June 2012

Happy Summer!

end of June, 2012

Dear Friends,

Well there is no doubt about it, Summer has arrived with a vengeance.  Last year, I don't think we ever reached 100 degrees, and this year we have already had 2 weeks of it--and it is still only June.  Oh, joy! Whenever I make the tiniest comment about the probability of a long sum mer, Bob reminds me that it is all due to my global warming.  Like it is something I personally arranged and am now solely responsible for.  Geez...I haven't even ever used a can of ozone obliterating hair spray.  But even so, how can you not love the long, hot lazy days of this beautiful season.  Oddly, it is my favorite time of year to stitch.  I seem to have little interest in television, and simply long to sit outside stitching until dusk and mosquitoes nudge me inside.  I think that my soul is just storing up the heat for the winter to come.  

Finally, we at the Bush, have our Summer Offerings almost ready to go.  Zweigart has been dyeing the most beautiful linen for us, but it has taken almost a month longer than expected, so we have unfortunately been waiting not so patiently for its arrival.  Hopefully it will come any day, and we will be ready to ship our new designs to you.  We have had fun getting them ready and I hope that you will enjoy them as well and get geared up for a happy summer of stitching.  

                                     

Birdsong Sampler

kit:  $50.00

(watch for a new photo)

                                              

This joyous piece is the quintessential Shepherd's Bush sampler.  It is worked on a new hand-dyed 32 count Belfast linen and is a beautifully weathered and soft fabric.  When I was working on it I kept thinking that I wanted sheets made out of it as it was just lovely.  It has a sweet, sort of primitive vine border, and three little hills covered with sheep--of course--a house, a woman, and a basket of blooms.  The kit is complete with the instruction graph and booklet as well as a pallet of beautiful silk floss in gentle summer hues.  Finally it comes with a packet of tiny buttons which were hand-dyed just for this piece.  I had a wonderful time stitching it, and I hope that you will too.

A Flock of Pins Cushion  

kit:  $20.00

                                             

This little rectangular pin cushion is designed to match the Birdsong Sampler.  It encompasses a field of sheep, crows, blooms and strawberries, and evokes the splendor of the season.  The little kit comes complete with 32 count Belfast linen--matching the linen used in the bigger sampler--overdyed floss and silks, embellishments, ribbon and beads for the edge.  It was lovely and quick to stitch.  Enjoy!

Tall Sheep  

booklet:  $6.00

I just love this new design of Teri's!  It is exuberant and happy and just makes me smile.  As you can see, the photograph shows the piece done 2 ways.  The framed piece--thank you Jill--is worked on 20 count hand dyed linen with an assortment of gentle colors of over dyed cotton floss.  It is then embellished with a darling group of JABCO buttons.  Then she worked the same design as a pin cushion on 30 count hand-dyed linen and embellished it with a set of specially dyed pins that spell out SHEEP.  Whichever project you choose--or maybe both--you will be thrilled with the finished project.  Remember, we have all the supplies for either of these projects--or both. 

Taste Summer

kit:  $16.00

This is the newest offering in our little box kits.  It is worked on 32 count Belfast linen with a sweet array of over dyed threads.  Quick and easy, it is the perfect summer project.  We show ours in a darling little round box, but it would also be fun framed or as a pin cushion.  

Uncle Sam Bag

kit:  $12.00

Teri's great Uncle Sam Bag is a perfect addition for summer celebrations.  The kit is complete with instructions, button, over dyed and cotton floss, photo and a ribbon.  Since you stitch the design right on the bag it comes in, it is finished as soon as you are.  Easy?  These bags are always a lot of fun and work up quickly, so there is still time to enjoy it for a patriotic summer.  

Well, I hope that these designs have tempted you a little.  Now, we are busy working on Halloween and Christmas designs for the fall.  Check out your own local shop or give us a call, and your summer stitching can be complete.  

Until next week...be safe and cool.

fondly, Tina

PS:  Word has it that the new Lizzie Kate Mystery is on its way to us, so if you have pre-ordered it we will send it on to you next week.  Wow!  Exciting!  If you still want to get in on the fun, just give us a call.  Nancy is waiting to get it started, so we will post her progress and then you can see how it is shaping up. What fun.  T

Early June, 2012

Happy Summer!

Dear friends,

Having just celebrated Memorial Day, Teri and I spent a few hours at our old city cemetery.  As children, we spent many, many hours there while our mom lovingly tended the graves of her father and grandparents.  I remember how much I loved playing there collecting pine cones from the huge old evergreen trees and reading the various headstones spotting for especially old ones.   After my mom died and then my brother, I had a hard time going back to that quiet place for a few years, but now Teri seems to have taken on as the caretaker for the departed.  This year her car was a veritable caravan stuffed full of flowers, vases, wire contraptions and flags to place on the graves--roses from my mom's garden for hers, flags for the WWI and WWII soldiers (grandfather and dad), plus a carefully tended poinsettia for our dad who loved red, and of course mums all around.  She has  developed quite an art for creating many wire hooks for the securing of all plants, and she has quite a little system for getting everything tidy and trimmed and secure.  Then away we fly to visit Ruthie's grave just outside the gates to the pet cemetery.  She makes me laugh--even at the graveyard.  Now she has discovered great, great grandparents buried in another part of the cemetery and this has opened up a whole new arena for her.  She might have to rent a truck next year.  Who knows--maybe she will hire out.  

As summer arrives, things are busy here at the shop.  We are starting to see lots of travelers stopping by on their way here and there on vacations.  It is always so much fun to visit with everyone that it becomes truly a favorite time of year here at work.  We have lots of new things in the shop a few of which Teri has photographed below.  So scroll down and enjoy.  Who knows maybe something will catch your eye.  

Sunny Days

leaflet by Prairie Schooler--$9.00

This darling leaflet is simply brimming with sweet small pictures for a happy summer.  Our favorite thing to do is to stitch some of them on Klostern--7 count--fabric and make them into fabulous little pillows for the season.  I just love how these turned out and combined with the wonderful backing fabrics I think they make a darling set.  

Glory House

kit by Chessie 'n Me

$22.00

This new kit from Chessie 'n Me is the perfect early summer project.  It comes with 35 count linen and cotton threads and turns out tiny and sweet.  Honestly, we have a hard time keeping it in stock.  It is so cheerful and patriotic and the colors are just fabulous.  If you need something quick and fun--this is the thing.

Lizzie Kate Halloween Mystery Sampler Club

When we were kids, our mom used to take us  to the huge old library in downtown Ogden, and downstairs to the children's section.  I loved wandering through the shelves, inhaling the dry, dusty smell, and selecting a group of books to delve into.  Each summer she would sign us up for their summer reading club, and Teri always took the instructions to heart.... read as many books as you can during the summer.  She would stack up piles and piles of books--only a few appropriate to her age-- and she would never want to put one back.  She finally had to get special permission from the head librarian to check out her massive stacks of books.  (How embarrassing!)  We just love a summer club, and a stitching one is even better.  

Here is what Linda from Lizzie Kate has to say about her Mystery Sampler Club

“In case you need a refresher, here are the basic Mystery Sampler facts. There will be 3 portions of the design (one each month) this summer, that all fit together into one big MYSTERY sampler. The theme is Halloween, so there are Halloween motifs, along with classic autumn motifs. Each portion includes embellishments AND A BONUS DESIGN! These bonus designs are nice little projects on their own, or they can be combined into a bigger project. MORE MYSTERY! We also worked with the creative gurus at Weeks Dye Works to create a new floss color for this project. The thread name is quirky and “timeless”….that’s a hint!  I just sent the cover design for Part I to the printer this week and it’s really spooky and antique-y and different from anything we’ve done before. Since it’s a MYSTERY Sampler Club, there is only a sneak peek photo on the front, not the entire stitchery. “

There is still time to join our Halloween Mystery club, just give u a call, you can order the 3 patterns only, the patterns and the fabric 30 or 35 count, or the whole shebang--patterns, fabric and threads. Below is a sneak peak..... super fun!!!

Blackie 

leaflet by Homespun Elegance--$7.50

Isn't this pillow just adorable?  The fat and happy sheep is the epitome of summer standing under the tree and next to a busy hive.  We just love it.

Wool Pinkeeps

leaflet by Pineberry Lane--$10.00

This sweet leaflet includes 2 darling pin cushions--or tiny pillows like we have made.  Her designs are both primitive and gentle, and of course they both have little sheep on them.  What else do you need?

 Peace Kid's Kit

by Shepherd's Bush

$15.00 (just kit)

$25.00  (with felt tote)

Kari has just finished marking and assembling this new children's kit to help keep little fingers busy this summer.  This will be the first in a series of word samplers which should be a lot of fun.  This one is pre-marked on 6 count Herta cloth making it fun for beginners and more proficient alike.  The sunny colors of perle cotton are both cheerful and endearing.  For a very limited time these will come packed in the tiny wool felted bags shown above--darling and the perfect little tote to carry the project.  Once they are gone, the kit will still be available, but you will have to find your own carrier.  

Be Strong and of Good Courage

leaflet--$4.00

This is a lovely new leaflet that we have just had stitched and framed with a passage from Joshua.  Its simple message of strength and courage is surrounded with a sweet vine, bees and a beehive, and is a darling finished project.

Dance of the Butterflies

leaflet by Ship's Manor--$8.00

Our friend, Eric, of Ship's Manor has let us borrow their new piece for a bit in the shop.  Isn't it sweet?  I think he designed it to go with a piece he did last year of bees and everyone has loved it.  I am hoping that he will make this a series with a wonderful new garden creature each summer.   

Well, here's just a taste of all the fun new things coming out and popping up in the shop.  Next week I hope to be able to show our new things for summer.  Finger's crossed!  I am off to face my weekend and Teri is off to embark on a week of girl's camp.  Oh, horror...  I hope your summer brings you all the joys of the seasons.  May it bring sweet popsicles, crackling fireworks, bare toes, slow walks with eager dogs, and most of all-- long,  cool evenings of stitching. 

 Stay safe and well.  fondly, Tina

May

Mother's Day, 2012

 Dear Friends,

Happy Mother's Day, Happy Spring, Happy Blooms...

How can we not love this fabulous weather?  I am always so so happy to get my blue flip flops out of the closet, that I somehow feel free and liberated.  Of course it is nice and warm downtown where the shop is, and then I get home and change clothes and freeze.  But I don't even care.  Our home seems to be caught in a cold zone--perhaps because of the river or the trees.  I have no idea why, but I will take the chilly toes and flannel sheets as long as possible.  

I don't know what it is about Mother's Day, but I always think more about my own mom than about myself on that weekend.  Don't get me wrong, I always get plenty of attention and have certainly had my own treasured abundance of plaster handprints, hand-made cards, and--later--bottles of diet coke.  But it never seems like it should be a day about my own motherhood as much as it should be about my Mom's. 

I always hit this day with a little twinge of sadness and nostalgia as I see lilacs quietly blooming by the driveway.  So this day's for you, Mom--thanks for your smile, your love, and for always reminding me how to be a better mother.   

This has been a funny week here at the shop.  As the Retreat approaches, Teri and I begin to think and start preparing for many things.  The most regretful of which has to do with cleaning.  We have just had a few not-so-little places that we have needed to address before September.  And then our county Heritage Society--whose board I took my mother's place on--decided that we would do a downtown walking tour of historic buildings that had been reclaimed and put back to use.  I had to miss a meeting in March, and when I returned I found that our building was slated to be on it.  Oh, joy!  Teri was beyond thrilled and I was amenable, but it sort of got us started on our cleaning endeavor.  The front hall had gotten quite frightening, so we had to pretty much gut it out, both of us wondering to ourselves how that happens.  Then Teri, Sue and Lynnette took on another lovely project that I think was inspired by the recent airing of Dickens' Great Expectations on PBS.  They have systematically been removing many Miss-Havisham-like bouquets from our old beamed ceiling and hurrying them to the dumpster.  Well, our tour was on Thursday evening and was a grand success.  Over a hundred people came through and thank heavens Teri insisted on lots of treats to serve.  Now if we can just keep that front hall clean until September.

Here is a great early photo of the shop taken about 1930, when it was a blacksmith shop (top). 

 Our shop on Thursday with an antique truck parked in front (bottom).

We have so many new and wonderful projects that we are finishing here at the shop.  Luckily, our friend, Marilyn, has been in a super stitching mood because she has worked on such fabulous models for us.  Sorry, now I have a ton of fun things to show you and talk about...so go get your own mother's day diet coke and settle back with me for a lot of minutes and see what is going on in our world.

Vintage Stars 

leaflet by Jeannette Douglas--$14.00

                                   

Isn't this a beautiful piece?  I just love it--but then I love all Quaker patterns.  This one is comprised of  alphabets and star variations and makes a fabulous sampler.  We have stitched it on a hand-dyed linen that is our very own--32 count Old Earth, and Teri changed the colors to go perfectly with it.  I think it would be a wonderful summer project because it reminds me of a starry, summer sky.  

The Flock

12-leaflet series by Sam Sarah

When we saw the beginnings of this project at Nashville, we both fell in love with it.  It has taken us a while to get it going because we wanted to try it on a more neutral over dyed fabric instead of the Red Pear linen which it shows in the book.  (which is also very darling as well.)  I know, the patterns get a bit pricey, and I kind of wish that she had done the whole project in 6 instead of 12 leaflets, but it is just adorable and summery, and makes me smile.  What you can see above is the first 3 installments and the saying that goes across the whole thing is:  Faith is the bird that feels the light when dawn is still dark.

How can you not love that.  This is a very happy piece that will certainly bring a song to your soul.

Less and More

4 part series by Lizzie Kate

Marilyn just sent this piece back to us completed and everyone at the shop is in love with it.  Aren't these little sayings just the things we say to our kids, our parents, and mostly ourselves?  The colors are sweet and lovely, and we have chosen a beautiful linen to work it on,  The 4 leaflets run $8.00 a piece and come with a sweet hand-dyed button in each one.  Sometimes we have sets of the four together for a great deal--$28.00.  Teri and Nancy have made darling complete sets of the whole project that will make you want to get started today.  I even think that we have added some other fun buttons to complete, but I am probably dreaming about that one.- we have added some great additional buttons  

Super fun new accessories

this is imaginative isn't it?

We ordered many of these in Nashville, but it has taken us a couple of months to get them in and then they sold out so quickly that we had to re-order them.  

Old sampler micro fiber cloths--$6.00

We kind of ordered these selfishly for ourselves, and have sold a ton of them.  I had to wait for the 2nd re-order to pick one up and now I guard it carefully.  It is perfect for all of your favorite devices--ipods, iPads, iPhones,  computer screens, and my personal fave--my glasses.  It is very small and soft and tucks easily into even my tiny purse so I have it whenever I need it.  Plus, she also makes little notebooks--tiny--with various old sampler pictures on the front.  They are very neat and sturdy, but still small and

 tuck-able.   I promise--you'll love them!
  

Wooden counting Accessories

These very fun wooden accessories are simply great and extremely useful.  They are all quite small and pretty and will fit easily in a small stitching bag or case.  And of course they all come with Shepherd's Bush them with our little leaping lamb.  Yay!!  

Rulers and thread holders--$8.20

18-hole palettes--$14.00

Corner gauges--$7.20

And...my personal favorite which Teri didn't photograph for some unknown reason--

Little sheep thread holders--sorry, not sure of the price, but very cute.  I think we need to re-order them.

Bringing Home Baby

Hemstitched blankets--$24.00

Hemstitched bibs--$5.80

Edging leaflets

Teri and Nancy love to crochet around baby things and give them as gifts.  I loved having little receiving blankets with my boys and took them everywhere.  Of course they didn't crochet edgings around them for me--this must be a more recent endeavor.  Teri has found a wonderful Utah company who hemstitches around these flannel items getting them ready for the edgings.  They are all made out of the absolutely most darling, thick and cozy flannels with coordinating patterns on the front and back.  We have different ones all the time, so just call us and we will let you know which sweet fabrics we have in stock.  We will also hand pick the perfect perle cotton to go with it for the edging. 

These darling bibs are also made out of the beautiful flannel with coordinating front and back prints.  They can coordinate with the blankets or just stand alone.  Each bib comes with a darling matching perle cotton for the edge and a little pattern for completing your edge.  Teri says that she will post the fabrics this week, but otherwise just give us a call and we will describe them to you.

These are the leaflets that you can get which are filled with sweet and clever edging patterns.  Each one is different and will make want to get started on the perfect gift for a new little one.  Who knows, maybe it will make you want to have a new little one yourself.  Or not....

Lizzie Kate Summer Mystery Sampler Club

Well here we go again with something very fun for the long summer nights of stitching.  This will be a 3-part mystery project, and best of all--it's Halloween!!!!  Can you even believe it?  I don't have a picture and I don't have any details on fabric or threads, because it is a mystery.  So we all get to have the fun of anticipation and the surprise of seeing it come and grow throughout the summer.  The first part will be released the end of June and the other 2 parts to follow in July and August.  The sampler will be worked with Weeks Dye Works floss on WDW hand-dyed linen.  Each part will include a bonus pattern to be worked with 1 color of floss on a different and fun color of 30 count linen as well.   

So...if you want to be included in the spooky, silly fun, just give us a call.  Here's how it will work:

If you sign up ahead, we will include you in our initial order which will include a new and exclusive thread color just for this project.  We know Linda's (Lizzie Kate) choices of threads for Halloween will be spooky and wonderful, but who knows, we may choose to tweak one or two.  We always send your project put together in a fun a creative way and will send it to you as soon as we receive it.  

Here are your choices--good luck deciding.

The whole kit:  (including 3 bonus fabrics and 3 bonus threads)  

30 count linen:  $101.00

35 count linen:  $102.00

+ $10.00 s/h

The almost whole kit:  (without the bonus fabrics and threads)

30 count linen:  $82.00

35 count linen:  $83.00

+ $10.00 s/h

Patterns and Fabrics only:  (no threads)

30 count linen:  (including bonus fabrics)  $52.00

30 count linen:  (without bonus fabrics)  $40.00

35 count linen:  (including bonus fabrics)  $53.00

35 count linen:  (without bonus fabrics)  $41.00

Note:  the 3 bonus fabrics are only available in 30 count

+ $10.00 s/h

Patterns only:  $24.00 + $6.00 s/h

Fabrics only:  

30 count:  $16.00

35 count:  $17.00

+ $6.00 s/h

3--30 count Bonus fabrics:  $12.00

+ $6.00 s/h

Well, it is time to go and let you get back to your own life again.  Next week I will give you a sneak peek at the new designs that we are working on.  We are busy and excited with new summer things that will be ready the first of June.  They are not too big, but sweet and fun for summer stitching.  So watch for us next weekend.  In the meantime, don't hesitate to give us a call if we can help you.  Sue and I are having fun working on projects for the retreat, but we are always happy for the division of talking to all of you when you call.  So have a great week and be safe and well.  

hugs, Tina

Easter Weekend, 2012

Easter Weekend, 2012

Dear Friends,

It's Easter weekend and what a perfect spring weekend it is here in Utah. If Easter is a symbol of re-birth, our corner of the universe has truly taken it to heart. Only a few days ago, we woke up to a blizzard. I thought Bob was joking when he looked out the window, but-- not so much. I practically had to carry Lindbergh to the door and push him out. He needs tiny boots for his delicate paws. My sister had to shovel her deck to get ready for the annual Richards family Easter cookout, and then overnight the temperature rose almost 40 degrees. Happy Spring--at least until Wednesday. Teri was busy making her white chocolate popcorn to take to all her friends and neighbors, so she took some pictures to share with you. (She might be gunning for a show on the Food Network--Teri's Treats)

Popcorn Delight

(catchy name?--she may have to work on that)

In a very, very, very large bowl mix 3 bags of popped (hard kernels sorted out) microwave popcorn. We like Orville Redenbacher's Natural Butter flavor--3.3 oz bags. Now you must whip around your kitchen adding hundreds of kinds of candy. Seasonal candy corn, shaped marshmallows, jelly beans or anything that you like. Chocolate candies like M & Ms might melt and hard candies like runts might cause a few dental issues. Be creative and see what is around, or don't add candy at all. My kids like it that way the best.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt 2 12 oz bags of white chocolate chips. Stir every 30 seconds until the mixture is soft and creamy--not necessarily super hot. Pour over the popcorn mixture and gently stir until everything is well coated.

Let it sit for an hour or so until it has cooled and hardened. It won't be sticky at this point. Serve in a bowl or put in fun containers and give away to your dear friends. Yum!!!

Besides being a holiday week these past few days, we have been busy at the shop with our Shepherd's Retreat registration. After many long hours, and much cleverness on Teri's part, we posted the brochure this past Monday--April 2nd. We are all terribly excited and already hot into our preparations. We have been happy to see so many friends who are going to join us as well a a lot of new people who will be coming for the first time. I promise that we will all have a great time. Actually we have been overwhelmed by the quick response and have filled our B track already. We still have a little room in the A track, so if you are just thinking about having the best weekend of your year--get your registration form filled out and send it in. No matter which track you are in, we will have so much together time filled with laughter and stitching that you won't want to miss out. Come on...you know you want to join us.

Tweet

Tweet is a darling new pattern for Just Another Button Co. Teri stitched it on hand-dyed purple check fabric and it is very sweet. The really fun part is that the pattern is free with the purchase of the little set of buttons.

The Proper Stitch

by Darlene O'Steen

Well, finally after years of being out of print and many rumors about its possible return to the market, The Proper Stitch is back for a limited time. This is just one of those books that every stitcher has to have in her library whether she makes one of the samplers or not. It is filled with wonderful illustrations and explanations of tons of 17 century stitches and also includes several gorgeous samplers. Her instructions a very good and the finished samplers would make the most lovely heirlooms. In fact, I started one of her samplers after I got back from Nashville and I have stitched on it like a maniac for a solid month. It really is very beautiful. So...if you are a fan, don't wait until this wonderful book is gone for good.

Purple/White and Green/White

by Bent Creek

These two sweet pieces are the beginning of a fun new series by Bent Creek. We have stitched them with Gentle Art's Simply Wool and have left the white portion blank. These are March and April, and January--Snowman and February--heart, are equally as darling. We have framed them in these sweet bubble frames from Crescent Colours and I think they are quite adorable. Can't wait to see May and June. Teri is hoping for a bee!

Purple Thread Designs

These are a series of new designs by a friend of ours--Sharon Verbos. She has been working very hard on her launch, and we are thrilled to have them in the shop. They are lovely and sweet and each one echoes of nostalgia and remembrance of days gone by. They all come as kits complete with threads and fabric as well as patterns. Above are two of the kits: a little strawberry pin cushion and a matching needle case. They are so sweet would be a perfect and quick gift for a mom or a friend.

Here is a charming little black and white tile scissor fob which has been designed to match the stork scissors. How fun is that?

And below is a little paper, cigar type box with a kit to make a group of very dear sewing implements. They are just beautiful and would make the perfect project for your spring and summer stitching.

Hey--have a great week and enjoy the rain or the shine--whichever comes your way.

Ever fondly, Tina

Dear Friends,

Yay, Hurray!!!! The Retreat brochure is almost ready to post. I think Team Tina is the winner because we will be posting in April, but Teri thinks her team has won because we finished it in March. Oh well, she can think that if she wants. Anyway...

The brochure will be up on Monday, April 2nd at noon

(with luck and computer cooperation)

We think we have all our ducks in a row, so keep your fingers crossed. We know that we have the best retreat ever in the works, so come join in the fun. Don't worry if you are at work, just look for it when you get home. Then get it filled out and faxed back in so that all you have left is the delicious anticipation. Can't wait to hear from you...Tina

(ps--I'll be putting up a regular blog early next week. We have fun stuff to show you.)

Mid-March 2012

Happy St Patrick's Day

Dear Friends,

Take a moment and humor me. Close your eyes and imagine with me. Pretend that it is late September and you are sitting on a balcony nestled in the Rocky Mountains. The leaves are just turning their vibrant colors of reds and golds and oranges, and they rustle gently providing a quiet breeze that whispers through your hair. The air is warm but crisp and clean, and all of your stresses and cares have disappeared. You are surrounded by wonderful, sweet women, and you know that you have a whole weekend of relaxation and joy ahead of you. Are you there? Are you with me? Have you already started packing? If so, then you simply must come and join us at our upcoming Shepherd's Retreat this coming September. It truly is the bomb, and we would be most thrilled to welcome each and every one of you to Utah in the fall. Here are just a few things that you need to know and plan for:

Wednesday, September 26th, 2012--Open House at Shepherd's Bush in Ogden, Utah

Thursday, September 27th--Saturday, September 29th, 2012--Shepherd's Retreat, The Canyons in Park City, Utah

Start watching the blog for details about when we will be posting the Retreat Brochure and Registration Form. We will give you plenty of notice about the exact day on which we will post it--sometime around the end of March and the first part of April, depending on when we get it ready. Sue and Lynnette have been laughing and saying it depends on whether you believe Team Teri (March) or Team Tina (April). Isn't that typical. However, believe me, both teams are very excited and ready for a wonderful time ahead!

Bunnies

by Prairie Schooler

Aren't these about the most adorable spring pillows you've seen this year? We have stitched 3 of the many patterns that are included in this little leaflet and they are fabulous. They are each stitched on 10 count fabric and Teri has added a sweet button on each pillow. Backing fabric--quite fantastic--is available until it is gone. Of course she changed the colors for over dyed threads and you will love how they look. Hip Hop for Spring

And now...for a continuation of market items. We have finally gotten some of our ducks in a row such as pictures taken, fabrics chosen, and everything downloaded onto the computer. Have fun perusing.

Quaker Pincushions

by Jeannette Douglas

Jeannette had wonderful things at market and Teri spent a lot of time enjoying them in her room. This darling book of pincushions is very clever and so easy to finish. Especially when she could whine Pat from R & R into doing the cross stitching for her. (Actually she did finish a tiny part of it on the way home.) Then she spent this past Saturday at work making it into the pin cushion, and I have to say that it is quite stellar! We have the wonderful buttons that you need to finish them as well as the darling pins to go on top. Just let us help you choose the perfect piece of fabric and skein of heavenly wool thread with which to create your own.

Bee Stitches

Bee Stitches was another fantastic new book by Jeannette. Of course you know how much we love bees and how could we not fall in love with this darling sampler. Our friend, Don, from Salt Lake is stitching it for us so now we will have to decide whether to have Jill work her magic with it or whether to put it in a wonderful box from Old Colonial. You will just have to keep tuned and find out what we do. You'll see it here first.

New from Blackbird Designs

Sweet Thoughts of You

This fun new leaflet is retro in both technique and feel. The picture is stitched on perforated paper and certainly has the feel and sentiment of Barb and Alma's gentle natures.

For My Friend

This wonderful big book is simply filled with great heart designs. As with all of the books that Barb and Alma create, this one is truly a joy for all the senses. It has fabulous projects both large and small as well as beautiful photographs, tiny heart pin cushions, and even a sugar cookie recipe that we have made and enjoyed greatly. If you are a collector--or even if you are not--you will not want to miss out on this lovely book.

Wild Garden

limited edition kit--$50.00

This super sweet kit was an exclusive design for the Nashville market. I just love it, and since I also love baskets, it is definitely on my list to do. The kit comes with fabric, pattern, and threads as well as a great antique button and all are carefully packed in a sweet little tin box. Unfortunately, I think we only have 2 of these left, so hurry, hurry.

Yellow Birdie Pin Cushion

kit by JABCO

This little pin cushion is Teri's current pride and joy. She made him last night and then stored him in the car for fear that dogs and cats might enjoy a good chew. This kit comes complete with almost everything you need to complete it--just add a needle and thread and you are set. The instructions were perfect and she thought it was very easy to make. Can you just picture this on your sewing table for the spring?

Bird and Bugs Sewing Roll

partial kit by Lizzie Kate

The really cool thing about this kit is that the sewing roll is already made for you. It comes in either bugs--orange, or birds--yellow/green and is ready for you to stitch. Cleverly constructed of cheerful cottons and linen bands, it will be fun and easy to finish up. Just add your own threads and you are ready to go. Patterns and embellishments come in the kit.

A Stitcher's Heart

kit by Little House plus bonus pattern by Shakespeare's Peddler

This was a special kit designed by these 2 fun designers for the Nashville Market. The fun part about this little kit is that it includes the designs and threads to make 2 sweet little pin cushions. Little House has done the darling heart cushion that you see on the front of the package, and Theresa's pin cushion is a darling little rectangular piece that is also very sweet. I know that you will love them both.

Market Bracelets

by Charland Designs--$14.00

OK...these were such a hit at the market. We all spent a lot of time choosing which ones we wanted. They were also a hit when we got home, and we have had to re-order them. They are really quite fun for such a good price and are filled with tons of little trinkets and charms as well as great chunky beads and stones. Every one is a little bit different, so if you call, we can tell you which colors we have on hand. I actually mean that quite literally because Nancy has a different one on her hand every day...perhaps that is why we have had to reorder.

We still have so many things to talk about, but I am going to write again next week. We are having several of Chessie's fabulous things stitched and have had to reorder a couple of them. So I will show them to you next week. Plus, Teri has chosen unbelievable fabric for Lulu's Flock.

More to come...plus a retreat brochure-(go Team Tina)

fondly, Tina