Dear Stitchers, 
     I'm BAAAACK :-)  I have to say, I'm liking this blogging thing.  Modern technology is something else, huh?  I was blessed by so many people reaching out to me, asking me about Jimmy and asking me about me!  Thank you so much.  I have to say....one thing brought tears to my eyes, and that was a visit from Pat Perry.  You see Pat and her mother Rhody have been fixtures in the shop since Day 1.  .  They have been on MANY of our early trips to Pawleys Island....and they were at every Stitcher's Retreat at the shop.  In fact, shortly after my son Jimmy was born, we had a Retreat, and there is a photo of Rhody holding my sweet baby boy.  They are beautiful, beautiful stitchers...and more importantly, beautiful people.  Several years ago, Rhody passed away, and though no death is ever an easy thing to process.....it was very hard to let go of this wonderful lady, as her daughter Pat will attest to.  Pat and Rhody knew me from the time I was "knee high to a grasshopper" to seeing me become a mother.  So, on Tuesday, when Pat popped in the shop and swallowed me in a big bear hug with a big smile...that was really special.  Somebody taking the time out to come say Hi, I'm glad things are going well, that was a blessing to me.  It hasn't always been easy for Pat to come back into the shop...where she and her mom had shared so much.  You'll never know, Pat...just how much that meant to me :-)  THANK YOU!  I know your mom was with us...and she was smiling.  
     That made me think about friendships.  There's nothing like them.  I was singing that song..."make new friends, but keep the old...one is silver and the other's gold".  I can remember wondering WHAT DID THAT MEAN!?!?!  Fortunately, I've had time to figure that one out!  We share so many things here at the shop...the joy of counting and stitching is certainly one...but so are the bonds of friendship that we form.  It is a special thing to be able to share our burdens ...... share our joys...with one another.  It is truly a blessing.  I have a handful of "new" friends who I treasure...and I have a handful of "old" friends that I treasure.  Those friendships have gotten me through many a "gray" day...and rejoiced with me through many a happy day.  One of the things that I think is so amazing...sometimes you don't have to say ANYTHING..just a smile, a hug, a look..that's the gift of friendship.  

Here's to FRIENDSHIP <3 b="">

(I've included the "page" you'll find these models in our online catalog.  Just click on it and it will take you to the page)

 

Hope of the Heart

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=12973

 

Life is Woven

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=12978

Desert Rosi

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=12232

Best Friends

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=10066

Friends and Family

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=4381

Friendship Endures

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=3934

Priceless Friend

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=5893

Tea Crazy

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=3630

Devoted Friend

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=12129

Old Friends

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=1419

Friends & Coffee

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=8141

Friends Sampler

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=4098

Shell Sampler

http://www.strawberrysampler.com/detail.cfm?ID=5885

So...Be a Friend..or Be Friendly...Little gestures go a looooong way :-)

Huge HUGS

Abby

Greetings Stitchers, 
     It's Abby :-) It's been quite some time since I've done an email...and I must say, this is my first OFFICIAL Blog.  Some would say I've been blogging since birth! This past year has taken me on quite a journey.  Some of it has been amazing, some of it was amazingly difficult.  I'll give you a brief account! In August of 2012, my oldest son Jimmy, was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis.  As difficult as that diagnosis was, it was only the beginning.  Here's the REAL SHORT story...after 6 PAINFUL months, we transferred his care to CHOP (if you live in the Philadelphia area and your child has ANY issue...Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia is THE place to go).  He started to receive very proactive care and we are thrilled to say that he is back to being "Jimmy".  He still has some distance to cover, but he is healthy and happy and active.  
     As these things happen...the stress and worry over Jimmy definitely took a toll on our family, and especially myself.  I have had a walk in faith over these last 6 months.  It has been very eye opening and quite freeing, actually.   I wouldn't have told you that several months ago, but each day is a gift and I am enjoying the beauty that life has to offer...the good, the bad and the ugly.  No, every day isn't peaceful....no, every day isn't easy...but it's all in my ATTITUDE...and these days I like to have an Attitude of Gratitude!  And one of the things I am most grateful for...is being back at the shop. YAYAYAY!  Yup, I'm back at the shop most every day from M-F. (Saturdays and Sundays you'll find me running with my boys).  I LOVE being back at the shop...seeing all of your beautiful faces, being inspired by the amazing creations you all share with us, laughing .... and sometimes crying, learning the new computer system, sending out LOTS and LOTS of Mail Order....and being blessed by what each day holds!  So, be warned...if you happen to get a package .... that might be missing this or that...or the tissue paper isn't folded as nicely as Beth and Molly do it....IT WAS ME!!  I'm hoping that there isn't much missing...but I don't hold out much hope for the tissue paper trick!!
     I look forward to "seeing" all of you....whether it's through the internet or at the shop.  You bless me...and I hope to share those blessings back...because it's all about love and service, baby!

On My Journey....

I've been looking a lot lately at the inspirational projects...so I thought I'd share a few with you.

This time I'm focusing on Lizzie Kate...I hope you enjoy them :-)

I KNOW GOD

Boxer

A quote from Mother Teresa

(BOY! is this one true...can I have an Amen!)

MY TO DO LIST

Chart Pack

I'm stitching this right now...I'm debating on giving it away or keeping it for myelf...we shall see!

DANCE IN THE RAIN

Boxer

I have always loved this sentiment!!  

THINK DEEPLY

Chart Pack

I wish we could have this in every school room around the country.....

PROMISE ME

Chart Pack

Back to Back....another one that every child should hear...but really, that every person should hear :-)

WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT

Chart Pack

This one is for my sister, Beth, who would wear sweatpants to class..and I NEVER UNDERSTOOD THAT!  (I also would like the less drama with girls...and less confusion with boys!!!)

And....WHAT, have I been stitching on?  I just finished a....BASEBALL picture.  Many of you have heard about my boys and their love for baseball.  This love was fostered by their Antie (Beth) and their Daddy (my guy).  I can't take any initial credit for it...but I love it as much as they do.  I have seen these boys grow in so many ways on and off the field.  We have made friendships to last a lifetime....and won and lost.  This summer, my younger son, Chris...hit 4 homerun in a tournament.  He was the youngest one on the team...and using a regular bat (for you baseball know it alls...not a big barrel bat, that all the boys like to use!!) He was SO psyched....so, this is for Chris (aka Chutchie, C, CC.....my ginger)

HOMERUN SLUGGER

Chart Pack from Little House Needleworks

Look for this finished in ADORABLE fashion...SOON.

And here's my Homerun Slugger....pitching...

as the post season begins....let me just show where my heart is....

OK...I'm going to try and post this and see if it works!!

Then I will be an OFFICIAL BLOGGER!

HUGS!

Abby

Busy, busy, busy...

My boys have returned to school and that means I can get some days in over at the shop.  I had my first day back last Wednesday ~ I can't tell you how I have missed my girls over there! 

 

I walked back in to find that you all have been busy ordering the new goodies from market.  Beth and Molly have been busy reordering everything, as it has been flying out the doors as fast as it comes in.  To add to the craziness, everyone at the shop is getting acclimated to the new computers and updated software ~ I was a touch intimidated at first, but will say that the new system will make filling all of your orders so much easier! 
That being said, thank you all for your orders and for your patience as we work hard to get your orders out to you as soon as possible!

 

This is one of Jacki's finishes.  Isn't this adorable!?!

 

Here are a couple of cuties from the latest newsletter...

 

It is hard to imagine, as the heat and humidity have made a comeback in our area, but it is, gulp, only 15 weeks until Christmas!  Since these sleds made their debut at the spring market, they have been flying out the doors as soon as we get them in, so please let us know if you are going to need some!

In addition to being wonderful ornaments, they would make great teacher's gifts! 

 

Here is another one of Jacki's beauties!

 

One last thing to note, the dreaded deadline....November 23rd will be this year's deadline for getting your framing and finishing orders in to the shop if you want to get them in time for Christmas! 

So, check out all the newest holiday items on the latest newsletter and have fun stitching!

 

 

 



Market Sale Extended!!

Okay, not sure where the text went the first time I tried to post this ~ sorry about that!!  

Beth and Molly found so many great new things at market, that they have extended the market sale through Wednesday.  They have been busy getting everything up on the site for you to see.

Thank you to those that have already placed orders.  The girls at the shop are working hard and will get those orders out to you all as soon as they can!!

Market Goodies and Market Sale

Beth and Molly have been shopping and stocking up on all the new goodies from market ~ and let me just say, there is a lot of good stuff headed your way!

One of the favorites is from a new designer ~ Lone Elm Lane and is titled "Snow Angel".

I love the footprints walking away from the snow angel, the dog, and all the other details in this piece! 

She has some other lovely designs as well ~ and, the boxes, she has those too!!!

If anyone has the Instagram App on their phones or Ipads, search for The Strawberry Sampler ~ the girls have started an account and have posted a lot of pictures straight from the booths at the market.

If you don't have access to the app, do not panic ~ just follow this link to see the latest and greatest.

The Strawberry Sampler Market Pages

And ~ any orders placed on any and all St. Charles goodies before midnight on Monday (8/26/2013) will receive 20% off!! 



Market Time!!!

IT'S TIME FOR MARKET!!!

Beth and Molly will be off to market this weekend.  For a preview, hop on over to the shop website ~ www.strawberrysampler.com ~ and click on the newsletter tab to see what the excitement is all about.  You can also click on New Goodies, scroll down and click again on St. Charles.  The girls will be working hard each evening of market adding the latest and greatest finds of the day.

I've already seen a few things that will be finding their way into my stitching basket.
What things have caught your attention?

To Market, To Market...

Hello everyone!  It's getting close to that time again.  Beth and Molly will be off to market in a couple of weeks.  Hope you all have been making out those wish lists!  

We are starting to see some of the designs that will be released and Beth has already mentioned one in particular in her latest newsletter ~ the Forget Me Not Sampler - from With Thy Needle/Country Stitches.  It will be a limited edition kit, so please let the girls know if you want one!  

Stay tuned for more updates!