Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Oh, My.....They're Back from Nashville!

Greetings, all! Ellen, Patricia and Karen are back from Nashville, and what a haul we have to show you!!! In fact, there's so much that we'll be doing a few posts between now and Sunday to give you an idea of what we have in the shop. But first, be sure to go to our website and register for our emails, if you don't already receive them. And remember that Sunday we're open from 12:30-4:30 for the Nashville Market event, which includes drawings for nifty prizes.

We noticed some themes as we looked through the new charts and kits, so I'll introduce them that way.
Adam & Eve:
First off, Adam and Eve! There were lots of Adam and Eves at Market this year. Here's a gorgeous A&E by Shepherd's Bush: "Eve's Garden." This comes as a kit, and the fabric included is so wonderful that you won't want to swap it out.



"Sarah Gentle - 1821" by Samplers Remembered.


"Funky A&E" by NeedleWorkPress.


"All Thy Works" by Erica Michaels. The model at the show blew everyone away, and Karen is stitching this on fabric. It comes with 40 ct gauze, and at 4.6" w x 3.6", it's quite amazing--tiny and perfect.


Carolina House's "In the Garden" Sampler.


Birds:

We saw lots of samplers featuring birds, including our banner photo, which is Bygone Stitches' "For the Birds."

And this, Rosewood Manor's "Peaceful Dove."


And Plum Street Samplers' "Maxim & Zoya."


NeedleWorkPress' "Polly Wanna'."


We have Blackbird Designs' "Sweet Thoughts of You," as either a kit, seen here, or just the chart.


Just Another Button Company's "Lovebird" which comes with JABCO's delightful buttons.


There are birds in this too, and some funky sheep and people. We love the colors in "Mary Roe 1808" by The Scarlett House.


Animals:

There are lots of adorable animals featured in charts as well. Here we have "Peter and Peep" by With they Needle & Thread.


By SamSarah Design Studio, we have "Noughts & Crosses: Fox and Hen." So cute.


And look at the closeup: the chart features both the game board and the little 3-D game pieces (there are instructions for stitching the pieces on perforated paper and finishing them).


Sheep! Two samplers by Chessie & Me: "Lulu's Flock" and

"Scarlet's Summer Sampler."


The cuteness of this makes me want to weep: "Three Blind Mice" by Little by Little.


Sea Creatures in "Beautiful Sea Sampler" by Samplers Revisited.


Alphabet cards by Amy Bruecken. Here are just the first four.


Last, but not least: little Lantern Moon tape measures. Bunny and piggy! You need these!



These photos just scratch the surface of the new items we have. We'll update again in a couple of days.

Be sure to sign up for our newsletter, and come in to the Nashville Market special event on Sunday from 12:30 to 4:30.
If you have questions or want to purchase something, please call us at 703-360-4600. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 12:30 to 4:30 the first Sunday of each month. Stitch Nights are the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m.

Happy Stitching.

Saturday, February 25, 2012

What To Do While Waiting for Nashville

Hi, folks! Welcome to the In Stitches Shop blog this blustery Saturday morning. Just a few more days before the Nashville items arrive in Virginia! But first, a bit of business: Carol in NJ, we pulled the "Love" chart for you, but the number we have for you isn't working. If you'll give us a call at 703-360-4600, we'll pack it up and send it along.

When I stopped by the shop yesterday to say hello and purchase some fibers, the shop was a beehive of activity. The cross stitch charts were being arranged on the spinners to make room for all the new things coming home from the Nashville Market:


We do have some fun things to show you though. Lois, one of our talented needlepointers, had just received two of her projects from our fabulous finisher. This needlepoint snowman is finished in three-D, with plenty of room for placing little gifts or some sprigs of holly. Isn't he adorable? I wanted to take up a needle and get to work on him immediately. Our needlepoint experts in the shop have a knack for selecting just the right fibers. Let them help you kit up your next project. And our finisher, who does a wonderful, creative and impeccable job, frees you up to stitch so that you don't have to stress about uneven seams or sewing machines or a dangling piece of trim.


We love Lois' reindeer too; she had it finished as a door hanger.


Here are a couple of our newest canvases:



A lovely new sampler from Aury TM.


The adorable "Three Billy Goats Gruff" from Prairie Schooler:


We've got lots of new charts from JBW designs. These two went home with me. Rose Motif Sampler and The Rabbit Sampler are charted for a variety of cotton variegated or non-variegated fibers. Your choice of Weeks Dye Works, Thread Gatherer or DMC. I'm stitching Rose Motif on a yellow fabric using a deeper yellow variegated cotton floss, and I'm stitching The Rabbit Alphabet using Silk n Colors silk variegated thread in a raspberry shade on a pale pink fabric. They're smaller than most of my projects but are largeish for JBW Designs charts. Just right for a cold weekend.


This cute and elaborate Mill Hill design is stitched, then beaded and buttoned. Fun and perfect for all of us stitchers who like a tomato pin cushion.


Here's another sheepie journal; this one's entitled "Hand Wash Only."


We love these new laminated draw-string project bags in vivid colors. Perfect for holding a project or two. Or your lunch!


Here's a clutch of new Mountain Colors handpainted yarns. Let our expert knitters help you find a perfect pattern to show off these beautiful fibers.


The new Nashville goods will be in the shop on Wednesday, February 29, and we're having a special market day on Sunday, March 4 (12:30-4:30). For questions or to order from this site, please call 703-360-4600. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and 12:30 - 4:30 the first Sunday of the month. Stitch Nights are the first and third Wednesday of the month from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Happy stitching and see you soon!

Friday, February 17, 2012

Saint Patrick is on His Way (And So is Santa)

We couldn't resist this fabulous Mirabilia design, positively encrusted with beads and bling, being stitched by one of our wonderful customers on Stitch Night this past Wednesday, so that's our banner photo this time. Wow. Here's a close-up of some of the beading. We have this chart in stock, along with the fibers and beads.


Here are a few new treats in the shop, just ahead of the pile of new stuff we're planning to bring back from the Nashville Needlework show. "Chincoteague" by Carriage House Samplings.


"Bad Hair Day" journal. Adorable sheep, which grace several different covers.


Saint Patrick is on his way, even if Santa did push him out of the limelight.


A lovely and touching design by Silver Creek Samplers--the dove says "I cooed him to sleep so he would not cry." Awwwwwww.


"March Cottage" by Country Cottage Needleworks.


Santa again--on two delightful needlepoint stockings.




One of several spring/Easter ornaments in this Prairie Schooler book. You know I have to stitch this, and I've already gathered my supplies (a small piece of linen and some DMC).


Did someone say "Bunnies?"



And a Venetian Carnival mask, which reminds us of a Mardi Gras mask. Fat Tuesday is on its way.


Here are some more beautifully stitched, knitted and crocheted projects by our fabulous friends and customers. Deborah's sock, which she says is knitted in highlighter colors. Deborah also made us a pile of five kinds of brownies.


"Plumpkin" (Lizzie Kate) stitched on a wonderful fabric.


Minnie's Asian themed design and hand-made Q-snap cover.


Jan's "13 Colonies" is almost complete.


And March is tearing along on "Pot 4 Dickie" (Long Dog).


To order or for questions, please call us at 703-360-4600. We will be open Monday normal hours on the President's Day holiday. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday and the first Sunday of each month, from 12:30 to 4:30. Stitch Nights are the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

Our special Market Day will be Sunday, March 4, from 12:30 to 4:30!

See you soon, and happy stitching!

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Valentine Sweets Part II

Tomorrow's Valentines Day, and in our opinion, a sweet chart is more fun than a box of chocolates anyway! Here we have an old Birds of a Feather chart. BOAF only does needlepoint these days, so these won't last.


Here's an adorable shop model. Darned if I can find in my notes who designed it, but call the shop and they can tell you. [Edited to add: it's Trilogy's "Secret Crush."]


Heart in Hand's "Poesy Collection."


Shepherd's Bush has designed lots of different hearts. This pin pillow comes with all the trimmings (seen on right).


While not specifically a Valentine's design, we admire Priscilla's pink skirt. This chart is included in the latest issue of Sampler & Antique Needlework Quarterly.


Here's the cover of SANQ:


Mirabilia's "Miss Valentine" with its handful of beautiful fibers, beads and sparkly Kreinik braid.


Marie Suarez' "History d'Amour (Love Story)" So delicate and so very French. Wouldn't it look perfect hanging in your boudoir?


Cherry Wood Designs Studios' "Love Letter Ribbons" comes with the ribbon and the pink buttons to make up this cute project.


"Love Generously" by Erica Michaels. These delicate stitches are even nicer IRL than the packaging shows. There's a wonderful series of them. And pssst--you don't have to stitch them on the silk gauze--stitch them on any fabric you choose. We can help you with that.


Country Cottage Needleworks "Our Love Nest."


Raise the Roof's "February Angel." I love the expression on the cat's face.


Last, not a Valentine's stitch, but a sweet couple in a wintery scene. It's suddenly turned wintery here, so "New England Winter" seems the perfect project. Pull up your stitching chair, open up those chocolates, and turn the gas log up!


We'll be seeing you soon with more new items in the shop. The Nashville Needlework show is nearly upon us, and we'll be bringing back a truckload of new things to oooo and ahhhhhh over! Mark your calendars: Sunday, March 4 (12:30-4:30) will be the special preview day with food, free charts and fun.

If you have questions or would like to order, call us at 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 the month. Stitch nights are the first and third Wednesdays of the month, which means there's one coming up this week, February 15. We hope to see you there!

Happy stitching and happy Valentine's Day!