Newsletter - January 2008

Happy New Year To You All!

How are the New Year's resolutions doing?? Many of us have resolved to make a determined effort with those unfinished needlework projects we have in our cupboards/workboxes/ mountainous piles, etc…….. why not come and join us at our Get–Together Saturdays (next dates are February 16th & March 15th) or we are also starting Get-Together Evenings on the first and third Tuesdays in the month, starting February, from 7pm to 9pm.

It has been extremely wet here lately although we seem to have missed out on the flooding hitting the news over the past weeks. As I write, more rain and gales are forecast tomorrow, just in time for the weekend – an excellent excuse to stay home and indulge in our stitching, beading and patchwork!

We have been busy organising some wonderful workshops for you. At the time of writing we do have some spaces for our February workshops, so if you fancy some beading with Elaine Peel, patchwork with Barbara Slee or hardanger with Jenny Burns (we have seen Jenny's hardanger evening bag and it is Gorgeous) give us a ring and book your place without delay.

Our Beadwork for Beginners Classes are great fun and some super work is being produced, if you would like to join in, our next term begins on 19th February and we will be concentrating on peyote stitch.

If you are not local and would like to attend any of our workshops we are very happy to recommend comfortable, friendly, local Guest Houses, where you are guaranteed a warm welcome. There are lots of things to keep the rest of the family occupied whilst you enjoy a class so why not have a short break at the same time?

Later in the year, we have two Retreats at Muncaster Castle, Cumbria, in June we have Canvas Embroidery with Irene Coulthard and in September we have Bags4Fun, a felting retreat with Bev Beattie from Knitting4Fun. Both promise to be exciting weeks!

In August we are pleased to be hosting two weekends with well known tutors. The 9th & 10th of August we have Isobel Hall joining us for a "Tags for Bags & Books" workshop. If you attended the Knitting & Stitching shows last year you will probably have seen Isobel showing her wonderful array of Bags from her latest book "Bags with Paper & Stitch". There will be a lot to learn this weekend. The following weekend, 16th & 17th August we will be having a Stumpwork weekend with Doreen Holmes. Doreen is an author, tutor and designer of stumpwork and needle lace, she will be teaching us traditional stumpwork techniques enabling us to complete a picture of a traditional shepherd and his sheep.

This month we are very pleased to announce some new Fobbles Exclusives designed by Irene Coulthard: The Treaure Box series. Irene has designed three canvaswork kits for us, Blue Floral Treasure Box, Spring Treasure Box and Autumn Treasure Box. The Chart Pack contains detailed colour charts, full instructions, needles, nymo thread and beads and is priced at £14.20. Also available are Appletons Wool packs (Blue Floral £7.20 and Summer & Autumn £8.00) and sheets of plastic canvas (£2.80 for two). A gorgeous box for all your treasures or it's just the right size to sit on your dresser and store your packs of serviettes!

If you are thinking of starting a new patchwork or quilting project we have some wonderful fabrics, from plain, checked and striped homespuns, fine quality cottons to brightly coloured Batiks. For any Laurel Burch fans out there we have a fantastic panel, with black background and a rainbow of colours. We think the panel is attractive to any age, but this design would be great for a child's bedroom where it could be adapted into a quilt cover. We have co-ordinating fabrics for borders and backing. If you need inspiration for your new quilt see the dates for workshops with Barbara Slee, she has kindly agreed to do some special days for us this year, the first being a Hearts Quilt in February.

Other new products include Oliver Twists threads with Caron Collection threads and New Kelmscott Designs products arriving very soon. Don't forget we have a growing selection of craft books and magazines – let us know if there is anything you require.

If you would like to come and have a look around and get information on our classes and retreats, we will be at our workshop Gubbergill, Holmrook, every Monday between 10am and 4pm (check Bank Holidays). We are happy for you to call in at other times but please phone before visiting.

Until next time,

Happy stitching and beading

Beverley & Edna