BIRDS OF A FEATHER MYSTERY SAMPLER

Have you read about Mystery Samplers in some of your groups? Well Brenda Gervais of Country Stitches/With Thy Needle & Thread is bringing the cross stitch world a Mystery Sampler! She has brought us beautiful designs in the past and is continuing to do so this season. This Mystery Sampler will have 3 parts. May 10 is the first scheduled release. This chart will detail the border. It will be followed by 2 charts detailing the alphabet and the middle of the sampler. These are scheduled for release on June 10 and July 10. The Sampler calls for a 35 count Weeks Dye Works confederate grey linen but we will also have the same fabric available in 30 and 40 counts. 18 Weeks Dye Works overdyed flosses (some are multiples of same color) are needed to complete the sampler. If you preorder the 3 charts, fabric and floss I will offer a 15% discount; preorder the 3 charts and fabric and save 10% .

TRUNK SHOW

It's just been firmed up that Lila Umstead of Lila's Studio will be making a special appearance at Just Cross Stitch on Saturday April 16 from 1-4. This is the first day of her Trunk Show. She has given us 12 of her new charts to give out to the first 12 customers who purchase one of her charts at the trunk show. So mark your calendars and come out and meet our local designer, Lila.

Just into the shoppe are the new LHN ornament, Deck the Halls.

APRIL & MAY EVENTS

This April we will be having a Trunk Show featuring Lila's Studio, our local designer. If you get Just Cross Stitch magazine, the March/April 2011 issue featured a 2 page spread on Lila, followed by 2 designs and finishing instructions. Lila's samples will be on display and her charts will be available for purchase. They will be on display from Saturday April 16 through Sunday May 1. Mark your calendar and come check it out! You can preview her designs at www.lilastudio.net.

This year, to me, is strange and I guess it's all because Easter is so late this year. But you know it is now spring and, if you really admit it, it is time for that thing called spring cleaning. I don't know how many of us do it, but I know I don't do it like my mother did it. But start thinking about 'spring cleaning' your cross stitch supplies. NOW, is the time to start thinking about our STASH TO TREASURE event Memorial Day weekend. We will start accepting donations around mid April. Hey!!! Come check our Lila's Studio Trunk Show mid April and leave your donations for our Memorial Day weekend event.

For those who may not know about our STASH TO TREASURE event, here's what it is all about. We accept cross stitch charts, thread, fabric, whatever as a donation. We'll even take knitting or crochet patterns to rug hooking supplies. On Saturday May 28th, we'll put out all the donations for view by you, the consumer. You come and browse and take home 'new' supplies all for a CASH OR CHECK donation. All monies received are donated to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This is a great way to recycle your unwanted Stash, which can become someone's Treasure. All for a Good Cause.

Some new charts came in today and we've been getting some new fabric in lately. Come check it all out!

Our Easter Feather Tree class was a huge success. Unfortunately, moi forgot a camera.
If you were unable to attend, keep this in mind - we may have another class in July. You could make a green or white tree for Christmas or how about a black tree for Halloween!

NEW RELEASES FROM LITTLEHOUSE NEEDLEWORKS

Here they are!!! Three new releases. The 3rd ornament for 2011 is Deck the Halls and is on its way to my distributor as we speak. Liberty and The Thirteen Colonies should be released very shortly.

Just make a note: If you are going to stitch the Thirteen Colonies, the center looks like it is completely stitched. This could cause problems in framing. To avoid a problem, make sure you use a Q-Snap, or other device, to stitch this area so your tension will not become a problem. If this area is completely stitched, it will not stretch, in the framing process, like the rest of the piece. If it is stitched too tightly, puckers could occur that will not be able to be eliminated in the stretching process. If you take care, you shouldn't have any problem. Just wanted to give you a head's up!

NEW FABRICS

Been talking about new charts arriving, here are some new colors from Zweigart. The photo showing 3 colors are all new 32 Lugana colors. Top to bottom: Pearl Grey, Ash Rose and Silvery Moon. The other photo contains 36 Edinburgh linen Autumn and 16 Aida Opalescent Seaside Twilight. Currently, these new colors are only in the counts listed.

BALTIMORE GARDEN QUILT

The free pattern for the Baltimore Garden Quilt from Handblessings has arrived! The chart is stitched on 28 count coffee Jobelan, which is on order, and uses Gentle Art threads: Spring Grass (3); Red Plum (2); Pine; Cherry Wine; Autumn Leaves; Ohio Lemon Pie; Purple Iris; and Berry Cobbler.

Just a little history on this type of quilt: The Baltimore Quilt applique designs appeared in the 1840's. Unlike the usual scrap quilts, these were made with mostly new material. Each block was completed and signed and then the blocks would be sewn together to create the large quilt.

This Baltimore Garden Quilt is accented with a charm pack but the piece can be considered complete without charms. The pack is available for $14.25 and we have a few available.

Call or email me to be put on the list for this latest free pattern from Handblessings.

Bad news is never good and it is always hard to deliver. If you love primitive stitchery, you probably know the designs of Lisa Roswell from The Primitive Needle. She passed away this past weekend in a freak accident. Her car was swept away by high water in Ohio. This is a good lesson to heed, never ever drive through a 'puddle' if you can't determine the depth. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family. She was only 51 and survived by her husband and 3 grown children.