Merry Christmas!

We had a fun afternoon with Jamie Beam of Knotted Tree NeedleArt, and her mom, Bonnie. Jamie was full of fun ideas, brought lots of finished pieces for us to see, and those who dropped by enjoyed meeting her. Her story is in Just Cross Stitch magazine; she began designing for something to do after having to retire from banking due to health issues. Each of her patterns sold provides research funds for Multiple Sclerosis.

The Friendship Tapestry will be in the Midwest in March; if you're planning a trip to Fargo or Minneapolis, you could see it and meet Rags, or if you have family there as Sandy does, let them know about it. Check with us for the details.

Christmas Tea

Jamie now hails from Portland, but is originally from LaGrande (where mom still lives), so she's "one of us" east of the mountain gals. Her designs are really cute, too. :-) Jamie and her company were featured in the December/Christmas issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine, on the newsstands now - quite a coup for a new designer. Check out her designs on her website, www.knottedtree.com, or on http://hoffmandis.com. The one shown here is called "Snow Juggle".

You'll especially want to see the new books that have been arriving - from Alma Lynne, Mary Englebreit, Lizzie Kate and Heart in Hand, to name just a few.

What a Beautiful Fall!

Our morning walks are invigorating, to say the least...gorgeous sunshine and crisp air, perfect. Makes me eager to finish my necessary daily tasks - so I can stitch! :-)

Enjoy these seasonal Covered Bridges stitched by Linda Berry - see all four here in person!

Thanks to all who ordered from the online trade show - we enjoyed ourselves!, will have a number of new things arriving - some already here! Sandy solved Funk & Weber's Sudoku-like word puzzle, but didn't win. She did, however, win another door prize!, waiting to see what it will be.

Hoffman Distributors (http://hoffmandis.com) has a nifty way to let you, the consumer, know about new things in your own field of interest; set up your profile and they'll send you an email when something comes in - horses, flowers, kitchen, wind surfing, holidays, you name it, or name designers, too - and then, of course, we can order it for you. Sandy got carried away, had to be reminded to keep it to ten subjects. :-)

New books from Leisure Arts feature Stamping and Stitching - if you're into scrapbooking, you should check these out! Remember, too, that Kreinik carries metallic trims that you can iron on to the paper, a quick and lovely embellishment.

Online Trade Show October 12 - 17

There are many new things to see at the shop, including new necklaces to hold your thread cutter or scissors, Ort collectors :-), folding scissors are back, new designs at long last from Alma Lynne, an old favorite of ours, as well as Mirabilia, Lizzie Kate, La D Da, Mabel Lucie Atwell!, and so many more.

Pictured is Sandy's grandson Reece, 4, with one of his treasures stitched by grandma for his room, AJ the Airplane and BJ the Bulldozer, by The Design Connection.

Friendship Tapestry in Iceland

We've returned from a wonderful trip, first visiting Iceland where we met the woman behind the Friendship Tapestry, and were privileged to see it there; then on to the family farm and summer camp in Norway, what an incredible experience. The women's native costumes were richly decorated with cross stitch, Hardanger and beads - a surprise to me, and so beautiful. Everything on the costumes is handmade, even the fabric, all hand-woven and hand stitched. They are truly treasures.

Stop in to see more pictures!, and see the beautiful Icelandic pattern book Sandy brought back.

And, of course, check out the new patterns that are arriving weekly. Sandy fell in love with the new Mermaids of the Deep from Mirabilia - and she's NOT a mermaid person!

New Accessory Necklaces from Yarn Tree

We just received a newsletter from Yarn Tree with 8 beautiful new necklaces - to attach your thread cutter or scissors, keeping them around your neck and very handy! See them in color at
http://www.yarntree.com/funthings/002necklace.htm. Sandy's going to need a new one!

They also have six new wonderful paper Santa ornaments, although they're not pictured yet; you can see the previous three sets, though, as well as the three sets of snowmen. We'll be ordering later in August, so let us know if there's one you have to have!

That should help you feel cooler! - SNOWmen in July...:-)

Favorite news

Sandy really enjoys her newsletters from Kreinik and the Nordic Needle, and also loves to keep up with the Friendship Tapestry. You can, too, by clicking on these websites.

http://kreinik.com/reflections/july05/home.htm
www.internet.is/friendshiptapestry
http://www.nordicneedle.com/newsletters/signup.shtml

HOW MUCH FLOSS?

HOW MUCH FLOSS? Since this is a frequently asked question, we thought we’d mention it again. On 14 (stitches per inch) count fabric (or 28 over 2 threads), you should get from 1400 to 1800 stitches from one 8 meter skein of floss, depending on how you stitch. On 16 count (or 32 over 2) you should get 1600 to 2050 stitches per skein. And remember to buy multiple skeins of DMC, if needed, at the same time to insure a match. With Anchor there should not be a matching problem. Overdyed Sampler Threads vary with each batch, so be sure to get a matching second skein if there’s a doubt (5 yard skeins).

July Newsletter

SIZZLING SUMMER!

Actually, it’s a cool day today as I write this, but we all know that won’t last. My sweet hubbie is at this very minute installing (at long last!) an air conditioner in our bedroom, hurray! These hot flashes have gone on for so many years, and seem worse in the heat. Sweet relief!

“At least it’s dry here.” J We went to the trade show in Columbus, Ohio in June, where it was quite warm and humid. Reminded me of growing up in Minnesota, “for sure”! But we did see – and buy – lots of wonderful

…NEW…

things there. Designs are coming from several new companies as well as old favorites, including: Shepherd's Bush; darling new Doodles from Hob-Nobb (they go quickly - you may have easily missed them last time!); Custom House (samplers); new French companies, Dessins DHC and Filanthrope (the cutest dragons, Oriental calligraphy!, darling elves and birds); Bizzi Creations (the sweetest dog and cat and Friendship Poem); local designer (Portland area but Jamie's from LaGrande!) The Knotted Tree; Just My Imagination (Beeline and 6 Stockings in a Row, so cute! - also ordered a special frame for them); Funk & Weber (Illusions - Ambigram - What in the World - VERY intriguing - and some cute critters); Angel Stitchin' (adorable patterns with frames - such as My Name is No, No, Bad Dog); Sisters and Best Friends; Mosey 'n' Me (CUTE Santas!); Cross My Heart (Smoky Mountain Christmas, from a beautiful painting by Linda Kotila; Valerie Pfeiffer (Chorus Line, SIX of those adorable birds)...just for starters! New hand dyed fabrics, including Aida, are lovely!, and both Weeks Dye Works and Sampler Threads have luscious new colors.

Mill Hill's Christmas kits are here - Christmas in July! This year they've done a set of mitten ornaments (see Sandy’s snowman), pins (an angel, two Santas, two Snowmen and a tree - they can also be made up as ornaments), and six new beaded and buttoned kits, all adorable of course! (The fall kits are here, too.)

We saw a Christmas tree with all the ornaments made up from the annual Just CrossStitch Christmas Ornament issue- wonderful! We can still add you to our special order list - but don't delay in calling or emailing.

ANNUAL ORNAMENT CONTEST

If you complete your entry before fair time, you can enter it there, too – no time like the present!

Bring your child to Wednesday’s stitch group; you can each make one! We have a free beginning kit to give the first four youngsters who come with an adult.

INTRODUCING MY FRIEND…

Pick up a form to give a friend; when she/he uses it for an introductory discount, you will also receive a special discount. And for each form returned and used, your name will go into a special prize drawing for that month.

INTRODUCING OUR BLOG…

After 15 years we’re seriously considering not renewing our bulk mail. Fees and postage are so expensive – and the web is free! We’ll post news on the Web Log (Blog) periodically, as well as pictures and events, and may send an occasional email notice of an online newsletter. http://sandystitch.blogspot.com can be accessed any time, and you can write back, too. So, if you don’t receive another snail mail, you know where to find us! Please tell your friends, and please let us know your email address. “See” you online!

STITCH GROUPS - Cross Stitch Wednesdays, 10 A.M. to noon Free
Have fun brushing up or finishing something, or just
making some progress with other fanatics .

Hardanger 2^nd & 4^th Tuesdays, 7 – 9 P.M. (no group Aug. 9) Work on your own project, with help available.

10% discount on Hardanger materials purchased.

Sandy's Stitch Niche was nominated by Reta (left) as her favorite shop in The Cross Stitcher magazine, October 2004.