Thursday, February 25, 2016

Snow day!


The shop is closed today due to our wonderful winter weather.  We officially have over 17” of snow!  LaPorte County has declared a snow emergency and only emergency vehicles are allowed on the roads.   So, I am declaring this an official stitch from your stash day!  It looks like we will be able to open tomorrow.  Thank you or your patience and understanding!

Happy stitching (from your stash),
Linda


 

Monday, February 22, 2016

Finally finished!


Are you still in a Valentine frame of mind?  Apparently the designers are because we have a good number of new designs with a Valentine theme.  As someone who likes anything in a heart shape, it suits me just fine!  Symbols of love are appropriate any day of the year.  The latest arrivals are on our What’s New Page at http://www.houseofstitches.com/whatsnew.cfm.  We also have several new designs for St. Patrick’s Day as well as spring themed projects and a graduation sampler from Sweetheart Tree.

The last time I wrote to you I promised to try to show you a picture of the project that I started over five years ago and finally finished.  
It is a project from Erica Michaels called ‘tis a Small Gift.  It is stitched on 30 count silk gauze; front and back are identically stitched.  The most challenging part for me was not the actual stitching on the silk gauze but the joining together of the front and back and adding the pesky little bow!  But it is finished and I am looking for a new project to start.  I always have a portable project in my purse so I can work on that until I find another larger challenge.  If I did not have a project on hand I might break out in a rash! 

Thank you to all who helped with our inventory reduction.  The total was actually a little less than last year!  That is a huge victory since for as long as I can remember it has increased every year.  We plan to continue to whittle things down a bit by continuing to put things on sale.  A huge influx of designs and accessories will be coming in about 2 weeks.  The Nashville Needlework Market is almost here!  As you read the blogs and newsletters from your favorite designers, be sure to let us know which things you want.  I have a file started for your market wish lists!  It is not possible to buy everything so if I know what you like it will help me buy the right things. 

The computer that I usually use went to the computer hospital rather unexpectedly today.  I thought our friendly Rent-a-Geek would be able to work his magic in a few minutes at my desk.  But, alas!  It requires more serious attention.  I think I still received all of your emails and orders but if you do not get a response just resend your message.
 
Enjoy the new listings and let us know which ones are destined for your stash collection.  I am certain that you need a few new things to tide you over until the market things arrive.  Your continued business is greatly appreciated!

 

Friday, February 12, 2016

Happy Valentine's Day!


Happy Valentine’s Day!  Feel free to order your own Valentine gift from the newest listings on our What’s New Page: http://www.houseofstitches.com/whatsnew.cfm. A stitching gift will last longer than chocolate or flowers!   If you are stitching the Gingerbread Village from Country Cottage Needleworks, we have the fourth installment and the button accent that it uses.  Mill Hill brings us the Good Coffee and Friends series with six coffee themed kits from Debbie Mum.  Eileen Bennett of Sampler House has published two new reference books for your stitching library.  They are the kind of books you turn to again and again when you have a stitching question.  Lizzie Kate has five new designs.  My favorite, of course is the one that says, “Life is Better with Stitching Friends”.  Nora Corbett, the Mirabilia designer brings us two new Bewitching Pixies.  Pet lovers will want to see the cute dog and cat designs from My Big Toe.
 
We have been experiencing real winter weather this week.  Here at the southern shore of Lake Michigan we have been getting lake effect snow with wind and very cold temperatures.  Like I always say, it is great stitching weather!  I hope you are able to stay cozy and spend quality time with your projects.  I have been working on a project that I started about five years ago.  It is an Erica Michaels design stitched with Simply Wool thread from Gentle Art on silk gauze.  Here is a picture of the chart:  http://www.houseofstitches.com/detail.cfm?ID=27812.  With a little luck I can finish it this weekend and I will try to post a picture of the finished product for you to critique! 

Thank you for your continued love of stitching!  Be on the lookout for someone who would like to learn to stitch and share the love!