I’ve been thinking about the cutest *new* finds fromTNNA for cross stitch.  These are adorable baby bibs and hooded towels.  The quality is super, but what really caught my attention were the colors. 

 Besides the traditional pink and blue, there’s a lime green and a yellow.  No need to worry what sex the baby will be!

There’s also a collection of kitchen towels with a wide band for cross stitch.  Again the colors really grabbed me!

There’s a blue with a grapes, a red with apples, and a lime green with limes!

I’m really into lime green these days.  It matches my new outdoor sign colors!

Anyway, everything is made in Brazil so it’s going to be a while before I get them in.  Hope it’s not too long.  I know these will be a hit with my cross stitch customers.

 Now I get to look for cute cross stitch patterns to coordinate!

Thinking of Stitching . . .

Caroline

Had a visit from my friend, Leonora, the other day.  She’s been working on some Tokens and Trifles models for the shop and we’d been trying to think of different uses for them. 

If you aren’t familiar with Tokens and Trifles, they are small sewing cards made of perforated paper.  Sewing cards were popular in the Victorian era as bookmarks, gifts, and simply *tokens*.

The ones Leonora  has done are so clever.  One is an oval & she found a design of a bird that fits just perfectly.  We’re going to make that into a box using directions Leonora found in her Needlepoint Now magazine.

 Can’t wait to see it finished.

The other Tokens & Trifles she’s doing actually makes up as a little container.  We were trying to think what it could be used for and we decided to make it into a pin cushion.

I like the way she decided to a flower on side and the words *Pins* on the other.

We also thought the container would make a neat *token* for a bridal party.  You could put the couples initials on one side and wedding date on the other.

Well, that’s about it for today!

 Thinking of Stitching. . .

Caroline

Now that I’ve been all excited with new arrivals from the TNNA market, I guess I need to settle down and think about some “serious” business stuff.

When I was at TNNA, I took a class with my buddy, Tink Boord-Dill on developing on-line shopping. 

Since I’m half way into developing my own shopping cart, I was quite pleased to hear I was pretty much on the right track.

I’m keeping the on-line shop simple in the beginning and will focus on needlepoint canvases. 

Of course, I’ve always shipped to customers ordering by phone or e-mail so that won’t change. 

Oh, by the way, Tink is starting a new project on the Armchair Chef’s web site. 

This is going to be the *The Guest Chef* which will feature recipes and posts from Needlework retailers and wholesalers.  Sounds like fun!

Right now I’m not sure if the Guest Chef will be on the Armchair Chef’s web site or a different one, but we’ll keep you posted.

Tink is also developing a brand new web site–Thoughts From The  Armchair Gardner.  I’m not sure if it’s up and running yet, but will keep you up to date on that, too.

Since all my flowers died while I was at TNNA, I don’t think I’d better offer to be a Guest Gardner unless Tink plans of category of *What No To DO*.

Thinking of Stitching . . .

Caroline

This is so exciting.  Had four new boxes delivered yesterday. 

One’s from Lantern Moon.  They have the most wonderful bags and totes.  Can’t wait to start unpacking. 

 It’s fun because I can’t exactly remember what I ordered and there’s also a surprise!  Kind of like Christmas.

Also got my shipment from Valdani.  If you’re into punchneedle & haven’t heard of this product–let me fill you in. 

They make hand dyed floss & what’s really neat is that it comes on balls in 3 ply rather than 6 ply for three strand punching.  The colors are really interesting too.  I think they’re especially perfect for the primitive designs.

Then there’s my book order!  Always like to get new books for the shop.  Can’t wait to see what I bought!

Time to start unpacking. . .

Thinking of Stitching!

Carolinne

I’m so excited. Just got my 1st new shipment from TNNA show.  Tons of new designs from Sublime Stitching. 

 There  are the “Dainty Days” alphabets, “Flower Power” and “Krazy Kitchen”.  “Camp Out” and “Winter Wonder Land” look fun, too! 

I really need to embroider something from her “Bon Voyage” designs–maybe I’ll take it with me when Charlie and I had off to Bermuda in a couple of weeks.  Love to stitch but love to travel too!

Thinking of Stitching. . .

Caroline

I’ve been sitting here thinking about the fantastic classes I took at TNNA. 

One of my technique classes was on needlepoint blocking.  That was VERY helpful. 

We actually made a blocking board, learned the benfits of steaming vs. wet blocking, and the tricks to squaring up that stubbornly distorted canvas. 

Luana was a great teacher and actually made it seem pretty easy.  I’m thinking this could be a fun class for the shop. 

Another class was actually on *teaching a class*.  We were introduced to a lovely sampler project which would be a great class for learning decorative stitches. 

The model was stitched with Silk and Ivory, but could use any number of other threads. 

I’m thinking about offering this in the Spring through our local Parks and Recreation Program. 

You know, I always come away from TNNA so many ideas & never enough time to implement them all, but least I can be Thinking of Stitching . . .

Caroline

Boy, did I do some damage at the show!

Got lots of new books coming in.  I’m really excited about the new Bargello book–and there’s one with transfer designs for embroidery.

  Stocked up on new designs from Sublime Stitchery.  Jenny Hart’s one cool designer.  If you’ve been trying to hook a youngster into embroidery without success, this is the way to go.  If you’re not familiar with Jenny, she has a line of iron-on transfers (remember those?) that tweens  & teens just can’t resist.

OK-we “mature” stitchers can’t resist them either.  I’m embroidering a denim shirt & can’t wait to wear it.

Jenny’s also come out with iron-on backing so you can embroider on Tee’s and other stretchy fabrics.  She’s also added plain transfer paper so you can do your own thing.

 Picked up some new  “Needle Minders” in the Kelmscott booth.  The latest design features white dragonflies on my favorite shade of lavender. 

 I need to think about getting a photo of the Needle Minders on my website.  A description just doesn’t do them justice. 

Got a chance to visit with the folks from Access Commodities where I picked up some new Strathaven Linen–love it for crewel. 

 Guess it’s about time to stop dreaming of my new orders and open up the shop.

Thinking of Stitching . . .

Caroline

I’m back!  It was great getting away to TNNA, but it sure is nice, too, to be back home. 

I missed Bennie, our new rescue Basset who is sitting next to me as I type!

 Saw lots of neat new stuff & made lots of new friends.  One of the things I like most about market is getting to take classes, talking to other shop owners, and getting to browse isles and isles of needlework stuff. 

I really like looking at the booths of handpainted canvases because the designers always have such magnificent models.  It really inspires me to come home and start stitching. 

 Which reminds me, I’ve got to finish the sandal straps by Viola! that I started after the last show.  I’m almost done! 

 If you’ve ever wondered what you can needlepoint besides shoes–take a look at Viola’s web site.  www.voilaneedlepoint.com. I’m in the process of developing a Designer Gallery and I’ll have a link to their site on mine.

 Well, better go and start sorting out my orders from the show and see what kind of damage I did!

Thinking of Stitching . . .

Caroline