Stitching for Literacy ~ Blogger Puzzle Line 7

March 17 – April 28 Celebrate reading and stitching! Join participating independent needlework shops, guild, and Web communities, and stitch a bookmark that will be donated to a library or school during Children’s Book Week to reward reading accomplishments.
It’s a snap.
Step 1: Stitch a bookmark (or two, or three…). Any hand-stitched bookmark counts:

• any pattern (one you purchase or one you make up)
• on any ground (perforated paper, aida, linen, canvas, etc.)
• with any fibers (cotton, silk, metallics, beads, etc.)
• using any needlework technique (cross stitch, blackwork, hardanger, etc.)

If you're participating in the Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy New Blogger Puzzle Contest,

here's line 7:

H W F     V L M     S U V M W M X     C S N     Q S A M,    

This contest is open to everyone. If this is the first time you're hearing about it, go take a look.

Step 2: Drop off or mail your bookmark to a participating needlework shop, guild, or community between March 17th and April 28th. (Or any time of year, most participants collect bookmarks year-round.)
Want to do more?

• Participate in Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy events at your local needlework shop and/or library.
• Teach someone how to stitch a bookmark.
• Start a Read-and-Stitch Club.
• Spread the word about the program to your friends and family, on your blog, and in your newsletter.
• Participate on the Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy blog.
• Read! And tell us on the blog what you’re reading.

Wordless Wednesday ~ Fun Funk and Weber Classes

EmbroiderMe!™ Bracelet Basics and Beyond

Jen from Funk and Weber e-mailed me last night to let me know that registration is now open for her FABULOUS bracelet class.  Here's the info, this is a MUST class to pick up for the summer ~ so fun! 

Get your needlework off the wall and into your life! Stitch a fabulous, fully-customized bracelet. Four lessons will guide you step-by-step from start to finish. Download instructions and diagrams (Adobe Acrobat Reader required), then participate in group discussions and ask questions in our private Yahoo Group. Basic knowledge of needlework techniques required: beginning and ending threads, reading a diagram, etc.

Once you've learned the bracelet basics, you can alter the decorative stitch, change fabrics and fibers, and add beads and charms to create an infinite number of one-of-a-kind, perfectly sized bracelets.

Choose your own materials or purchase a kit

Our class pattern uses any 28-ct. linen or evenweave fabric, or 14-ct. Aida, and #8 pearl cotton. Seed beads, accent beads, and clasps complete the bracelets. Choose your favorite fabrics and fibers, or order a complete kit.

Kits contain 28-ct. Blueberry Meran from Zweigart® and DMC #8 Pearl cotton in red, green, yellow, and purple, along with a findings pack with all the necessary beading supplies.

Class outline

During the class you will learn how to customize your bracelet for a perfect fit, and receive tips and tricks from Jen and fellow classmates.

• Lesson 1: The Decorative Stitch
• Lesson 2: Edge Finishing
• Lesson 3: Back Finishing
• Lesson 4: Stringing beads and clasps

'Download instructions, diagrams, and images, then participate in group discussions and ask questions in our private Yahoo! Group any hour of the day, at your convenience.

Basic knowledge of needlework techniques required: beginning and ending threads, reading a diagram, etc. 

Once you've learned the bracelet basics, you can alter the decorative stitch, change fabrics and fibers, and add beads and charms to create an infinite number of one-of-a-kind, perfectly sized bracelets.
Class cost: $20 USD
Kit cost (optional): $10 USD, plus $1.50 shipping within the US or $3 international shipping

After payment is finalized, your order will be shipped, and you will be invited to join the Yahoo! bracelets group on July 18, 2010.

Check out Jen's website for more info and sign up for this amazing class!

Embroider Me! Bracelet Basics & Beyond class

by Funk and Weber Designs

The class begins on January 11 and runs for four weeks, one lesson per week, so you’ll have plenty of time to complete them. Kits are available and can be ordered through me or one of the Village shops. Kits contain materials for the top bracelet in the image above, which is the same as the one being worn here. Of course, you can purchase your own materials and use any colors you want. A complete materials list is available on the class listing at TSV. If you need just some materials (jewelry findings and beads aren’t always available at LNSs) send Jen an e-mail, and she'll hook you up.

As the class title indicates, you will learn the bracelet basics in this class. Once you know those, you can create an infinite number of original, customized bracelets by changing the surface pattern, materials, and findings. The possibilities really are endless.

Please, if you take this class, plan to participate on the forum. Don’t worry if you don’t know how it works; just get on, and I’ll be there to help. We all gain more when we share experiences, ideas, and images. You never know when another stitcher's thoughts, discoveries or mishaps will inspire in you.

For more information about this class you can view The Funk and Weber website here or e-mail Jen at ~ Mail(at)FunkAndWeber(dot)com.

Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy 2009 Bookmark Challange

Announcing the 2009 Bookmark Challenge

March 19^th – May 7^th

Celebrate reading and Stitching

Join Loose Thread Stitchers and stitch a bookmark that will be donated to a library or school during Children’s Book Week to reward reading accomplishments. It’s a snap! We are so excited to support reading and stitching! Loose Thread Stitchers has a special offer for anyone stitching a bookmark for the Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy 2009 Bookmark Challenge. You will receive an EXCLUSIVE LTS patter FREE when you send the following:

A photo of the bookmark you stitch

A short “story” of the bookmark–why you stitched it, who it’s for, etc.

An explanation of why stitching is important to you

That’s it! Send those three things to Info@LooseThreadStitchers.com and enjoy FREE exclusive LTS pattern on us. This offer is available to both new and existing stitching members. R you ready for the challenge?