Jo Sharp

Dionne    Knitting and Crochet, What's New     jo sharp

Craig and I have just returned from a wedding and business in Perth.  We took some time to visit a number of needlecraft shops in the area. It was great to meet Jo Sharp at her new retail outlet in Cottesloe.  She was extraordinarily generous with her time and gave us a lot of great ideas for having garments made up and displayed for customers to try on in store.  Haven’t quite figured out where I am going to put it yet but I am working on it.

She also hinted at new designs in the pipeline and said the valuable feedback she is getting in the shop is helping to shape that direction.  Nothing like getting up close and personal with the people who will knit and ultimately wear her designs.  Jo Sharp is one of our main yarn ranges and we stock most of the colours in each.

Design and stitch for the Pink Ribbon Foundation

Dionne    Blackwork, Longstitch     cancer council, fundraiser, Longstitch, needlecraft competition, pink ribbon foundation

This year we are continuing our support for the Pink Ribbon Foundation and the Cancer Council. We have decided against selling our cupcakes or Pink Ribbon merchandise, we want you to create something beautiful to celebrate the battles won and lost against Cancer by those you love. I am having visions of pink and yellow displays, you pick we don’t mind.

The entry fee will be the fundraiser, which means that 100% will go to the Cancer Council and Pink Ribbon Foundation. There will be 3 $25.00 gift vouchers to be won. These will be for the best entry in crewel embroidery, cross stitch, and tapestry/needlepoint. I am sure you have questions, we are still working out the finer details, and will have them available in store and on our website for May 1st, the beginning of our annual May Sale.
Are you a Blackworker? …. It will be judged in the cross stitch section, maybe you could make it pink or yellow.
Longstitcher? … judged amongst the tapestry/needlepoint entries
…. You get the idea

The competition ends October 15th 2010 and we will exhibit the winning entries instore for 2 weeks. For tips on how we will be judging your work, check out my post “Everyone’s a critic …” on March 16th.

We can’t wait to see what you all come up with.

Fun, funky, fast and fab

Dionne    Book of the Month, Knitting and Crochet, What's New     loani prior, really wild tea cosies, wild tea cosies, woolly objet d'art

21 ways to glam up your daily cup of tea

Loani Prior’s new Really Wild Tea Cosies arrived in store on Friday, and there is truly something for everyone here.  We couldn’t wait to get our hands on it after the success of Wild Tea Cosies, which just walks off the shelf and has become one of our standard lines.  Kerry and I were thrilled to meet Loani when she and her friend dropped into Victoria House Needlecraft in November 2009.  She was on a flying visit to judge the exhibits for Exeter CWA’s Crazy Cozy Day fundraiser for patients with breast cancer.  She is just as warm and vibrant  in person as her books, and her recommendation of the 2 needle knitting in the round technique was a revelation.  Very typically, she credits her sources and provides clear, concise instructions peppered with warm humour.

These woolly objet d’art are breathtaking in their imagination, vibrant use of colour and varied construction techniques.  One of the best things about this book is that there is a project for every level of skill and availability of time.  My personal favourites are Bells and Mexicans, a funky vibrant mushroom-like hat and the Mongolian Sock Warriors are a fab set to keep the Tea, Coffee and Water pots low maintinence at a girlie afternoon tea party.  Can’t bear to part with a vibrant jumper that is long past its best, join the recessionista’s and re-invent your beloved woolly as a tea cosy with accent trim and blanket stitch such as Sleeveless in Seattle.  There are crocheted cosies, colourful cosies and cosies that quite literally have bells on them.  Loani also provides the instructions for the bells! 

The beauty of the tea cosy is that is a perfect practice piece for a new technique you may be daunted by in a garment.  I always encourage people to create something they will use or display with pride in their home, I love the idea that a “practice piece” is useful.  Loani’s book helps you create a practice piece that is fun and beautiful.  21 even wilder tea cosies elevate your daily cup of tea with colour and fun, available in store and online now for $29.95.

Christmas treats – Handmade is the new Black

Dionne    Christmas     Christmas, handmade, shepherds bush charms, shepherds bush stockings

At the risk of looking like supermarket chains across the planet, Victoria House Needlecraft has a permanent Christmas display.  Not sure about all of you, but I have far less time than I used to.  If you are racing to get something done for a particular event, the beauty of Christmas is that it comes every year and unless you have told the recipient about what they are getting, you can always buy something else and finish off your gift in time for the following year.  While Shepherd’s Bush Stockings have been available for years, their designs are classic and they regularly offer something new.  All of their lovely designs are available from us now, along with the charms to complete your favourite.

Make someone you love, something they will love.

Eating and drinking are not allowed at Victoria House Needlecraft, so our counter junk food selection consists of  the fabulous range of perforated paper tree ornaments from Mill Hill.  I love these so much, and they are so quick to complete.  Haven’t managed to give any away completed yet … they are my preciouses!  In fact, I just love Christmas full stop. All that beading and silver and gold and bright colours, … what’s not to love?  Talk about being in touch with your inner 5 year old.  Why not indulge yours today?

Just a small selection of available stock, phone the shop for more