May has flown right by. I know Tina is really working on her thoughts for the blog, but I thought you might like to see a few of the pincushions we just received from Nancy the felt lady. . . . They are so fun and springy.

I have been on a pincushion wave length. I designed an Americana one for our class in Chicago and had such a great time; I am working on a few more to come out this summer. The Liberty pincushion ( from the Chicago class) won't be available until next summer. Here are some great reproduction pincushions from the Civil War. The original one was filled with cotton, buck shot and sawdust. They are made out of interesting solid fabrics and are filled in the same manner as the one made in the 1860's. They look like stars. I fell in love with them at market a couple of years ago, and we have carried them ever since. They run $38.00 and are very cool.

This is a sweet Blackbird pin cushion we have stitched and added silk ribbon around the edge. The pattern is available for $ 7.00. The fabric we used is $3.10 and the silk ribbon runs .50 cents per yard; I used about a yard. and added tiny beads to anchor the ribbon in place. I just love stitching the ribbon on like that.

I have just sent out Miss Mary Mac's pincushion to be stitched and it is going to be wonderful. I even bought a little shelf to display them all on. I will keep you posted. Take care and happy stitching.

Teri

PS-I am still waiting for Tina to make her famous lemon bars.....

Friday, May Day, 2009

Dear Friends,
Spring has finally--tentatively, shyly--arrived in my yard. I have been watching its progress out of my bedroom window, which is still mostly shut against the chill April air. The yellow daffodils which Bob planted in the fall are up and quite cheerfully competing with the sudden and impossible greenness of the grass. My trees are more sluggish to awaken. Only the Cherry has committed to her blossomed glory while the Oak and Maple seem still stuck in their winter slumbers. Even the Virginia creeper on my window refuses to unfold its leaves despite my watchful coaxing. Be patient, I tell myself. Our creek, however, in its noisy tumbling torrent shouts Spring as it thrusts down the barely melted snows from the mountain behind us.
I wonder each year at the beauty and joy of this time, so much surprise and colour after the endless grey of Winter. And yet, Spring also makes me oddly sad. Perhaps it is the continual switching from sun to rain, but I think it is more likely the understanding that Spring is a harbinger of change. I don't really like the end of the school year always with its progression of grades for my boys. My soul simply longs for things to stay comfortably the same, and Spring just quickly pushes everything on and on--from grass, to water, to children. Christian turned 16 this week and has been been the beaming owner of his driver's license for about 48 hours. During the past year, he has always driven with Bob or me--usually me, finished Driver's Ed at 6:00 in the morning, possibly completed double or triple the required 40 hours of practice--yet still I am in a panic. Of course we had to go the the DMV the minute school was out on his birthday, and that evening he asked if he could drive around the block--alone. Sure..OK...I guess, I answered, and then plied him with instructions for getting out of the driveway. When he returned 47 seconds later, I was nonchalantly waiting on the curb. Last night, he asked if he could meet us at the restaurant we were going to for dinner--about 2 miles away. I called him three times before he left the house to give him advice, admonitions, and instructions, which he took in good humor. When he reached the destination, I was waiting on the sidewalk. This weekend, he has asked if he could drive to a friend's house to watch a movie. I said--perhaps--and that seemed to satisfy, but a minute later he asked if I would be waiting in their driveway. Ah...16.
I have decided to overcome my spring blues by finding and mastering the perfect Lemon Bar. I am going to start this weekend and I shall keep you apprised of my progress. If you are even now in possession of the perfect recipe, let me know. If I actually get a good one, I will send you a picture of it and include the recipe. Teri also tells me that I should stitch her new pillow, Be Happy. This darling piece fits in with our other Be-attitudes and is the perfect answer to our current times. As if the economy, the war, and global warming weren't enough, now we have the swine flu to worry about. So might I just suggest a few quiet days stitching--Be Happy--to remind us that we can't really do much else. So we might as well...be happy.
Now here are a few very fun things from Barb and Alma at Blackbird designs which our friends--as well as me--are thrilled with. They are doing a series of sewing implements through Moda, the company who prints their fabric. I don't know if any of you bought one of their sewing rolls a few months back, but I did and I love it so much. I hang it from a lamp where I sometimes stitch and it is supplied with all my stitching necessities. Well now we have received several new things in this sort of series. I am pretty sure that Teri has a picture down below of these things. There are 2 darling pin cushions which are machine made, but look like they were hand made. They are so adorable. One of them is in creme, green and odd purple and the other one is in blue and browns. I love them both and I might have to buy them both so I won't have to choose. Take a look at the picture and see what you think. They each have buttons in the corners. I know I won't be able to order them again, so choose quickly. Then, my even more favorite thing is their little pin pocket. It is very old-fashioned and darling in soft cremes and sea blue. As you can see in the picture it is made out of a soft, sort of homespun linen and folds up with a button. The front has a little cross stitched picture and the back has a sweet button-holed and buttoned pocket for storing. When you open it and unfold it, it has a little fabric loop to secure your scissors, 2 pieces of button-holed wool felt for pins and needles and a tiny partial pocket for tucking threads or fabric. It really is very sweet and I already have mine well stocked and sitting on my table at home. And finally--they have been very busy--they have a new book out and ready for stitching. It is the April stocking book and it is wonderful. We have ha d so much fun with their little stocking series, and this one--designed just for April--is the perfect thing. I am not sure if Teri has a picture of this one as we have had a hard time keeping it in stock, but if you are collecting them, it is ready, and if you haven't been, now is a great time to start.
Remember, it is almost Mother's Day and gift certificates make wonderful presents. So if you are looking for something for that fantastic wife, mom, or grandma in your life, think about a beautifully wrapped gift certificate from the shop. Teri says that they make a lovely gift for that special aunt in your life as well.
We are busy here at the shop and it has taken me all day and then some to write to you. Today has been both fun and crazy, and I love seeing everyone heading home with fantastic projects to work on. It makes me want to start something new. Teri and I have been busy designing and stitching some new things, so I will tell you about those next week. Be safe this week, use plenty of disinfectant wipes and don't get sick.
fondly, Tina

Be Happy was the first of the Be-Atitudes... We have stitched it in  
soft spring colors and finished it with a gorgeous floral fabric that  
just arrived in the shop.  It is so nice to finally  have flowers in  
my yard to use in photographs ( not the lilies).  The pattern was  
released this week and we have all the supplies available.

Here are a couple of wonderful stitching accessories from Blackbird Designs. They are already finished and all you have to do is enjoy them. We have 2 pincushions shown above. They are larger than you think, about 5 inches. They are made of a woven fabric, the letters are woven right in. I think they are very sweet.


We also have a very few of their sewing cases (shown above). They all come in soft sage green and cream fabric they have a sweet house on the front with the words "Pins ands Needles." The inside of the case has a pocket and a place to put your needles. Both of these would make a great addition to your sewing basket.

April 15, 2009--waiting for Spring

Hi Friends,
We are in the midst of a huge blizzard here, and I am waiting for my hair to dry after running 2 errands on my way to work. Last week I read a little article in a magazine about waiting while I was waiting to pick up Chinese take-out. The writer was waiting for fish to bite and maple sap to run--both things I know almost nothing about, but it made me think all weekend long how much of our lives are indeed spent in waiting. I am patiently waiting for each new episode of Little Dorrit to come each Sunday. Christian is waiting for his 16th birthday in 2 weeks so he can get his driver's license. Teri is waiting for our accountant to bring her taxes, and we are all waiting for Winter to end. I am not sure what this means about our humanness. Perhaps we are impatient beings.
This week sort of starts the birthday times in my family. We took Simon--our Chinese exchange student--along with Christian, Raphael--France--and Chin Wey--Taiwan--with us on our Wednesday night dinner with friends to celebrate Simon's 16th birthday. We went to the Mongolian barbeque and had a blast eating, talking and laughing. I think Teri has a picture of the 4 boys down below. I can hardly believe that they will all be returning home in about 6 weeks. Where has this year gone? Raph and Chin walked down to our house last Sunday evening to teach Teri how to make French Crepes. They brought another neighbor with them, and Peter hadn't gone back to Salt Lake yet, so we had a kitchen full of giant teenage boys, 2 guitars, 1 dog, and small containers of "secret ingredients" to go in the crepe batter which the boys were whispering and chuckling over. Raph made a bowl of batter that was almost as big as a hot tub, and after making 3 crepes, he left Teri to make another 200. They were very good, and she did learn well how to make them. The boys gobbled them with Nutella, we served them at work with ice cream and caramel sauce, we took them to all our family with whipped creme and strawberries, and then had several meals with chicken and mushrooms. I am not sure how soon we will be making them again, but when we have the hankering, we will be ready. Next, he is going to teach us "the world's best pasta carbinarra." I am excited, but I think we will need to invite a large number of friends in for that night. Want to come?
I have no idea why I have rattled on about all of that, but now to the business of the shop. In spite of our crazy weather, we have been busy here. Teri and I are working on designs for the Columbus market in June, but she has had some very darling pieces stitched for the shop as well. One of our favorite new samplers is one by Lizzie Kate--ABC Lessons. Marilyn stitched it for us, and it is fabulous. Both Teri and Lynnette are working on it for themselves. It really is quite lovely, and expresses sentiments we badly need in this world. The original colours that come in the kit are sweet and cheerful, and we chose to do ours in sort of muted, unusual colours. If you want to buy the kit from us, we can give you a choice between the two colours pallettes. We have not been so good about keeping up with SamSarah's alphabet baubles for this year, but we have just finished the Bees and it is very sweet. I think we have a picture of it below. I'm fairly sure you will love it. Then be sure to take a good look at some wonderful new scissors we have just received. The little ones from Kelmscott in darling colours are just perfect for keeping in a little sewing pouch. Plus some of the new bigger stitching scissors are unique and fun.
I'm on my own here now as Kari is sick and Sue has gone for the day, so I am on the phones. I am going to send this on so I don't forget. Have a great April week, and I hope spring is there even as you are reading.
Until next week--fondly, Tina

The way we love bees, how could we pass up B bauble by Sam Sarah. It is great fun!!! I am starting to assemble a bee display. I am very hopeful for spring. It has been cold and snowy here, but the weather men say there is warmer weather on the way!

This is such a great piece by Lizzie Kate!!! We have so many customers stitching it. The kit comes in great pinks, aquas and browns for $32.00 (fabric is not included). Marilyn stitched this one in dusty colors, isn't it fabulous!!!!! We also added a few buttons for fun!

We have received a few more colors of the Little Gems scissors. Pink, Matte black ( looks like olive in the photo), red, purple, green, and yellow. They also come in gold and silver. The owl scissors in the center are brand new!!! Great!

Chris on the right with the other exchange students - Simon is next to Christian. It was his birthday and we went to a favorite local spot. The owner speaks Chinese so both Simon and Chin Wai could converse with her. Raphael (on the end) is from France.

Just as we started hiding the candy for the annual Easter hunt, It
started to rain. Look at those clouds.... We had a great time and
everyone was so happy to out of their houses and visiting!!! Can you
see Jillian and Sophie in the crowd? Where is Ellie????

April Fool's Day, 2009

Dear Friends,

Perhaps that is the April Fool's joke, that I am actually writing this blog. Don't think I haven't thought about it a lot all through March. I can't believe that it is gone. Usually March is one of my favorite months, but this year I am sort of glad to see it go. Of course it doesn't help that we seem to be still mired in Winter. It's ok though, the heat will come soon enough. For me, March is birthday month--always time for celebrations. Mine falls at the beginning of the month and Teri's just 3 days after. Odd for twins don't you think? Then our other sister, Sheree, has her birthday near the end of the month. It's pretty fun, as it gives us many excuses to get together and party--which we have definitely done. Most sadly, one of our very dear friends passed away suddenly on Teri's B-day. We have just been totally down all month. A friend of mine wrote in an e-mail that the thing he feared the most was losing the people he loved, and I have thought about the truth of that so many times lately. Why does life have to be so hard. But now it is April, and time to look ahead and cheer up. Certainly there are a hundred things--and people--here at work to raise one's spirits. Plus--I have been reading a lot. I know I should be stitching but it is cold here and reading gives me a good excuse to crawl under a blanket and escape. Besides, I have read such good books lately. I gave Teri a book for her birthday which I knew nothing about, and then Sheree gave me the same book which she had read a while ago and loved. It has such a peculiar name--The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. (Or something like that) I read the whole thing in 3 days which is saying a lot as I can linger on a book for months. It is fantastic! If you haven't read it, just go get it this afternoon. It is only about 250 pages, but I wish it had been 1000, I loved it that much. I could hardly bear it to end, and didn't want to leave these people whom I felt were truly my friends. Not to sound bossy, but go read it and let me know what you think. It sounds sort of silly--by its title--but it is anything but that. In fact it deals with deep topics, but is very gentle, sweet, and touching. Such a feel good book. Another book I just finished, which I loved, was People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks. I love this author anyway, and this book was also wonderful. I know--you think I haven't been stitching, but I really have. Teri and I went to Chicago in the middle of the month to teach for our friends Pam and Kim at their darling shop--Tomorrow's Heirlooms. We had such a good time stitching pieces for the classes, and then we had a wonderful weekend while we were there. There were such darling women taking our class, that it was fun meeting them and being able to visit and get to know them a little while we were there. Pam and Kim are sweet and enthusiastic, and it was especially nice to visit their shop. Sharon Crescent also attended the class, and we always have a great time together laughing and catching up. A perfect weekend with old friends and new.

Spring is taking its time coming to Utah this year, but that may be the very reason that everyone here has been stitching spring things like crazy. Teri's new Hide and Seek pillow has been a blast. You could still easily have it ready before Easter. One of my favorite new pieces is one by Notforgotten Farm. I love her whimsical, folk-art patterns anyway, and her new one Ah, 'Tis Spring is just fabulous. I think Teri has a picture of it below. We can't even bear to part with it long enough to send over to Jill to frame, so we have it on the front counter in Q-Snaps. This little bunny lady is just gentle and sweet--everything spring ought to be. If you can stand to put her away, I think she would be a piece that you loved to bring out every March. Another piece which we have loved for awhile is Still Waters. Our friend, Marilyn, stitched this one and we adore it. It is a perfect mixture of colours and psalm and motifs. This is one that is definitely on my list--but I haven't started it yet. And be sure to watch for Home--a darling new piece by La-D-Da. It has kind of a spring-like theme, but really would be perfect all year long. And just wait until you see how we have stitched a fantastic new piece by Lizzie Kate--ABC Lessons. Sorry, you just have to wait for the photo. More of that anon.

Finally, while we were in Chicago, Pam gave us this wonderful little ort box and kindly shared the name of the person who makes them. I think we might have a picture of them below. It really is quite ingenious--made from a variety of darling papers and they fold right up and tuck into your sewing bag. I usually stitch at a table and try to capture my cut ends of thread in various paper cups. But now I just unfold my little box and leave it on the table. It makes me very happy. My biggest problem is keeping it away from the eternally lengthy nose of my beagle, Lindbergh. It is just the kind of thing that he can hardly stand not to have between his teeth, so he dances about the table waiting for me to leave it in his reach for 1 tiny second. I also have to keep it away from any boys at my house. There is something about the folding nature of the thing that entices them to fiddle with it. So----if you are up to the challenge of keeping it away from curious fingers and teeth, I think that you, too, might enjoy it.
Well, I guess I have to send this off to you. Until next week, be safe, read a little, and stitch a lot.

ever fondly,
Tina

I have pulled together some of my favorite sheep pictures. These are great for spring, but sheep are wonderful all year round. From bottom left, "Curly Q Ewe," Our "Queen Sheep." Behind to the left, "STU" and "Counting House." Behind in the gold mat, "Sheep May Safely Graze." Center top... NEW "Still Waters"- (I have a close up further down, to the right of it). To the right Shepherd's Bush "She Tends" - another favorite, above it and to the right, Sheep Button Sampler. Below She Tends, "Sheep" from Workbasket. The pillows are from Prairie Schooler. We have about a zillion more sheep, I may have to rotate them.

Still Waters is a project I have had pulled out to do since it came out. I love how it turned out. Our friend Marilyn stitched this project for us. The soft colors and overdyed fabric add to the sweet feeling you get from this piece. Marilyn used overdyed threads to stitch this, isn't it fabulous!!!!!

Here is another fun new piece from La D Dah. Our friend Bonnie stitched this great project. Yes we did change all the colors, It is so fun!

I finally had to take down the snowmen pictures. Our tulips are coming up in fine force. It is time for spring! So I thought of bees and happy sayings. Did you want to know what they all are? OK I will list them. Bottom left on the wall is Shepherd's Bush "Be of Good Cheer." Center is the Lizzie Kate flip-it series from last year. We only made it down to "care" before I needed Judy to stitch something else for us. This project comes in small cards, with 2 designs in each leaflet. In the bottom right is "Gentleness." "Queen Bee" is above Gentleness and above that is "Keep a Happy Heart"- Shepherd's Bush. On the top left, is "We Seek." The pillows are left to right: Love- from the Lizzie Kate double flips. Friend for all Seasons, Buzz on In and on the right are two more Prairie Schooler pillows.

Here we are in Chicago. We had a great time with Pam and Kim of Tomorrow's Heirlooms. If you have never been to their store in Glen Ellyn, Ill., you need to go. It is filled to the brim... and I mean to the brim! They brought an astonishing amount of Shepherd's Bush models to the hotel and set up a shop there. They have a great seamstress that makes pillows for many of the Shepherd's Bush designs called blanks. We are all holding the scatter series pillows.

Helping to set up the shop, Tina hugs Sharon Crescent of Crescent Colors. Pam and Kim look on. That is the best part of traveling, meeting good friends on the other end.

OK, this is not a new project, but it is one we have loved forever. It has just been reprinted, and so is available once again. "All through the Year" comes as a packet of instructions. You stitch the angel on 10 count fabric so she is big!!! then you stitch aprons to change each month. all the aprons are stitched on 28 count fabric. Her hair is wild and crazy. We have the pattern, and the apron fabrics, the stick arms and legs you have to find yourself. It is fun, isn't it?

Ah tis' Spring is our new favorite piece. Stitched in overdyed threads and with a few button accents, this sweet bunny will brighten your spring.

These are a great product we discovered at Tomorrow's Heirlooms. They kindly shared their source and we ordered these darling "ort" boxes. These great boxes are to put all your odds and ends in....the end threads that always end up on the floor or down the couch. The coolest part is that they fold right up and slip into your stitching bag or purse. Each is a different paper, and comes in a matching folder. they are a super price at $6.50 each.

Dear Friends,
Can you believe it is almost the end of February? I cannot. After our snowy days last week, we have had a few warm and sunny days this week. I had to laugh because yesterday our temps reached the high fifties and it felt like a veritable heat wave. Christian hauled through his drawers for last year's shorts, and I even pulled out my flip-flops. Bob makes fun of March--my birth month-- for its tempestuous and fickle nature, but I love March in all its phases because it shouts of spring. I know that tomorrow it will snow and my flip-flops will have to be traded for boots, but I can enjoy it while it lasts.
Life here at the Bush is busy. Purple Snowman is finally done!!! Yippee. I think there is a photo below, so be sure to take a look. I love how it turned out. I think the picture Teri took has the 3 snowmen hanging together. Now they are happy. (And so am I.) Teri has totally re-arranged the shop and she is quite thrilled. Of course when I work out in front on Saturday I am not going to be able to find one thing. But that is my usual predicament. I am always in the back during the week, so my Saturdays in front are always interesting for me. This past Saturday, Teri had to leave a half hour early and I assured her I would be fine. Come on--it's only 30 minutes. Well, my first customer had at least 10 pictures scattered around the shop she needed me to find books for. I thought I was doing quite well--in a panicky sort of way--until she kindly patted my arm and said: "Honey, maybe you could find someone in charge to help you." I just smiled and thought to myself--good idea! Anyway, look on the photos below for Teri's new Easter display and St. Patrick's Day table.
Something fun that Jill has just finished for us is the Easter Egg frame. Our 4 little hand-dyed Easter egg kits are some of my favorite. They are sweet and quick to finish, and every year I stitch a couple to give as gifts. They are just some of my favorites. The year we designed them, we dyed fabric with the egg dyes which we had made up. While my boys dyed eggs, Teri and I dyed fabrics. They were so darling that we sent samples off to Pat and Ann and begged them to dye fabric to match them. So this year we had a great idea to have Jill frame the 4 eggs together like they are sitting in the grass waiting for chubby fingers to snatch them up. I think you will agree that she did an awesome job. Anyway, you will see many fabulous spring things to get excited about. Something else brand new is the bunny from Not Forgotten Farm. We are just getting it stitched, so watch for it to come. It is quite wonderful
We have received so many new things in the past week, it has been very fun. Prairie Moon has some darling vintage American boxes. Each box is darling--just hard to decide which one you want most. It comes with a pattern for a sweet flag pin cushion which fits just inside the box. I love stuff like that, so I have to decide which one I want before they are gone. We have also unpacked new scissors from Kelmscott. They have a line of tiny scissors--with big finger holes--called Little Gems that come in fun colours like pink, purple, etc. Just the perfect thing to tuck into a little project bag. We have also gotten back in the For the Cure scissors and black heart love scissors. Good luck choosing.
I know I could go on and on. Kari needs the computer for shipping, and I have got to track down my 15-year old and see what is on his schedule for the night. Have a safe and lovely almost-spring week, and I'll write again next week.
fondly, Tina

Purple snowman is finished and it is so great!! It is stitched on a fabulous 30 count hand-dyed purple fabric with sweet colors of silk threads. The kit comes complete with a button pack.

If you are ready for spring, just take a look at the amazing frame, our friend Jill has made for our colored egg series. There sweet egg kits run $14.00 each and they are very quick and fun to stitch. each colored egg is a separate kit, but they look so wonderful together, don't you think?

Purple Snowman, Red snowman, and Green Snowman, hang together on a winter wall. Don't they make a great set?

This is the start of our spring display. It is so refreshing to see pastel colors. Spring may a bit late this year as we are still expecting snow! But it will come!!!!

These are some super scissors that we just unpacked. The tiny ones run $9.00 and come in a variety of colors we have pink gold, purple, black, silver, red and green are still coming. We have also received more of the Breast Cancer Scissors and the darling black heart scissors; I always need new scissors. The tiny ones are perfect to slip into a stitching pocket or embroidered case.

This is something crazy fun. They are pincushion sets. You get the pattern (center) and one box for $18.00. Then you stitch the pincushion and pop it into the box for a surprise. The boxes are so darling!!!!! I am not sure which one I want; they are all so great!

Oh yes, of course Prairie Moon did Halloween boxes!!!! And they are just as great!. The pattern for the pincushion is a bat with boo! Great fun!

Hi Friends,
It is just like a beautiful Christmas card here in Ogden. It snowed all day long yesterday, and we ended up with a lot of snow. As we were coming home from work, the sun had just barely peeked out and turned the mountain and the tips of all the trees blush pink. Teri was riding with me, and I was busy concentrating on moving forward along totally unplowed streets while she kept telling me to stop and let her take a picture. She kept saying how beautiful everything was and I just kept answering--u-huh. Then Bob called to tell us to look at the sunset which was indeed quite wonderful--totally pink and orange. I guess we should have just walked and experienced nature in its fullest. Of course, then we got home to 15 inches in the driveway and had plenty of time to enjoy. Christian was at a debate meet--thus we missed the joys of his strong shoveling arms. When I went to pick him up at 8:00 a swarm of kids simply piled into the car begging for rides. It was fun, and all their combined weight sped the car well along the icy roads. I always think that February snows melt quickly, but today is cold and our world has remained frozen in snow and ice.
However----Shepherd's Bush is quite warm and toasty, the perfect spot to spend an hour or two of browsing and chatting I think that Teri has put up a picture of Scatter Luck, which turned out so very darling. It is ready now and we have even put together sweet little kits that put everything all together. Be sure to scroll down and take a look, you will love it. There should also be a picture of new pin cushions that Nancy has sent us. Everyone loved the Valentine pin cushions so much that she sent us adorable flower ones to make us think we are heading into spring. Very sweet. Scatter Luck makes me think about what is new from the Nashville market. Our new pillows were new, and now we are receiving the things we ordered from friends. OK here is the fabulous line-up:
BLACKBIRD DESIGNS: Wow, Barb and Alma have been very busy. When we unpacked their order on Monday, there was a great gathering around the counter--both customers and S. B. workers. They have done a lot and each one is more fantastic than the next. OK First of all is the beginning of their tiny stocking series. The first three booklets are here with 3 little stockings in each one. January has a sweet flower basket on one, an old fashioned New Year's verse on another and the most adorable birthday/wedding cake on the third. February sports 3 sweet stockings with birds and flowers and alphabets. March has a wonderful daffodil, a Quaker motif and shamrocks. I have to get busy to be ready for the next 3 in the series. We are going to do a garland here at the shop, so stop by and see its progress. My Heart is True is a fantastic new book filled with Blackbird at their best. It has patterns for lots of little things from tiny pictures to pin cushions and stuffed hearts. Everyone here has started on something different. Teri is working on a little friendship piece and I would love to start on Flock of Birds. Actually, I could be quite happy just pinning the photos on my walls at home. Finally there are 3 little patterns for pin cushion/pin keeps sorts of things. Small Token has a bird and flowers for a pin and needle cushion. Wild Rose--totally wonderful!!!--has birds, a vine, and a vase of flowers. Bluebirds Thread Keep has a fruit basket and birds. You will have a hard time choosing which to do first.
LIZZIE KATE: We have 2 darling new things from Lizzie Kate. One is a cute little kit called Chick Kit. It is cheerful and quick. Perfect for spring stitching. ABC Lessons is fantastic! I think we sold every one we received within 24 hours. I know that we just got more in. It has a darling, quirky alphabet with thoughts for each letter. It is warm and sweet and full of those sentiments that we all want our children to follow--or the whole world for that matter.
Well, next week I will tell you what else we have received. I know we are expecting new patterns from Prairie Schooler as well as sweet new scissors from Kelmscott. I guess I have to go. I have been sequestered back here with the computer for a while, and everyone thinks I am shirking. Have a safe week.
fondly, Tina

Scatter Luck is the newest in our scatter series. Complete kits are available, or we would be happy to send you whatever you need. Please be sure to check with you local shop first, but if supplies are not available in your area, give us a call.


Nancy has been busy felting up some spring pincushions for us. Very fun!!

Hi friends,
When I was 4 years old, I hated that my older brothers and sister got to go to school and I did not. The one great highlight of my day until everyone came back home was when I got to watch Romper Room on our minuscule black and white television set. My mom would always tell me when it was ready to come on and she would prepare milk and graham crackers for me just like they did on the show. I loved every bit of that program--especially Willie the Weatherman. I even had a little Colorform set so that I could put his raincoat and boots on if it was raining. But my very favourite part of Romper Room was at the end when Miss Julie would get out her magic mirror and look into it to see all of the other children who were watching that day. I always loved hearing her call out the different names of the lucky boys and girls she could "see" that day, and I closed my eyes willing her to say my name. I don't know why, but I thought of that memory this week when we received a fax and an e-mail from friends in Arkansas and England who had been reading the blog and "popped" in to say Hi. It made me feel somehow connected with friends all over the world. I guess computers are almost like magic.
Can you even believe that January is over. We have had nice sunny--cold--weather this week but are expecting a big storm this weekend, so I have to get a new project ready. I think that we have the new Scatter Snowflakes and My Valentine photos up at the end of this blog, so be sure to take a look. Then you have to look for a photo of the most darling Valentine pin cushions imaginable. We have a friend who makes them for us and she called to see if we wanted some heart ones. We have them all in a basket and they look so sweet. If you want to buy one, you will just have to call us for prices and we can tell you what we have available. They are each hand-made, so every one is quite different from the next. As soon as I send this letter off, I have to go look and choose one for myself. Something else fun for those of you who live near us: we are going to be having a little class next week--Thursday, Feb. 12th-- to make one of the heart-shaped cushions. If you are interested, just give us a call and we will have more details.
I just got an e-mail from Julia Line--Longdog Samplers--and she has a new design ready--Tyler's Lion. It is fabulous! She says it is a tribute to the North American pioneer weavers and is named for one of the most famous men. I was very excited when I saw it and it reminded me of a sampler of tiny blankets, each one quite exquisite. I just love it. We should have it in the shop any day now, so if you are interested give us a call.
We should also be getting new things in during this next week from the Nashville Market, so I'll try to keep you updated. We are hoping for lots of fun new stuff.
Well, I guess I have to go and get on with my evening as you probably do with yours. I wish I had a little magic mirror to say Hi to all of you along with Penny and Julie. Have a perfect week filled with gentle inspiration.
fondly, Tina

Oh wow!!! Here is a sweet basket of hand felted pin cushions. All are one of a kind and range in price from $14.00 to $26.00. these are so so so fabulous!!! We just unpacked them and had to show them off. I am hoping to see if Nancy will come teach a class... What a great idea!


It only took Mindi a couple of days to add the next section onto her From Sea to Shining Sea. It is stitched over 1 thread on 28 count fabric and is stunning. Thanks Mindi for letting us show it off.


Nancy is stitching her way through the new Halloween Flip it series from Lizzie Kate. Isn't it so fun!!!!!!! She is adding buttons as she stitches. She is using a great piece of 32 count overdyed fabric. If you are not comfortable with linen, we have the same fabric in 16 count.


My Valentine is a sweet valentine to give to a loved one. Stitched on Cream Newport with overdyed floss, this design is finished with a darling hand crafted button made especially for Shepherd's Bush.


Here is a new leaflet from Shepherd's Bush. Scatter Snowflakes runs $5.00. The fabric is 19 count Summer Khaki linen, stitched with Crescent colors floss. A great button set is also available from JABCO.

Check with you local shop, but if supplies are not available in your area, we would be happy to send you whatever you need. Backing fabrics are available on a limited basis, while they last. We have put everything together into a complete kit for Scatter Snowflakes and My Valentine. If you would like one please give us a call.