We had our first meeting of the “Itching for Stitching” Club.  That’s the after-school club I was invited to sponsor at our local elementary school.

We have six girls participating from the third, fourth, and fifth grades.  All had done a little something of handwork, but only one has done embroidery before. 

I was amazed at how quickly they caught on.  I think the most challenging thing for them was keeping the needle on the thread and tying the knots. 

The girls were so cute and original I thought you’d like to read about  some of their comments and reactions.

After I demonstrated the Running Stitch and started them practicing, I, the adult, assumed they would stitch in a straight line.  Silly me!  One girl announces, “I’m going to make a box!”  Another, “Mine looks like an eye!”  and another, “Hey I’m doing zig zags!”

Isn’t it great to be able to be so spontaneous?!  Not a bad lesson for us “experienced” stitchers who have to always follow the directions precisely. . .

Of course, picking out floss colors was a big production and I loved it when one girl announced, “I just love soft colors.”–as she grabs a bright orange, royal blue, and hot pink.

Because needles kept falling off and everyone needed help rethreading, I pulled out the trusty needle threader and explained that we needed to keep working on how to thread, but in the meantime we’d *cheat* with my needle threader. Next thing I know one little girl is politely asking, “May I please borrow your *cheater?*

My favorite question of the day was–*Have you been doing this a long time–like two years?*

My favorite comment of the day came after explaining that the thread we would be using was called embroidery floss to which one sharp young lady chimed in–*Does that mean we can floss with it?*

Remember the TV show *Kids Say the Darnest Thnigs*?  (OOP’s-did I just date myself?) Anyway it’s so true.

Will keep you posted on our Club!

Thinking of Stitching. . .

Caroline

I have been having a great time collecting questions for Janet Perry of Napa Needlepoint.  In case you missed my last post, she is going to be a featured *visitor* to my blog during the month of October answering YOUR questions!

Even though I’m a shop owner and have been needlepointing for ump-teen years, there’s always something I need an answer to.  Janet is such a wealth of information I’ll probably have to throw in a few of my own questions.

If there’s something you’ve been dying to ask a needlepoint expert, now’s your chance!  Just e-mail your questions to caroline@carolinesthreadandcanvas.com.

Each Wednesday starting October 3 we’ll be featuring Janet’s answers to your questions.  We’ll be learning about threads and sparkles and stitches and more!

In the meantime,

Thinking of Stitching. . .

Caroline

In honor of the 400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown in 1607, the APVA of Virginia is presenting an exhibit featuring 4 centuries of women’s fashion.  This exhibit will be held at Bacon’s Castle which is the oldest surviving domestic structure in Virginia.

The exhibit is called Wives and Daughters:  Four Centuries of Women’s Fashion.  The costumes on display will represent the types of clothing worn by the women residing at Bacon’s Castle. 

The exhibit will run through late October.  Admission is free for members of the APVA.  For more information visit www.apva.org.

Sorry, stitchers, its been a while since I’ve posted, but things have been hopping here at the shop.

 Had two classes this week.  One is an on-going Beginner’s needlepoint class.  Planning the class has been fun because I got to design a special project.

Not being a designer, that was a real challenge.  Thanks to in-put from several friends and Dear Husband, I came up with a heart design (I know–not original) but I decided to divide it into swirly shapes and stitch each in red, white and blue.

I was quite pleased to have a patriotic design and next wanted a patriotic name.  Anyway, since we live in Hanover County, I thought it would be fitting to have that as part of the name so my very clever hysband came up with *Hanover Loves U.S.*!

I also got to teach a punchneedle class.  Our project was cute little pumpkin–just in time for Halloween

So– for a little of what else is new.  October is going to be a fun month.  TinkBoord-Dill and The Armchairchef are hosting a month of Halloween Recipes.  A different recipe will be posted each day and I know they’ll be yummy!

Also, for those of you who missed Janet Perry’s Virtual Book tour, Janet has agreed to answer some of your most FAQ’s about needlepoint.  I’m forwarding to her some of the questions I hear most often in the shop. 

If you have questions you’d like Janet to answer,  just forward them on to me at www.threadandcanvasthoughtsfromva.com.

I’ll be posting her answers each Wednesday throughout the month of October.

For those of you who don’t know Janet Perry, she is a most creative needlepointer, owner of Napa Needlepoint (www.napaneedlepoint.com) and is well known for her stitch guides.  She has also just published the book,Needlepoint Trade Secrets, a great source for tips about organizing and stitching.

Be sure to make a note of October 3–our 1st date with “Janet Answers Your Needlepoint FAQ’s”.

Hope everyone’s been enjoying their stitching!

As always, thinking of stitching. . .

Caroline