“Lynn’s Corner”

Market Update – June, 2010

It’s that time of year when life is supposed to slow down some as the lazy heated days of summer arrive.  With a little luck, this time of year offers stitchers a little more “down” time to work on those projects we’ve tucked away waiting for afternoons at the lake, or on the beach, to get back to them.

I was so fortunate to have accompanied the owners of Yarn Explosion to the TNNA Summer meeting in Columbus, OH this past weekend.  What an experience!  Anyone who enjoys needlepoint or anything created with a needle would have to consider this show “Nirvana” and paradise all rolled into one!  I wanted to share the highlights of the show with you, and give you an idea of what’s new.  When you get to the website addresses, please hit Control + click your mouse to take you to them if you want to check them out.

There will be so many new things to see at Yarn Explosion in the coming weeks!  We purchased many gorgeous new canvases, fibers, books and all kinds of pretty “gadgets” and must-haves that will make your stitching life easier and your heart beat a little faster when you see them.

I am most happy to tell you that we have purchased two new fibers for the shop – the classic colors of Vineyard Silk and a beginning color palette of Vineyard Merino.  Vineyard Silk is by and far one of the most luxurious silks you will ever stitch with.  There are some projects stitched in the shop that include Vineyard Silk classic if you want to take a look, and we brought back a few sample skeins for our customers to experiment with.   Vineyard Silk may be used on 13 to 18 count and it simply glides through your canvas.   You will not be disappointed when you give this beautiful fiber a try.  Vineyard Merino is a 100% wool fiber that is smooth and silky with just enough “spring” to it to make it very user-friendly.  While I’m not a wool fan, I LOVE this!  It’s a wonderful addition to our inventory, and will be a great fiber for both design areas and background.  It’s also very reasonably priced.  Merino, like the silk, may be used on 13 to 18 count canvas, and the colors are scrumptious! 

Silk and Ivory, a tried-and-true dream fiber, has released four new colors which they consider to be pastel background colors.  We purchased all four, and we are excited about their possibilities.  Sometimes your canvas calls for just a “touch” of color, and these four new shades offer just that.  S&I has also introduced a fiber called “Stardust”.  This is a version of S&I with sparkle, and right now it only comes in “Christmas colors”, but they do plan to expand the color palette in the future. 

There is another new exciting fiber for those of you who love sparkle.  Kreinik has added a holographic metallic to their line. These Iridescent threads have flecks of color in them that are truly dazzling in the light which makes them look 3-dimensional.  Use them to replicate candy, crystal effects, retro looks, fantasy, psychedelic, electric, modern and cutting edge looks - or anywhere you want to add dimensional color to your needlework. Yarn Explosion can order any of these for you, and we plan to carry a few in the shop on a regular basis. 

We picked up several new stockings from different designers including a Rebecca Wood design.  If you are not familiar with Rebecca’s work, please take a look at www.rebeccawooddesigns.com.  Her level of detail and use of color are simply inspiring. 

We listened to your requests, and we chose quite a few new ornaments; the beauty of many of them will take your breath away.  We have canvases by Melissa Shirley, Raymond Crawford, Whimsey and Grace, Danji, Leigh, and many more on their way to us.  I’m especially excited about a star tree topper from Whimsey and Grace that was a definite show stopper!  The stars are also available in ornament sizes and are offered in silver, gold, aqua and rose.  Many include stitch guides with the option to purchase inexpensive bead pack embellishments which just dazzle you. 

The tree-toppers have gussets to stitch and are three dimensional when completed, with an opening in the bottom allowing them to sit easily on the top branch of your tree.  These tree toppers are definitely heirloom material, different from anything we’ve seen, and they really sparkle and shine!  The best news of all – they are not huge projects and will stitch up fairly quickly.  The owner and designer, Toni Randall, has promised to send me pictures of the finished star so those of you that are interested can see first-hand just how magnificent these are when completed. 

Another new designer for us is Marie Barber of “Colors of Praise”.  There are a few designs on their way to us from Marie that you don’t want to miss!  These canvases are refreshingly true-to-life and so beautifully painted.  We purchased a spectacular piece featuring a pair of cardinals, magnolia and camellias that looks so realistically beautiful you can almost hear the birds singing.  And then there’s the canvas of a little girl on the beach that speaks to anyone who has ever spent time on the beach as a child or with a beloved child…

For those of you who enjoy counted canvas works, there is a new design available from Caron called “Mountain Laurel”.   And, even more exciting, Gimmies is offering a brand new line of blank colored canvas, many featuring “sparkle” and some with a “washed effect” for your charted designs.  We purchased the color card for the entire line and they are stunning!  Many models at the show were stitched using colored canvas; some designers used open-work stitching and many just left the beautiful colored canvas bare.  This canvas is so pretty you won’t want to cover it up.

Many of you are Maggie fans, and there are now painted frames available that coordinate with many of the Maggie and the Ewe and I designs.  These make for a super-easy finishing option. 

Elizabeth Turner never fails to impress, and at market ET featured a 2x/4x magnifier and LED light with battery and/or DC adapter, clamp and flexible arm.  The price point is definitely inviting for this quality product coming in at approximately $70.  Elizabeth Turner is also offering a great gift idea for the men in your life – a leather flask case with flask and needlepoint insert included, and there are quite a few different insert designs to choose from.  These flask cases are extremely well made, elegant and sophisticated.  Models were purchased and will be on display in the shop soon.  We have jeweled “Needle Buddies” also coming from E. turner.  These magnets come in so many cute designs – flip flops, turtles, lady bugs, Hello Kitty, cherries, a crab, and lots of others.  They hold extremely well, they are fun, The magnets are fun and they just make you smile.  They are also very affordable which never hurts! J  These are a great gift idea.  You can get a sneak preview of these items at www.elizabethturnercollection.com.   ET can also do small needlepoint canvas pennant flags for any team you desire. 

I had to drag myself away from the Clara Wells booth (www.clarawellsneedlepoint.com).  Anyone who is a purse-hound will drool over these bags! They are some of the most classy and sophisticated needlepoint bags I’ve ever run across.  There are several styles to choose from, and the bucket bag and clutch were my favorites.  The finished handbags would be worth every single dollar and stitch, and you would want to carry them every day.  The hardest part of the project is deciding which one you want.   

From Alice Peterson, the company that brought us the great “Stitch and Zip” products comes an ornament along those same lines – the back is “tacked” on, comes apart for easy stitching and then closes up again offering a finished design with no additional cost for finishing.  And, the best part, the designs are all adorable!  Some of these made their way into our shopping basket for you…

Later this summer we will be offering a “kid’s needlepoint camp”, and we found the perfect project – an adorable small tote bag with a canvas insert for stitching.  The bag is color-coordinated with the canvas.  The lining pulls out, the design is stitched and the lining is sewn closed with a simple basting stitch.  The tote is ready to carry! We purchased three designs -- an ice cream cone, a flip flop and a tropical fish.

Anyone interested in the children’s camp should contact the shop soon so we can make sure we have a tote in stock that your child or grandchild would be most interested in.  The totes are also available for future purchase in some additional designs.

HP Designs has produced an entire line of beautiful hand-poured lacquer boxes in many different sizes and shapes that allow you to complete your stitching, pop your finished work inside the top and be done.  Definitely worth checking into if you are looking for something to do with your work other than a pillow or a picture.  You may view these boxes at www.hpneedlepoint.com.

Lani Enterprises (www.lanienterprises.com) debuted many beautiful new collage designs at the show, along with new stockings, damask word art and ornaments.  Some of Lani’s new stockings are very feminine and different, and we were all quite taken with her holiday collages and ornaments. 

Well, that’s a recap of the things that stood out most in my mind that I thought might interest you, our  cherished and most-appreciated customers.  Our goal is to serve you by continually bringing you new things and by helping you find whatever beautiful project your heart is dreaming of doing next!  

Until next time, be well, enjoy your summer, and happy stitching! 

Lynn