Learn to Crochet: Our November Book of the Month

Dionne    Book of the Month, Knitting and Crochet     crochet, crochet guidebook, learn to crochet

Cannot believe how fast this year has flown, this month has been especially quick.  I am horribly late with this posting but it does not diminish the regard we have for this months Book of the Month.  Learn to Crochet has sold out already this year and we have had to re-order.  With a range of projects covering chain, double crochet, treble, half treble and slip stitch, you can start from scratch and use the 20 easy projects to develop and build your skills.  At the end of your projects you have some fabulous homewares and wearable accessories. 

This book taps into a rising trend.  Crochet’s renaissance has been marked in our shop and across the fashion world this year.  This time last year we saw Granny hexagons as skirts on the catwalks of Europe, Jo Sharp has included a hexagon skirt in her new Knit 9 Get Cosy at Home: Warmth for Winter.  Patons have provided a great foundation book with their usual easy to follow instructions that are very well illustrated.  Here you have all you need to set off in a new craft direction and at a great price of $18.95, online and instore now.

Free Stuff now has its own Page

Dionne    What's New     courtney collection, Free stuff, gem show, quaker diamonds, rosewood manor

Apologies and thank you to all our persistant customers who have alerted us to the ongoing problems with downloading the alternative thread charts to Gem Show and Quaker Diamonds.  Every time I think I have fixed it, it goes demented AGAIN!  Not happy. 

Anyway, hopefully this is a solution that works for you in terms of actually being able to access the files, and me so that I do not have to re-visit this again next week and send out files to individual email addresses.  Cross your fingers people, … think I have finally nailed this.

Courtney Collection: Gem Show alternative thread chart

We have just had this stitched in our suggestion of colours based on the tone of this picture, the original suggestion from the designer is a little more vibrant.

Rosewood Manor: Quaker Diamonds Alternative thread chart

This looks spectacular in The Gentle Arts threads too.

Butterflies in Flight Afternoon Delight: Twill Designs

Dionne    Tapestry and Needlepoint, What's New     Audrey, butterflies in flight, christmas present idea, twill designs

Twill Designs are a new needlepoint range from a Sydney designer.  The all inclusive kits have everything you need to complete your design in a little ziplock pouch, … no more loosing your needle and all for just $29.95.

Butterflies in Flight Afternoon Delight

Very transportable, a great holiday project and just the thing to introduce children to stitching.  We have recently increased our range and included Butterflies in Flight Afternoon Delight when we did our inevitible Audrey top up.  The other design that has been popular is Blossoms in Bloom. 

Funny, Maria said that at the Stitches and Craft shows The Bag Lady was far and away the most popular.  Guess there is something for every customer in this range.

Check out her other designs online today.  Great Christmas present idea for a new stitcher.

Gum: Elaine’s Botanicals

Dionne    Embroidery and Crewel     double running stitch, Elaine's botanicals, embroidery, pistol stitch

Well here we are again at Australian Flora, I quite like the Gum, but if I were to stitch this it would have to be done as a Blue Gum.   The Blue Gum is the Tasmanian State flower of Tasmania, growing up in a rural area, it was everywhere.  Somehow the red and pink fluffy fronds never seem quite right to me they should be blue!

It seems our customers like it too as it is one of the best sellers amongst Elaine’s Botanicals.  It is relatively easy with only two embroidery stitches, double running and pistol stitch.  I think I might even have a crack at this one.    It it does give me a great idea for a baby’s blanket with Australian Flora and Fauna.

Shepherds Bush Stockings

Dionne    Christmas, Cross Stitch     shepherds bush charms, shepherds bush stockings

There is just time to complete a Shepherds Bush Stocking before Christmas ’10, …

Make someone you love, something they will love.

 … and if you don’t you can always give it to them next year.

We have all the charts, fabric and  charms you need to complete your stocking.  Optional thread packs are available with each chart with the DMC, Angora, Weeks Dye Works and/or Crescent Colours you need to complete your stocking.

… better get your skates on!