WORLD’S BEST NEEDLEPOINT GARAGE SAL AT HOMESTEAD NEEDLE ARTS, GRAND BLANC, MICHIGAN, THURSDAY THROUGH SATURDAY JULY 17, 18, 19, 2008!

IT'S TIME TO DROP OFF YOUR ITEMS!!! DROP OFF IS THIS WEEK, TUESDAY, JULY 8 THROUGH SATURDAY, JULY 12. Since there is a two day class in here this Friday and Saturday, I'd appreciate it if you can drop off your items Tuesday through Thursday. If not, I completely understand but we will be transacting all business at the counter and NOT at the table.

Where can you find a painted canvas for $5? A scroll frame for less than half of what it should be? Out of print books? Bag o’ threads? Right here at the World’s Best Needlepoint Garage Sale. Brought to you year after year by popular demand, we have a few rules to make this easier for everybody.

RULES

1. Your items must be needlepoint related. That includes canvas of any type or size, fibers of any type or size, books of any type or size, stitching tools of any type or size. NO MAGAZINES, NO CROSS STITCH, NO KNITTING ETC.

2. Your items must be marked with your price wanted and your 3 initials – clearly on a tag please that we can all find! Leave me some room to number the tag so I can check your items in and out for you! Please do not number them for me.

3. It’s best to put small items in a clear plastic zip lock bag. Canvases MUST also be in plastic bags to keep them clean! Very very large canvases (i.e. rugs) can not be done this way but everything else can and should be. Books need not be. Stands need not be. Fibers should be to keep them together. Yes, started projects are acceptable for the garage sale!

4. Drop off of items is Tuesday, July 8 through Saturday, July 12.

5. Come back and shop for yourself from Thursday, July 17 through Saturday, July 19. There are GREAT DEALS here. The garage sale is only successful because there are BUYERS as well as SELLERS. Be sure to support your friends who are supporting you!

6. Come back and pick up your unsold items and find out your shop credit from Tuesday, July 29 through Saturday August 2. It’s very late this year because I’m closed the following week on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. NO early pickups please. Why? After the garage sale ends Saturday I sort it all out, make sure that your items unsold and sold match on your sheet and figure your shop credit. I can’t do that with you standing there waiting or if you already picked it up. Don’t want your items back? No problem! Let me know and they will be donated or disposed of in some other manner. Any items not picked up by the deadline will also be disposed of!

7. SPEND your shop credit by 12/15/07. Turn those old unwanted treasures into a new Lowery stand, a beautiful new painted canvas, a treasure of new threads – whatever you want! Shop credit is good on all merchandise but not on teaching fees, getaways, etc.

8. Have fun and get rid of your guilties! Any questions? Call me at 810-694-3040. Looking for an out of print chart or canvas? Email me NOW so I can watch for you!

ONLY ONE SEAT LEFT! Morning Glory Santa with Gail Sirna has ONE seat left. This class is being held on Friday and Saturday, July 11 and 12 (this week.) If you want to attend, the teaching fee is $120 paid in advance (credit card payment is accepted) and the kit fee is between $150 and $170 due the first day of class. Class begins at 10:00 a.m. each day and will finish at approximately 4:00 p.m. You can see the picture here: http://www.sirnafamily.net/needlework/?page=view&id=51 Please call right away to reserve the last seat, 810-694-3040.

 

 

 

Finishing

What can a good finisher do for you?

Like anything in life, the final touches can mean a lot. A well stitched piece will look less than perfect if the finishing is done poorly. A simple piece will look outstanding if the finishing is high quality. How do I know? Well...I've finished a simple canvas that many of you have laughed at - and MANY of you have agreed with! It's a silly piece and the saying says "I haven't been the same since that house fell on my sister". I had an idea that this piece should have legs sticking out from it and maybe some red shoes...

WOW! Check out my dreams becoming a reality! Here's a close-up of those WONDERFUL SHOES!

Where do you find such a wonderful finisher? Do I keep her stashed in the back room? No. Am I her? HA HA HA! No way. If you're not already a customer of Homestead Needle Arts, then ask your local needlework shop to contact me and I'll be happy to give them the information they need.

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Trunk Shows - May

Prairie Schooler in Canvas!

 

Associated Talents - SPRING HAS SPRUNG!!!

 

 

 

March 22, 2008

 

This Just In…

I can’t believe it myself - , Amy Bunger already has another DVD out and two more on the way!  This one is Mop Tops and Buzz Cuts – Needlepoint Salon Secrets.  That’s right!  It’s all about HAIR!  Come on in for a look-see, I’m playing this one on our TV. or just order it sight unseen – if it’s Amy, it’s got to be good!

Included on DVD # 3 is instruction on Long Straight Stitches, Satin Stitches, Padded Satin, Random Split Stitch, Wrapped Backstitch Curls, Layers of Buttonhole Stitch

Stitches that “suggest” (don’t be getting ideas here girls – she’s talking about types of stitches!), Knots in Swirls, Tent in Swirls, All Over Knots, Gathered Stitch, Twisted Lazy Daisy, Couched Coils, Freeform Amadeus, Outline Stitch for Eye, Packed Rows for Eyebrow, Rya for Eyelashes (good idea, I never DID learn the Rya stitch!), and Gathered Ribbon for Eyelashes. 

Whew!  That’s a lot of information in one DVD.  Only $38.95, the video lasts 1 hour.  Hey!  That’s less than the cost of a class!  Remember, we also have DVD #1 Tips, Hints and Knots, and #2, A Closet Full of Stitches.  If you’re a big Amy fan and want to be on our automatic shipment list for these DVD’s, just let me know.  You’ll get the DVD’s as soon as I get them because I’m on Amy’s automatic shipment plan!

 

We’ve also just been notified of a price increase in Burmilana effective April 1.  So what do you do?  YOU RUN OVER HERE AND STOCK UP ON BURMILANA!!!  That’s right; I’ll hold the price until my next shipment.  Price is currently $2.10 for the regulars (red tags) and $2.60 for the tweeds (blue tags).  However after April 1 stocking the price will rise to $2.75 for either kind! YIKES!  That’s a huge increase.  So stock up now and avoid paying later! 

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March 19, 2008 Update

Oops!  I gave you the wrong dates on the Santa Star class.  It actually starts on Thursday, March 27 at 5:30 p.m. and continues for four fun weeks.  Only three spots open so hurry!

I bet you'd like to see it too - a picture is worth about a million of my words.  Here he is!  If this doesn't capture your heart, I don't know what will!  From his fluffy beard to his pointy shiny boots, this Santa will be a wonderful ornament OR stand-up done in plenty of time for Christmas.

$40 teaching fee, Materials fee of approx. $65 includes painted canvas, stitch guides, all threads.  Teaching fee due upon sign up. 

 

Are you signed up yet for the April Stitcher's Getaway?  You better hurry!  The rooms are filling fast.  This weekend is scheduled for April 25 through 27 in Sauder Village at the Sauder Heritage Inn in Archbold, Ohio.  This genteel inn boasts oversize rooms and a massive lobby with lots of spaces throughout to sit, stitch and relax.  Coffee and hot water all day is available in the lobby too!  You'll be impressed with the roominess in your room, our conference rooms and all over!  Everybody loved it in November so we scheduled it again. 

To sign up, I'll need your name and address, phone number, email if you have one, single or double room requirements and deposit of $100 per person.  Price will be $255 for a single and $165 each for a double.  The wine and cheese reception is ON in my room as the inn now sells bottled wine at the front desk!  I'm not kidding about signing up soon!  I'll try to book overflow rooms at the lodge next door.    Let me know if there's any merchandise or catalogs that you prefer to shop from while you're in attendance!

March 3, 2008 Update

Here's the latest in from Long Beach Market. It's my new shop mascot. She's looking down on us from the wall and smiling. Don't worry, she won't replace Star. This shop mascot doesn't move and given half a chance, I think Star would probably drag her away for a little fun in the mud - or snow depending on our Michigan weather. In 10 ct. this rug will work up quickly. If you don't want to walk on that sweet smiling face, just hang her on the wall.

 

Need a new frame weight? Why not stitch one for yourself? Here's my favorite that I finally bought at market. You can buy it too. There's a whole line of turtles with different designs. There's even some frogs out there if that's more your thing.

 

I still have to add these new colors of Caron Collection Snow to our website. Aren't they pretty? That dark blue is another perfect one for a night sky. I bought the oranges for pumpkins - you know how hard it is to find the perfect orange! It's like finding the perfect pumpkin! The green is a lot better looking in real life too. I'm a green lover lately and no, it's not all that advertising about going green.

I'm a recycler since I was a Girl Scout and that's too many years ago to tell you about! In fact, I think I have a birthday this month but it's still not a major one, so we just won't pretend it's happening. And yes, we all know it's better than the alternative! :-)

Theresa

 

The Weather

Star and I are getting sick of this weather. She's tired of the drive home taking so long and I'm tired of the ice on the roads. How's this for a picture - and before you look, don't yell at me for taking a picture while driving. It's a digital camera and I didn't need to look to take the picture. By the way, for those of you who don't have a heads-up display in their car, you can see my speed if you look really closely in the windshield at the bottom of the picture. You never have to look down at your dashboard. I love it. It shows you your radio station when you change it, when your turn signals are on and a little gas pump shows up when you need gas. Pretty dandy, huh? :-)

Speaking of Star, don't we need a picture of her? She had her first REAL grooming this week (February 20) and I hear she was rather behaved. She sure is cute! And she smells good too.

When she's not at work or crying because the drive is taking too long what do you think she's doing? Stitching? No. Sleeping? No. Trying to knock me over? :-)

Do you have a need for Needle Necessities thead but it's now out of existence?  There's a new GREAT company that can help.  ThreadworX is now in existence and they have beautiful wonderful overdyed threads that can fill the gap that Needle Necessities left behind.  They've provided us with a listing of the "competition's" colors and their colors...print it off and keep it with your stitching files.  Anytime you need something no longer available, browse our website and order the all new, all wonderful ThreadworX threads!  Comparison_Chart

JOIN A HOMESTEAD NEEDLE ARTS CLUB IN 2008

OH NO! Did you forget you wanted to join the 2008 Princess and Me Ornament Club? Hurry! There’s still time! Just sign up online on our website at www.homesteadneedlearts.com. These ornaments are cute and I’m already working on the second one so you can see them when they’re finished. Even if you don’t want me to send you anything until late January, let me know now so that I can get these painted for you and your threads on order. Remember, sign up and receive all 12 ornaments and you’ll get a surprise SPECIAL free 13th EXCLUSIVE ornament next December!

WILL THAT BE SILK OR COTTON?  Would you rather collect threads?  Improving your thread stash is a great New Year’s resolution!  This year we’re having another Thread Club.  It’s the Thread Type Club for 2008.  Instead of choosing certain colors, this year I’m going to send you threads based on type including silk, bamboo, metallics, cotton, rayon, etc.  Price per month is $35 or less (usually less) plus shipping unless you’d rather pick up your collection each month. Lots of people enjoyed our Thread Club last year and I think you’ll enjoy having a little piece of Homestead Needle Arts. 

MAKE MINE SPLENDORIFEROUS!  Another option is joining the Splendor Silk Club.  Every month you receive 10 cards of Rainbow Gallery Splendor Silk and only pay for 8.  With 360 beautiful silk colors, you can collect them all for only $27.60 per month plus shipping.   Do something nice for yourself this year and join the Splendor Silk Club.      

WHO IS ONE-YEAR-OLD?  (Hint - It’s not me!) Yes, our little Star is now on!  Here she is in her special birthday bow.

GREAT GIFTS FOR STITCHING BUDDIES:

Do you have lots stitchers in your life that you need some gift ideas for?  Here’s some very reasonably priced ones:

CHRISTMAS WALK:

We’re participating in something really fun this year – a Christmas Walk on Thursday, December 13th, 2007.  The

Christmas Walk is sponsored by Ewe to You Yarns located in the Old World Village shopping mall, Elaine’s Yarn Shop in Davison, The Bead Gallery located next to Starbuck’s and of course Homestead Needle Arts.

What’s a Christmas Walk?  Well, Kathy of Ewe to You Yarns had a great idea.  If you knit, you still have enough time to make a wonderful knitted and felted Christmas ornament and embellish it with embroidery and beads for the holidays for gifts or for your own tree!  She’s got patterns for mini socks and mittens.  I’ve got a darling sample right here in the shop.   All you have to do is visit our shops to pick up your supplies and ideas!  We’ll have light refreshments and Christmas cheer for you! 

I’ll be open until 7:00 that night as will the Bead Gallery and Ewe to You will be open until 8:00 p.m.   We’ll have a great time, so stop in and have some Christmas refreshments, say hello to Star and enjoy!

Theresa

Homestead Needle Arts, LLC Grand Blanc, MI

www.homesteadneedlearts.com 888-694-3040

shop@homesteadneedlearts.com 810-694-3040

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Ornament of the Month 2008

THE PRINCESS AND ME ORNAMENT OF THE MONTH CLUB BEGINS!!! It’s time to sign up for the 2008 Ornament of the Month Club. Now don’t get all freaked out. NOWHERE does it say that you have to keep up with your ornaments. WHERE CAN YOU SEE THEM?: Right below this article! 

PRICES: If you choose to purchase all 12 ornaments, you will receive your ornament canvas and stitch guide each month for $40.00 plus extra for the threads. These canvases are more than $50 each when purchased separately! If you don’t want the thread kits, the canvas only price will be $47. If you don’t want all 12, regular prices will apply for each one you choose.

WHEN WILL I GET WHICH ONE?:

January – Frosty in a Star

February - Christmas Candy

March – Catch a Falling Star

April – New Improved Princess

May – Little Friend

June –Speedy Delivery

July – Deerheart

August – Peekin’ In

September – MMM Good

October – Night at the Opera Santa

November – Down the Hill Fast

December – Keebler Klaus

THREAD KITS: How much will each one be? A lot of these have the same threads so...you can share threads between kits. And guess who gets to keep track of it for you? That’s right, ME! Please note, these prices do not include any Michigan sales tax, stretcher bars or shipping costs. They’re also based on you sharing threads between kits so if you get some thread kits and not all of them, your cost will be higher. These are currently my BEST ESTIMATES based on looking at the canvases and trying to figure out how much thread you need for each one. They use floss, LOTS of YLI metallic and non-metallic ribbon floss, Kreinik, Rainbow Gallery threads, and a few hard to find things that we'll be happy to find or substitute for you. These are currently my BEST ESTIMATES based on looking at the canvases and trying to figure out how much thread you need for each one. I'm going to stay as close to this as possible unless I find out that you need TWO of something instead of one, etc.

January threads - $11.25

February – 13.75

March – 19.75

April – 37.50

May – 18.00

June – 22.00

July - 21.75

August – 8.75

September – 9.75

October – will let you know – estimate $15 (I don’t have the thread list here yet)

November – 27.00

December – 16.15

SIGN UP: Please sign up by December 7 so I can get our count to Princess and Me. If you miss the deadline we’ll still add you but you might not get your January ornament in January!

HOW TO SIGN UP: Sign up is available on our website. Your credit card will be charged each month when your order is shipped. Use the “Go Shopping” button at the left and you’ll find it under Ornament of the Month Program. Put one in your cart, fill out the form and you're ready to go! I'll let you know that I've received your order!

SURPRISE!: If you sign up and complete your 12 month commitment you’ll receive an extra special surprise ornament at the end of the program! Believe me, you do NOT want to miss this one! I hope you’re as excited as I am. I could use 12 more happy ornaments on my tree!

   Frosty in a Star

   Night at the Opera Santa

 

 

   M-M-M Good!

 

 

   New Improved Princess   Christmas Candy

Speedy Delivery - I have to make sure they're still painting this one!

  Down the Hill Fast!   Deerheart   Keebler Klaus - I know you can't see his moustache or face but it IS there, I promise you!

  Catch a Falling Star

 

  Peekin' In

 

 

 

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Dear Stitchers,

New Twists on Needlework Embellishment by Suzanne Howren and Beth Robertson –

I know several of you have asked about this book.  It was due out in June but just arrived on our bookshelves last week due to late publication.  It’s here now though and I’ve read it over so I can review it for you and you can decide if you want to add it to your needlework library.

Perhaps you’ve been stitching for some time and don’t have access to a “canvas embellishment” teacher like I do (Kathy Fenchel).  I took a class with Suzanne and Beth at the last June market and learned new tips and tricks to further embellish a painted – or even a blank canvas that you’re designing yourself.   

Suzanne and Beth take you right through some basics about canvas embellishment – they’re not talking about playing up your canvas with fancy stitches and fun fibers – they’re talking about adding design elements to create shapes and bring objects to the foreground of the design.  The authors cover:

Padding – what to pad with and how to pad – I never thought of using string for padding – have you?  It makes great tree branches!

Appliqué including visible and invisible stitching – what materials to use and how to use them,

Couching – what to couch with, how to couch threads,

Altered threads – basically they tell you how to make and use twisted cord, which threads are great for creating a new color by threading another fiber through it, which threads are easiest to ruche because they have a built in interior thread or can be easily basted, and something I never thought of – threading wire through metallic threads and shaping it into words; they also cover brushing your threads such as wool for a furry look. 

Beading is covered including what kind of thread works best, what kind of stitches attach beads well, what ways you can attach them, what “cheater ways” there are (ever hear of beadlets?), loom work and they lightly discuss specialty beading stitches which left me wanting more.

Found objects are discussed and I had an eye-opening experience on how many places I’ve missed in finding FUN things to add to my needlepoint!

Backgrounds are suggested including color washing or putting fabric behind open canvas – something I’ve never even considered!  Darning patterns and lite stitching are covered oo. 

Throughout the book there are small pictures showing detail work of canvases as examples of their ideas.  In the back of the book the full picture is presented – all of these pictures disappointed me slightly.  I like BIG color pictures and these are about 2 x 2”.  Yes, they are fine but I really wanted to see them although I’m sure the reason they’re small is that 28 full color pictures would have made the book cost prohibitive.  Altogether, this is a good book crammed with great embellishment ideas.  At only $30 you’ll want to add this to your library.  Grab them now or wait for our next shipment!

Theresa

Homestead Needle Arts, LLC

Grand Blanc, MI

810-694-3040

888-694-3040

Email: shop@homesteadneedlearts.com

www.homesteadneedlearts.com

 

 

 

 The Princess and Me Trunk Show Arrives!

It's here!  The Princess and Me Trunk Show is here!  These DARLING ornaments are just the thing for everybody.  Not just Christmas, they also have birthday ornaments, sailing ornaments, golf ornaments, Halloween, cows, cheerleaders...just lots of great stuff!  They all come with a list of suggested threads and a stitch guide too!  No thinking required!  Or just use it as a suggestion list and go from there.  Here's a sampling of their Christmas ornaments they sent.

They use lots of happy colored threads, lots of glittery things - this is a great way to use up your stash threads.  If this doesn't bring you in, I don't know what will!  Can't make it in?  Just check this website for more goodies www.princessandme.com.  How about a picture of the non-Christmas types? 

And lastly, the Nativity they sent...

Happy browsing!  Just use our secure server if you want to order anything.   

 

 

Theresa

Homestead Needle Arts LLC

www.homesteadneedlearts.com

email:  shop@homesteadneedlearts.com

810-694-3040, 888-694-3040

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The Latest and Greatest on October 11, 2007

For those of you who didn't know it, DMC has come out with overdyed perle cotton #5 that they call Color Variations - these are colorfast cottons and are a great inexpensive way to try out a nice background with color changes that YOU don't have to make up.  How about a sunset with those fantastic oranges?  A sky?  A forest?  Check out these colors and then check out the canvases you already own and see what you can do.  At just $3 a skein I'm sure you can get into some minor trouble. 

               

 

What about this canvas?  I have three sisters and although I don't think ANY of them are "wicked" I do think they're all wicked good!  I thought this was so funny I actually bought multiples of this one.  At only $24.25 you can order one up today!

                                     

 

Yes it's true!  Needle Necessities IS out of business.  Rumors have been rampant but when I called, their answering machine told me everything - they are closed for good.  If you didn't already get your Needle Necessities floss DO NOT PANIC.  Another company had been in the works and was slated to appear at the January Market in California.  Called ThreadworX they stepped up production because of the sudden demand for their product.  We will be ordering their products over the next few months as they become available.  They will be carrying floss and a color crossover chart between the two companies.  As for the other fibers from Needle Necessities, I don't know.  I will let you know when I do know.  For now, this is what I've purchased.  Still only $3.50 each!     

                       

That's it for today until I recharge my camera battery.  Oh unless you want to see one of those crazy pictures of my dog...

                         

 

Theresa

Homestead Needle Arts LLC

www.homesteadneedlearts.com

email:  shop@homesteadneedlearts.com

810-694-3040, 888-694-3040

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Star at Nine Months Old!

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July, 2007 Newsletter

What’s new since the last time I wrote you? WOW! Let’s see, I’ve been to TWO markets, San Diego and Columbus. This was my first time to San Diego and there was a LOT more needlepoint at that market. I thought Columbus had a lot! Of course I overspent my budget at both markets. My Chief Financial Officer groused at me all the way home. The Chief Executive Officer told her to lay off. The Sales Director told them both that the customers will LOVE everything I bought. And the Inventory Clerk whined as she tried to find a place to put everything. (Good thing I don’t really have multiple personalities.)

Rainbow Gallery: John has brought out a new line of fiber this June called Panache. It’s 100% rayon. Now, don’t run away screaming! I already happen to have used this and it’s great! It’s about half the thickness of Patina with all the great sheen, shine and fresh look that rayon brings. You can use Panache one ply or two and there are 47 colors. John also introduced me to: …Ten new colors of Mandarin Floss …One new Wisper color …Four new colors of Petite Sparkle Rays …One new Neon Rays color …Nine new colors of Neon Rays Plus …Three new colors of Petite Frosty Rays …Three new colors of Flair that coordinates with the Petite Frosty Rays! …A Treasure Braid sampler card with six colors of Treasure Braid #12 on it in 2 yard pieces – handy! …Splendor Designer Collections – sampler cards with either six Christmas colors or six colors for Santa’s Rosy Cheeks. Easier than buying six full cards of Splendor. …Also be sure to see Rainbow’s other Designer collections in silk, Petite Treasure Braid and Blending Filament.

Our Splendor Club is going strong. If you didn’t join yet, consider joining! You get 10 beautiful silk Splendor colors every month for 3 years and only pay for 8! Sure it will take a while to get them all but the fun IS in the collecting! The price is being held at $3.45 each through the rest of 2007. That’s just $27.60 a month plus postage.

Vineyard Silks – if you haven’t been in the shop lately, you haven’t lived! We have the full line of 154 Classic (solid) colors and 18 Tone-on-Tone (overdyed) colors of Vineyard Silks. We will order any of the Shimmer (metallic blend) for you. This silk is heavenly to stitch with. You use it as is – no plying, no playing around. It’s 100% Chinese silk and is PERFECT for 18 ct. The manufacturer says use it one ply on 13/14 but I prefer to double ply it – that’s just me, do what you like. Wonderful hand (feel), beautiful colors, easy to use – I’m using it on my grandson’s stocking and I can’t say enough nice things. Oh yes, and the distributor is a little doll to work with too! :-) Only $4.50 a skein for the solid colors, $5.15 for the tone-on-tone, I would recommend this to anybody looking for something easy to work with. Yum yum! We do love our silks!

Speaking of which, did I tell you I brought in the WHOLE LINE of Gloriana? This is a “to die for” overdyed 12 strand silk thread in luscious shades that you can do anything with. Come and see the purse flap I stitched using one of their red overdyes in the shaded area and silk Splendor in the solid area. It’s gorgeous according to the finisher! There are over 100 beautiful different overdyed colors and you could make an entire piece around them.

Books – A new Bargello book from Iona Dettelbach is making a huge hit here. Bargello is making a comeback as well it should. This easy-to-do, timeless classic has more places in your home than on the footstool. Check out this book with 24 projects, teaching you to also design your own bargello. Called Creating Contemporary Bargello, you can check out this book right here at Homestead. Only $34.95.

Not here yet, but coming soon: New Twists on Needlepoint Embellishment by the Thread Technique Team due out August 30th and Diaper Patterns by Ann Strite-Kurz.

DVD’s – Amy Bunger came out with TWO of them – the first called Tips, Hints and Knots takes you from threading your needle and anchoring your thread including all kinds of starting techniques like waste knots, pinhead, bargello tuck and more. Then she shows you knots including bullions, colonial knots, French knots. You’ll also learn fun specialty stitches like sliding ShimmerBlend ribbon floss or Sparkle Rays, detached bullions, twisted cord fringe and the gathered stitch. I guess the best part is that you can stop it and play it again and again! The camera work is wonderful – you can really see what she’s doing. A Closet Full of Stitches shows you a lot of wonderful stitches that she suggests for a canvas of clothing but you can use these on anything you’ve got in your project bags. Here’s just a few – using wool roving, woven stitch, diamond eyelet, pulled ribbon, nobuko, corduroy stitch, and of course lots more hints and ideas.

Charts, charts and more charts! I think I hit the jackpot at Columbus. I have charts from Caron Collection, charts from Rainbow Gallery and charts from Finger Step Designs. If you prefer charted work, come on in and browse our new charts.

Hand painted canvas – what are you kidding? I can’t list them all here. I think I bought something from everybody! I have FAR TO MANY PAINTED CANVASES IN THE SHOP! That’s why I’m going to Phoenix in August to buy some more. Your job? To keep coming in, seeing what you like and taking it home with you! Let me know what you like so I keep it coming in! ********************************************************* It’s back!!! THE WORLD’S BEST NEEDLEPOINT GARAGE SALE COMING TO GRAND BLANC AGAIN on JULY 26, 27, 28.

Where can you find a painted canvas for $5? A scroll frame for less than half of what it should be? Out of print books? Bag o’ threads? Right here at the World’s Best Needlepoint Garage Sale.

Brought to you year after year by popular demand, we have a few rules to make this easier for everybody. Come in and pick up a sign up sheet right away if you want to participate by SELLING.

RULES

1. Your items must be needlepoint related. That includes canvas of any type or size, fibers of any type or size, needlework related books, stitching tools of any type or size. NO MAGAZINES, NO CROSS STITCH, NO KNITTING ETC.

2. Your items must be marked with your price wanted and your initials – clearly on a tag please that we can all find it! Leave me some room to number the tag so I can check your items in and out for you!

3. It’s best to put small items in a clear plastic zip lock bag. Canvases MUST also be in plastic bags to keep them clean! Very very large canvases (i.e. rugs) can not be done this way but everything else can and should be. Books need not be. Stands need not be. Fibers should be to keep them together. Yes, started projects are acceptable for the garage sale!

4. Drop off of items is July 20, 21, 24 and 25. PLEASE DON’T ASK FOR EARLY DROP OFF – WE DON’T HAVE THE SPACE! Have a friend drop off for you.

5. Come back and shop for yourself from July 26 through July 28. There are GREAT DEALS here. The garage sale is only successful because there are BUYERS as well as SELLERS. Be sure to support your friends who are supporting you!

6. Come back and pick up your unsold items and find out your shop credit from July 31 through August 4. NO early pickups please. Why? After the garage sale ends Saturday I sort it all out, make sure that your items unsold and sold match on your sheet and figure your shop credit. I can’t do that with you standing there waiting or if you already picked it up. Don’t want your items back? No problem! Let me know and they will be donated or disposed of in some other manner. Any items not picked up by the deadline will also be disposed of! Remember, I can’t store them.

7. SPEND your shop credit by 12/15/07. Turn those old unwanted treasures into a new Lowery stand, a beautiful new painted canvas, a treasure of new threads – whatever you want! Shop credit is good on all merchandise but not on teaching fees, getaways, etc.

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MICHIGAN STITCHES- A SHOP HOP ADVENTURE September 7 through 17th, 2007

It’s the first ever (that I know of) Michigan needlework shop hop put on by your local needlework shops - and I’m included! Some of us shops got together and decided you guys needed a good time! So here it is, in the form of a shop hop. What’s more fun than shopping with your buddies, winning free prizes, getting discounts and exploring Michigan?

Here’s what you do! Come visit me and buy your “passport” for only $5.00. You’ll receive a free gift just for doing so. You’ll then be registered for the GRAND PRIZE which includes a battery operated Ott-Lite, one each of all the Gentle Arts Sampler Threads, new Gingher embroidery scissors, project bags and lots more all in a Longaberger basket!

You’ll also be registered for SEVEN second place prizes. This is going to be a great time to get together with your friends, gas up the vehicle (I suggest a van) and pick a couple of days to shop the seven participating Michigan stitching stores. Every shop on the list will give you a free gift just for visiting! You’ll get a 20% storewide discount (some items excluded of course) because we want you to have FUN on your SHOP HOP ADVENTURE! Free gifts, shopping with friends, Michigan in the fall – what could be better? I’ll have passports available after August 1.

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GLORIANA HEART CHALLENGE!!! – or WHAT DOES YOUR HEART DESIRE?

It’s time to get creative! I want you to try Gloriana silk and love it. In order to encourage you to try it, I’ve come up with a contest. All you have to do is stitch a heart! The heart is approximately 4-1/2” across and will be drawn for you on a piece of white 18 ct. canvas – you’ll need to purchase that and at least two skeins of Gloriana silk. Then go to town! Add other threads if you want or use only Gloriana silk. Try new stitches or try your old favorites. Plan it out or don’t plan it at all! Do a background or don’t. All stitching MUST be finished BUT the heart piece does not need to be finished into a framed piece or pillow or ornament unless you want it to be. Do what your heart desires.

I will not be giving ANY advice or help on your heart. You will be the master of your creation. Hearts will be due in the shop on Thursday, January 31. That gives you more than SIX MONTHS to do this. Internet customers are encouraged to join in on the fun!!! The finished hearts will be displayed in the shop for at least two weeks AND during that time they will be judged (no I’m NOT doing the judging). There will be three prizes if we have at least 75 entries.

The Grand Prize will be (hold your breath, this is REALLY something) ONE SKEIN OF EVERY GLORIANA SILK FLOSS COLOR!!! Currently that’s 129 colors at a value of $6.75 a skein. That’s over $870 in silk! WOW! Second and People’s Choice prize is 10 skeins of Gloriana silk and a “Grand Collection” (one of each type of all their lines). If we do not receive at least 75 entries, the prizes will be decreased as necessary. You can register and pick up your canvas and threads beginning July 17. Each person is limited to 6 entries please!

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Put this date on your calendar: Fall Stitcher’s Getaway Weekend – November 16 through 18, Ohio If you’re interested in going and you don’t receive another newsletter by September 30th, CALL ME at 810-694-3040 to get the information sent to you. Please help me out with this! If you don’t have email, it’s hard for me to know that you’re interested! Don’t call now; I don’t have any information on pricing or rooms yet.

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Classes listed on our Classes page.

Thank you again for supporting Homestead Needle Arts.

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May 18, 2007

 

A quick picture of Gail Sirna's Sunflower Santa to be taught at the National ANG Seminar in Baltimore, Maryland.  Yes!  We have Gail's book, In Praise of the Needlewoman: Embroiderer's, Lacemakers, Knitters and Weavers in Art - just check our website!

 

 

March 1, 2007 

 

Hello Needlepointers!

I’m back from visiting my new grandson and he’s a keeper!   Such a cute little guy and so smart to love his grandma.  I wanted to smuggle him home but I wasn’t sure where I’d keep him in the shop – plus he eats every two hours!  I missed my little Star too - and she grew while I was gone!

   

Anyway, I have a LOT to tell you so, get ready!

First of all, we have more classes coming up.  These were all in the newsletter but a little reminder never hurts, right? 

CLASSES:  Marion returns to teach David McCaskill’s Ornametns of the Millennium starting Saturday, March 10 from 10:30 to 12:30.  This beautiful stitched bowl of ornaments can be finished into a weighted stand up pillow that you’ll have done in time for Christmas.  Each month you stitch 2 to 3 ornaments on the line drawn canvas using all kinds of fun fibers.  Consider this one but CALL NOW so that I can order your canvas for you.

Canvas Embellishment with Becky returns on Saturday, March 24.  We’ve been waiting for Becky to return from her other obligations - you know, her “real” job.  Anyway, hurry and sign up because her class fills fast.  As usual, class is 10 to 4:30 with a lunch break for only $50.  Purchase or bring any canvas and get lots of ideas for stitches and fibers to get you going again.

MARCH TRUNK SHOW:  Sandy Grossman-Morris Designs!!!  You’ve seen these if you came to the Three Year Anniversary.  Sandy is a new designer and her stuff is cute!  She has a paper doll canvas that I think we should do some kind of challenge on.  There are great child pieces that you can do for nightlights, lighthouses and more.  I expect the show here next week but I already have the catalog and of course you can visit her website at www.sandygrossman-morris.com.  These are computer (printer) painted designs so the prices are very reasonable.

EVERTITE STRETCHER BARS:  You asked for them so they’re here.  I’m carrying up to 14” right now and YES I will order the larger sizes for you and I’ll start carrying them as you start ordering them!  Please note that the small sizes are also PERFECT FOR PUNCHNEEDLE.  They hold your piece perfectly tight and you can tighten it more as needed.  Just ask! 

I’ll have the Spring Stitcher’s Getaway Weekend information available next week so please keep an eye on your email.  As soon as I have the information you’ll have it! 

Thanks and keep stitching!

Theresa

               February 8, 2007

 

First I want you to help me welcome a new addition to my sales staff.  As you know there’s me and now there’s a new member.  Her name is Star and she’s 8 weeks old.  I know that seems a little young but she’s very experienced in retail.  She’s cute, outgoing, easygoing, adorable and knows that the customer is always right.  No matter how you feel when you come in, you’ll feel better after talking to Star.  She’s a hands-on kind of salesperson as you’ll find out.  She does take a lot of naps and bathroom breaks but…that’ll change as she gets older.