who are part of our lives. For truly, what would life be like without them...

The Journey is a new kit which I hope you will love as much as I do. It is a gentle reminder of the joy of dear friends. It is worked on 32 count French Vanilla overdyed linen with soft and beautiful overdyed silk threads. Tiny charms and buttons complete this sampler. $50.00--kit

Our Hearts Pin Cushion and the Safe Keeping Fob were designed to go with the Journey piece. Both of these kits come with everything you need to complete them except the batting to stuff them. Both are cross stitched with silk threads on French Vanilla 32 count linen. The fronts and the backs are stitched and the edges are adorned with beautiful hand-dyed silk ribbons. Pin Cushion--$20.00 Fob--$16.00

This sweet piece--Friends-- is worked in soft silks on a hand-dyed linen fabric. It works up quickly and would be a perfect gift for your very own soul mate. kit--$20.00

And at last, Summer Flies pillow. Worked on the 9 pane fabric, this summer piece goes with the rest of the series which Teri has been working on. It is darling and shows off a beeskep button in the center square. Worked with overdyed cotton threads, it is quick and easy to get stitched and put together for your warm summer days. book--$5.00 button--$6.00

I guess I am going to try to get this off and hopefully up to you before the firecrackers have fizzled. Enjoy a wonderful July and try to keep cool. Aren't these the perfect stitching evenings. I think so. I am planning to write again next week, so I'll keep my fingers crossed. Until then--hug a friend and be careful what you wish for.
fondly, Tina