Thursday, December 30, 2010

Save 20% off at the Needle and I

..........SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE SALE..........



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CUSTOMER APPRECIATION SALE 
Thursday, December 30: 10 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Friday, December 31: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Saturday, January 1: 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Sunday, January 2: 11 a.m. – 3 p.m.

Save 20% on all in-stock, regular-priced merchandise.

* Discount does not apply to special orders.

Lots of hand-painted needlepoint canvases and selected picture frames are 35% off.

Come see our sale tables with lots of bargains!

Selected Stitched Models are for sale and are priced as marked.

We cleared out bookracks and have hundreds of chart books at ½ price!

If you live too far away or if the weather makes it impossible for you to come to the sale,
e-mail us your list and we'll gather what we have in stock and mail it to you!

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The Needle and I
1649 N. Alpine Rd.
Rockford, IL 61107
1-815-227-1234 or 1-800-316-1940

Websites:  www.needleandi.com


Wednesday, December 29, 2010

Wordless Wednesday ~ Country Garden Stitchery








Be sure to check out the Country Garden Stitchery website HERE and follow them on Facebook or view their Etsy shop for more FABULOUS finds!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Is it Summer Yet?

I know, I know.  Christmas just ended, the toys are all over the house (I've decided against cleaning again as it continues to find new ways of covering the floor), and a newly fallen foot of snow covering the ground.

We live in the North East and it is COLD!!!!  With the wind (it's REALLY blowing up a storm out there), the COLD (it is FREEZING!!!!) I dread going out in the snow today.  I know the kids are excited and they are looking forward to it....I'm chilly just thinking about it.

I dream of summer vacation.  The warm sunny skies, the sand in my toes and the kids making castles on the beach.  The boardwalk at night with the kids going on the rides all night and enjoying the sights and sounds of the shore.

I just happened to be on Hoffman Distributing's website this morning and found this new design by Designs by Lisa.  I LOVE IT!  I am putting this one in my rotation for the long winter so I can have it ready for vacation this summer. 


~ Just visited Designs by Lisa website and found this fabulous tote on sale today only.  How fabulous is this going to be to take to the shore with me this summer and pack all my stitching?!  LOVE IT!  You can order it HERE ~ get them while they last!

Friday, December 24, 2010

My Christmas Miracle

So you might or might not know by now that I was in the hospital last week delivering my 4th child 7 weeks early.  It was a roller coaster of a day starting with trying to get the 3 kids out the door to school while the big guy was in Texas at a business meeting.

Needless to say, once my water broke and I realized the baby was really on his/her way I went into survival mode.  Called my mom to take me to the hospital, my mother-in-law to watch the kids and my husband (who I had to convince that I was NOT joking and he needed to get on a plane and come home).

Once all the calls were made, I packed my bag, cleaned the house ~ my mother-in-law was coming over.....I didn't want it to be a disaster area when she got here....I leave that kind of mess for my mom (:

Bryn Emily Leader arrived later that day.  She weighs 4 lbs. 13 ounces and is 16.5 inches long.  She was immediately escorted to the NICU to get help breathing and I anxiously awaited the big guys arrival.  (Sad to say he missed her birth but fought horrible traffic and flight delays to get there ~ I felt so bad for him once he arrived more than 12 hours later).

I knew she was little, I knew she needed help breathing, I knew I needed to wait to see the big guy before I got myself crazy...and so I waited.  As soon as he got to the hospital I sent him in to see Bryn.  I knew I would know by the look on his face when he got back if she was OK or not.  As soon as he came back, I knew everything was going to be OK. 

I am thrilled to say, she is doing very well.  It is going to take her some time to get her lungs together and learn how to regulate her temperature and learn how to eat, but what a wonderful Christmas gift.

This morning I woke up at 4AM so I could get to the NICU to spend some time with Bryn.  There was a post it note on the front door telling me to look under the tree.  There were 2 small boxes: 1 with my name and 1 with Bryn's.  Each box contained a small charmed necklace with Bryn's name and mine with Mom.  The note in the box read ~ To the love of my life and my Christmas Miracle.



My husband had contacted my girlfriend Layne Freedline of Layne Designs right after Bryn was born.  He wanted to get Bryn a necklace to match her sisters. Layne (she is just incredible), was able to make the necklace and ship it so the big guy could put it under the tree in time for Christmas.  She even included a Mom necklace for me.

I'm filled up just writing this blog post.  We have a long road ahead and a lot of waiting to do before we can bring little Bryn home...but I could not have asked for anything more this Christmas.  I have an amazing husband who is already making sure his little girl is taken care of, an amazing family that has pulled together to help us with my other 3 children, and a wonderful friend who jumped thru hoops to make sure my little girl has something under the tree on her first Christmas.  This is what Christmas is all about!

Thursday, December 23, 2010

Run Run as fast as you can.....

.....you can't catch me I'm the Gingerbread Man.

This has nothing to do with stitching but as soon as I saw this shot I knew I had to blog about it.  I mean how fabulously  funny is this?  From the terror on the Gingerbread Man's face to the little kids fingers reaching out to devour the cookie.  

What a fun shot and puts me in the mood to make some Gingerbread cookies myself.  I found this one and since it has 4 stars, I am thinking of giving it a try.  We'll see how it turns out.



MKC Photography is the genius behind this shot and Winter Stars below.  I love the story behind Winter Stars ~ you can read it HERE .

Tuesday, December 21, 2010

4 Hour Gifts

The holiday season is almost over and the countdown has begun for last minute gift ideas.  Still dont' know what to make for that crafty person in your life?  The BagSmith has the answer!

Here's a FABULOUS cable and ribbed shawl that will keep your BFF warm and fashionable thru the rest of the winter months.  This project can be completed in less than 4 hours.
Don't have 4 hours to spend?  How bout 2 hours?  This fun and funky hat and scarf combo can be easily stitched in less than 2 hours and with unlimited yarn choices it is the perfect personalized handmade gift this year.

To find more project ideas check out The BagSmith website HERE

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Wordless Wednesday ~ Ink Circles

Ok so maybe not so wordless here...(I know again, 2 weeks in a row ~ hahahaha) be sure to check out the SYHO blog today for some more fabulous images of amazing pieces from Tracy Horner of Ink Circles.

Here's a few more I just had to post.....LOVE THEM!!!!
 








 

Tuesday, December 14, 2010

Kranberry Kupboard


Have you heard about Kranberry Kupboard?  It's a FABULOUS primitive/stitching shop in Hatboro, PA and I just LOVE it!  Eileen is the owner and a sweeter lady you could not meet!  The shop recently moved down the street from its original location.  


 Here's the new window display!  How fun is that?!

Here's a few of Eileen's treasures displayed for Christmas.
 
I LOVE these stockings and tea towels.
***This week only***
Kranberry Kupboard is holding a Christmas Lottery.  Come in or call the store with your order by 12/18 and you will receive 25% - 50% off your order.  How fabulous is that?  I already wrote my ~ Honey if you didn't get me anything for Christmas yet list here's where you need to go and what you need to get on sale list.  I hope he reads it carefully (:

 I almost forgot the best part of Eileen's shop......Friday night stitching!  Every other Friday night, Eileen has open stitching.  You need to call in advance (so she has enough tables and chairs set up).  You can bring dinner or order with the girls.  It is a great way to connect with other stitchers in your area or even if you are visiting family and friends for the holidays.  The next scheduled dates are:
December 17, 2010  6PM -10PM
January 7th and 21st 6PM -10PM

Want to learn more about Kranberry Kupboard?
The new address is 
120 South York Road, Suite 2A
Hatboro, PA 19040
215.443.5008
Hours of operation are as follows:
Tuesday - Friday 11AM to 5:30PM
Saturday 11AM to 3:30PM
Sunday 1PM to 4PM

You can find Kranberry Kupboard on Facebook here

Monday, December 13, 2010

Tracy Horner of Ink Circles




We just added a fun new post about Tracy Horner of Ink Circles to the SYHO Blog.  Be sure to check out 5 little know facts about Tracy here!

Did you know Tracy has a companion company where she sells AMAZING artwork on Etsy?  If you haven't stopped by her shop lately, I HIGHLY encourage you to check it out.  Here's a sneak peek at what you'll find ~


How amazing are these Christmas note cards?


Stitch Counters anyone?


I love these gift tags!


with matching cards?  How fabulous!

I'm thinking that I need a few more stocking stuffers.  Happy Holiday's everyone!

Friday, December 10, 2010

Myrtle Grace Motifs

Erin has created an amazing company, Myrtle Grace Motifs, that featured designs in both counted cross stitch and punch needle.  Above is an example of the same designed shown in both types of embroidery.  Erin created this design in honor of Kris Scott of Norden Crafts who unexpectedly passed last year.  Erin blogged about how Norden came to distribute her designs and why she wanted to honor Kris in a special way.

Read more about it here.

Wednesday, December 8, 2010

Wordless Wedensday ~ More SYHO Designers Featured

Ok so maybe not so wordless here....be sure to check out the SYHO blog today for some fabulous images of amazing pieces from our 12 amazing SYHO designers.

Here's a few more I just had to post.....LOVE THEM!!!!


























Monday, December 6, 2010

Do you SYHO with Karen Kluba of Rosewood Manor?

Be sure to check out our newest SYHO blog post here.  We are featuring Karen Kluba of Rosewood Manor and her fabulous SYHO Design as well as a few newer releases from this year.



Do you live in Virgina?   Why not stop by the Rosewood Manor trunk show from December 6th - January 8th.  You can see several models and pick up your favorite charts there!
HAUS TIROL
 1915 Pocahontas Trail
Suite E-6
Williamsburg, Virginia 23185
Phone: 1-757-220-0113

 
Want to learn a few tricks from an accomplished designer?  Click HERE to find out some of Karen's secrets!

Rosewood Manor has a FABULOUS Complimentary Chart on the site now from 2009 that is perfect for the holiday season ~ Click HERE to find out more.