Happy Christmas

Mid December thoughts...

 2015

Dear Friends,

It is definitely mid-December, and Christmas is coming at me so quickly.  Like many, I am always a bit fraught with conflicting emotions as the festive season approaches.  There is so much about the holidays to enjoy, and yet for me they seem to come with a fair bit of stress.  It started with a tire blowout on Christian's ancient car, followed by a tow to the garage and the happy news that the remaining 3 were in the same condition.  Oh, Yay!  Then when they serviced my car, they mentioned that my tires were shot.  Better and better.  And finally, Bob happened to let me know that his car was in desperate need of...new tires.  All I want for Christmas......Then we got snow and snow and more snow.  I know, snow is so Christmasy, and lovely, and cold, but it also wreaks havoc on roads and driving and getting absolutely anywhere in this city.  So yesterday, traveling at the approximate pace of a snail, I blew out 1 of my windshield wipers on my way to work.  I didn't even know that happened to wipers.  Then after begging Teri to help with a children's pageant at my church last night, we headed home in the continuing snow, and the other wiper went the way of the first.  Seriously??  And of course we couldn't even make it up my street because the plows hadn't been by all day and remember--my tires are worn out.  We ended up abandoning the car and walking home.  Then Bob woke me early this morning to tell me that a tree had fallen across the driveway.  I just love Winter!  So I went outside to investigate the damage and then crawled back into bed to sulk. 

And that is the great thing about an extra linger in bed--it adds perspective to any situation.  If my tires hadn't been poor, and we hadn't had to abandon it down the street, it would have been directly under the collapsed tree.  Trees can be cleared away, tires can be replaced, snow can be shoveled and a new day often seems a little less dire.  There is always Christmas bread waiting to be baked, a tree waiting to be decorated, and nativity sets waiting to be assembled.  So cheer up Tina--Christmas is coming.....

(Tonight I gathered together a few candles and charged my phone since I am pretty sure that the power will be going out shortly)

I am hoping to write again before the first of the year, but sometimes my best intentions get waylaid.  Remember that we will be having our New Year's Open House on January 1st from 1:00-3:00.  We always have a great time with sales, and yummy food, and a few new things.  Of course we will have our new Gingher Scissors and fob, and who knows what else may materialize.  You will just have to drop by and see.  

Happy Christmas to All

free pattern from us to you

Complete kit $14.00

includes 30 count linen, threads, buttons, instructions and a photo

White frame $30.00

Please note:  the stitch count is incorrect on this graph it should be 50 x 80 stitches. 

 The cut size of fabric 9" x 11"  is correct.  

As this Christmas season is so quickly upon us, Teri and I would like to say thanks for a very fun year.  You are all the best, and we so appreciate your friendship and support throughout this past year.    You are the ones that make it fun for us to go to work each day, and we love to visit with you whether it is on the phone or here at the shop.  So we designed this little pattern just for you this holiday season.  You just need to go to the homepage of our website and near the bottom you will find the link to take you to the pattern.  I hope that you will print it off and find a little quiet time during the craziness to stitch on it. 

Happy Christmas to all of you.  

I know that this is a very busy time of year, but I just wanted to take a few minutes to share some special new things which have arrived in the shop this December.  Everyone at the shop has been having a blast choosing fabrics and threads and comparing with each other what they have found.  So..if you are in need of a new project to see you through the rest of the month--just give us a call.  Teri has gathered fabulous linens for each of these projects, and of course we have the perfect threads ready and waiting.  We even have a few of the tins for the Sweet Shop pin cushion. 

Merry Two

limited kit by Plumstreet Samplers

$20.00

Merry Ewe

by Plumstreet Samplers

pattern:  

tins available for $3.50

Merry Brew

by Plumstreet Samplers

pattern:

Very Merry Santa

by Lizzie Kate

partial kit:

French Country Santa

by JBW 

pattern:  $8.00

So it is late, and I guess it is time to truly wish you a very Merry Christmas.  My hope is for all of us to set aside our stress and take a few moments to enjoy the lights, the music, and the love of friends and family.  Eat a cookie, light a candle, sing a carol, and watch a movie.   Close your eyes in the dark and try to capture the anticipation and true joy we felt as children.  

Hugs and love from Utah to you.  fondly, Tina and Teri

Happy Holidays

Christmas Open House

November 28th, 2015

11:00-4:00

Dear Friends,

Here we are on the day after Thanksgiving.  Seriously!  How did that happen?  Thanksgiving in Ogden, was blown in on a blizzard and a plummet in temperature.  Oh Yay.  I guess it just wanted to remind us that Winter is definitely on its way, and it is time to swap out the flip-flops for boots.  Ugh. Teri and I had a great day, and I truly hope that you did as well.  We went to Bob's family in Park City and had a sort of low key, non-traditional Thanksgiving filled with yummy food, games, and laughter until I thought we would burst.  I love a day in the middle of the week that makes us sit back and take a break from life as usual.  And as we drove home late last night through 60 mile an hour winds, I had a quiet hour to contemplate blessings:  warm cars, family, 1 boy home and 1 boy that I could talk to off and on all day while he cooked his first turkey, a warm home and a tail wagging dog waiting for me at the end of the journey... and a project to stitch when I got there. And I am thankful for all of you.  Friends that I know and that I don't know who have become such a part of our lives through Shepherd's Bush.  So thanks so much for reading this blog, stitching our pieces, and touching my heart in so many ways.  

Oh, I am also thankful that Teri finally got her computer fixed and then figured out the new operating system so that we could blog again.  It has been a long month in isolation and incommunicado.  But now we're back.

As you can see, Teri has been busy decorating the outside of the shop with fabulous garlands.  Sadly they blew down last night and we had to drag the ladder back out and she braved the buffeting winds to re-attatch them.  So now they look beautiful.  This was evidently her brave day because she went to get a tree in the unbelievably cold wind and came back with a gorgeous one.  Everybody at work helped us to decorate it this afternoon, and as you can see, it is so pretty and ready for our big day tomorrow.   If you are nearby, plan to drop by.  We have lots of darling holiday projects as well as super delicious, festive treats.  I can't wait to get the eggnog stirred up.  We are doing a very fun and quick needle case in the back room if you want to join us.  I hope that we will see you there ready to kick off the holiday season with all of us at Shepherd's Bush.

Here's the little needle case project that you can make in the back.  Do come join us.

I am really excited to show you some of our brand new holiday offerings which we have been busy finishing up.  We will have them ready for the open house tomorrow, so if you can't come in,  just give us a quick call and we will be happy to send any of them off to you for fun December stitching.  

Christmas Sheep

kit:  $20.00

This little sheep is the 3rd in a series of seasonal sheep and is perfect for the upcoming Advent season.  It is stitched on 32 count linen with overdyed silk and cotton threads. 

Santa Box

kit:  $12.00

box:  $30.00

frame:  by Jill 

Another adorable little box kit by Teri.  This little santa is very sweet and will work up very quickly.  Easy to get done before the big day.  Then all you have to do is grab a new red box by Retromantic or give Jill a quick call.  Either way the finishing will be a snap.  

Merry Little Christmas Tray

kit:  $24.00

red holly tray:  $23.00

I hope you love our new little stitching tray piece.  It was such fun to work up and finished up easily and beautifully in a new tray by Retromantic.  They had send us a tray a couple of weeks ago, but we just received the rest of the trays today, so Teri needs to re-photograph it so you can see the beautiful holly etched into the 2 sides.  You will just love it.  This little piece is stitched on 32 count overdyed linen with Weeks overdyed threads.  A perfect and easily do-able gift for Christmas.  

Noel Sheep Tag/Sled

kit:  $8.00

sled:  (sold separately)  $4.50

This very sweet little kit is such fun.  The kit comes complete with the perforated paper and threads as well as cute paper tag on which to mount it.  It is also designed to fit on the little wooden sled ornaments (by Foxwood Crossings) if you want to add one of those.  

                                                
When the Halloween displays come down, Teri has to change most of the pictures on all the walls in the shop.  Now we are decorated and ready for Christmas, and the spooky tree, has changed into a Christmas ornament "tree".

       

This is a close up of the Ornament tree.  

                                                                                           

Snow Story

 by Lizzie Kate

set of three charts: $16.50

complete kit also available

Linda at Lizzie Kate has released a darling new snow series, and the really great thing is that all three charts are available now.  Teri has ordered in the most gorgeous hand dyed fabric and we have tweaked the colors just a bit.  I know that she will add buttons when we get it back from our stitcher.   What a fun winter project.  Complete kits are available right now, so you can have something fun and seasonal to stitch all through December.    

Merry Noel 

by Brenda Gervais

pattern: $12.00

complete kit also available

Lynnette is stitching this wonderful new piece by With thy Needle and Thread.  We are so excited to see it and are having fun seeing her progress.   

Garden Club 

by Blackbird Designs

patterns $9.00

This is such a brilliant idea.  Barb and Alma have come up with a fabulous new series.  It will come out periodically and each piece can be stitched separately or stitched together.  Nancy has stitched the first two parts and is anxiously waiting for the third.  Here is how it works... you can sign up for just the patterns, or the whole kits, or any of the parts.  We offer the lovely linens in 32 or 36 count fabrics, and we would be happy to catch you up.  Just give us a call.  

Serial Bowl Lesson 4

 by Plum Street Samplers

 kit  $20.00

No fabric included

                                      

We only have a few of these darling kits left.  Once they are gone, they will be gone until next year.  We have the perfect fabric for this piece.  Reeta whipped it up in a weekend...

And here is the last lingering remnant of our garden.  A couple of weeks ago, we were forced to bring the last few branches of tomatoes inside before they froze.  So now they are ripening beautifully out in the sunny front window where they are quite surprising to our customers.  We just were so sad to see the end of the garden, and we hardly know what to eat any more.  I guess it is time to think about winter food.  Oh well, we have a couple of more meals almost ready below and then the long wait for summer.  

So now that the computer is up and going again, we will try to write a bit more often.  Be sure to watch in the next week or two, as I am stitching a little Christmas design that we will share either on the blog or the website.  I guess I will go work on it and try to get it ready for you next week.  Until then, be safe and warm and almost as they say on the Great British Baking Show:  STITCH!

Indian Summer

Indian Summer, 2015

Dear Friends,

I love a good, long Indian Summer.  I am not sure whether mid-October can really still be considered part of summer in any way, but in Utah it is still warm and beautiful and full of falling leaves.  This is the time of year that makes me yearn for the season to never change.  I used to look forward to winter and all that snow and cold, but the older I get, the more I dread it.  We have to hear about El Nino and  harsh winter predictions, and I just close my eyes and enjoy the moment.  The garden is flourishing valiantly--well at least some of it is.  By now, the herbs and the tomatoes are most exuberant, and I dread that soon to come unexpected hard frost that will knock them out.  There are still so many green ones coming on, and the basil has grown to large bushes.  What will we eat, when they are gone?  

Teri and I spent Sunday making our Nana Lula's Red Sauce.  I think it is a sort of chili sauce that was her special recipe, and along with her fried red tomatoes, these are things that our mom learned how to cook, then taught us, and we eat them all summer long.  The Red Sauce is odd--a bit like salsa, but with the warm, exotic overtones of cinnamon, cloves, and allspice--and we still use the old recipe in our mom's handwriting.  The only thing that we have changed over the years is cutting the sugar down to about a fourth.  I wish I could just send you a glimmer of the delicious smell that comes out of the pot as it simmers away all afternoon.  Yumm!  

Slater's Stocking

Available October 19th--I sincerely hope!

Leaflet:  $8.00

Finally...our 2015 stocking is almost ready.  I have no idea why this has taken me so long this year.  Just busy I guess, but it is finally at the printer and we are hoping to have it in the shop by next Monday.  Keep your fingers crossed.  As always, there is a darling charm pack to go with it filled with little charms, trinkets, beads and buttons.  I think you will love it.  

2015 Shepherd's Bush Ornament

Card:  $5.00

Moon button:  $8.00

Also available as a complete kit.

We didn't get our ornament done for the magazine this year, so we have decided to do a little card each year with the ornament on it.  It is going to be very fun.  You will see that this one is another Christmas carol and goes along with the last few we have done.  Hopefully it will be arriving with the stocking book.  

Garden Club  

by Blackbird Designs

Part 1 chart: $ 9.00

Complete kits available

This is a wonderful new series that Barb and Alma are introducing.  I just love it because it is a bit smaller making it very do-able.  Teri has gathered great linens for this piece and as you can see the next 2 installments--coming in the next few months--will attach to this one.  How fun is that?  If you would like us to include you in the Garden Club--just give us a call.

Bittersweet September 

Chart: $8.00

Patchwork Pumpkin

chart: $8.00

These are 2 new Rewards of Merit charts by Blackbird Designs.  Just the perfect little project for the Fall.

And Heaven and Nature Sing 

by Kathy Barrack

chart:  $14.00

This is a wonderful new chart by Kathy Barrick and we have had a hard time keeping it in stock.  One day last week, we sold every copy we had in one afternoon.  As each person was getting hers put together, the next one through the door said:  Well, I want that as well.  Teri had a great time choosing the perfect linens and threads for each person.  It was funny--and fun!   But it is a very dear little design and such fun to work on for the coming season.  

Crazy Tiny Scissors:  $ 2.80 

These silly scissors just arrived and everyone loves them.  I guess I need to wander to the front of the shop and give them a try.  They are very small, but quite sharp.  I wonder if they would get on a plane.  Hmmm... will have to try that.

Year in Chalk 

October by Hands On Designs

chart $5.00

The year is quickly moving along on this little chalkboard series.  October is very fun.

New charts by Not Forgotten Farm

Hallowe'en Sweet Bag $12.00- chart

House that Jack Built $10.00 - Chart

Witches in the Air $10.00 - chart

Olde Mustarde Moone $10.00 -chart

Happy Haunting Kids Kit 

by Shepherd's Bush 

Kit: $15.00

Here is a new kids kit just perfect for Halloween.  Our kid's kits sell like crazy and this new little one should be a lot of fun.  Kit comes with 6 count fabric--already marked--and perle cotton in darling bright colors.  

Witching Hour 

by Prairie Schooler

Chart: $9.00

Erin Just sent back the newest Prairie Schooler Halloween project.  It is great on a soft gray purple fabric.  I know the photo looks tan, but any way you stitch it, it will be spookily fabulous.  

Garden Update- note from Teri

We have enjoyed our little urban garden this summer, and I am already planning for next year.  What is going where...and for sure no zucchini.  The purple cherries are so fun in our tomato salads.  We have red, yellow, orange and purple tomatoes... It make a colorful dish with a little basil, a cucumber and lunch is served.  I will be so sad to see everything die back, but hope some of the herbs will last through the winter.  Our winter squash are about the size of a plum..... hummm maybe not the best choice.  The beans just keep growing.  We have talked Bob into making a french vinaigrette  and eat them lightly steamed and drizzled with his yummy vinaigrette.  I hope your gardens are all still going strong.  Happy eating and Happy Fall.  

  

Harvest Market Hop

September, 2015

Harvest Market Hop

Hi Friends, 

Today is the beginning of our little pop up market.  Teri is very busy ordering great new things for the shop and I thought I would show you what we have new for Fall.  Take a few minutes and look through our new things.  I hope you will be inspired.  As soon as possible we will add other new things to this blog to show you some of the wonderful things that will be arriving next week.  If there is something you would like, give us a call and we will be sure to save one for you.  

Ready, set, go...happy hopping!

Over the River

kit:  $36.00

This kit just makes me think of late Autumn and Thanksgiving.  It is worked on 30 count hand-dyed R & R linen with overdyed threads, and a sweet pack of buttons.

Harvest Home Scissor Fob

kit:  $16.00

This kit includes 32 count linen, overdyed threads, buttons, beads and ric rac for the edging.  

It is a great companion to Over the River

Grateful Heart Stitching Bag

kit:  $24.00

This little stitching bag comes already made and includes the threads and buttons to complete.  Perfect for storing and carrying scissors, threads, and needles for any autumn project.  

Autumn Trifles

booklet:  $8.00

complete kit:  $70.00

Teri's newest Trifles offering.  Yay!  This little kit includes everything you will need to complete these 3 sweet pin cushions--except the stuffing.  You will find three different linens, overdyed cotton threads, darling backing fabrics, beads, buttons, and hand dyed ribbons--last weekend's project.  

Midnight Garden

stitching kit:  $24.00

This little kit is made to fit into the little black weathered stitching tray.  It is worked on 32 count linen with overdyed threads and buttons.  A fun Halloween tray for tricky stitching supplies...or yummy treats.  Maybe even both.

Black Raven Tray

$23.00

This darling raven box comes with a piece of foam core for quick and easy finishing.

Pumpkin Box Kit

kit:  $12.00

box:  $30.00

A fabulous addition to Teri's little box series.  The kit comes with spooky purple linen, overdyed threads and buttons.  It is darling in Jill's spooktacular frame or nestled in a weathered black box.  

Joy to Ewe

 complete kit:  $30.00

button with pattern:  $8.00

Here is our newest pattern with a sweet button.  The kit includes everything to compete the pin cushion including 18 count natural linen, ribbon, beads, backing fabric and fuzzy wool thread.  How fun for the holidays.

Teri's hand dyed fabulous ribbon

4 yard pack:  $5.00

Teri has spent the summer dyeing these luscious ribbons in the back yard of the shop.  I love it when she pins them up on the clothes line to dry and they drift here and there in their scrumptious colors.

The ribbons vary by the piece, but here are a few names that we call them:

Falling Leaves, Mermaid tears, Dried Roses, Melted Lime Ricky, Winter Sky, Spooky Night, Blushing Plum, Deep Dill Pickles...

Have a fun day and check back later and we will add to this blog as we have new things from other designers to show you.  How fun!  See you later.  T 

Thursday evening

Harvest Hop reflections

Today dawned bright and beautiful here in Utah, and believe it or not, Teri was up to greet that first light which crept over the mountain.  Partly, I think she was super excited about the Market, and partly the neighbor's dog started barking like maniacs at 6:00 and kept it up until almost 8.  For whatever reason, she was busy working on our own website link and making sure that everything would go smoothly.  Awesome job, Teri!!  ( except for the Santa Hat button which seems to be selling for $800.00. )  Those dogs just ought to bark every morning.  Oh, yeah, they probably will. Then, she just waited with fingers poised over her keyboard until 9:00--our time--so that she could go shopping herself.  She had the best time scrolling through the Hop website and looking up links.  I know that she thought everyone had great things posted and we can't wait to get things into the shop.  That being said, she has posted a lot of fun new things below.  Just have as much fun as we have had looking at these great designs.  Some of the things we have just received and the rest will start arriving sometime next week.  If you see something you would like us to save for you, just let us know.  So...now it is your turn.  Happy Hopping!!!

Bounty Sampler By Plum Street Samplers

Chart $ 12.00

Blessings Abound  By Plum Street Samplers

Chart $ 10.00

Labor for Learning By Plum Street Samplers

Chart $ 10.00

Merry One By Plum Street Samplers

Kit $20.00

Fabrics are available form us as well.  

The Haunting by Drawn Thread

Leaflet:  $10,00

in stock

Tangled up in Boo by Drawn Thread

leaflet:  $9.00

in stock

Simply Autumn by Drawn Thread

Leaflet:  $8.00

in stock

Pumpkin Pin Cushion by Jeannette Douglas

Coming soon

Over the River by Jeannette Douglas

leaflet and embellishment pack

Coming soon

Bargello Pin Cushion by Jeannette Douglas

leaflet 

Coming soon

Halloween Kit by Lizzie Kate

Coming soon

November Chalk by Hands On

leaflet $5.00

Coming soon

December Chalk by Hands On

leaflet $5.00

Coming soon

Acorn House by From the Heart

Leaflet  

coming soon

Christmas Quaker by From the Heart

leaflet 

Coming soon

Mini Love Quaker by From the Heart

Leaflet 

 coming soon

Bumble Bouquet 

by Just Another Button Company and Hands On

Chart $5.00

in stock

Peppermint Frost Slider - Bunny by Just Another Button Company

kit 

coming soon

Ho Ho Ho Spoken Here  

by Art to Heart (Just Another Button Company)

Chart with buttons    

Coming Soon

Merry 

by Art to Heart (Just Another Button Company)

Chart with buttons    

Coming Soon

Jingle Lolly 

by Just Another Button Company

$9.00  

Coming soon

Noel  Just Pins 

by Just Another Button Company

$15.50 

Coming soon

New Christmas Just Pins 

by Just Another Button Company

$15.50 

Coming soon

New Halloween Thread Keeps 

Large: $12.00

Small:  

available now

Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by Ink Circles

chart $10.00

Coming soon

Ghostly Mandala by Ink Circles

chart :$10.00

Coming soon

Red Merry Christmas by Keslyns

chart $ 14.00

Wooden Ornament kits by Keslyns

$11.00 pattern and wooden ornament 

New Weeks Dye Works Threads

$2.50 each

New colors that are bright and cheery-Sockeye, Islamorada, Persimmon, Wasabi

Queen Thread keeps by Kelmscott Designs

$10.00 each

These are so great.  we rarely have all of them they sell so quickly, so I thought I would snap a photo while they are all together.   Made od  wood, from right to left- Black queen (new) gold queen, red queen, white queen.  

Black wooden Thread keeps by Kelmscott

$

New waxers by Lady Dot

Pere Noel $10.00

Big Acorn $6.30

Big Pumpkin $5.50

Small Pumpkin $4.50

Bag of Buttons $4.00

Victoria's Crown $5.50 and Fractur Heart $5.00

Check again tomorrow night. More to come.  Yay!!!