September 9, 2010
Here's the Earth and Sky Trunk Show with FINISHED ITEMS!
Adorable hearts at the bottom, great southwest, teapots, sunflowers, florals, landscapes...I LOVE those dark birds flying through the birch trees.
A side shot so you can see the small kimonos and some more of the florals. You can see better detail at her website, www.earthandskydesigns.com.
Here's two of the pictures in mats. Great!
These are called Whizzits and are stitched faces surround by beads. The kit contains the fabric and instructions for finishing. They're all cute but I think the pumpkin and witch are really great.
Here are four pictures framed as one and a checkerboard bird done as a small pillow. The other three items are needlecases and the colors are beautiful.
This is called Crow Goddess. She comes with our "favorite thing" - a stitch guide! She's done here as a large standup.
That's it for this month's trunk show. If you want any of these canvases or see something online, just call or email me.
Theresa
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September, 2010
A quick pic of some of this year's Trees of the Month back from the finisher - that wonderful patriotic one was stitched by Suzanne B. The little frog frame weight is mine and doesn't really belong but was on the same shelf!
August 20, 2010
Hello again from Vacation Land!
More pictures in case you want to see them! More animals of course. Just be happy I'm not posting EVERYTHING I took pictures of...
Hey, even the construction looks better when you're on vacation! :-)
Elk...with velvet on his antlers.
Black bear having breakfast at Yellowstone National Park. Gee, how do you think I knew it was breakfast? You've got to get up PRETTY EARLY to see a bear!
Great waterfall! But those braids? Yikes!
I was watching this darling eagle across the river when he (she?) decided to fly closer to ME! What a thrill. Of course with the wonder of digital cameras and the computer I was able to make it as big as it was in my binoculars!
Who could this be? :-)
That's it! I think we have to think about driving back now. We're still trying to decide what route to drive home. I guess we might be seeing a LOT of cornfields unless we do something CRAZY and pick a new route. See you soon!
Theresa
Homestead Needle Arts LLC
Grand Blanc, MI
810-694-3040, 888-694-3040
www.homesteadneedlearts.com
email: shop@homesteadneedlearts.com
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August 14, 2010
Dear Stitchers,
Following are a few of the many pictures I’ve taken so far on vacation. Here’s an idea of what I’ve seen…very little of it has to do with stitching!
Check out the size of the Jackalopes in South Dakota! Oh come ON! You have to be a little bit foolish on vacation!
Custer State Park – this is in South Dakota and the views were beautiful.
My new BFF (best friend forever). I want to breed Prairie Dogs at home (they are dogs, right?) but Mike seems to be worried about the lawn. :-)
Close enough for me thanks! I have already seen so many bison (buffalo) that I can’t believe it. This crowd decided to cross the road RIGHT behind our car. Incredible!
Okay, so, their hair looks better than mine, what can I say?
This tunnel is called “The Needle’s Eye” and only one at a time please! We drove the Needle Highway and it’s called that for a reason! The rocks are all pointy and look like needles. There were several tunnels that you had to manuveur through.
Burro and her baby – just adorable and MUCH further away than this picture looks. Thank goodness for digital cameras!
Hope you enjoyed this little window into my vacation! I have lots more but don't want to bore you.
Don't forget, we'll be open next Saturday for your convenience! Janet would love to see you, so be sure to stop by and stock up on your needlepoint needs. I'll just keep goofing off until we meet again!
Theresa
Homestead Needle Arts LLC
Grand Blanc, MI
810-694-3040, 888-694-3040
www.homesteadneedlearts.com
email: shop@homesteadneedlearts.com
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Hello Stitchers!
Hold onto your hats, here comes the first wave from Market! I hope you like pictures. Let’s start with the books...
Book Reviews:
Colorful Stitches for Over-dye Threads by June McKnight – spiral bound, 141 pages, $38. This is one of June’s little books that are so convenient to have nearby. She explains the multiple terms used in describing threads and dyed threads, types of dyeing techniques, how certain threads take to dyes, and hints on manipulating color in overdyed threads. She then gives you just under 100 pages showing on one side a stitched worked in an overdyed thread and the graphed version of that stitch on the facing page. This can give the stitcher an idea of what their thread will look like in that stitch. You might also fall in love with some of the colors shown and luckily, she names them for you. You’ll enjoy this new tiny treasure from June.
Potpourri of Pattern Encore, A Collection of Previously Unpublished Patterns for Canvas and Counted Thread Use by Ann Strite-Kurz – comb bound, 130 pages, $42.50. This book is intended to supplement material provided in Ann’s earlier books and most patterns presented are composite arrangements with two or more steps. Ann fans will understand that most of her stitch patterns are open but some are denser and using heavier threads will change your outcome even more. She gives an introduction and reviews techniques used, then includes 22 color pages of patterns and the front and back covers. In the rest of the chapters she explains the background patterns, border patterns, laid filings, composite patterns, diaper patterns and finally has an exercise in color comparisons. This book is akin to taking a class with Ann!
Stumpwork Medieval Flora by Jane Nicholas – hard cover, 286 pages, $32.95. Here’s the latest from Jane! She has had a long fascination with illuminated manuscripts from the medieval era (some pictures included of those) and was inspired to work eight flowers in stumpwork embroidery. Five are worked as botanical specimens with their Latin names below them and three as illuminated panels – all eight are of course, beautiful. This book takes you through each piece and teaches you how to reproduce them for yourself. The flowers and bugs included are Corncockle and Dragonfly, Herb Robert and Caterpillar, Star of Bethlehem and Grasshopper, Tansy and Damselfly, Venus’ Looking Glass and Bumblebee, the panels include Bittersweet and Butterfly (you can do this one for me!), Snowdrop and Cranefly, and Wild Pea and Longhorn Moth. Of course this book is beautiful!
Rainbow Gallery - New Thread Colors!
Silk Lame’ Braid for 13 ct now comes in the following fifteen colors (already available in Silk Lame’ for 18 ct.) Dark Antique Blue, Lite Lavender, Lagoon, Pumpkin, Dark Chocolate, Emerald, Black Sparkle, Pale Avocado, Lite Peach, Lite Chartreuse, Pale Lavender, Pale Pink, Wild Rose, Peacock Blue.
Silk Lame’ Braid for 18 ct. now available in TEN new colors!: SL78 Cherry, SL79 Dark Cherry, SL80 Pink Carnation, SL81 Platinum, SL82 Lite China Blue, SL83 Dark Turquoise, SL84 Dark Orchid, SL85 Tangerine, SL86 Deep Forest Green,SL87 Bark
Wisper has FOURTEEN new colors! W107 Antique White,W108 Flamingo Pink, W109 Mink, W110 Elephant Gray, W111 Honey Blond,W112 Taupe Heather,W113 Palomino, W114 Camel, W115 Pumpkin, W116 Fox Red, W117 Root Beer, W118 Dark Chocolate, W119 Espresso, W120 Chinchilla. You’ll probably need one of each of these for your stash because who doesn’t need to stitch animals?
Fuzzy Stuff has FOUR news colors – FZ38 Blond, FZ39 Cinnamon, FZ40 Dark Emerald, and FZ41 Dark Pearl Gray. Yummy!
Sparkle Rays has TWO new colors in PLENTY of time to get your Halloween done – SR77 Pumpkin and SR78 Dark Pumpkin.
Soft Sheen Fyre Works has TWO new colors FT63 Vintage Silver and FT 64 Dark Aqua.
Coronet Braid has two new golds that we’ll be happy to order if you need them 39B True Gold, Size 4 and 79B True Gold Size 8.
Petite Very Velvet and Very Velvet has SEVEN new colors EACH! Of course we know they look the same but their width is different. We always carry Petite Very Velvet because so many of you stitch on 18 ct. but we’re happy to order Very Velvet for you – just ask! The new colors are V676 – Charcoal, V677 Dark Fuchsia, V678 Turquoise, V679 Brite Orange, V680 Bubble Gum, V681 Sky Blue and V682 Scarlet.
Handy Blue Magnets are back in stock. Smoother, stronger and still just as reasonable, you get two sets in a package for just $7.75.
Vineyard Silk – TWELVE New Thread Colors - Pale Ale, Simply Simmered, Paradise Pale, Blue Lace, North Sea Green, Mallard Green, Nautical, Seaport, Sapphire, Wellesley Whistle, Gentlemen’s Grey and Polo Blue.
Brown Paper Packages - FOUR new colors of Silk and Ivory all in beautiful pale colors – 221 Petal, 222 Glacier, 223 Posie, and 224 Pearl. We don’t carry the FULL line but we will always order any color you want. Did you know that you can order this in half hanks and full hanks? We carry skeins which are 28.8 yards. Full hanks are 600 yards – sometimes a hank or half hank is a better value when you’re doing a large piece. Just ask for a price and save!
Kreinik now has Tree Jewels – a Christmas ornament kit. They come in 3 different styles and 3 colorways. The three styles are Star, Florentine and Candy Stripe and the colorways are Urban, Vintage and Classic. The kits include full instructions INCLUDING finishing (you can also see photos on their website), canvas, threads and needle – even the Styrofoam ball is included. Call or email to order them now. Kreinik suggests saving the circular box to store the ornament in. Only $44.00 these were designed by Anna Marie-Winter.
While at market (and afterwards) I sometimes find that my own website could use an update (imagine that!) I found several vendors that I needed to include on my Designer page. The first is my Needlework Group! I belong to TNNA (the National NeedleArts Association) and through that, I belong to the very active Needlework Group. Our aim is to educate the public regarding needlepoint. For that reason, we’ve put up a website under www.worldofneedlepoint.com. I’ve put a link to it on my Designer page at the very top. Here you can see all kinds of things that I see at market including actual designers (gasp), pictures of their finished items, new canvases, other people’s finished items and current articles on designers and shops. Have a look! Also, I have more designers to add to my page so you’ll want to look for the ones that say “New Link” in RED text that will designate that they’re new to the website. Enjoy browsing!
I have to start processing the NEW painted canvases that are coming in now so start watching the website under “What’s New” in the next couple days…and stitch on!
Theresa
Homestead Needle Arts LLC
Grand Blanc, Michigan
810-694-3040, 888-694-3040
www.homesteadneedlearts.com
email: shop@homesteadneedlearts.com
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Items I have or saw at the June 2010 Market
Party Animals!
Here's my favorite - see all the Party Animals at the shop or email me for the link. Buy Miss Kitty and receive a free stitch guide by John Waddell.
Here's a beautiful floral I can order for you...just call or email for prices on any of these pieces. 
I ordered these wonderful stockings - look for a class on them in the future...
There are TWELVE of these cuties. Each penguin has a different scarf and is holding a different item. You can do one for every month of the year!
And here's a new NOEL piece you might want me to order.
May 7, 2010
Here are a few pictures of the Raymond Crawford trunk show NOW IN THE SHOP! I hope you find something engaging...I especially like the Mr. and Mrs. in the lower left corner.
I hope you enJOY the Christimas pieces...
and are not afraid of the boo-tiful Halloween canvases...
including these cupcakes and pointy witch's hats.
If you need something smaller to stitch on your summer vacations, we have just the ticket - lots of 5" squares.
Time to go out and garden? Or if it's raining, maybe you could work on these...
And then have a little drink before dinner...
Here's hoping these pictures have set your heart "a-flutter".
Oh p.s., there's a lot more that I didn't include in the pictures - stocking toppers, ornaments, fall themes, mini socks, more butterflies, baby announcements...we're just CRAZY with canvas here!
Theresa
Homestead Needle Arts LLC
April 29, 2010
Dear Needlepointing Friends,
I bet you thought I was ignoring you! Not so. Over the past long weekend, I have flown to Dallas (in 3 planes) bought over 150 canvases and kits (and ordered some too) and flown back – also in 3 planes. Yes, I had a good time seeing all the new canvases. Yes, I bought too much as I spent half of my June budget. YES, IT WAS CASH AND CARRY!!! What does that mean to you?
It’s here. Here IN THE SHOP. Now. First come, first served, as the saying goes. Some of these canvases WON’T be seen by other shops until June. That’s right! Those attending Dallas market get a jump on NEW. A little preview of those canvases includes two of the Floozies by Leigh Designs – don’t want the two I bought? I can order any of them for you RIGHT NOW and get them because I attended Dallas. How about the Party Animals? Those were the rage in Dallas AND I took the Miss Kitty’s Birthday Party class so YOU can have a stitch guide too. But only here at Homestead Needle Arts!
I’ve got NEW DARLING dog and cat frame weights to be stitched, NEW box and heart polka dotted pieces, a mermaid AND her laundry, FIVE full size Christmas stockings, one of them hot off the painter’s brush, the LATEST Kelly Clark Christmas Basket – so new, the embellishments weren’t even ready, NEW penguins, a NEW designer from Louisiana with crosses, voodoo and geometrics, the MOST beautiful rabbit’s nest with strawberry border, a beautiful Halloween House, a NEW Halloween tree, and of course, ornaments and mini socks along with Stitch and Zips and Canoodle kits. I also have Dinky Dyes silk perle #5, the full line - for those of you that wanted another twisted thread option. A picture is worth a thousand words though, right? Here are the large canvases that I put on the wall. The smaller ones are in a bin and just waiting for you to look through them…
The floozies have the lavender background and check out those party girls above and the mermaid below. You can almost see the bunnies to the right and the dog frame weight at the very bottom...
The sun over those hills and flowers is stunning. Here's a couple of Sharon G's that have been so popular. There are those polka dot lovelies I told you about. How about those dogs? Oops, looks like I cut off the cat frame weight! In between these there are florals including a Mindy...
Here's a great new Christmas stocking, some favorite Halloweens and two new ones.
More new stockings, some classics and some baby samplers. I just can't get enough of these dogs either! That bottom one is another box, this one with animals and a treetop.
And here are the new PARTY ANIMALS. There's six but more are coming. Get them now!
Coming on May 8th is the RAYMOND CRAWFORD TRUNK SHOW! Our May 19th class is full BUT you can be on the list for the next class. Due to popularity, the cost should be less than the anticipated $140. So call and get on the list as I’m thinking $125 will be more in line with the teaching fee as long as that class fills too. 
Also, if you're interested in "Kelly's Club" which is the Patterned Pears that you've seen in "Needlepoint Now", contact me to be in the Club. I only need three people to be a participating retailer! You'll receive the 12 pear canvases and stitch guides, threads and accessories. I saw these pears in real life at the Dallas market and they are truly beautiful. They would make beautiful ornaments for your tree or have a themed tree with pears only! Call me to sign up and I'll get you pricing information. Here are 3 of the 12 pears.
Keep stitching!
Theresa
Homestead Needle Arts LLC
Grand Blanc, MI
810-694-3040, 888-694-3040
www.homesteadNeedle Arts.com
email: shop@homesteadNeedle Arts.com
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