Monday, July 14, 2014

Back to work. Vacation is over :(



I'm now back from vacation. My family and I had a great time in DC but it is nice to be back at home. I spent most of the weekend doing laundry and unfortunately, very little stitching. Although, I was able to stitch some in the hotel. Hopefully, I will be able to finish my "travel" project this week.

I'm going to post some items that may have already arrived in the shop as well as, things that are on the way. It looks like I missed out on some great things while I was gone and I want to share what I found with you.


NEW     NEW     NEW     NEW     NEW     NEW    

From Country Cottage Needleworks
A new 12 part series will be releasing in mid-August called....

Country Cottage Ornaments - Classic Collection

The ornaments in this series will all be different sizes and done with a variety of fabrics and flosses. A button from Just Another Button Co. will also be used but it is optional. It is not included with the designs. In keeping with the "classic" Christmas theme, all the ornaments will be done in the colors of red, green and white. The first ornament will release in August and is called "Angels".  Sign up now! You don't want to miss out on this wonderful new series.


From Little House Needleworks
The final part in the Sun, Moon & Stars series. I like these designs together. It would make a nice shop model. I think I will suggest it. I'm sure that Carol needs something to do (ha ha).

Under the Sun
part 3 in the Sun, Moon & Stars series

Sun, Moon & Stars - all 3 parts together


From CM Designs
I love this design. The simplicity of it is truly wonderful and the best part is that the embellishments come with the design. You do not have to go looking for buttons and 
lace:)

Blossom


From Kelmscott
New needle minders and scissors. 

                   Teapot                                Folk Art Uncle Sam
         Needle Minder                             Needle Minder




     
Roly Poly Scissors
These 3.5" scissors have round handles with long,
sharp and pointy blades. They are available in 3 colors:
Primitive, Red, and Silver.


From The Cross Eyed Cricket

July

August


With Thy Needle & Thread
Three beautiful new samplers. It's hard to pick a favorite. 

Mary Jane Smallman 1836

Heart of the Home Sampler

Sampler Hill


From Homespun Elegance
"Wine Is" is the first design in a new collection called A Joyful Life. This collection is all about those little or big things that bring us joy, happiness, etc.  Sometimes it might be just a saying that you may relate to. I can relate to "Coffee is a cup of Bliss". I'm having my 2nd cup of bliss right now :)


 
Wine Is... Coffee Is... Tea is
(all three designs are in one leaflet)

A Halloween Year II - Double Trouble


From Threadwork Primitives
What a cute pillow. I just might have to add this design to my stash. 

Anchor of Pride


From Kathy Barrick
Rodney is a companion piece to another design called Rebecca. They do make quite an adorable pair.

 
  Rodney                           Rebecca


From Elizabeth's Designs
Three new letters in the alphabet series.

R is for Rabbits                           S is for Sheep

T is for Threads


From Pineberry Lane

Hurrah Sampler Pillow


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STITCHING TIPS
 AND 
TECHNIQUES



Thread Length - How Long should you cut your thread?

Well, I suggest using a length that is comfortable for you but remember, if you try to work with a really long length, it tends to tangle and get knotted. If you work with a short length, you will be threading your needle more often. A recommended length is 18" - 20" or twice that if the thread will be doubled for the loop method. Again, find a length that works for you. Also, metallic threads should be cut a little shorter to help prevent fraying.


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For Your Information

Now through August 31, 2014
The Stitch and Frame Shop will be having....

CYBER SUNDAYS


A 10% discount will be given on all ONLINE orders that are received 
on Sundays now through August 31, 2014.

This discount CANNOT be combined with birthday discounts, other sales or coupons.
It also EXCLUDES custom framing, lights, magnifiers, stitching stands and scroll frames.

Also, orders over $150.00 will ship for FREE!



Have a great week!


Monday, June 30, 2014

The summer is just flying by!

Where did June go? I can't believe that tomorrow is already July 1st. This summer really is flying by. I hope everyone is enjoying the summer and maybe able to take some time off. My family and I will be on vacation next week. We are taking the kids to DC. They have never been and we are all looking forward to it (despite the heat). Needless to say, I will not be blogging next week. I will have some catching up to do when I blog again on July 14th.

I might not have my clothes packed yet but I do have a cross stitch project ready to take. My vacation project this year is "Sweet Land of Liberty" from Heartstring Samplery. Hopefully, I will be able to get it finished while on vacation.

Need some new project ideas? Take a look to see some new designs that will be arriving in the shop soon.

COMING SOON

From Silver Creek Samplers 
I really like all 3 of these designs. My favorite is "Seeds of Freedom". 

Garden Bliss

Shadow of Your Wings

Seeds of Freedom


From Shakespeare's Peddler
What a beautiful sampler!

Sweet Temper Sampler


From Mirabilia
Another beautiful lady from Nora.

Queen Mariposa


From Cross Winged Collection
Simply beautiful.

Sweet Summer Days


From The Victoria Sampler

Mystic Christmas

Button Up for Christmas #4

Gingerbread Cupcakes


From The Sweetheart Tree
Seven new designs! I love the 3 "Teenie Tiny Halloween" designs. Stitched all together, I think they would make a really nice bell pull. 

Itty Bitty Kitty - At the Beach     Teenie Tiny Halloween I  

Teenie Tiny Halloween II       Teenie Tiny Halloween III

USA Square (kit)

Wishes For You - Happiness         Wishes For You - Love
    (kit)                                                     (kit)     
"Happiness" and "Love" are the 1st and 2nd in the new Wishes
For You series. There will be a total of 8 designs in the series.


COMING IN SEPTEMBER

The 2014 Special Christmas Issue
from Just Cross Stitch 

Taking pre-orders!
RESERVE YOUR COPY NOW!!


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STITCHING TIPS
 AND 
TECHNIQUES


Needles - which ones do you need?


Tapestry Needles work best for cross stitch. They are a blunt tipped needle with a long eye designed to hold multiple strands of floss. The blunt tip also helps to prevent splitting fabric threads. They are sized with larger numbers for thinner needles. Size 26 and 28 needles are thinner than size 22 and 24. 
A size 24 needle would be the right size for 14ct. Aida and a size 26 or 28 would be a good choice for 28ct. or even smaller count fabrics. 
 
Always make sure that the needle you are using is straight and the tip is undamaged. A needle should slide effortlessly through the fabric, not pull at it or tear it. They do wear out so replace them as needed.

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 The Stitch and Frame Shop will be CLOSED
Friday July 4th!
Have a fun and safe holiday!

 

Monday, June 23, 2014

"Something Wicked" comes this August!

In August, Samsarah Design Studio will be releasing "Something Wicked" (a new 3 part Halloween Mystery Sampler). I know it's only June, almost July, but it's never too early to start stitching seasonal designs. See below for more details about this sampler and other "goodies" that will be arriving in the shop soon.


COMING IN AUGUST!

From SamSarah Design Studio

"Something Wicked"
Here is what I know about this mysterious sampler...
* It is stitched on 32ct. Petit Point Natural with Brown Polka Dots.
* The design size for the entire piece is 119w x 186h. 
* 29 skeins of Weeks Dye Works floss will be needed to complete the sampler.
*A bonus design will also be included. It has a stitch count of 50 x 153 and
   is stitched on 30ct. Peoria Purple from Weeks Dye Works. 
* The first part will be released on August 1st with the remaining two releasing on Sept. 1st 
   and October 1st.

COMING SOON!
(before August)


From Imaginating
I love the "garden cuties" but I so want to stitch the mermaid for my niece (mermaids are her favorite). 

Gardens Bloom                                        Garden Cuties
                                                                       Snail and Caterpillar

One Upon a Dinosaur

Once Upon a Mermaid


From The Nebby Needle
What a beautiful sampler. I really love the pincushion.

Oh My Stars!


From Pickle Barrel Designs
A wonderful design for a special teacher.

Teaching Passion


From Stacy Nash Primitives
Love everything about this pincushion, especially the colors. 

Sisters Three Pinkeep


From Plum Street Samplers
Two gorgeous new samplers!

Ann Barson Loughbro 1837

Crowned Bird Sampler


From My Big Toe
"Hens and Chicks" might not be something everybody loves but I do. This will be a great gift for some good friends of mine who just happen to have hens. Can you say cluck, cluck:)

Hens and Chicks

Not How Many You Finish

Christmas Pinkies IV

Building Blocks - Power


From By the Bay Needleart
What beautiful flowers. 

My Secret Garden


From Little House Needleworks
Four new designs from Little House. Wow, they are all so GREAT. "Old Glory" might just be my vacation project. LOVE it!!

  Calendar Girl - July                             Old Glory      


Robin's Song


Seaside Summer Alphabet
This design comes with a full skein of Belle Soie Silk
and buttons.

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STITCHING TIPS
 AND 
TECHNIQUES


How to determine design size!


To determine the size of a design, you take the stitch count and divide by the count fabric that you want to use.  For example, you want to see how big a design will be on 14ct. and the stitch count is 140 wide by 112 high.

140 divided by 14 = 10
112 divided by 14 = 8

Your design size will be 10" wide by 8" high.

Of course this size does not allow extra fabric for finishing. Now add 6 to both the width and height. This will give you 3 extra inches of fabric around the design. 

10 + 6 = 16
8 + 6  = 14

After adding 6, you will need a piece of fabric 16" by 14".

Now, if you want to work on a smaller count fabric over two threads, the concept is the same except after dividing by the stitch count, you then multiply by 2. 
For example, you want to stitch on 32ct. over two threads and the stitch count is
 80 wide by 96 high.

80 divided by 32 = 2.5
2.5 x 2 = 5

96 divided by 32 = 3
3 x 2 = 6

Your design size is 5" wide by 6" high. You still need to add for extra fabric. So, the size of fabric needed is 11" by 12". 

Remember, if you are having problems and need help figuring out a size, call the shop. We will gladly help you figure it out. 


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Have a great week!