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Monday, September 8, 2008
News & Features Newsletter #230
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Disclaimer: Please remember that items mentioned in our newsletter archives may no longer be available, or their prices may have changed.
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Hello!
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Dianne Lasseigne Akin lives in New Roads, La, and she began stitching at the age of seven. I am sure you will enjoy reading her stitching story.
"The first completed and framed piece was a crewel flower when I was eight. It hung in my mothers' house until she died. I had done plenty embroidery but not anything of this size. I had done stamped pillow cases and scarves starting when I was 7 years old.
Shown in the background of the photo is the Angel of Love design by Lavender and Lace (4725).
I have done stamped and counted cross stitch, embroidery, chicken scratch, crewel, needlepoint, Hardanger, candle-wicking, machine sewing, red work, appliqué, felt work, ribbon embroidery and tried tatting and crochet. I have 10 thumbs when it comes to those last two! My all-time favorite is counted cross stitch.
I try to cross stitch every night. To be retired there sure are a lot of things that get in my way of stitching! On a good "stitch day", I'll stitch for at least 4 hours. Even if you can just get in 15 minutes of stitching a day, that's fifteen minutes closer to having your beautiful project complete.
Besides needlework, I love to cook and a year and a half ago I wrote a 303 page Cajun family cookbook. With many great French cooks in our family that have passed on, I thought what a wonderful tribute it would be to my grandmother, parents, aunts and uncles to write this cookbook in honor and memory of them with lots of old family recipes, pictures and stories behind them. All proceeds from it have gone to St. Jude Children's Hospital. It was a great success. Of course, it took me away from my cross stitch but was well worth the effort and time put into it. My other passion is working in my flower beds. Due to my health, I'm no longer able to do this. So for now, I have to enjoy my flowers that return each year.
As of now, I'm a retired wife and mother of 2 grown children and 7 grandchildren. I was a licensed cosmetologist and a self-taught bookkeeper and secretary for a veterinarian. Due to health issues I had to quit work. Now I don't know how I worked outside of my home, cooked, cleaned, helped with homework, ironed, fished with my husband and still got lots of cross stitch done."
I asked Dianne if she had any particular project or new technique she would like to try. She replied, "As for technique, there's nothing that I am interested in at the moment. I just love counted cross stitch that much. I have at least 2000 projects planned...maybe more! I love the ones that take 6 months to complete, as well as the ones that I can finish in one to two weeks.
My advice is that you always stitch something that you love, otherwise you will find excuses not to finish it. Then it becomes a job instead of a "labor of love". And try not to have too many projects going at one time or you might find that you'll lose interest in one and never complete it. Also, I make a working copy of my pattern (especially if it is in black and white). It saves a tremendous amount of time to use a highlighter to mark the completed stitches. You can waste a lot of time trying to find your starting point on patterns if your magnets have moved. Also try alternatives to frames and pillows such as the cubes that I've made. They make really cute table decorations.
Most people that I have given my work to really appreciate it and know how much love goes into my work. About 5 years ago, I cross stitched Lavender and Lace's Angel of Autumn for the local Relay for Life. I sold tickets for $1.00 each and raised over $700.00 for them in memory of my mother and daddy.
Photo shows Angel of Autumn by Lavender and Lace (4730).
Some of my favorite designers are Lizzie Kate, Mirabilia, Vermillion Stitchery, Trail Creek Farm, Waxing Moon, JBW, Heart in Hand, Shepherd's Bush and all of Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum's patterns. There are so many more that I can't remember them all. My favorite fabric is 32 or 36 count linen. Each brand has its own qualities. And I love linen in many colors, as you can tell from my pictures. I don't buy a lot of kits because of the count fabric included. My favorite threads are DMC and Rainbow Gallery. I like the hand dyed threads but it becomes expensive to buy different brand threads. It would be nice if the designers would show DMC conversions for their specialty threads for those of us who don't have a shop close by.
which allow me to watch TV with my distance glasses and cross stitch at the same time. The largest piece I've ever done is 15" X 28" unframed.
What has needlework meant to me in my life? It has helped me through 13 major surgeries and the death of my mother and her husband. It has a healing ability like no other pass time I've ever tried. When I stitch, time flies by. Angel of Dreams by Lavender and Lace (4719A) is one I have stitched.
I know that I, as well as many other stitchers around the country, do not have local stitch shops. I live one hour away from the closest one here. The state of Louisiana only has 3 shops that I've found. I try to purchase from them as much as possible. It sometimes takes 3-4 months to get a special order item. That being said, I love Nordic Needle....if they are out of something (which is rare), it doesn't take long for the back order to come in. The ladies there are so nice and patient."
Thank you, Dianne. We do have a wonderful staff here at Nordic Needle and appreciate your kind words. Thank you for sharing your stitching story.
If YOU would like to share your story and be featured in a future newsletter, just click here to write to me and I will send you the questionnaire.
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Here are some more letters on the topic, "When I retire I plan to....."
- Hi, Roz
I am 58 this year and planning to retire at the end of 2009. I am so looking forward to that time. In preparation for the big event, I have started to fix our second bedroom in to my "Craft Room". My husband is building me shelves and cabinets for all my various projects, cross stitch, crochet, quilting, scrapbooking, rubber stamping. etc. I should have the room completed in a few months.
During my retirement time I also plan to get lots of reading in. I have so many books that I have wanted to read but just did not have the time. Besides my full time job I do Event Planning on the side. When I retire I can spent more time doing what I like doing best "Weddings". They say as you get older the time goes faster. Well bring it on! I am so ready to go into my second phase of LIFE! Doing, going and enjoying at my own pace.
MKCrafter, Gardena, CA
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In 2005 I retired from teaching suddenly when I was told by a neurologist that I had Parkinson's Disease. It was an early retirement for me, as I was only 57 years old. I had been exhibiting symptoms on my left side for years, but the diagnosis came later.
This was after breast cancer at age 48. To all of you I say, do enjoy life today & don't wait to be happy and fulfilled only when you retire.
I did learn this from these 2 diseases and really do appreciate each day more now than I ever have. In the last 7 months I've become interested in punch needle embroidery and took a 4 hour class in it. I have more time for friends and family and I better understand the importance of these connections. I babysit my grand-nieces, ages 6 and 21 months, (with my husband's help) one day a week. I attend Broadway in America shows, and get massages, facials, and manicures every-other-week. These are all ways for me to relax and to better my health. My husband and I take short trips and take it slow when I need to. We have gone to Iowa and Boston, to help our youngest son with the start-up of his entrepreneur business and to connect with our older son, who is completing a sleep-deprived 1st year medical internship. I have learned to enjoy the moments.
While my life may lack some in length I try to make up for in width.
So to each of you, a happy today, whether or not you are retired. When retired think of every day as Saturday, but if you think this way sooner your work life will simply flow into your retirement life.
D. Marg
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Dear Roz
When I "retire" I will probably be eternally asleep. I am 65 and did retire from a full-time position for the State Library of Utah in 2005 and have never been so busy. I am a caretaker for my 92+ year old mother, a full-time mentor to a learning disabled man and his child, an aunt to nieces, nephews, and a gaggle of great-nieces and nephews, plus I work part-time at the local applied technology school as an ADA Service Provider. [I work one-on-one with adults who need to learn marketable skills but struggle with learning or physical handicap issues.] Then there is always the basics waiting for me: yard work, house work, yard work, and more house work.
I do all types of sewing and creating with the needle to keep me sane. I love to learn new techniques with fabric, yarn, and needle craft. I make miniature bears, cloth dolls, and doll clothes. I knit, crochet, embroider, do needlepoint and crewel. As soon as I have a minute I plan to resurrect my Hardanger skills. I create my own patterns and designs for most of my projects. Did I mention that I also like to read. I usually read 2-3 books a week.
I find that my life is never dull.
Diane S., Farmington, UT
- Hi, Roz,
I enjoy reading this newsletter each time I receive it. I'm 61 and I never officially "retired"; however, I haven't worked outside the house since the end of May, 2005. I was working when my mother passed away and continued working. Then we started getting calls about my aunt (my mother's sister) going down hill in NY. I finally had to tell my boss I had to go to NY and I had no idea when I'd get back, so I just quit. That was 3 years ago and I never went back, as I didn't need to work anyway.
My mother taught me to do stamped embroidery when I was 4 years old. I was ill and had to stay in bed for 3 months. That was one of her ways of keeping me quiet and entertained! So I've been stitching for 57 years!
I have at least 10 lifetimes worth of stitching projects - if not more! I love counted cross-stitch, charted needlepoint (counted needlepoint), crocheting, quilting, machine embroidery, macramé, and sewing. I had grand plans to get myself organized and clean up my house when I stopped working. I have managed to get slightly more organized; however, with all my mother's things I want/have to keep plus now my ancestors' things I'm bringing back from NY, I once again have a royal mess.
My husband and I started a little property rental business and it is growing and doing well. Since we're native Texans who have been living in OK for 34 years, we've always wanted to get back to TX. Last summer we bought a little ranch between Fredericksburg and Llano, TX, in the middle of the Texas Hill Country - that's our little bit of Heaven in Texas! However, for now, our home is in OK, so we travel as often as possible to our ranch. Hubby does the driving and that means I get to sit and stitch for 6-7 hours, uninterrupted, each way! We also travel in our motor home to NY to take my aunt back to her home there during the summers. And now we also have a grandchild on the way so we'll be traveling to Virginia occasionally, too! And that continues to translate into hours and hours of stitching time! Yippeee!
Sheri Sweet
Edmond, OK
If you would like to share your dream retirement plans, click here to write to me.
Last time I introduced the topic, "If I had no limits on time and money, the project I would stitch next would be......" Here are more of your responses.
- Hello Roz!
What would I stitch if time and money were no object? Definitely the wonderful nativity set which has featured in past catalogues.......then I'd frame it all and give it to my Church for Christmas display. Of course, the house would go to wrack and ruin, no meals would be cooked, no laundry.....................
Love, Lynne in England
- If I had no limits on time and money, the project I would stitch next would be: My Stitching Dreams by Jeanette Douglas, along with the lovely box.
Lois F.
- My "dream big" project is to stitch an alphabet book for my new grandson based on Rosewood Manor's Alphabet Tapestry, choosing fiber colors as I stitch each page to bring the airplanes and apples and angels come to life in a toddler's cloth book.
Vicki W.
Akron OH
- I would stitch a Hardanger table cloth. I have always wanted to do something stunning like this, but something always gets in the way. Right now it is a beautiful new granddaughter for whom I am smocking and embroidering everything. She is just two months old so it looks like the table cloth will have to be put off for some years.
Fredrica (Freddie) S.
- If there was no limits on time or money - I would stitch EVERYTHING in all of my Burda Hardanger books plus every pattern or books put out by anyone else on Hardanger. I love the stuff.
Happy stitching
Ruth Proctor
Keep them coming! Just click here to send them to me!
Visits from Abroad!
 In late August we had visitors from South Africa in our store. Doreen and Gerhard were traveling across county by way of Fargo, North Dakota, so they could stop at our shop. Doreen was the navigator and finally admitted to Gerhard two days earlier just why she thought it was so important to go through Fargo. What a delightful couple they were. I gave them a tour through the building, introducing them to many of the staff while Beth worked on filling her order. They left with many projects Doreen was looking forward to working on when they returned to their home in Johannesburg. We love it when our customers come for a visit!
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Daughter, Jess, has come up with a refreshing and quick cucumber salad that she has brought to several different gatherings and had lots of good comments.
Quick Cucumber Salad
- One and one-half large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- One large onion, chopped
- 1/4 tsp black pepper
- Miracle Whip
Mix all together and use enough of the Miracle Whip to make it as creamy and tasty as you like it. If you like a little touch of white vinegar, add a bit of that as well.
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This Week's Featured Products
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 First of all this week I would like to tell you about these four new seasonal designs by Trilogy. Autumn Line Up. "Autumn Autumn". Is a fun autumn sampler in the "Line Up" series and features birds, pumpkins, acorns, falling leaves, and squirrels simply composed. Stitched on 32 count raw Belfast linen (3609-053), design size over two is 5.5" x 5.5". Uses Gentle Art threads (GA001-NUTMEG, HARVEST, SARSAPARI) and Weeks Dye Works (WD001-1304, 2200, 1233, 2237, 1333, 1223, 1271, 1269). Stitch all four seasons together in one long bellpull or horizontal piece.
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 If you are intrigued with Goldwork but have not tried it yet, this book is for you. In the very popular A-Z series, the newest is A-Z of Goldwork. Discover the tradition and magic of goldwork techniques enhanced with silk embroidery. This fabulous book contains over 540 step-by-step photographs and easy to follow instructions for more than 100 goldwork stitches and techniques. The inclusion of 15 silk embroidery stitches, clearly illustrated with more than 10 step-by-step photographs, gives you the opportunity to add color to your designs. Also included are 8 original designs, each with clear instructions, color diagrams and full size pattern to get you started. 156 pages.
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 While you are driving around town or on vacation, why not let everyone who looks at your license plate know what you enjoy! We now have three different License Plate Holders. You'll be able to let everyone know how much you appreciate needlework with this fun license plate frame! This frame has a black background with white text reading, "Anytime is Stitching Time!" Fits most standard license plate mounts, with four screw holes for secure installation. Measures approximately 12" x 6.75". This would be a great gift for any stitcher!
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 Retirement Crazy is a new counted cross stitch leaflet that celebrates the retirement years. "Retirement is a full-time job!", "Welcome to the rest of your life!", and "Retirement... world's longest coffee break!" make these designs perfect for the soon-to-be or already retired! Stitched on 28 or 32 count fabric, design sizes vary from 3.75" x 5" for "Retirement is...", 5.5" x 3.25" for "Welcome to...", and 4.25" x 4.25" for "World's...". Threads used include Gentle Art Sampler threads (GA001-OLD BLUE), Weeks Dye Works (WD001-1224, 2258, 6650, 1277, 2104) with DMC or Anchor substitutes listed.
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 Flying Geese & Chicken Feet is a new canvaswork design that is truly stunning. Vibrantly colored and beautifully geometrical and flowered intermediate pattern from designer Brenda E. Kocher will have you stitching a lovely assortment of stitches. You will need a 16" x 18" piece of 18 count mono canvas (9281-370). Stitched using Anchor floss (AN001-0233, 0392, 0871, 0873), Anchor #8 pearl cotton (AN008-0392), DMC #5 pearl cotton (DM005-0315), Needle Necessities floss color 126, ThreadworX floss (TH001-1117), Danish Flower Thread (DFT-503), and Soie Cristale color 6021. This pattern also includes threads for alternate colorway in the materials list.
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 Do you need a new little pouch to carry some of your needlework supplies or projects? This new color of our popular Tote-Alongs, is just perfect for the task. This adorable tote has a zippered closure, soft fabric handle, decorative beaded zipper pulls, and is just the perfect size to travel along with you with your stitching accessories. Fully lined vinyl interior makes this tote easy to clean and use, and it has a cute decorative bow on the top to add a bit of uniqueness to the style. Measures 6" x 4" x 4".
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 Haunted Hardanger is a new design that combines Hardanger embroidery with cross stitch and other specialty stitches. This Haunted Hardanger House is sure to spook! Stitched on 32 count Tarnish linen (suggested substitute 3609-4099), design size is approximately 8.3" x 9.5". Threads used include Kreinik #4 braid (BR004-057F, 032), Gentle Arts threads (GA001-RAVEN), Silk n' Colors color 165, Gloriana silk, Needle Necessities (substitute ThreadworX), Sanibel, Silken Pearl, and Mill Hill beads (MH42034).
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 This is the week your new fall catalog should arrive in the mail!! Of course it may take a few more days depending on where you live, but it's in the mail! It is filled with new and exciting needlework products as well as 6 pages of super sales for you. There are coupons for free and discounted items. Watch for it in your mailbox. The Hardanger Runner on the cover is my latest design in the "Memories of Norway" collection. I named this pattern, Olga's Garden. This design was inspired by an old runner I picked up in a second-hand shop in Risor, Norway. It was in cream and brown shades but I stitched it in the pewter and white shades. A pillow design is charted to complete the set. The name, "Olga's Garden" is in memory of Olga Dahle of Risor. Olga passed away in August of 2008, one year after we visited her. She was the only remaining first cousin of my mother-in-law. Even though we couldn't communicate with each other so well, her eyes lit up when we visited her and her smile warmed our hearts and she knew we were close relatives. She hadn't seen her American cousin for about 28 years, but they had a strong family bond. It is with pleasure I present this design in honor of our Norwegian ancestors and particularly Olga's family.
Here in Fargo/Moorhead, it went from 90° one day to temperatures in the 60's the next day. Fall is definitely in the air and I love it. It's my favorite time of the year even though I realize the frigid winter is just around the corner. As we all settle into the fall schedule and the kids are back in school, take some time to plan your next projects and pieces you want to stitch for Christmas gifts. Let us help you with your stitching needs. Thank you for your time.
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Have a great week and let us know if we can help with your stitching needs! |
Photo shows Fall 2008 Catalog.
Roz
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