Happy Halloween

 October, 2019

Dear Friends,

Teri just reminded me that our last blog was on the 4th of July.  Wow, where did the days go?  I am not really sure.  I do know that it was a very busy, fun summer and early fall at the shop, and our best of intentions got put aside.  Oh well, read on my friends, and we will try to catch you up on the past few months at Shepherd's Bush.

Unlike the first part of July, it is cold here in Utah tonight.  

We came home from work under a snow sky, and the temperature is continuing to drop. The weather expert--my phone--says that tomorrow night it will be 8 degrees.  Seriously....what happened to our perfect, lingering Fall days?  Not coming to us this year.  We went from the high 90s the first part of September to just plain cold.  And now we seem to be heading straight on to Winter.  

Ah well, all the better to stitch with.  This  has been the oddest summer.  June was cold, July and August were blistering, September cool, October cold and who knows what November will bring.  But, for sure, there will be lots to gather in for a cozy winter of stitching.  Teri has been on the ball this summer getting things finished up... and then waiting for me to finish anything.  Mostly, I have been working a month--or a season--behind.  Towards the end of September, I had the best idea for a Halloween project and stitched halfway through October.  Finally, Teri mentioned that I might have missed the boat on that one, so I put it away for next year.  Then, I had a brilliant idea for the perfect Thanksgiving piece and started happily stitching.  After the last few nights of Teri's toe tapping and finger drumming, I suggested that it also might be better waiting for next year.  Great!  I should probably just start on Easter, but I am pretty sure I am moving on to Christmas...

In my defense, I have also been working on this year's stocking which is finally finished and at the printer.  You will see the photo below.  Honestly, it was such a fun stocking to stitch--lovely colors, sweet motifs, and easy on the eyes--literally.  It takes me about 4 months to draw, design and stitch it, and I always think that I stitch it at least twice by the time I pull it out, re-design, change colors, and re-stitch it.  I hope you love him as much as I do.  Weeks Dye Works dyed 2 new perle cotton colors for it so that made it a lot of fun for us as well.

Parker's Stocking

leaflet:  $10.00

charm pack:  $20.00

(threads and linen also available)

As I say in the pattern, Snow is such a big part of growing up in Utah.  It seemed perfect for this little Santa to have a snow friend as well as a little shivering sheep. A flying Santa and his reindeer sailing over a sleepy Christmas Eve village complete the scene.  

Happy Christmas, 2019 

I think I mentioned that Teri has been much more on the ball.  She has some adorable Thanksgiving pieces ready to go--well almost.  All of them will work up very quickly so they will be perfect for next month's holiday.  So...take up your needle and stitch.  

   

Happy Thanksgiving Treasure Box

Kit:  $16.00

I love this little pattern that Teri designed for the woodgrain treasure box.

Stitched on 32 count, it is whimsical and very autumnal and would be a lovely gift to take to your Thanksgiving host.  (Clear a space, Christian, I hope you are going to love it.)

Harvest Home

kit:  $16.00

Here is a new 10 count kit for the Autumn.  We love working on the Tula fabric, and everyone finds it easy and relaxing.  This one, brings out the very best of the season with its October garden and cozy home.  You can do this one in no time at all.

Thankful Tag

kit:  $8.00

At the shop, we all want Teri to do a tag kit for Thanksgiving.  I am not so sure that it is on her agenda.  I just thought that if I put it on the blog, maybe she will be inspired to design one.  So...if this space remains photo-less for very long, you will know the answer.  (But I am hopeful that very soon, something magical will appear.)  

Honestly, Halloween is my favorite time here at the shop. 

 It is not exactly my favorite of the holidays, but I just love all of the stitching that goes along with it. The designs are quirky, the fabrics are murky, and the colors are perky?--nah... they are just fantastic. What's not to like?  Teri spends all of June getting the shop all decked out for Halloween, and it truly looks it best.  

Here are two huge displays of Spooky projects that have been such fun this season.  It could be a bit like a hunt and find picture.  See what your favorite thing is.

 

Next week everything will be different,  Teri is always so desolate to say goodbye to Halloween  

October

 by Cross Eyed Cricket

Chart $8.00

32 count hand dyed Fabric: $ 18.00 

 16  count Aida: $13.00

Shepherd's Bush Button set: $ 16.30

This piece is new for us  at the shop this year.  Everyone has been thrilled with it.    The colors are so fallish and it is the perfect Halloween stitching.  The fabric Teri chose is perfect and we added our own set of buttons and tweaked the colors to use more overdyed threads.  

Three Witches

 by Barbara Ana

Chart $12.00

This adorable piece just came back from the stitcher.  We love this charming group of ladies...

Little Bits of Halloween

 by Drawn Thread

Chart $12.00

Another great piece by the Drawn Thread.  Can't wait to see how Jill will frame it.  Stitched on 32 count linen, the details are so fun.  

Jolie Sorciere

 by Tralala 

chart: $14.00

We stitched this on a great,  splotchy, 32 count linen called Mummy Wraps--by Ship's Manor.

She is quite fantastic.

Hat of Bats 

by Bent Creek

kit: $ 24.00

These darling kits by Bent Creek are stitched on 18 count linen with #5 perl cotton. They are a quick stitch and so adorable.  Jill found the perfect frame!   

Frank and Boo Photo Booth 

by Bent Creek

kit: $ 16.00

Bent Creek's Photo Booths are the absolute bomb!!!

They are somewhat new for the shop this year and everyone just loves them. There are kits for most holidays, and they are hilarious.  The packets come with the pattern and the fabric.  The only bad thing about them is that they sell out as fast as we get them in.  Wanna snap a pic? 

Bittersweet and Broomstitcks 

by Brenda Gervais

Chart: $12.00

Jill chose a wonderful frame for this whimsical piece.  We stitched it on a great hand dyed fabric  from Picture this Plus and tweaked the colors to match.  Oh and added buttons... Great Halloween stitching to get ready for next year.

Fall Wall

We always have an Autumn wall, or two.  We will have a Thanksgiving display as Halloween comes down, and will add a photo or two here so check back next week.  

I love Thanksgiving.  It is such a calm and joyous holiday.  And our favorite pieces reflect the quiet nature of that season.

From left to right

Top row:  Leaves by Niki Creations,  Autumn by Cricket, Autumn Trifles by Shepherd's Bush

Center row:  Friends of the Hart by Plumstreet,  Autumn Notes by Shepherd's Bush, 

 Lesson 3 by Plumstreet,

 Bottom row:  Autumn Snapshots by Plumstreet,  Autumn Sheep kit by Shepherd's Bush,

 Autumn Whirligig  by Heart in  Hand,  Pumpkin  Harvest by Shepherd's Bush 

Thanksgiving Hoopla

by Brenda Gervais 

Chart: $12.00

fabric: $5  

(choose 32 or 36 or 16 aida)

We have the hoops, too

Another adorable Hoopla by Brenda  We are expecting her Christmas Hoopla any day... 

Preview of Christmas

Sometimes, I think that for stitching holidays, Halloween overshadows the coming Yuletide season.  But Teri is always one step ahead of me, and in the midst of the eeks and boos she sneaks in some definite Christmas Cheer.

Here are a few of our favorites for Christmas

Jack Frost Tree Farm

 by Little House Needleworks

set of 7 charts $ 48.50

We have loved watching this piece grow over the past few months.  Jacklyn Hunt stitched this beautiful piece and has let us borrow it  She has done a lovely job, and we have enjoyed it so much. thanks Jacklyn.   

Old ST. Nick

 by Teresa Kogut

Chart $ 10.00

North Pole Party Pics 

by Bent Creek

 Kit $ 16.00

New Sundries

Speaking of Christmas--here are a few fun new things you might like for Christmas giving-- or getting

Beautiful needle minders

 by Flamingo Toes

$12.50 each 

Notice the newest designs:  Garden Gate,  Deer, World, Quilt

New Zipper Bags

 by Stitch a Gift

Large: $33.00

Medium: $31.00

New Stitching Necessary 

folding Bag $10.90

Deep blue scissor case $ 11.90

Deep Blue tape measure $ 10.90

 These sweet little bags are made with fabrics by Liberty of London.  They come filled with the items you see and have a zipper pocket for a small project. We also have tape measures and scissor cases that match the deep blue bag.  Aren't they amazing?  You will feel very British using one of these, and that is never a bad thing.

More great sewing bags

Folding stitching bag (back): $ 25.00

Tape measure: $ 16.00

Small tablets ( right photo front): $4.00

 

I love these as well.  These are such clever little treasures all made with fabric by French General, which makes them even more special.  They aren't really Christmasy but they sort of coordinate with the season.  Perfect for your best stitching buddy.  Don't wait!  We have sold out of these items, but have ordered more.  if you would like us to put you on a waiting list, please give us a call
 801-399-4546

Our little Urban Garden has gone to bed. It has been so great this year, every day Teri would bring in a bowl of tomatoes, carrots, cucumbers and basil to make a salad for lunch.  She even harvested 2 squash.  The tomatoes tend to take over, so Teri built a tomato arbor.  It held them all up and made for easy picking.  The plants grow taller than either of us.  

A final picking. peppers, tomatoes and cucumbers, and 2 squash 

Teri has spread crushed eggshells all over the garden beds, I'm not sure why??  She is already planning what she is planting and where next spring.  

Oh no...I just looked out the window and my car is covered with snow.  There are those who will be searching for boots tonight, but I shall be happy to just find my shoes.  I fear no flip flops tomorrow.
Have a wonderful rest of your Autumn.  Stay warm and safe and be sure to stitch!
hugs, Tina...and Teri


PS  The shop Christmas Party will be on Saturday December 7.  Stop by and make a fun project in the back, share some yummy holiday treats, and look over our newest festive projects. We always have wonderful stocking stuffers, and the perfect gift.    The shop will be decked out for the season, with our beautiful tree and all our decorations..  11:00-4:00  we hope to see you there.







 PPS    Shepherd's Retreat 2020

We are so excited to announce the Shepherd's Bush Retreat dates for 2020
Shop open house- October 9th and 10th (Friday and Saturday)Shepherd's Retreat- October 12th - 14th (Monday- Wednesday)

We always have the most amazing time at the Retreat, and we would love to have you join us. We will be staying at the beautiful Canyons Resort in Park City Utah for the Retreat.  The shop open house will be in Ogden.   Registration will take place after the first of the year, and will be taken on a first come first serve basis.  We will post the registration date and time here and on social media.  
More information coming  after the first of the year.  

Happy 4th ...almost

July, 2019

Dear Friends,

It is the very eve of July.  June is gone and the summer seems to be rushing down the creek behind our home.  I love Summer, but it is a fickle season filled with long, lazy days, fresh treats from the garden or the Farmer's Market, and every lovely flower in constant flux and bloom.  But mixed with all of that is the heat and humidity and busy-ness of these numbered days.  I watch Kari trying to keep her 2 active boys busy for this time and struggling to keep them off their "screens," and I want to tell her how fast it all goes by.  How quickly 1 summer turns into 18 summers.  To be sure to hold tight to all the laughter, and missed bedtimes, and grass-lying and star-watching.  I guess in a way, I want to remind myself of that same thing every day.  Every year, the days fade too fast leaving behind the list of things we did--as well as those we never got to.  So here is what I want to do this summer:

I always want to read. 

 I want to pull my adirondack chair into the shade and lose myself in a book.  For this summer--something light and cheerful.  Or I could definitely do a good mystery.  If you haven't read Where'd you go Bernadette, be sure to do so before the movie comes out.  Another book I just finished--from Teri-- is Longborne (Jo Baker).  If you love Pride and Prejudice, you will just adore this one.

Teri just finished Delicious (Ruth Reichl) and she didn't want it to ever end. I totally agree with her.  Such a delightful read.

I love to make homemade ice cream.

Teri and Bob were just complaining that I haven't done it once this summer.  I think I might be on for fresh buttermilk strawberry for the 4th.  But I also want to try malted milk chocolate, fresh peach--when they are finally in season in Utah--and maybe a salted caramel, but maybe not that one.  I will have to see.  

I want to take walks.

We got a great start in the late spring, but now that it is hot and a bit muggy, we need to get going again.  Just in that moment between sun and dusk.  Unwind from the day and briskly avoid mosquitos.

And always...I want to stitch.  

This is the best part of the evening.  A tonic for my soul in a weary world.  The best of all remedies for the things that worry us. Something to remind us to just be happy.  I am ready to start my new stocking and I can't wait.  I also have an antique sampler that I want to stitch that was stitched by Bob's great, great (maybe more greats) grandmother in the mid-1800s. 

So...Whatever is on your own Summer list, I hope you accomplish at least some of it.  Otherwise, go buy a popsicle, sit out in the shade, and call it a good evening.   

  

                                 

Shop News

Here at the shop we have been busy.  We have 3 new things for Summer stitching, and they were very fun to stitch and get ready.  Perfect to work on during these long, hot evenings.

My Home Sweet Home

kit:  $30.00

This sweet little kit measures about 5" x 6" and is stitched on 32 count French Country Cafe Mocha.  (I might have the order of those words mixed up--sorry)  It comes complete with Weeks over-dyed threads and tiny buttons for embellishing.  Sweet and patriotic, it will stitch up quickly during this coming red, white, and blue month.  

Let Freedom Bloom

Pin Cushion

kit:  $20.00

This small pincushion was such fun to work on.  It comes complete with 32 count Natural linen, Weeks threads, star button and Lady Dot chenille dyed just for this piece.  We used her Blue Corn hand dyed velveteen for a backing, but you could choose anything appropriate to the season.  It will be done before you know it. 

Teri picked the first harvest of cherries off of her tree to put in the photo.  She said they were only a bit sour.  Oh well, Bob is hoping for a pie! 

Americana Mini Pin Set

$12.00

Bee Trifles 

Chart- $8.00

Complete kit-$70.00

Teri just loves bees!  Of course, Utah is the Beehive State and Teri is a Utah girl.  So here is her newest Trifles.  The complete kit comes with everything you need to complete these sweet  pillows.  It includes linens-(a cool honeycomb printed linen for Queen bee, and a new gold Belfast linen called Fall leaf), overdyed threads, buttons, beads, hand dyed ribbon, and bee backing fabric.  I think they are adorable!

We have always done kids kits ever since we first opened the shop and taught weekly children's classes.  This summer, we have so many moms and grandmas in with their kids to pick out summer stitching projects.  It has kept Teri and Kari very busy trying to keep them stocked and new ones designed and ready.  We get little ones in all the time to show us what they have accomplished.  Very fun!  My Peter loved to stitch when he was growing up here at the shop and by 7 was designing his own pieces.  He once drew and stitched Teri's cat for her.  So sweet. 

There are the best kits for kids to begin with.  Kari marks them all so it is a bit easier for young ones to get going, and each kit comes marked and started, and complete with threads and any embellishments.  We have a variety of them on our website, but Teri has been having a great time thinking up new designs for this summer.  We will put them up on the site as soon as they are ready.  If you are local, stop by with your little ones.  They are the perfect summer project to keep hands busy and screens off.   

True 

Kid's Kit by Shepherd's Bush

$10.00

Faith 

Kids Kit by Shepherd's Bush

$10.00

Kari's 7 year old, Oliver, stopped by to show us the piece he had just finished.  He was very proud of it, but mostly because he had added his own stitched embellishment to the grass "to make it look better."

More exciting things at the shop:

Prairie Schooler Santa 2019

Card:  $5.00

Kit:  $55.00

Backing fabric-$14.25

We just received our pillow back from the finisher, and it is so sweet!!!

We have the perfect backing fabric for it, and Teri has chosen the best set of buttons to go with.  We always have stitched these yearly Santas on 7 count Klostern and they are such fun to do.  

Tiny Quilt Needle Minders

 $22.00

These are sooooo amazing.  They are tiny, tiny quilts made out of fabric.  They are magnetic and sit on your stitching to catch your needles.  We have only a few and get them now and then.  If you see one you like, don't delay.    

Nameste Train Boxes 

$65.00

                                       

Here are all the boxes stacked together- small buddy box (with scissors inside), bigger box and the train box in the back.  

       

 These great boxes remind me of a make-up case our older sister packed and carried with her on any trip. I  always thought she was so chic and sophisticated, but I never seemed to have anything to carry in such a thing, so I was always given a back pack. (Ok, Mom--now I know what to put in these.) These are beautifully made and come in all the regular colors:  Gray, Teal, Cranberry, Blush, Eggplant.  So perfect for projects and supplies to see you through a small journey.  Quite Jane Austinian.  There is a small hole in the side for yarn if you are a knitter--but also great for your ear buds.  We are special ordering these, so just let us know a color and we will get one for you.  You might need the matching smaller 2 boxes as well.

October 
by Cross Eyed Cricket

chart $8.00

We have loved the 4 seasons that we have stitched at the shop by Cricket.  October is one of their month series charts, and it is unbelievably fun.  We have stitched it on a crazy color of 32 count hand dyed linen, tweaked the colors and added buttons.  Erin our niece just sent it back from stitching it, and we love it.  Believe it or not--Halloween is coming.

Urban Garden update.

I love parking behind the shop during the summer and seeing our small garden burst into life before our eyes.  There is something quite sweet and tender seeing this little colorful oasis amidst the brick and concrete and noise of busy downtown.  It is a placed of astonishing peace during a busy, stressful day.  We lose Teri quite often to the solace of its space. 

We have been harvesting peas like crazy.  Our carrots are so tender and delish.  The grapevines are spreading all over our back area, and they are bursting with tiny grapes.  

                   

Peas galore... we are all in heaven (left)                               Grape trellis (right)

                 

 Tomatoes are growing quickly-- these are paste tomatoes for sauces.  On the right are our cucumbers, We had to replant a couple of times as they did not like our rainy cold spring, but they are finally taking hold.  Teri thinks we need more... she loves the pickles we make.

I hope your summer is perfect.  Try to stay cool, cook something fresh and delicious, read something to transport your soul, and stitch  something to bring joy to your heart.'

Be happy...Tina