December, 2014
Hi Friends....
Happy Fall, Thanksgiving and Christmas all sort of blended together in a whirl. I wonder sometimes how the days and seasons seem to turn so quickly one into the other. One minute it's hot and we are outside dyeing fabrics and ribbon trying to avoid the sprinklers as everything is spread out to dry in the hot summer sun. Then I turn around and the trees have lost their leaves, the apples have quit thunking down on the garage roof, and flip flops are no longer the most comfortable protection against the nippy air. It's a little sad for me, how swiftly time goes by. My mother used to tell me when I was young--don't wish your life away, and now I wish for it to slow down and linger a bit here and there.
I left our hectic Thanksgiving celebrations for a bit and took Lindbergh on a walk to give him a little break from the company and commotion. It was just creeping on to dusk, and the evening was quiet and chilly. I noticed how many houses had their Christmas lights up and on, although the streets were empty. It really made me realize that this year is soon coming to an end, and I wondered how that had happened. Where did Summer go? In Utah, we had a beautiful and lengthy Autumn, yet a part of me felt a bit cheated by the encroaching Winter. Still there was something about a solitary walk (well...with a bouncing beagle in tow) that gave me a moment in the midst of a hectic day, a busy month, a crazy fall, and a wild year to sort through my thoughts on this singular day of thanksgiving. I had just been through a melancholy week which reminded me of what a blessing families are. It's odd how we all go about our days caught up in the busy-ness of our own lives until a bump in the road sends us hurtling back to the ones we love and those who love us. Certainly a blessing to be thankful for.
And then there is that extended family of friends--old and new--who gathered with us at our Retreat this past October...When I listen to the news and begin to despair of humanity, I just have to think about the 200-plus soulmates who made the trek to Ogden and Park City for a few days this fall, and I know that there is much loveliness and joy in this world yet. I am so thankful for everyone who was there with us. For their kind and generous spirits, their patience, friendliness, and enthusiasm that made the weekend a blessing for Teri and me. I can truly say that I mourned a little when it was over and everyone had returned home. What joys life holds out for us.
And now here we are already hurtling through December. I love this time of year at the shop. Our huge tree is up and decorated, and every time we open the front door a wave of pine greets us. Our open house is done, and we are still snacking on the leftover cookies and nuts. I adore the rush of getting mail orders out and watching everyone in the front of the shop wrapping parcels and packages. I love Teri's lights and stitched ornaments on the garlands, even though I haven't a clue in the world where any of the designs might be located. And I even enjoy wondering each evening as we leave if the outside lights will have tripped the breaker yet. Ahhh...Christmas time.
Well, as always, Teri and I had high hopes and plans for fabulous new Christmas designs, but most of them are still in just the planning/drawing/stitching stage. Sorry. Oh well, life often has a way of doing that to us, and sometimes family just needs us more. However, Teri has completed her Christmas Trifles and they are so so darling. You are going to love them, and they will be the perfect little projects to work on during the holidays. You can see in the picture below that there are three little pin cushions sweetly nestled in the branches of Christmas greens. I think these are her best ones ever.
Christmas Trifles
Leaflet: $8.00
Full kit also available
Happy Christmas is worked on a very fun 32 count Olive Green linen with sweet overdyed cotton threads. All Hearts Home is stitched on the 32 count Petit Point linen and the white polka dots around the little house look exactly like snowflakes. So darling! Then the little Cheer pincushion is on the hand-dyed Aztec Red checked linen with a festive and sparkly thread for accents. ( I stitched that one for her and it was so much fun to do. And very quick.) All three are finished with wonderful JABCO buttons and Teri's own hand-dyed ribbon. Luckily, she spent a lazy Sunday afternoon in August dyeing all the ribbon and carefully putting it away, because now it would be a lot like frozen icicles outside drying. We are sending patterns out to shops any day, so give your them a call. If you want to order the leaflet from us, just let us know. As always we also have them packaged as a complete kit all tied up for the holidays including everything you will need to complete these yummy projects--3 linens, backings, 3 different dyed ribbons, buttons, beads and patterns. (oh...sorry, you will need to provide stuffing for the cushions.) So if you want something fun and festive for December, just give us a jingle.
Stocking Stuffers
Here are some very fun new things that would make perfect little surprises tucked into any waiting stocking. Hopefully we will add a few things as December progresses. Remember, that we do the most fantastic wrapping for Christmas. You won't even want to open it up. So if you need a gift for yourself or your friends, don't hesitate to give us a call and let Teri be your personal and private shopper. (We're great helping husbands as well.)
Soldered Charm Scissor Fobs
$20.00
Teri just made these little scissor fobs. Each one comes with a little hook for your scissors and a pretty beaded drop. We have a four different themes on the charms, so just ask us to tell you what we have ready. Each pair that you can see in the photo below is actually a picture of the front and back of the charm. And...if you need a new pair of scissors, we will let you know what we have to go with each one.
New Christmas Thread Keeps and Fobs
by Retromantique
$4.50-$8.50
Here are some of my very favorite things that we have gotten in this season. They are brand new and Teri begged for them to be sent in time for our Christmas Open House. Everyone just went crazy over them! Honestly...they are so beautiful. Each one is carved and hand painted in the spirit of an old fashioned Christmas and includes a clever saying mixing Christmas and stitching. I love the red stockings so much, that I bought one and am hanging it on my tree. I always love their things a lot, but honestly, these are just fabulous. Don't wait...we won't have them for long.
Puffin Needle Threaders
$8.00
Here are new needle threaders from Diane at Puffin. They come in 2 hook sizes: regular and tiny, and feature her distinctive little motifs such as cats, dogs, hearts, butterflies. I also love these because they don't break immediately. They are big enough not to slip away, and yet they fit perfectly in your little stitching kit. The tiny size even will work on tiny beading and quilting needles. Teri worked on a sequined and beaded ornament last night and said that the threader was super helpful.
We are hoping she will be doing sheep soon. I can't wait!!!
Namaste Boxes
$20.00
We love these little boxes and find tons of darling things to put in them for the perfect sewing case. This is Teri's favorite thing to do choosing the perfect items to go in each box and making sure that everything is color coordinated. How fun! Last year, the company ran out of most of the colors which was sort of a drag, but this year we have darling colors and have them filled with the greatest matching implements. The perfect gift for the perfect stitcher.
Needle Magnets
Here are some fun new needle magnets that we have just received. The little wooden ones are very sweet and a fabulous price at $2.50. We have these three different designs. The holiday Needle Minders show an old fashioned Santa and a snowflake. These run $9.00 and are such a collector's item. And...all of them would be great tucked into a Namaste box.
Fantastic Christmas Projects
Pink Needle Santa
Leaflet: $11.65
Complete kit also available
Here is a new Santa for this year. We have changed the colors a little and stitched it on a fabulous hand-dyed linen, and we have a hard time keeping the pattern in stock. It is sweet and quirky and old-fashioned, and truly a joy to have up.
Lizzie Kate's Sampler Stockings 2014
Leaflet: $11.50
I love these little stocking patterns that she does and this year's is especially darling. In the leaflet, you get 3 little patterns and each one is very sweet. Teri just put it together last night and it turned out perfectly. So, if you need a fun little project to kick start your season, these would be perfect.
Jingle
by the Cricket Collection
$8.00
Isn't this just super fun? We loved this piece when it came out and have stitched it and put it by our front counter. Everyone LOVES it! We can't even send it off to be framed until after the holidays. Teri chose a wonderful linen to stitch it on, swapped out the colors for over-dyed threads, and added buttons. I mean it...you're going to love it. Look at the little santa button perched in the sleigh.
Ho Ho Ho.
Joy to Ewe
by Chessie 'N Me
Kit: $20.00
We love Linda's designs and have tons of them stitched in the shop. This new one for us this year is so sweet with a little sheep and Christmas tree. It works up very quickly and was a lot of fun to do.
New Pin Cushion Kits
by JABCO
Note from Teri: I can't wait to sit down and stitch up one of these darling new pincushions from our friends at JABCO. We also will be carrying a fabulous new line of overdyed wool from Colorado, and I can't wait for it to come. Scrumptious colors. It won't help me for these projects, but we hope to have it by the end of the month. These sweet kits come with the pattern, buttons and a set of darling pins. Too clever.
Lizzie Kate Mystery Sampler
Unseen Things
Kit: $97.00
We are having such a good time with Linda's new mystery sampler. The first installment is already out with 2 more to come. Part 2 just arrived today o we will be sending it off Monday morning. I love it so much, that it is on my list to start after Christmas. As you can see in the picture, it is soft and sweet and worked on a special hand-dyed linen with a pallet of gorgeous over-dyed threads. There are a couple of threads produced just for this little piece as well as a packet of buttons created to match. The quotation from Helen Keller is very inspiring and of course I adore the basket of flowers. Can't wait to see what is coming next. If you would like to join us in this wonderful adventure...just give us a call.
Little House Sampler Ornaments
This year Diane from Little House will be doing a series of sampler inspired ornaments--one each month. We are super excited and will be stitching them to use on our tree next year--or maybe on a garland....Any way, we will be happy to send you each pattern as it arrives. We will be tweeking some of the colors, but will be using Classic Colorworks threads. We do have some of the Winter Brew 32 that is used on the first 4 patterns, but Nancy wants to stitch her set on 36, and we have a perfect alternative color in 35/36 count if you prefer. So here is how it will work: if you sign up with us, let us know your fabric count preference. Then every month we will send you a fun package with the pattern, a button, and the threads- (unless you already have them from a previous month.) As always--we will send you a little surprise during the series for signing up with us. Give us a call. The first pattern will be out soon and is darling. You can see it on Little House's web site and I will post a photo as soon as we get ours in the shop.
Shepherd's Fold
coming soon--Yay
I know...you think I have forgotten you. But I haven't! Luckily Lynnette has been working very hard on the kit preparations at work, and I have truly been working on the actual piece at home, and Reeta has been cracking the whip on both of us. She can be quite tenacious. So believe it or not, you will be seeing it before Christmas. I know, I know...Christmas is coming. It's going to be very fun and I think it will be worth the wait. So, get caught up and be ready for the next little piece.
Well, I guess it is time to send this letter off before Teri finds ten more things to add to it. That is the problem with not writing for so long, there is just so much to share with you. Hopefully, I will write again before Christmas. But for now I am going to leave you with a few of my own holiday wishes. Well...really things I want to do amidst all the other things I have to do this month. I want to make sugar cookies with Peter when he comes, and I want to add peanut butter to my fudge recipe and see how it tastes. I want to try making peppermint ice cream and try making sushi with Christian--if I can figure out how to avoid raw fish, octopus and nori. (Maybe we will just go out for this one.) I want to sit by the tree and listen to Christmas music and take a walk in a snowstorm--though preferably not because my car is stuck. And...I want to stitch and stitch on something very big and fascinating. But most of all, I hope all my wishes can be simple and filled with the joy of the season. And I wish that for you as well. fondly, Tina
