Lots to be Thankful For

Greetings, all! Here's a nice respite from the crowds in the grocery store and thoughts of stuffing v. dressing (bread, oyster, corn bread) and whether or not to make creamed onions (a "yes" in my house, which state of affairs is beyond me). I ask you, did the Wampanoag Indians serve creamed onions to the Pilgrims for a joke at their feast (John Alden: "I prithee, what is this nonsense?" Priscilla Alden: "For Goodness sake John, just eat it and be grateful!")?

This lovely Drawn Thread design gives thanks for centerpieces! (We are loving the new Drawn Thread designs, including one I'll show you next time for Christmas.)

Country Cottage Needleworks' "Be Thankful."

A pair of cuties to needlepoint.

"O Christmas Tree" by Prairie Schooler.

The most recent "Cross Stitch and Needlework":

With Thy Needle and Thread's J.M. Gardner 1888.

Susan Rambo 1839 Sampler by Janis Lockhart of Cross-Point Designs:

Little House Needleworks' "Holiday House":

We are very excited about this! Those of you who know where In Stitches is located, know that we're a stone's throw from Mount Vernon, shown here.

Sometime between 1760 and 1790 it is thought that Martha Washington needlepointed twelve cushions (although it is not known whether she stitched all of them or not), an original shown here.

Two wonderful groups of needleworkers, Nelly's Needlers and members of the EGA, gathered to stitch reproductions of the original cushions. Amazing. Glorious.

Here's a group of needlepointers, showing off their finished cushions.

Here's the Christmas stocking needlepointed by the wonderful Rosalie, shop lady and needleworker extraordinaire. Rosalie is stitching this stocking for a very lucky grandchild. (Our banner photo is a close-up).

Two more views of the stocking. If you've always wanted to needlepoint but aren't sure how to get started, come in and talk with Rosalie, Linda, Lois or Ellen, and they can start you on your way.

We are thankful for needleworkers like Rosalie, who do such wonderful work, and for a seemingly bottomless supply of wonderful projects, and for our wonderful customers who purchase them!

For questions or to order, please call us at 703-360-4600. We will not be having Stitch Night this week, but we will be open on the day after Thanksgiving, regular hours. We are open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the first Sunday of the month, from 12:30 TO 4:30. Stitch Nights are the first and third Wednesdays of the month from 6 to 9 p.m. We will be back later this week with Christmas Delights.

Happy Stitching and hold the onions!

Stitching and the Holidays

Greetings, all! We've got the holidays breathing down our necks, but don't panic! There's still enough time to start and finish something smallish, purchase gifts for stitching friends, or start something huge with a finish next year! We've got inspirations here, plus let's plant a little seed of thinking about Crazy January! Whether you intend to start a new project every day in January (fun!) or just a few new projects, we've got you covered, whether it's specialty fabrics and fibers or a bunch of new charts combined with some classics. Or comb through your stash and take a look at what you might be missing; we can help fill in the holes!

This is a wonderful Christmas project. If you start now, you can have it well underway or perhaps even completed by the time those Christmas bells ring.

I have started it because I absolutely adore stitching bricks. See what I mean about the fact that it's not too large? I got this much done in about half a day of stitching. I'm stitching it on 40 count Lakeside in pecan butter, using the recommended NPI and Belle Soie threads. This is one of these Christmas samplers I wouldn't hesitate to leave up all year, so if I finish it in January, it's perfectly ok!


Here's a quick stitch idea for you. Stitch up this adorable pillow and settle it in a little box surrounded by some candy bars or chocolate kisses. Perfect for the stitchochocoholic! (We know who you are!)

This is an amazing knitting magazine. There are some marvelous scarves, mittens, Christmas stockings, collars, cowls and hats--all for gifts. Here are a few of my favorite patterns: the snowflake cowl on the cover.

This wonderful "Dots Blanket," which can be knitted in any size.

Scandinavian Christmas stockings and aran pillow covers. Sigh--I want to spend my winter knitting projects from this magazine.

Here's a sweet sentiment in a small project from Silver Creek Samplers.

The December cottage from Country Cottage. Love the colors.

Tempting Tangles' "Peppermint Pig," which completely cracks me up. See the pink piggies? If I recall correctly, smashing a peppermint pig on the New Year is supposed to be good luck. Don't smash these guys--stitch them up in peppermint variegated fibers!

And a small Adam & Eve from Rosewood Manor:

Just for fun, a couple of needlepoint shop models--an ornament:

And a fabulously finished Santa:

Another fabulously finished needlepoint Santa, stitched by the talented and prolific Carol M., one of our dear customers:

Who is also making great strides stitching on "Jean Rattray."

Two stitched fall/harvest/Thanksgiving shop models. A little smiling native American:

I am not sure of the name or designer of this compelling fall stitch (but they'd know at that shop if you call--703-360-4600):

I love these two designs by Drawn Thread. This one is a stocking--don't you love the dog/cat/snowmen/bird quintet?

And look! I didn't want to stitch a stocking, but the charming design is offered in a modified sampler format. I snapped one up. Bet you can finish either one by Christmas!

For questions or to order, please call us at 703-360-4600. Our hours are 10 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday and from 12:30-4:30 on the first Sunday of the month. Stitch nights are the first and third Wednesdays of the month, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. EXCEPT for this month. There will not be a Stitch Night the day before Thanksgiving.

Coming soon: gift ideas!

Happy stitching!