Our oldest daughter is moving to Philadelphia, so I stitched this little ornament for her. My favorite things—using Waterlilies and a darning stitch for the sky and the water stitch from ANG. I think I finished this in two nights—a nice break from the bigger seemingly endless Christmas stockings.

Ruth Schmuff has come out with a new CD that features over 480 background stitches. Sorted based on the repeat of the pattern from 2 to 40 stitches wide, you can browse the CD, find your background and print it for reference. With so many to choose from, backgrounds will never be boring again!

You can learn more about Ruth’s other CD’s on our website.

Here’s another cute canvas from Collection of Designs. I call it Penguin Joy and would love to see it as a pillow or a sign for the front door. I would stitch it in lots of wonderful glistening threads.

This stocking reminds me of when I was little—turning my Christmas stocking upside down and letting everything fall out. There was always a collection of candy and the ribbon candy was one of my favorites.

We have many more stockings from a Collection of Designs and other artists on our website
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Unpacking trunk shows is always fun, and the Melissa Shirley trunk show is no exception. Our store has a policy making employees (and owners) hold back from buying until we pack the show up. I am afraid to tally all the canvases I want to take home with me. From incredible Christmas stockings and works of art to small canvases that are perfect gifts, there is something to delight everyone. Some of my favorite smaller canvases are the Christmas petit fours, the bracelets and the lollipops (which come with a striped cane for finishing).

(The show moved on July 9th. Please give us a call and we can special order for you.)
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Here’s another great gift idea from LEE Needle Arts. They’ve come up with CD cases done in their wonderful leather. Each case holds 24 CDs (or DVDs for movie fans) and accepts a 2 3/4″ round canvas. Check out our small round canvases or for a limited time, let us paint a single monogram for the case on 18 mesh–no charge!

These cases are perfect gifts for graduation, birthdays or the holidays. With such a small insert, you can stitch it in no time and finish it yourself. How great is that?

These are available now in six vibrant colors on our website.

This canvas for a Limoges box is called “Happy Snowmen” and stitching them will make you happy, too. This would be too cute set on a table for the holidays, or as a box for a very special present. It comes complete with a round hinge.

We have several more Limoges boxes from Julia’s Needleworks on our website.

I love it when I open an order and I am as excited about the canvases as I was when I saw them in the artist’s booth. Maggie’s canvases are full of whimsy and fun—you just have to smile when you see them. Joy Ride—I think of this canvas now every time I see a dog waiting for his owner in the driver’s seat. Dog Kisses—if you love dogs, you’ll love this one; and the birds and cats are cute, too. And don’t forget the Sisters Mary Menopause, Mary Martini and Mary Mulligan.—what a hoot! See more from Maggie on on our website. (posted by Michele)

At market this year we decided to dip our toes into the world of knitting. We found the most adorable knitting kits for babies using either a luxury cotton and merino wool blend in fabulous colors, or natural organic cotton or merino wool. We were literally giddy while we pulled each of the kits out of the box. The packaging is so gorgeous you won’t even need to gift wrap them. The kits make wonderful gifts for the new mom as is, or you can knit them for the new baby. One of the best parts about the cardigan kits is that there’s enough yarn to knit in one of 3 sizes—12, 18 or 24 months. You can see these and other knitting projects on our website. (posted by Michele)

HeartStrings’ 2008 Santa is entitled “All Things Merry & Bright” The included spiral bound stitch guide by Pat Thode is another clear and magic-making book that will teach even the most experienced stitcher a thing or two. The resulting canvas, with its included embellishment charms, is a treat and will be enjoyed for many years to come. (posted by Michele)