IT'S HOT~HOT~HOT

I could not believe it when I looked at the temp yesterday and saw that it was 104 degrees!!!  Come on, it's NOT August yet!  On the bright side however, there were some beautiful clouds above our neighbors house.  Can't get much bluer than that!

 Daisy was seeking shade anywhere she could find it.  Needless to say we stayed out only long enough to water plants!

New designs from Prairie Schooler have arrived!  They're all GREAT!!!  From Halloween to Santa, they'll all be great fun to stitch. 

 We also have lots of new Mill Hill  kits that have arrived so you can get started stitching on those during this HOT summer weather.  Might make you feel a little cooler stitching winter things!

 Had several comments on my display for "NEW" Sampler and Weeks threads!!!  We had been laying them on the table and now they seem to catch customers eyes a little better now.  An old Angel Food cake pan perched on top of a paper towel holder on top of a lazy susan!  I have many unusual goodies in my shop closet to make displays with!!!

 And, I use many different props to hold up a framed model!!  This one has brought about many comments and conversations!!!  This jar of beans is from my first garden probably 1976-77.  I got a good seal on it for sure! as it's liquid is clear and the beans are still nice and green!!!!  Not planning to eat them any time soon, I just like looking at them!

 A couple of beautiful Halloween models are in the shop at the moment.  Reita stitched the top one and Kathy stitched the 2nd one.  They're both beautifully stitched so you'll want to stop by and look them over while we have them on loan!

  "Thine is the Trick and the Treat" by Prairie Moon

 "Jenny Bean's Halloween Sampler" by Shakespeare's Peddler

Whenever I'm out watering, my neighbor-dog "Vinnie", usually comes to the fence for a little "neighborhood gossip" session!  We talk about his girlfriend, Dixie and how much he likes living with two little boys.  We didn't talk much yesterday.  All he really wanted was a drink from my sprayer and a little shower to cool off with.  He barked "Thanks" and ran off back to the house for a much needed nap I'm sure!!! 

Stay cool my friends and...stitch-on!~~~ Anita

Okay... I've had many responses regarding Betsy's design so... here's a photo!!!  I'm waiting on Frame Warehouse to finish framing the companion piece before I take the "official" photo for the pattern cover.  The companion piece will honor our Scottish Terrier Watson, Betsy's compandre!  We had Watson first, then adopted Betsy after the passing of my Father-in-Law.  Watson accepted her into the family without question which made life at our house much easier.  With 2 growing, active sons and neighborhood children coming and going, adding Betsy into the mix was an easy transition.  Watson loved her and we called her his "blonde bombshell" which he didn't seem to mind!!!   We love and miss them both and they will remain.... "Forever In My Heart!!!

"FOREVER IN MY HEART" by The Sunflower Seed

In a previous post I displayed the following "Word Play" designs before finishing.  Kathy has been stitching these sweet designs and I believe she is currently working on her 4th one.  "October" lies in "the drawer" waiting to be  finished!!!  I think they came out really nice and will be easy to store in their "off" months!

"February Word Play" by Brenda Gervais

"March Word Play" by Brenda Gervais

 The 4th of July is racing toward us and we have quite a few designs you could be working on now to show your patriotism!  We're currently waiting on a new shipment due in this week.  Come on by and "get your red, white and blue on"!!!!!

"Patriotic" display at The Sunflower Seed

Talk to you soon and "Happy Stitching" !!!  ...............................Anita

Think'in 'bout Christmas Yet???

It's hard to imagine but.....things are beginning to arrive here in the shop with Christmas thoughts in mind!  These Mill Hill Kits are such wonderful "quick" projects you can stitch up in a couple of sittings.  They are great items to attach to a gift package, hang on your tree or use as magnets or lapel pins.  The uses are unlimited!  Some of these have already arrived and some we are still waiting on.  They "go fast" so you may want to "jump" on these and get a head start on some of your Holiday stitching!

I'm sure a lot of you have gotten information about the "Lizzie Kate Mystery Sampler Club" so this is a reminder for you.  If you are interested in participating in this you must call or come by and sign up for this 3-part project.  I'll need to know if you are wanting the fabric and floss packets that go along with this sampler.  1 floss color is being created especially for this sampler and it will not come available to everyone else until September but you can get it now by ordering the packet of floss. (19 skeins total for this project)  The fabric is a 30 Ct. Weeks Dye Works linen and the color is being kept secret until the first of the three patterns is released.  There will also be a bonus pattern included in each release.  Release dates are:  June 27, July 27 and August 27.



We also have a sneak peak at this years Just Cross Stitch Halloween Magazine Issue.  Again, if you would like a copy of this you need to come in or give us a call (785-228-0588) to reserve your copy.  Pre-payment is required and if you are not local, Visa, MC and Discover are accepted.  There will also be another "Halloween Collection Book" published this year.  Last year's was such a success they are doing it again.  I was asked again this year to design a project for this publication!!  We are anxiously awaiting a sneak of this new book!!!

Thoughts of Independence!!!  July 4th is just around the corner!  Here's a trio of designs from The Sunflower Seed that are "do-able" stitches you could actually have done in time!!! 



 "America 2012"

 "Independence"

 "Proud and Free"

"The Sunflower Seed" is working on a couple (or 3) new designs to be released in the near future.  One is ready to photograph, one is almost stitched and one is designed!!!  One design is a sweet little piece honoring our beloved little shop dog "Betsy" that we sadly lost this past September.  (Never fear---Daisy is still here!)  I knew I wanted to do something for her and finally came up with the idea of using a small design which will also include her collar and tags.  The chart will include 2 color ways; for male and female.  Hopefully it will release sometime next month.  Stay tuned, all dog lovers will want this.  Now I've been asked to do one for cats, which, may come along a bit later. 

One last word, please, "Support Your Local Needlework Shops".  If you don't, they cannot stay in business.  If you see something on the internet, first, ask your local shop if they can get it for you.  Generally they are more than happy to order in these items for you.  Just because you don't see something in their shop doesn't mean they can't get it,  you need to ask them!!!  If you HAVE to purchase something on the internet, please at least purchase from an actual "BRICK AND MORTAR" store (not a business run from someones garage).  You will help keep these businesses ALIVE!  There's nothing like seeing the actual fabric, floss and stitched models that you encounter in a REAL needlework shop!!!  Thank you all for coming, I will step down from my "Soapbox" now !!!!!

Grab your needles and let's get stitching!!!........................................Anita