New and Notable in the Shop

Hi, everyone! We have some new projects in the shop, and as Independence Day is nearly upon us (next week is Memorial Day, and it always seems to be a quick slide to 4th of July, doesn't it?), we have a few tried and true projects to show you for that.

First of all, both new and patriotic, this lovely design by Silver Creek Samplers:

We've had this stuffed, stand-up Santa in the shop for a while (and darned if I can remember the designer's name)--he must stand a foot tall. What a fabulous project--and he covers two holidays!

We've had this finished three dimensionally (we can arrange for this kind of treatment for your finished projects), but it would look just as nice in a regular frame. By Country Cottage Needleworks.

By AuryTM, "American Pride."

My favorite part of early summer--strawberries have come into season--celebrate it with this gorgeous collection from Blackbird Designs.

A fun and quirky Alice in Wonderland Design by Barbara Ana: "I Like This Place."

Two breathtaking projects from Scarlet Letter: "AW 1662" and "Sarah Dutnel."

I apologize for the blurry photo, but I just had to show you Dorothy's Shoes--a flashy, adorable needleminder.

A sweet Christmas ornament to needlepoint, packaged up in a white Walker bag (love the little blue Walker bag displayed above it too). Very sturdy mesh--I'd love to own all the sizes and all the colors.

We have books! How I adore all three. A rich collection of beautiful needlework at your fingertips.

By Keslyn's, "Abba's Gift." What a wonderful Arts and Crafts-style purse to stitch (yes, we can order the hardware).

A perfect bag for toting your projects around:

Two needlepoint canvases and a mug, all by the same artist. Adorable.

The Cricket Collection alphabet. A through G here, but we stock them all. I'm thinking of stitching all 26 letters in a straight line to hang over a doorway that could use some flare.

Last, but not least, two gorgeous stitches in the shop. The stitched model here of Margaret Ann Klinedienst 1830. Wow--this is on my next-to-stitch list. I particularly love how the dark blue border surrounds the delicately pale basket of flowers.

Well, this one WAS in the shop, but went home with Minnie, who was stitching it lovingly on Stitch Night. "Idelia Mae Rich," by Little by Little. Idelia Mae, like Ann Pennsylvania Peacock by the same designer, has a paper head, so that you don't have to fuss over her face (it's attached with fabric glue).

Our address is 8800 F Pear Tree Court, Alexandria, VA, and our phone # is 703-360-4600. Our hours are 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30-4:30, the first Sunday of the month. Stitch Nights are 6-9 p.m., the first & third Wednesdays of each month. We hope to see you soon!

Happy Stitching!

Short and Sweet

Hello, all! Just a reminder that since tomorrow is the first Sunday of the month, we will be open from 12:30-4:30. Our address is 8800 F Pear Tree Village Court, Alexandria, VA.

I brought the camera to stitch night last Wednesday, and I saw such an array of lovely things that I actually got distracted from photo-taking, but here's what I do have. First of all, one of our lovely, talented stitchers is working on Permin's "Dutch Beauty." I wish my photo did it justice. The fabric is a little darker than it appears here, but the colors of the floss are fairly true. I think she's only been working on this for about a year. It's being stitched on 40 count fabric (there looks to be about a yard of it, although I know she trimmed off some extra fabric.) She is using Belle Soie, although it's charted for DMC. We oohed and aaahed, and of course I've decided I must sittch it, although as you look down through the photos, you'll see some other projects that are also "must stitches" for me.

And a closer shot:

Another one of our lovely stitchers completed "Peppermint Twist" by Blue Ribbon Designs. Love the colors

Here we have three needlepoint projects, each of which I'm dying to own. Look at this, all kitted up. I'm not sure of the designer name (if you want to order, just call the shop and describe it). It's a working clock, with buttons for the hours! Stitch the pretty design and then frame and hang! I love the buttons, love the colors, love the practical idea of it!

Do the next two needlepoint canvases look familiar to you counted cross stitchers? Yes! They're both Little House Needleworks designs! I want to stitch each of them!

Next up, three darling counted cross stitch projects: "Home: A Diminutive Sampler" by Pineberry Lane.

"Blossom Home" by All Through the Night.

And this isn't new, but I noticed it for the first time and admired the colors and design, so it's new to me: Feathered Friends (August) by Cherished Stitches.

We have Stacy Nash's book, "Lidya," which is chock full of little prim projects: samplers, stuffed hearts, edgings, bags.

And a glorious basket of flowers, which is going to be my next start: by Queenstown Sampler Designs: "Margaret Ann Klinedienst 1830." Margaret Ann is stitched on 32 count Lakeside (we have it) with NPI silks (we have them). Just look at that border...

And last, but not least, a gorgeous cameo-like needle minder, by Embellishments Plus! Just perfect for summer stitching, at the beach or not. (and pssst--there's an adorable mermaid in the same color).

Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:30 to 4:30 on the first Sunday of the month. Stitch Nights are the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Join us! To order or for questions, please call 703-360-4600 and we'll be happy to help you find your heart's delight!

Happy Stitching!

From Our Spinners

Hi, everyone! We'd like to show you a few things from our spinners:

This is a trunk show model of "Kezia Coles 1802" by Samplers Revisited. This is on my wish list-I love the flowers, the birds, and most of all, the use of yellow. Have you noticed how hard it is to find a sampler with lots of nice bright yellow?

This cracks me up and has me channeling Julie Andrews. Have you got a mid-century house? This would be perfect in it (even if your appliances aren't harvest gold or avocado...)

This is a beautiful--and beautifully made little box for your stitching gadgets (extra needles, tiny buttons, $20 for pizza delivery because you stitched through dinnertime again...) It's great on its own...

...or with this tiny Shepherd's Bush kit including fabric, buttons and the little chart which can be inserted into the top of the box.

Speaking of boxes, how cute is this mermaid box project? I love the little crabs. "Mermaid's Treasures" by Acorn House Designs.

By C Street Samplerworks, "Heavenly Paradise." Just the right size.

A trio of sweet designs by Silver Creek Samplers.

A new shop model, although not a brand-new chart: Country Cottage Needleworks' "Snowflake Serenade." I'm in love with the frame!

Here's just one of our many in-stock Scarlet Letter designs. This is Susan Dunn 1771. On my must-stitch list. We have lots of Scarlet Letter designs, old and new, including "Manifesto" and the newly re-issued Christmas sampler.

We have a ton of these adorable Jardin Prive samplers from France; stitch up a bunch!

Our address is 8800 F Pear Tree Court, Alexandria, Virginia. For questions or to order, please call us at 703-360-4600. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and the first Sunday of each month, from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Stitch Nights are the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Happy Stitching!

Shop Models and Some New Charts and Canvases

Happy Easter, all! The shop is closed today for the holiday, but we'll be open again tomorrow. I stopped by the shop yesterday to take a few photos to share with you.

Let's look first at our model wall: Top left is from Long Dog ("Hare Apparent"), top right is "Christmas at Hollyberry Farm" by Stacy Nash Primitives. You probably can't tell from the photo, but it's mounted in the best frame--warm wood with gold glints. Definitely will be on one of my next framed pieces. Bottom left and right are by Stitching Pretty--Remembering ByGone Stitches (Autumn and Spring Seasons Quakers).

"Barnwood Buttons" from Rosewood Manor. Candie stitched this lovely model. Candie is a wonder--when I stopped by the shop she was industriously stitching on a little snowman for the shop in between helping customers.

"ABCs and Christmas Trees" from JBW Designs.

Unfortunately, I did not jot down the name of this design (I'm always so distracted at the shop, looking here and there, and acquiring things for my own stash):

I've shown you this before, but here's a closeup: this fabric-painted and stitched work is going to offered as a class (not this particular design, although this chart--"Potomac River Needlework Map"will be part of the class kit)--by Catherine Jordan. The class is May 19--contact us at 703-360-4600 to see if there are seats available. You can buy the kit alone without the class, but I've looked at this close-up and I really want to know how to paint and dye and embellish without making a mess, so although my tendency is to prefer to teach myself, I really want to see how this is done because Catherine's pieces are so beautiful and impeccably designed and painted/stitched.

"After the Rain" by Filigram. Hard to show you the photo because it's so bitty--but what a sweet design (and it won't take forever to stitch).

"All Chicks Welcome," by Shepherd's Bush. Perfect for Easter, and also a quick stitch.

Prairie Moon's "You Forgot My Car Seat." What a hilarious little design--perfect for that Halloween Ornament Tree you're working on...

"Sampler for Baby" by Heartstring Samplery.

Pineberry Lane's "This Have I Done." A must-stitch for me.

We just goggle at the fabulous designs that arrive from France by GigiR. I've put them in order of stitching size, although heavens, I'd like to quit my job and just stay home and devote myself to GigiR's samplers. This is an "Adam & Eve by Elizabeth Anne Fuller 1854":

I purchased this yesterday for myself (don't worry, there are others): "Red Deer." Bet you can't tell why it's called Red Deer!

And the Saxony Sampler--so huge but so rewarding!

I don't show you nearly enough needlepoint--we have it in abundance, and I'm itching to learn (buying a canvas soon--will show you when I do). We have wonderfully competent/artistic needlepoint stitchers on our staff. This is Radonda's pumpkin (not sure of the designer, but if you want one, please ask call the shop and ask). It's not a quick stitch, but goodness, what a wonderful pillow or framed picture it will make. Cross stitchers, do yourself a favor and feed your needlework addiction by taking up needlepoint! (I am--it was my New Year's resolution...)

I'd like to buy this canvas, and he's next in line.

Our address is 8800-F Pear Tree Court in Alexandria, VA. For questions or to order, please call 703-360-4600. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30-4:30 on the first Sunday of each month. Stitch Nights are the first and third Wednesdays of the month. Come join us this week (April 3) from 6 to 9 p.m.

Happy Stitching to all our peeps!