May, 2017
Shoshone Falls, Idaho
Dear Friends,
It's finally Spring. I can hardly believe it, but don't blink because in an instant...it will be Summer. Spring is always very slow in coming here in Utah, and when it finally arrives, it doesn't linger long. It seems like our Fall lasts forever, but Spring becomes Summer overnight. Water is always some kind of an issue out here in the West. Never enough and always a trick to capture it and save it and make it last until the next snowfall. This year, we are dealing with lots of water. At least for right now. This is spectacularly evident in the photo above. We took a little day trip last Sunday up to these amazing falls and witnessed Nature in its glory. It all started with a conversation with Cece (the Threadgatherer) about her tomato plants which she has been growing from seed. She wanted to mail us some, but somehow that just didn't seem like a successful idea. So we talked about meeting her half way and she suggested Shoshone Falls--halfway between Boise and Ogden. So, Sunday was our day, and we had the best time. Bob and Norm drove like troopers, and we had a glorious picnic on the beautiful grassy area near the water. It was such fun to plan and even more fun to spend a few hours with delicious food, lovely conversation and a fabulous view. Standing at the edge looking over the Falls, covered with mist, made me think of Niagara Falls right here in the middle of a desert prairie. Sadly, no Maid of the Mist. Hey Charland, where were you?
We have had such a great month at the shop. Busy and fun. Everyone has been working on new things from Nashville and getting ready for patriotic stitching and summer travelers. If you are traveling through--east or west, north or south--remember...Ogden in the Crossroads of the West. Teri has been on the Crossroads of the West committee and she even has a pin to prove it. So be sure to stop on by and see us.
Here are a few odd dates during the summer when we will be closed:
• Saturday, May 27th and Monday, May 29th for Memorial Day •
• Tuesday, July 4th for Independence Day •
• Monday, July 24th for Pioneer Day•
• Saturday, September 2nd and Monday, September 4th for Labor Day •
So if you are planning a trip up our way, please keep these dates in mind.
New Shepherd's Bush designs
(available in June)
Teri and I have been working on a few fun new patriotic designs which will be ready the first week of June. Here are some sneak peaks of what we have going now. We are planning on a couple of more by the time June arrives, so we will let you know then. In the meantime something to anticipate.
Liberty Notes
Chart $8.00
(of course a whole kit will be available)
Where My Home Is
kit
The start of our Americana display
Oh, my gosh. We have so many fantastic patriotic pieces. We have a wall towards the back of the shop where all of our Americana pieces live and they always look lovely. But there is just something about bringing them all out the the front tables in May that makes me want to just stand and look at them all. So many darling pieces that it is a bit hard to choose. I love the little pin cushions and ornaments that Teri has hanging from her tree branch. The new Early Americans series is slowly being added as they arrive. Very fun!
Early Americans Series
by Little House
Patterns $6.00 each
Kits vary
This new 9-part series by Little House Needleworks is turning out very fun. Here are the first two in the series, Betsy Ross and John Hancock. We would be happy to have you join us on this great adventure You may choose 32 or 36 count fabric. We have tweaked the thread colors a bit, and are adding a button to each ornament. We also offer a set of finishing supplies... the wool backing and a variety of super trims (different each month). We are hanging them on our patriotic tree, but they would be wonderful in a basket or a bowl. We also have 36 count fabric available, if you would like to stitch all 9 parts together as 1 sampler. We are very happy to customize this just for you. Is this not the perfect summer stitching project?
New Sheep bags
by Stitch a Gift
Large bag $33.00 Medium bag $31.00
Teri is always looking for new sheep fabrics to make bags. Barbara at Stitch a Gift found these darling prints, and they are so happy for spring. Please order gray, teal or coral.
All the colors are lovely.
New charts coming from Plumstreet Samplers
Remember Hello Spring a couple of months ago?...well here is Hello Summer. It looks like so much fun to stitch. Remember, we always have pieces of the perfect linens cut and ready to go as well as sets of beautiful threads.
Hello Summer
Chart $10.00
Sampler House 2
Chart $12.00
Sampler House 1
chart $12.00
Mariner's Drum
chart $12.00
This is the perfect piece to go along with the little pin cushions that came out last month. Teri has hers finished and ready to go.
Cape Cod Keeps
Chart $12.00
These darling ornaments (pincushions ) just stole Teri's heart. She was helping some darling friends pull threads and fabric and by the time she was done she had pulled a set for herself and sent them off with Nancy to be stitched. She spent the last 2 evenings putting them together and as soon as she figures out the trim, she will post a photo. They are the perfect companions to the Mermaid drum--rat-a-tat-tat.
Sampler House
by Niki's Creations
pattern $
Isn't this just adorable? Who doesn't just love a Niki piece. Our friend, Penny, stitched this in almost no time, and Jill added this fantastic frame. A perfect summer piece. Maybe that will be my next project. hmmm
Humble and Kind
by La D Da
chart $10.00
Kit $
Our friend Penny stitched this sweet sampler for us as well. It is a new one from the Nashville market. It is stitched on a 32 count dyed fabric from Picture This Plus, and all the colors are soft and gorgeous. How lovely.
Sampler Hare
by La D Da
chart $12.00
Des stitched this for us, and Teri spent one night finishing it. I witnessed a bit of grumbling along the finishing path, but now she says: " Oh, that was so fun and super easy." Whichever the case, it is pretty adorable.
Fantastic news: Beatrix Potter Quaker Sampler has been reprinted.
Chart: $20.00
We have always loved this reproduction chart from Needleprints in England. But sadly it has been out of print for many years. Well it is back again and as lovely as ever. I have such a soft spot for Quaker Samplers and I would truly love to do this one. It would be gorgeous done all in one color as shown or done with each motif a different color--soft and faded. Yay.
Petite Essamplaire 1
by With Thy Needle and Thread
Chart: 12.00
Teri started these darling mini samplers on her way back from Nashville. She was only going to stitch 1 small one for the shop and then she just kept on going. They are very sweet, and I just love how Jill framed them in different, odd frames.
Ort Basket
by With Thy Needle and Thread
Basket and pattern $22.00
40 count fabric $2.50
This was such a hot item at the market in March. Luckily we have been able to reorder a few times. They fly out of the shop almost a quickly as we get them in, so don't delay. Thanks, Sandy, for letting us photograph and show your beautiful work. It is so adorable.
Three Tulips
by With Thy Needle and Thread
chart $10.00
This is another stitching from our friend Penny. We just got it back from Jill, and we love it! It is sooo soft and beautiful. It has been in the back room with me, since we have been out of the pattern for a bit, and I just love looking at it. Sadly, I think we are getting the pattern any day, so I am going to have it taken away. Ah....I shall have to stare at the wall with the graffiti remediation service phone numbers. I better start looking for a new picture to put back here.
Floral Alphabet
by: JBW designs
chart: $10.00
Our sweet friends, the Thomas's have been stitching this piece, and it is just beautiful. Teri decided to have this stitched using some soft spring colors and I love it. Not too big, but very showy and sweet.
SALE
Yippee, we are having a sale---on one thing.
Marlitt rayon thread
Sale price $.50 regularly $1.85
This rayon thread comes in such gorgeous colors. It is a bit flighty and slippery to work with, but gives a fun shiny look. It is no longer made, so we are making room for other threads. It is perfect for crazy quilting, embroidery, cross stitching, or wool embroidery. Sorry no white or cream, but many other fantastic colors.
Well, I am just going to leave you with a sneak peak of our backyard garden. All of this weathered our long and terrible winter and is doing great. We have parsley everywhere and it is a lot of fun. We have something called Lovage and are rather unsuccessfully trying to acquire a taste for it. I hope no one calls to tell us it is poisonous. It came up out of the blue and it took us a while to figure out what it was. At first Teri suspected Cannabis, complements of our lovely neighbors, but then we figured out it was Lovage. Oh well, it is very pretty.
Well, enjoy your Spring wherever you are. Find the perfect summer project to get the season started, and take joy in the moment.
Until June,
Fondly, Tina and Teri
