The Patch: 2013

Thursday, November 28, 2013

Happy Thanksgiving Family

Happy Thanksgiving Friends,

Just a quick note, hoping that all of our friends.....far and near....enjoyed a much blessed Thanksgiving day. We hope each and everyone of you know just how dear you are to our hearts. We would like to think that we are appreciative and thankful for you every day....but it has a little bit more "pixie dust" on Thanksgiving day :-) For stopping in the shop with your smiling faces, for the excited voices over the phone, for the orders you choose to place online with us, for the treats you share with us....for giving us a place to work that we love...WE THANK YOU.

We tried a little something different this year. As much of our family is spread across the US, and even across the globe (!), you learn that...."friends are the family you find along your way". This year we spent a WONDERFUL Thanksgiving with just that family here in Pennsylvania. As many of you know...my family is over the moon about baseball. I love it too. One of the best things, however, is the people we have met by playing this game of bats and balls. Chris has played with Dillon for a little over 2 years now...and our families have been blessed with an amazing friendship. So this year we went to a local spot and celebrated our blessings and our families together. There was no cooking and no cleaning....but there were plenty of laughs and warm memories made.

Our Gang.

Dillon and Chris are the 2 in the middle in the red.

There love of baseball has created blessings greater than we could have imagined.

And one of the greatest things? The D's have a daughter...yes out of our combined 7 children....ONE GIRL. So, Emily time is the BEST!

Ruth Ellen and Emily.....

the 2 June birthday girls

Whether you enjoyed a day with your "blood" relatives or the family you've found along your journey....we hope it was a wonderful day.

We include all of you in OUR FAMILY, that we've found along OUR JOURNEY.

Friends and Family

Not to be forgotten!!!

As is tradition...our "gift" to you....we have our annual Christmas gift.

This year is as cute as ever!

PEACE

May we each find peace in the chaos of the world....may we have peace in our own hearts and lives that we may share it with others.

Beginning on Black Friday, while supplies last....

The Peace KIT is free to you with purchase. (1 per customer)

The Wooden Star Ornaments are available for purchase.

TSS Star 2013 Ornament

BLACK FRIDAY SALE...and then some

From Thursday, November 28th (Turkey day) thru Wednesday (Hump day) December 4th,

everything in the shop is 20% off. Only exclusions (aka, hoops) are: DMC floss, large Dazor lamps (those 2 items are already discounted) & finishing or custom framing (the usual). In stock frames however, are eligible for 20% discount.

Join us at the shop or online.

Happy Thanksgiving to one and all....

Abby

Thursday, November 21, 2013

It's beginning to feel a lot like........

Greetings Stitchers!

We're having another fun day here at the shop. The holiday spirit is definitely buzzing around here! Though we NEVER want to skip past Thanksgiving.....I think with Thanksgiving coming so late this year...the Christmas spirit is popping up. Maybe it's a time of thanks and blessings of heart and soul. My pumpkins and autumn goodies are still out, but I must admit...I put my candles in my windows! It's so nice, with the nights getting darker earlier...to come from one of the boy's practices, to my home glowing with candlelight. I may keep them up all winter :-) My family is beyond excited today, because our immediate family from Boston is on their way to Pennsylvania, as I type! Jimmy has literally been counting the hours. They have helped get things ready for their cousins and planned outings with everyone. My mother in law's birthday was on Monday, so we will be celebrating that this weekend. We have a new trampoline park (skyzone....the place ROCKS), that my boys LOVE...so they decided the BEST way to celebrate Nana's birthday would be to take her to Skyzone!!! I love the sentiment....but I'm not sure we'll be fighting the young'ns to bounce!

This was taken a summer ago :-) ... on our favorite place...

Cape Cod

What are you stitching on? If you are frantically finishing something up for Christmas finishing and framing....you still have a few more days. The Framing and Finishing Deadline is November 23rd!! Get those needles flying..you can DO IT! There's nothing like giving something that you've created from your heart and your hands. It doesn't have to be big..sometimes a little something means the world! And if not...there's always next year! I have been working on some of the Little House designs...they are quick stitches and fun to do. I also have My To Do List stitched for Christmas giving. Whatever you are giving....the truth is, it IS the thought that matters. Whether it is something hand made...or the special something that you saw in Walgreens...whether it's in a big box, or no box at all....whether it's something that can be seen or something that is felt.....if it comes from your heart...it is the best gift of all.

a few Thanksgiving goodies.....

This is SO ADORABLE. Those of us here in Pennsylvania, love the stone on the farmhouse...it is often seen in our parts.

Christmas stars

I love this idea...Thanksgiving stockings. And these are so cute with the pilgrims on them!

His and Hers Thanksgiving Stockings

Have you seen these new Shaker boxes? We are in LOVE with them!

Give Thanks Sewing Box

love this! How cute is the turkey??

Thankful for Thee

the 11th in the Little Sheep Virtues series..

Gratitude...a daily need.

a few Christmas ideas...for WHICH Christmas, we didn't say

Many of us are still stitching for Christmas giving..but some of us are just stitching...and LOTS of us like to stitch holiday items at holiday times. It's like a little gift when the next holiday rolls around...

So here are a few quick stitching things..and just some favorites :-)

KEEPER!

Now THIS would be easy to stitch up quickly as a last minute Christmas gift. The framed piece comes as the Wondrous Linen Kit and includes everything but the floss.

The Wondrous Pillow includes 14ct fabric, the pillow and the floss. SO CUTE.

We love nativity scenes....this is kinda like one!

Holy Night

Ya gotta BELIEVE!
I'm putting this in my pile, for SURE!

I Believe in Santa

Don't ya love the thought?

Sleigh Rides and Snowflakes (I'm always a fan of the alliteration too)

Sleigh Rides

New from one of our FAVES, Lizzie Kate.

Stitch it up now and you'll having something warm and cozy on your walls for wintertime!

Little Snow

(this kit comes with 28ct linen and the embellishments)

this is a darling little sampler! I like the YULE at the end

A Christmas Sampler

IS this GREAT? Love the way it is finished.

Believe Collage

I'm just thinking these would be great for a Cape Cod Christmas!

Seaside Christmas

GREAT Stitcher's Gifts...to give or RECEIVE. And no stitching required

A gift certificate...nothing says I love you like ..here, go buy something for yourself!!!

We have a TRUNK SHOW from My BIG TOE, of accessories.

They have been SO POPULAR, and they are exquisite.

Needlethreader with or without clasp.

(though I think it would be best with a clasp...as you could clip it on your scissors and it wouldn't get lost.)

The Stitch Picker....face it you do that more than you'd like.

Marking Pins.

I think these are just gorgeous on the pincushion!

GREAT Petite Scissors. These are LOVELY.

Gold Scissors

Petite Scissors - Silver

Petite Scissors - Copper

and another little idea....

WE LOVE THIS SAMPLER!

And lots of you have too.

Somebody asking what you want for Christmas? We can kit this up for your little elf to give.

The verse reads,

"all my scattering moments are taken up with my needle"

Needleworker's Sampler

until the next bloggeroo...Happy Stitching

Abby

Thursday, October 24, 2013

Hello Stitchers,
     If you're anywhere near us or above the Mason Dixon line, or God forbid live somewhere near Notre Dame like my sweet friend, Alayna (where it SNOWED yesterday), I hope that you're reading this with a warm cup of cocoa or Beth's favorite, chai tea. Yes, it is getting cold! And, we have a baseball tournament this weekend...YIKES! I already have blankets packed in my car. Unlike summer, when many of us are out in our yards or gardens (or pools or baseball fields), the cold weather is great stitching weather. There's nothing better.
   We've had some great visits this week at the shop. Melba Cherico was in and she said 2 things that really stuck with me. She, like me, is back to stitching in recent years after some busy times in her life.. She said of stitching, "When I'm stitching, all is right with the world". And my favorite, in reference to stitching, "I'm back home". THAT is SO TRUE. The rhythm of stitching, the projects we're working on, the projects we intend to work on, pieces that hold such memory for us...it's like being home. I loved that Melba! A group of stitching friends came in, who had not visited our store before, and one dear lady said, "oh, this is like heaven". I'm not sure if Saint Peter would agree with THAT...but I sure thought that was cool! And today, Barbara stopped in for a visit and brought us lunch!! It was so nice to sit and chat and have a nice hot lunch. THANKS BARBARA!!!! We love seeing all of our stitching friends - getting a chance to catch up on life and projects - thank you so much to all of you who include us in your journey. And it's not only the people we see in the store..it's emails, it's fb, it's instagram...what a blessing to be able to connect.
     My mind has been turning to Christmas lately. I don't want to push through the Autumnal season, but as a stitcher...you do have to think ahead a bit. I have had so much fun stitching the Little House ornaments for gifts. They are really quick to stitch, and you can frame them or hang them...either one is great. I stitched my last one on 25ct lugana over one, and it was a lot of fun. I love the look of things stitched over one...but it's harder and harder on my eyes. 25ct is a great option. If you've wanted to try an "over one" project...there are great little projects to work on.

Remember from my last blog...a little bit of green that was stitched? This is it!

Little House's, Joy and Peace...stitched over one on 25ct lugana....give it a try!

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=8639

Another friend was in this week, Pat Perry - who I've talked about in my blog before - and she treated us to a peak at the Halloween ornaments she's stitched and finished. THEY ARE ADORABLE!!! We love to see Pat stitching again..and Pat and I are on the same page..as we're both sticking to small, "finishable" projects these days. She also taught me how to train my eye differently..to see ornaments or projects in many different designs. I have "seen" so much since she taught me that! Now, one of the things we LOVE SO MUCH about Pat's goodies (and her mom had the same talent) is the way she finishes things. THEY ARE ADORABLE. We have asked Pat if she would teach a class on creative finishing and she said she would. We're so excited! This is at the Halloween ornaments she stitched and finished.... Enjoy!

I know you love them!!! I love the whole group..but I wanted to show you the creativity that Pat uses. Instead of leaving the back "blank"...she stitches something clever on the back, with the year and her initials :-) THEN, LOOK at the fun way she's finished these! Love the beads and cord.

THANKS PAT!

Remember the To Do List that I was stitching on and finished...it's all framed.

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=12313

This has really struck a note in so many people...I'm so glad. I just absolutely love it, and felt like it "spoke" to me with each stitch I put in. Here's another idea from Melba....she's stitching this one as a companion piece to the To Do List..and I loved the idea. It's now in my "to do pile" ;)

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=12982

a quick blog today....I don't know where the time goes?!?! Be sure to check out the new goodies online at

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/results.cfm?SubCategory=577

THERE ARE A LOT of GREAT NEW DESIGNS OUT!

Happy Stitching...and

LET'S GO RED SOX!!!!!

Hugs...

Abby

Thursday, October 17, 2013

Dear Stitchers :-)
Another beautiful day. No, the sun isn't shining and it's a bit muggy for October...but it's all in your perspective, isn't it? I have to say...being back at the shop with these wonderful girls and our great customers gives me a great perspective! I feel really blessed to work in a place where laughter IS the best medicine. Well....along with stitching! We are corny and cracked, to say the least...but we're ok with that. I would bet that my sister Beth would say....we're beyond cracked and that it has gotten to a new level since my return!!! My mom, Ruth Ellen, has been on a hiatus at the shore, but she popped back up for a few days to do some things at the shop (and for her dog to see my dog!) So, this is a look at us yesterday......

And for those of you who have wondered what Beth looks like..there she is in the center. Each day she has to put up with the wacko on the left! There's a spot in heaven for her ;) Yup...just another day at work..up to no good (I know those firms on Wall Street don't get to work like this.....that's why they are all STRESSED OUT).

I am happy to say, my needle has been flying recently! It's so great!! I have finished a few things (nothing too big, I don't do big these days!) I am having so much fun. Last Saturday, I had some errands to run..and I popped into the shop to "find a new project". I had such a nice time being a customer!!! I looked through racks, looked through the fabrics, decided on which fibers to use...talked to the girls. It was awesome! I rather liked being a customer ;) It's funny, I really hadn't stitched for awhile..and it's like being back with an old friend. I am definitely in the "one more stitch" mode, and have to have a project on the ready before I finish my current project! And, SHOCK of all SHOCKS..I am even thinking about some little trinkets as Christmas gifts! And it's EARLY for me!!! I have to say...I haven't felt such a kindred for a project, nor have I seen a piece capture as much affection as a piece I just finished.....

Lizzie Kate's To Do List

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=12313

It definitely struck a chord in many people. My non stitching friends wanted a picture that they could use as their screen saver on their phones! I think it speaks to what a lot of us want and NEED...to slow down a bit and focus on some of the important things in life!

(you'll notice with most stitching pictures a link. You can click the link and go to the page in our online catalog to see it and order it if you'd like :-)

I also finished stitching this cute little free design that is the freebie that is being sent out in our mail order packages right now...it's a cutie.....

Reindeer Kiss!

He was so fun to stitch...

(look for it at the shop, it's free with a purchase...or look for it in your mail order packages :-)

Little House Needleworks is a favorite of ours around the shop (and from the looks of what I send out it's the favorite of many of yours!). As I have been pondering Christmas goodies...Little House has many designs that are quick stitches that are great for stitching for quick projects..for giving or for keeping or for decorating! This is what I am stitching on now......

Doesn't it look lovely??? bahahaha! It doesn't look like much, but when you're stitching over one..IT SURE IS!! There was a time when I stitched a LOT over one, I haven't in recent years...but I decided to give it a try. In fact...looking at things for Throwback Thursday (If you haven't checked that fun little diddy, it's on our facebook page. We've been updating that daily...you NEVER know what you'll find there! You can find us at https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Strawberry-Sampler/125376960843400?ref=hl. ) Before I go on...I have to show y'all this one....

Who remembers THESE? YES, I stitched them OVER ONE...and that's A LOT of stitching. It was back in 1994....my eyes were MUCH stronger!

As usual....I digress. I was talking about Little House Needleworks. She has 2 new designs coming out..and they are as adorable as ever!

Home is Where the Sunflower Grows

Little Sheep Virtues, Kindess, #11

If you haven't seen this series, it is ADORABLE. One Virtue for each month... Here are a few from that series. (if you are interested you can purchase the entire 12, if you pay for all 12 at once, our gift to you, is that you only have to pay for 10...2 for free!)