Newsletter - October 2006

We hope you have all been enjoying this gorgeous Indian summer that we have been blessed with. Long may it last!! This is a busy period – the lead up to Christmas, but we all need to find time to indulge in some ‘me time' and get going with that exciting needlecraft project that has been beckoning to us.

Last week we had a day workshop with Barbara Slee, making a delightful patchwork sewing case with little pockets to hold scissors, thimbles and needles. Some of us had done very little sewing, some of us were very rusty, but it did not matter as Barbara has oodles of patience and helped us all to produce a finished article. For those who had a little more experience she has a wealth of knowledge to impart, giving all kinds of helpful tips. We hope she is going to come and teach again in the New Year. It was wonderful to meet the ladies who had joined us for the first time, and especially Gwenda and Gloria who came all the way from Penrith to spend the day with us, we hope you will be able to join us at future events (and not just for the totally scrumptious scones, jam and cream which have a tendency to appear mid-afternoon – thank you, Anne!).

Our Thursday Beaders Group has started up again and we have had a fun time catching up with the news. There were some very chic knitted bags which had been completed following a beadwork holiday with tutor Elaine Peel. Christmas angels and baubles are also being produced in great numbers!!

Our evening beading classes for beginners began last Tuesday – if anyone has missed out on these give one of us a call.

Beverley, along with Anne and Alison, had a glorious day out at Blackwell House, Windermere, a wonderful Arts & Crafts house overlooking the lake. We met up with friends Jen, Pauline and Joan from Lancashire and Lauren all the way from the USA, on one of the sunniest days you could wish for. We indulged in copious amounts of home cooked food and fresh lemonade sitting on the terrace, watching the sail boats on the lake and also a fly past by two Lancaster Bombers, a Spitfire, and an Utterly Butterly plane without the wingwalkers! The house is wonderful and was a great source of inspiration with plenty of window seats where we could enjoy the stunning views. As always, a day out in Windermere is never complete without a visit to Lakeland Limited……………so we went there too!

We have some very colourful new products this month. Stunning lampwork Scissor Fobs from Beverley Trembath Designs – these are produced with hand made beads by Judith Johnston, Bali Silver and gorgeous Swarovski crystals. They can be used to personalise your scissors (never lose your scissors again or pick up someone else's by mistake) or favourite tool. They come in a stylish presentation box and make an ideal present for that special person.

If you are an animal fan you will love our beautiful, bright bags by Laurel Burch. We think they are great and by the amount that are disappearing so does everyone else! There are cats, dogs, horses and even a few lions peeping out of the undergrowth. The canvas ones have wipeable interiors with little zipped pockets for your purse and space for a mobile phone. They come in various shapes and sizes and have so many uses, shopping, carrying your favourite needlework, weekends away, and Edna uses hers (yes, she has more than one) for her golf days out!! Keep an eye on the website as there will be some NEW SEASON Laurel Burch bags arriving during October with brand new designs – we know you will love these too! They will make great presents.

We have also just had a delivery of Shepherd's Bush kits, including some of their latest designs as well as some of the old favourites, we are still unpacking these but will have them on the website very soon! If you can't wait, give us a ring or drop us an email to see what we have!

Do you need to stock up on threads and fabrics? Remember that we can supply ALL Zweigart fabrics, including aidas, linens, banding and afghans, in every count and shade. Give us a call for a competitive quote and if we do not have it in stock we will add it to our next order. We also stock DMC threads and can order anything from DMC that you require.

If your passion is beadwork, look out for new beading accessories which we will be adding over the coming weeks, including some fabulous Watch Faces which have just arrived…..ask us for details.

We are escaping to the Fashion and Embroidery show at Harrogate next weekend (Beverley will be taking her matching Laurel Burch tote and travel bag!),and we hope to come back with plenty of good ideas. Will let you know more next month.

Happy stitching and beading,

Beverley and Edna