I have finally finished loading all of these beautiful kits online.  The May Gibbs collection are our most popular online brand.  At the Seaside is probably my favourite.

Fabulous contemporary Blackwork Sampler

Thanks Courtney Glau, Black Work Show really is a stand out Blackwork sampler.  I want it up on the walls in the shop, and despite the fact that I have too much to do and not enough time to do it.  I WANT IT!

This is what I actually did in my Christmas break, … when the munchkin was asleep.

The eagle eyed amongst you will notice that these are miniatures from the picture posted in our Christmas message on Facebook.  These lovely designs Red Letter Ornaments from Blue Ribbon Designs can be made in the larger design which we had stitched for the shop.  My fabulous stitcher, Margaret also stitched 5 of the 8 miniatures, but ran out of fabric.  For those of you who missed it, here is the picture.

I did the other three.  Then I fell in love with them and had to have a set for my own tree!  The munchkin is also very keen on the Kreinik corder I purchased to completed the twisted cord around the outside.  In the home stretch now and maybe I will be able to finish a few other stitching projects.  (We stitched ours in the DMC on 32 count.  My lovely Margaret may well have said rude things to me if I sent her 40 count linen to stitch on, I know I would have done if someone sent me 40 count linen.)

Also thanks to Mel from South Arm in Tasmania for reminding me to upload the palette for the Danish Flower Threads with their new colours.  Hope these are all legible, if not download the chart, remember colours may differ on your screens and printers from what I actually scanned in.  Here is their new palette.

I could do with things being a little less interesting and being far more predictable at the moment.  It is a tough time in retail and hobbies and crafts have been especially hard hit as people appear to have less disposable income with rising costs of fuel, energy and food.   As a consequence of this, many small craft manufacturers have stopped producing and are shutting their doors.

As an Australian business we are looking at what we can do to help ensure there is a healthy industry for our customers to enjoy, now and when things improve.  Part of that plan is a conscious choice to stock more Australian products amongst our ranges.  Regulars in store visitors would be aware of the increase in Fiona Jude’s Country Threads, Stewart Merrett, Danico and our range of Australian themed canvases.

We are now looking at Australian thread ranges.  First to be added to our stock thread range is Mogear Embroidery Yarn in the Gossamer 100% mohair and Silky 70% mohair and 30% wool.  The Gossamer is a 2 ply yarn, hand-dyed in solid and varigated colours.  Gossamer solid colors are available in 10 metre skeins.  Gossamer varigated and all Silky threads are available in 8 metre skeins.  Silky is a 3-4ply thread.  Both Gossamer and Silky thread weights are also available in fun multipacks of related colours in half lengths.  The full palatte of 90 colours is available now online and in store.