Find it Friday ~ Ink Circles

I love this company, Tracy is a doll and always releases AMAZING designs. I always wonder how she does it, how do such amazing creations emerge. I always think about the process a designer takes from the initial thought to the final sell-able item. It has to go through a million little changes all to make it just perfect for us!

This subtle floral mandala shows off a variety of blossoms in a pleasing symmetrical arrangement. Coded for 7 shades of DMC, but easily changed to match the bouquet in your dreams. Stitched on Palomino linen by Lakeside Linens. 143 x 143 stitch count.
Model Stitched by Sisu Lull.

I can't wait to get started on this one, might have to put away my current WIP and get my fingers on this little gem!

Do you Twitter?

Find it Friday ~ Cross Stitch and Twitter

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

We have been asked by our members to compile a list of our favorite cross stitch professionals and stitchers we follow on Twitter ~ Here they are! Do you know others we do not have listed here? Let us know and we will add them to our list! Happy stitching!

Cross Stitch Professionals to follow ~

@HoffmanDis

@StitchsNThings

@PhilaEGA

@Silkweaver_Fab

@VictoriaSampler

@BlueRibbonXS

@BrooksBooksMom

@OttLight4me

@UniveraLiz

@StitchNPitch

@FiresideStitch

@LeisureArtsInc

@kirstenjedwards

@SzuLetCreations

@TNNAPiPN

@sublimestitchin

@twistedthreads

@Articneedle

@monsterbubbles

@niah

@crosseyedkat

@CherryWoodDS

@KreinikGirl

@TNNAorg

@TJBdesigns

@crossstitcher

@StitchyKitty

@studiotwenty

@inkcircles

@needleworkRTLR

@nascarwitch

@gentleart

@DyerJo

@MrXstitch

@KrazyKatshop

Stitchers to follow ~

@mistystitches

@stitchxs

@CrossStitchSite

@bellastitch

@XStitchPeg

@xstitchcrazy

@MBcrossstitch

@Stitchoutloud

@sandyxstitch

@crossstitchblog

@mdunaway

@stitcher63

@desafio6

@stitchingranny5

@crossedthreads

Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy Bookmark Challenge

October 1, 2007 marked the opening of the first Needle and Thread: Stitching for LiteracyBookmark Challenge . Participating independent needlework shops across the country hosted special events and collected hand-stitched bookmarks. Bookmarks were donated to local libraries and schools during Children’s Book Week, Nov. 12-18, to encourage and reward children for reading accomplishments.

2009 Bookmark Challenge Results

Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of stitchers across the country and worldwide, we collected and donated to libraries, schools, and literacy programs ~ 1,023 hand-stitched bookmarks.

Techniques included cross stitch, Hardanger, paper embroidery, blackwork, canvas work, needlepoint, pulled and drawn thread, bobbin lace, tatting, crochet, knitting, machine embroidery, peyote beading, Bargello, Schwalm, and crewel, to name a few.

To download the free SYHO Bookmark chart click here . For each bookmark stitched, you will be entered to win over $500 in stash. How cool is that?

The 2010 Bookmark Challenge will be held March 18 – May 6. Many participants host events and collect bookmarks year-round, so call or stop in to join the fun. If you don’t have a participating shop or guild nearby, here are some other ways that you can participate.

Independent designers donate to literacy projects at least 10% of profits from specially-designed bookmark patterns bearing a Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy logo. When you purchase these patterns, you, too, are supporting literacy.

Funk and Weber Designs

My Mark Designs

Find it Friday ~ EGA National Seminar

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Have you ever been to an EGA National Seminar? I haven't but that's about to change this weekend. I am flying out to Pittsburgh and excited to learn first hand what all the hub bub is about. I have been reading the EGA boards with interest and I watch the growing excitement of seminar attendees. The opportunity to surround myself with a group of stitchers who love needlework as much as I do ~ I can't wait to get there!

If you are attending National Seminar this weekend, we will be video taping short segments about why the EGA is important to you. If you are interested in participating, you can facebook me, e-mail me at Colleen@LooseThreadStitchers.com. We will be taping on Sunday, October 4th, from 2-7PM. Can't wait to see you there!!

The seminar site is Pittsburgh where the Allegheny and Monongahela Rivers meet at the Point and form the Ohio River within a few blocks of the OMNI William Penn Hotel. Pittsburgh will be particularly beautiful this time of year with all of the colorful changing leaves. The wide variety of classes, outstanding faculty, varied and interesting tours, exhibits, auctions, and merchandise
mart will provide you an incredible seminar experience. There will be something of interest for everyone, whether a first-time or a seasoned national seminar attendee. If you are in Pittsburgh, I urge you to join me for a life-enriching experience. Meet longtime friends and make new ones while talking embroidery for an entire week! We look forward to being your hosts as you enjoy Pittsburgh and EGA Seminar 2009.

Find it Friday ~ Boo To You

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

I just knew when Theresa and Cathy from CherryWood Design Studio sent me a sneak peek of their new Freebie design, I had found my Find it Friday post. This quick to stitch, fun little Halloween chart is a great project full of fun colors and fabulous Just Another Button Company buttons. Don't they just bring the design to life?

Boo to You

Beginners can learn quickly with this piece as they can complete each square section and have an easy time "counting" on linen.

Been stitching a while? This is a great piece for your stitching group. No worries about losing your place during a hot topic of conversation, just outline your boxes and you are ready to go!

Need a challenge? Why not go to the Whip it up Wednesday section of the blog or visit the Loose Thread Stitchers Facebook page and find a few specialty stitches to incorporate in the design?

Ok so I know you want to know ~ How can you get this Freebie in your hot little hands? Your Local Needlework Shop (LNS) of coarse! Teresa and Cathy are at the TNNA tradeshow in St. Charles as we speak introducing their new line of designs to shops around the world. Be sure to call your LNS and let them know to stop in and chat with CherryWood Designs, they have a great company story and fabulous designs!

Find it Friday ~ NorthCoast Tour de Stitch

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

If you live in Ohio (or surrounding states) this is a MUST DO! This unique shopping experience is a "shop hop" across northern Ohio featuring six quality needlework stores. The objective of the shop hop is for participants to stop at each store to view the fabulous trunk shows to be eligible to enter door prize drawings and to receive specially designed needlework projects. The ten day event will take place from Friday October 9th through Sunday October 18th.

REGISTRATION BEGINS

September 1. Purchase your ticket for $6.00 at your "Home" shop. Be the first 200 to register, and you will also receive a special gift.

This year EVERYONE who completes the Tour in the first 10 scheduled days will receive a special gift. Those "tourists" who finish by the end of the month will be eligible for all other prizes. All shoppers will earn a chance to win shop prize baskets at any shop they visit.

Shops in the Tour

Craft Gallery

217 North Main St

Findaly OH 45840

419-422-7980

Crafty Ewe

8035 Broadview RD

Broadview Hts., OH 44147

440-838-1600

Curiosity Shoppe

160 West Water St

Oak Harbor OH 43449

419-898-1916

Inn Stitches

5561 Fulton Dr NW

Canton OH 44718

330-966-8383

Just Stitching

13315 Prospect Rd

Strongsville OH 44149

440-572-9777

The Red Apple

123 N Lake St

Madison OH 44057

440-428-6000

Find it Friday ~ String Thing

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

I am giddy to tell you about the string thing! OK maybe I am getting ahead of myself, I better tell you what the problem was 1st. OK so I hardly ever stitch with Pearl Cotton. I know I know it gives great texture and dimension to your piece and if worked correctly will really make your piece stand out. Yes I know all those things and yet, still I try my hardest not to use it anyway.

Why you may ask? Sure it is really simple, the ball rolls all over the place and I am constantly rewinding the thread in the ball. Seems like a little thing? When you have 3 small children and a dog, believe me it's not. It's just one more headache I don't need.

I was asked to re-release a design that was first published in The Gift of Stitching Magazine a few years ago. The original design was white on white using dimensional and textured threads to create a one of a kind piece. I really love the final result, the stitching not so much. I was wrestling with the idea this week when I read a fan comment on the Loose Thread Stitchers Facebook page and I went to check it out. I am so happy I did!

This little invention is amazing! The string thing is a simple tin that helps keep your thread in line by routing it through a perfectly sized hole in its top. It comes with a magnetic top to place your needles or scissors on for safe-keeping, and is designed with places to write the brand, color, and size of the thread you are using. It keeps your thread tidy, clean, and contained. The best part? It comes in a variety of sizes and shapes for multiple threads. How cool is that?

I ordered enough from Nordic Needle to get me started on the new colorway for the re-design. I am happily stitching away and no longer stressed. I love my new gadget!

Find it Friday ~ LilyStitch

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Who doesn't remember Mary Poppins? One of my all time favorite kid movies ~ EVER! In fact we are having a camp out tonight at my house with the kids ~ I am so going to rent this, they will LOVE it!

My favorite song is Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Forget it? Click HERE to watch the video ~ it brought back such great memories!

So why am I blogging about this? Because I found this FABULOUS new company LilyStitch and guess what they've designed? Love it! How cute is it stitched as a plain pillow?

or for your little diva a fancier version

I am so excited about this new company, they are just starting out and if this is any indication of future designs, I am giddy with anticipation.

Off to the video store, I've been humming the tune in my head while I was writing the blog post...Can't wait for the kids to see it!

Find it Friday ~ Totally Creative E-zine

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Have you heard about Totally Creative E-zine? Their logo says they are the E-zine for craftiness and they do not disappoint! This magazine (excuse me E-zine) is chock full of exciting projects and detailed instructions to help even the most creatively challenged crafter successfully complete their project.

Their Fall 2009 issue is on "stands" now (IE ~ your computer) with fabulous ideas how to organize your craft space, tutorials on free form stitching techniques and great back to school projects to create with your kids. There is really something for every crafter and every skill level in this magazine. It's a must read for the fall! can't wait to hear what project you like best and see the pics! Off to my craft room to get some supplies together ~ the kids and I have some Back to School crafting to do!

Totally Creative E-zine is now

25% off

Click here for more information. Hurry, this is a limited time offer.

Find it Friday ~ Blackbird Designs ~ Tis Halloween & Halloween 1904

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Blackbird Designs has really hit it out of the park this time! My favorite time of year is fall and I begin to decorate my house the first of September. Do you know how HGTV has episodes dedicated to people who go overboard decorating for Christmas? Well they could do an hour special at my house for Halloween. Between the cool air, the amazing fall colors and fun activities (pumpkin picking, Trick or Treating) I just get giddy when I think about the coming months and this ornament set and quilt just got my heart racing!

Tis Halloween (Cover)

Tis Halloween ~ Blackbird Designs has done a wonderful job generating interest in and excitement about this design. This series has been buzzing around the counted thread industry for quite a few days now and it is FINALLY available!

This is BBD's first self-published full color book and it looks fabulous! It has 36 pages and lots of color pictures for you to enjoy! There are 13 stocking patterns and a several other projects too.

Tis Halloween (Teaser Photo)

If you are a quilter, you should find Halloween 1904 in stock at your local quilt store. Barb wanted to honor her grandmother's year of birth...so that's why the year is attached to the title. The muted primitive colors and eye catching design, this is sure to be a hit this fall. Like I said, I am a Halloween fanatic ~ we decorate every inch of our house. You can be sure that I am going to get this quilt in rotation ASAP. I might even repaint the walls I am so inspired!

Halloween 1904

Find it Friday ~ Celebrate at your Local Needlework or Local Yarn Shop
Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Any 2009 Holiday

Cindy, owner of Sit 'N Stitch in California, has created a fun way to celebrate your birthday, holiday or any special occasion. HAVE A STITCHING PARTY!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! We heard Becky's party was a blast! She had approximately 20 people for dinner and champagne. She celebrated her birthday with lots of gifts, cake and ice cream. Becky treated everyone to a scarf project with yarns from Southwest Trading company and instructions with our knitting teacher.

How fun is that? Say good bye to the standard birthday dinner and boxed cake. Sit 'N Stitch has stepped it up a notch! I absolutely love this idea! Now you can combine the celebration of your special day in your favorite LNS/LYS with your favorite stitching friends doing what you love to do best ~ STITCH! It can't get any better than that!

Have you already celebrated your birthday this year? Don't let that stop you. It doesn't have to be your birthday to have a party! Do you love Halloween? Christmas? Valentines? St. Patty's Day? Celebrate in style! Are one of your girlfriends getting married or having a baby? Have a group of moms (grandmoms) who want a mother / daughter (grand daughter) day? Do you know a stitcher who is starting a new career, new to the area, recently completed a difficult stitching piece or you just want to celebrate your stitching friends? This is the way to do it!

KNIT/CROCHET OR NEEDLEPOINT/CROSS-STICH PARTIES ~ Call your Local Needlework or Yarn shop and ask them to coordinate it for you. I am sure they would be happy to help. Visit the Loose Thread Stitchers website for hundreds of LNS / LYS listings across the US and around the world.

Sit 'N Stitch would be more than happy to coordinate your next stitching party.
(2) hour party $175.00, maximum 10 guests,each additional guest $30.00.
(3) hour party $275.00, maximum 10 guests,each additional guest $30.00.
Sit 'N Stitch is available most days and evenings for private parties. Please call for more details 818-760-9330 or email us at info@sitnstitch.com.

Let us know about your next stitching party and be sure to send pictures! We can't wait to see how you choose to celebrate with your stitching friends!

Find it Friday ~ Stitching Jubilee

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

October 15th - 17th, 2009

In it's second year, the newly renovated showroom floor, top notch teachers and unique vendors offerings make the Stitching Jubilee a MUST attend for stitchers far and wide.

This year Stoney Creek Collection is proud to present the Second Annual 2009 Stitching Jubilee at the Lancaster County Convention Center and Lancaster Marriott in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Come and join us for good times and learning new techniques October 15-17, 2009. Hours for the event will be announced.

The Stitching Jubilee has been a wonderful place for needle-workers from around the country to gather to see new techniques, learn new styles of needleart and share their love of needlecraft.

The list of exhibitors include: Brenda E. Kocher Designs, Britstitch, Bush Mountain Stitchery and Framing, Cross Stitch Corner, Gitta's Designs, JBW Designs, Kelsyn's, Loose Thread Stitchers, Mimi's Attic, Picture This Plus, Red Rose Chapter of the EGA, Rose Arbor Needlework, Scandinavian Stitches, The Silver Needle, Stitch N Stuff, Stitching Pretty Presents, Stoney Creek Collection, Inc., The Thread Basket and Victoria Clayton, Dyer.

Amazing classes are being offered by ~ Eileen Bennett, Lorri Birmingham, Nancy Boyarsky, Mendie Cannon, Pat Hartman, Catherine Jordan, Lynda Keske and Marilyn Vredevelt.

The Stitching Jubilee is a wonderful opportunity to socialize with other needleworkers, take unique and exclusive classes, and meet designers and shops from across the country.

Thousands of needleworkers attend for this one-of-a-kind stitching experience ~ will you be one of them?

Find it Friday ~ Stitching Retreat

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

July 31st - August 2nd, 2009
A weekend for stitching your personal projects in an unstructured environment guaranteed to relieve daily stress.

The weekend offers an unstructured environment which provides two days for stitching your personal projects. Gayle is available to answer questions and improve your stitching knowledge and techniques through one on one instructions and/or weekend demos. Meals are cooked on the premises and served at 8 a.m., noon and 6 p.m. Coffee, hot tea, juices and ice water are available throughout the day in the stitching room. Soft drinks are available in a vending machine. There is also a small refrigerator available for the group to share. The sleeping rooms are awesome. They have two comfortable twin beds, a sofa, a desk, a large closet and a private bath. The grounds are secluded and have walking trails and benches and rockers interlaced throughout.

For more information please view the Accents Inc. website.

Would you like to go away on a stitching retreat? Or would like to recommend one to LTS members to check out? Feel free to e-mail LTS at Info@LooseThreadStitchers.com with your suggestions so we can be sure to add those to the website!

Find it Friday ~ The Friday Night Knitting Club and Knit Two

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!


A few weeks ago I was sitting waiting for our local Philadelphia area EGA board meeting to begin and a few board members were talking about this book called The Friday Night Knitting Club. I had never heard of the book before ~ no for your information I do not live under a rock, I just have 3 small children and between that, work and trying not to burn dinner I kinda have my hands full (:

We were on our way down the shore for vacation and I asked if it would be a good vacation read. To my delight my girl Pleasants, pulled out her copy and told me to enjoy the read. I was gitty on the drive home. It has been an eternity since I have read a book. Well that's not really true. It's been ages since I have read an age appropriate book. I read with the kids all the time, but I am pretty sure Green Eggs and Ham or Red Fish Blue Fish don't really count.

I could not wait till we left for the shore ~ the very next day I decided to go to bed early and start my book. So remember how I told you it has been forever since I have been able to read an adult book? Or even a book without pictures? Well I couldn't put it down, I read the entire book cover to cover. it was a FABULOUS read! Now I was really dragging the next day, but it was totally worth it! I forgot how much I love to read. How fabulous it feels to be so engrossed into a story. A story about women who are completely different but find a common ground in knitting.

I think my stitching group is a lot like that. We are in different stages of our lives, we live in different towns and vary in our education and careers but we share a common thread ~ needlework. It is what brings us together, makes us spill our secrets and feel ready to conquer the world after our regular night of stitching.

Wait it gets better! I just found out there's a second book in the series! It's called Knit Two ~ and you know I ran right out and bought that sucker ASAP. Wonder if it will make it to vacation.....probably not!

Find it Friday ~ Fabulous Needlecase
Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

How cute is this needlecase? ~ I just LOVE IT! This is from Be Sweet . I am always looking for new and fun ways to hold my ever growing stash ~ the bright colors, fabulous design and a company that is serious about giving back and empowering women make this one a no brainer for me!Needle Case: hand made colorful stitches on black cotton fabric. zip closure. 5x13"

Be Sweet, a company with a conscience, was founded on the principle of being kind to others. Nadine Curtis created Be Sweet in 2003 while living in Cape Town, South Africa. Be Sweet's mission; to bring socially and environmentally friendly products to fashionable consumers that evoke an individual style and help support community development around the world.

Be Sweet began with Curtis wholesaling a handful of handmade items to boutiques in Northern California and upstate New York. Be Sweet's products can now be found in over 200 boutique stores in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., France, Sweden, Austria and Japan. Be Sweet works with several job creation programs in South Africa by giving artisans the confidence and the means to support themselves and their families in an otherwise economically depressed region. The empowerment groups have grown to include over 200 villagers, mostly female members of the Xhosa tribe, who live in Cape Town, the Eastern Cape region and Johannesburg. Participants are responsible for making mohair, bamboo and organic cotton yarns, accessories and home goods. Many of the women depend on their work for their survival. With the help of experienced program directors, the women are able to work in stable environments where they can earn a fair wage, learn a new skill and enjoy their jobs.

Love Love Love a company with a heart!

Find it Friday ~ Sit and Stitch Trunk Show

Each Friday we will showcase a product, service, offering or event that is a MUST to check out!

Cindy of Sit and Stitch in Toluca Lake, California just called to tell me she was hosting a trunk show for Painted Pony Needlepoint Designs and told me I just HAD to check it out. I am so glad I did.


Debbie, of Painted Pony Needlepoint Designs, began designing needlepoint in 1989, after working for several years in a needlepoint shop in Austin, Texas. After designing custom canvases for the store’s customers, she was asked to develop a line to show at the store’s annual Christmas-In-July event. She did - the designs were a hit - and the line was born.

Great story right? It gets even better! Each Canvas INCLUDES a stitch guide! How fabulous is that! Susan, the model-maker, has created several wonderful stitch guides for their designs. Stitch-guides are automatically included with the sale of the corresponding canvas, so you do not have to order the guide in addition to the piece you are purchasing. Each guide has a colored photograph of the finished model, as well as a thread and embellishment list. Susan is also working on a series of stitch guide books based on some of our collections.

Be sure to stop by Sit and Stitch for this fabulous trunk show ~ it runs from June 28th to July 26th and includes ~ Cute little painted canvases, angels with charms, snowman, seasonal, twelve days of Christmas, stockings.

Show dates: June 28th - July 26, 2008