Friday, May 27, 2011

One more day of Howl-O-Ween in May

Today, Saturday, is the last day of Howl-O-Ween in May (20% off everything Halloween including charts, fabric, fibers and needlepoint canvases). Check out these two whimsical Halloween cuties: "Cackle" by Raise the Roof Designs and


"A Wicked Accident" by Aury TM.


Here are some items that are new in the shop. "Peril on the Sea" by Morning Glory Needleworks.


"Jenny Bean" by Scarlet Letter, shown with 32 count black Belfast linen. We have other kinds of black and dark linens.


And the lovely "Ruth Bacheler," also by the Scarlet Letter.


Skeins and skeins of colorful, soft and luxurious new yarns are arriving in the shop. Here's just a little sample of some new Mountain Colors yarns and a couple of projects to stitch with them:



This is the most incredible silk and cashmere blend yarn, also by Mountain Colors. Perfect for this whimple (don't you love saying whimple? Wrap your dimple in a whimple! It's simple!) Or for a beautiful and soft scarf for that special gift for the holiday that's (shhh) only 7 months away, give or take a day or two. Better get going!


Remember that we'll be closed on Monday, Memorial day, May 30.

If you'd like to order or have questions, please call us at 703-360-4600. We're open Monday-Saturday 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and the first Sunday of each month from 12:30 - 4:30. Stitch Night is the first and third Wednesdays of each month from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m., which means this Wednesday, June 1. Come join us! We're a friendly group, and we love to see new faces and new projects!

Happy Stitching!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

Closed on Monday, May 30, Memorial Day

Glenna is the blog mistress with all the pictures and clever writing.  I am the "just the facts ma'am".  We will be open on Saturday with regular hours from 10am to 5pm and closed on Monday the 30th.    I will be in Georgia for the last UVA regatta of the season.  I plan to make a stop at Abecedarius in Marietta and visit my long time friend and shop owner Susan before heading up to Gainesville for the races.  Pictures to follow................and yes, 5 stitching projects will be in my bag.  Have a safe weekend if you are traveling.
Ellen



Sunday, May 22, 2011

"Gouls Night Out"

Last night was the Halloween-themed Stitchers' Lock-in. We came, we saw, we ate, we colored, we won great prizes, we stitched and we ate some more! (Recipe for Patricia's chocolately Rice Krispie treats at the end of this post.)

A shop model of "Gouls Night Out" by Carousel Charts set the theme.


Along with Karen's Poppy Creations' "The Witch is In." Be sure to check out the great clay figure in the lower right corner.


Diana came dressed in the best hat--we all want one!


There were fabulous door prizes, including this Prairie Moon pattern, along with the silks, Stitches and Spice's "Camofudge" and a pair of scissors.


Oh, the food...! It was potluck. Crab and shrimp dip, broccoli salad, German potato salad, sloppy joes, chicken salad sandwiches, ham and chicken, pasta salads, fruit and desserts.


We shopped the Halloween patterns/fabric/fibers sale. (All Halloween items during the sale, 20% off through 5/28/11). Here, "Skeleton Crew" by Cross-Eyed Cricket, paired with 32 count PTP in Valor.


An assortment of Halloween Fabrics by Weeks Dye Works:


"My Pretties" chart by Plum Street Samplers.


Show and tell from our customers. "Rose Sampler" by Butternut Road.


A Mirabilia mermaid.


And some gorgeous needlepoint (eek, didn't get the name).


And we scoped out the new charts, including these two by Long Dog Samplers:



As promised, Patricia's recipe for the chocolately and chocolate-covered Rice Krispies Treats:

Ingredients:
2 sticks butter
7 Milky Way bars (2.07 oz bars)
6.5 cups Rice Krispies
12-18 oz. pckg of semi-sweet chocolate chips

Directions: 1. Melt butter and Milky Way bars together, stirring constantly. The secret to a soft texture is to melt as quickly as possible. 2. Stir in Rice Krispies, mixing well. 3. Pat into 9x23 pan. 4. Melt chocolate chips and spread on top. Cool and then cut into pieces.

Keep an eye out for the next lock-in, which will be during "Christmas in July!"

Please call us with questions or to order at 703-360-4600. We are open Monday - Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the first Sunday of each month from 12:30-4:30.

Happy Stitching!

Friday, May 20, 2011

More Halloween, and What We Stitched

Just a reminder about Howl-O-Ween in May, which continues through May 28, 2011. Take 20% off everything Halloween--charts, fabric, fibers and needlepoint canvases.

Also, take an additional 10% off all Mary Riggs stitched samplers (antique and reproduction).

We have a Prairie Moon trunk show in the shop as well. Love these! "Three Amigas"


"Last Tango Contest"


"Martini Witches."


Another Halloween cutie, this one by The Sampler Girl, "The Witch School Sampler 1821."


"Murky Manor" by Glendon Place.


We showed you "Thine is the Trick and the Treat," by Prairie Moon last post, but take a look at the fabric we've paired it with--the most luxurious, substantial, deliciously rich and blotchy 32 count fabric from Stitches & Spice in color "Camofudge." Fudge without calories!


Glenna bought a quarter to go with Ann Sandles by With Thy Needle. The floss toss (lovely Weeks Dye Works colors) was perfection on this fabric. Fun to stitch something on this dark fabric after a steady diet of pales and neutrals.


Much stitching was accomplished on Stitch Night on Wednesday: Jan's "Thirteen Colonies."


Helen is working on a duck bib:


Becca's "Mary Mack."


Patricia is stitching "Grace Risk" by Samplers Revisited.


Mary is working on "Happy Haunting" by Shepherd's Bush.


And Teresa is stitching "Dutch Beauty" by Permin.


If you have questions or would like to order, please call us at 703-360-4600. We are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and the first Sunday of the month from 12:30-4:30.

Happy stitching!

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

Howl-O-Ween in May

Spooky News!

From May 16-28, 2011 everything Halloween will be 20% off! This includes all charts, fabric, fibers and needlepoint canvases. Here we will show you some of our Halloween charts and shop models.

Fabric to complete the amazing Sleepy Hollow by Cross-Eyed Cricket (our banner photo).


Teenie Weenie Halloween by Val's Stuff shop moodel:


One of our wonderful customers stitched this beauty (over one! We are in awe!), Greetings Halloween by A Mon Ami Pierre.


We have a trunk show of the most cleverly designed models by Prairie Moon. This is "We'd Turn Back."


"Thine is the Trick and the Treat," among many others.


Uhhhh--I forgot the name of this cutie! Also by Prairie Moon. They are too fabulous, and we'll be showing you more of them later in the week. Or come in and see them! Don't you love the purple fabric?


Halloween needlepoint canvases are on sales also. This is a sweet canvas by Shepherd's Bush.


We have charts by Lizzie Kate:


And kits by Mill Hill:


Charts by Waxing Moon Designs:


And Heart in Hand:


Halloween fabrics in purple and green and bright orange! (Along with some nifty Halloween buttons.)


Not Halloween, but something new in the shop: the first installment of "Birds of a Feather" by With Thy Needle and Thread. You can buy just the pattern, or we can kit it up for you (and here's a floss toss).


Also, take an additional 10% off all Mary Riggs stitched samplers (antiques and reproductions).

We'll be back later in the week to show you more. And don't forget that Wednesday, May 18 (today, really, since it's a tad after midnight) is stitch night at the shop from 6-9 p.m. Join us!

Please call us at 703-360-4600 if you have questions or would like to place an order. We are open Monday-Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and the first Sunday of the month from 12:30 to 4:30.

Happy Stitching!

Friday, May 13, 2011

Seeing Red (In a Good Way)

Because it's spring and the flowers are blooming, we are surrounded by lots of soft pastels. But sometimes you really just crave a a good, strong red. Maybe a traditional French redwork sampler, as in this "Sampler Saisons" by Anagram Diffusion.


Maybe just a big, red accent: "Town House Sampler" by Brenda Keyes of the Sampler Company.


Here's Glenna's start on this:


Or a big, satisfying needlepoint canvas for Independence Day, with lots of red, white and blue.


You can choose between Lizzie Kate's cross stitch Santa in his red-striped nightshirt.


Or needlepoint the same thing. (Pssst--cross stitchers: needlepoint is easy--we can get you started with something cute like this!)


There's the bright red inn on the "Inn at Fox River Mill" by Little House Needleworks.


Knit some red-sparked socks (we have lots of sock yarn in all colors, plus this book).


Stitch a little French style redwork design by JBW (or stitch one in blue! Or green!)


Or stitch a big colorful design with flashes of red. Give "Peace" a chance. (Ahem. We are red-faced.) By a Stitcher's Hands.


Check this space on Monday for details about Halloween in May!!!

Please call us at 703-360-4600 for questions or if you would like to order. We are open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday - Saturday, and on the first Sunday of the month, from 12:30 - 4:30.

Happy Stitching!