Hello!
Have you met Flat Stanley? He is the main character in six children’s books by Jeff Brown, and has since become quite famous among children all over the world. His story is that he was flattened by a falling bulletin board, but decided to make the best of it to make the world a better place. His best feature is that, because he is flat, he can be mailed in an envelope all over the world.
Teachers of preschool and elementary school students in many countries have used the Flat Stanley project to teach children geography and letter-writing skills while having fun! Each child makes their own Flat Stanley, and it can then be mailed to friends or relatives who document the adventures that Flat Stanley has while visiting them with letters, postcards and photos.
Guess what – our preschool grandson Daniel made a Flat Stanley, and we became Stanley’s proud adopted grandparents! Our first adventures with Flat Stanley involved exploring the Fargo area. Of course he visited Nordic Needle, but he also learned all about the bison who used to roam the Great Plains. Did you know that the animal most of us call “buffalo” are actually North American bison? In fact, buffalo are distinctly different animals and are native only to Africa and Asia. But the name “buffalo” has been used interchangeably with “bison” since early European explorers first encountered them in North America, so it is a little difficult to change our habits now!
 The reason we introduced Flat Stanley to bison is because of a great public art project that took place in Fargo-Moorhead a few years ago. It was called Herd About the Prairie, and it involved many different artists creatively and elaborately decorating 74 life-size fiberglass bison (8 feet by 5 feet by 3 feet). The bison were on display in the community for awhile and were then auctioned off as a fund-raiser for the Lake Agassiz Arts Council to promote the arts in the area. The bison were purchased by local organizations and businesses, and can still be visited and admired today!
Other cities have had similar projects (cows in Chicago, bears in Milford, Pennsylvania, even camels in Abu Dhabi), so why did Fargo choose the bison? According to the website, “the burly and majestic North American Bison continues to be a stunning national symbol of the American Indian, buffalo hunter, the Wild West and the vast splendor of the Great Plains. As the largest land animal on the continent, the Plains Bison herds roamed once in great numbers ranging from 30 to 70 million and served as a sacred and vital source of food and provision to the native peoples of America who called the bison Tatanka. Herd About the Prairie celebrates our collective story, imagination, and culture past and present. A herd of bison is nature’s fitting symbol of the region’s history and is also representative of the strength and spirit of American business and artistic expression.”
If you want to see all the amazing and sometimes humorous bison, go to www.herdabouttheprairie.org and click on “gallery” in the left column menu. Each bison can be enlarged by clicking on it.
To learn more about the Flat Stanley project, go to www.flatstanley.com.
Who knows – you may hear about further adventures of Daniel’s Flat Stanley in future newsletters!
In my last newsletter I told you all about the upcoming Bookmark Challenge for literacy. I was thrilled to get the following email from designer Sandra Schueller. She wrote, “I'm a designer and am promoting the bookmark drive on my website. I offer a free bookmark for customers to download in PDF format. I feel privileged to "help" in some way.”
To download Sandra’s free bookmark pattern, go to www.joyfulexpressions.us
Thank you, Sandra!
I also heard from Anne P. in Tucson, Arizona who wrote, “I am a huge fan of Nordic Needle and your newsletter. When you wrote about the bookmarks, I had to write and tell you that three years ago when my mother moved in with us, we got together and figured out a way for her to do some handwork that would be rewarding but not too small for her ninety year old eyes. She made a slue of plastic canvas bookmarks and some pencil toppers. We put the toppers on pencils and gave the bookmarks and pencils to the toys for tots program to use as stocking stuffers. The Marines loved them and I am sure that they made many children smile when they got their stocking on Christmas morning. The next years she made crocheted teddy bears and other animals for the toy drive. She is always busy and we are so blessed that she has an outlet for her talents. She would cross stitch if she could, but the holes in the cloth are getting too small for that. I just thought you might like to have an idea to pass on to your members who are sending in bookmarks. If they make a few extra they will know what to do with them.”
Thanks for writing, Anne. Your mother must be so pleased with all the wonderful gifts she has been able to make!
In case you missed my last newsletter, let me highlight the details of the Bookmark Challenge again. All of you, our wonderful Nordic Needle customers are invited and encouraged to participate! The Needle and ThREAD Bookmark Challenge coordinates with Children’s Book Week, which is earlier this year, so the dates for us to receive your handmade bookmarks are March 20 through May 8.
All the needlework stores who participate will encourage their customers to stitch bookmarks. You will send your bookmark(s) to us by May 8, 2008, and we will display them with your name, city and state (or country) in our store. After the challenge ends, we will hold a drawing and the winner of the drawing will receive a $100 gift certificate to Nordic Needle! The more bookmarks you send to us, the more times your name is entered into the drawing and the better chance you have to win!
If you would like, you are encouraged to attach a slip of paper to your bookmark with your first name and the title of a favorite book. All the stitched bookmarks will be donated to local Fargo libraries or elementary schools during Children’s Book Week, May 12-18. They will be used by librarians and teachers to encourage and reward children for reading accomplishments.
If we receive bookmarks with a Christian theme, they will be donated to a local Christian school. If you would prefer that your bookmarks are donated to an adult literacy program instead of children, just make a note when you send them to us and we will be sure that happens.
Send finished bookmarks to:
Nordic Needle, Inc.
Bookmark Challenge
1314 Gateway Dr SW
Fargo, ND 58103
If you need design ideas, check out the cross stitch bookmarks category on our shopping cart
Cross Stitch Bookmark Designs.
The bookmarks do not have to be cross stitch, so if you want to see other possibilities, go to our search feature Search and enter the word “bookmark”. We have bookmark designs in Hardanger embroidery, blackwork, tatting and more!
If you do Hardanger embroidery, you might be interested in one of the free charts on our website for a Hardanger bookmark.
Free Hardanger bookmark chart
Carol Pedersen’s free Hardanger embroidery bookmark chart
Thank you for considering the bookmark challenge. Last year, the first year of the Stitching for Literacy campaign, we were thrilled to receive 171 bookmarks sent from 22 different states and three foreign countries. The techniques used include cross stitch, appliqué, crochet, bargello, embroidery, tatting, Hardanger embroidery, beading, plastic canvas, embroidery on paper, silk ribbon embroidery and canvaswork. Let’s try to set a new record this year!
I also have a few emails to share about previous newsletter discussions. Bobbie V. from Manchester, New Hampshire wrote, “I have made a Hardanger christening gown to replace the christening gown that was made by my great grandmother. Hers was all lace and 60 babies had been baptized in it before becoming too fragile. Additionally babies today are larger and they are older when baptized. So I set out to make a new heirloom. I used a pattern that was hand drawn and had a near grievous error in it. The directions called for 25 count fabric. Even with an additional 6 inches added I came up short. Linda Driskell was at Celebrations of Needlework in New Hampshire and she helped me shorten the design. We believe the fabric should have been 28 count. It took me 2 years to do the front panel and 2 days to sew it into a gown. I used lugana and 100% cotton batiste. I have won a blue ribbon at the Deerfield Fair and the first baby has used it already.”
What a meaningful accomplishment, Bobbie! Imagine if 60 babies would wear the gown you just made. Now that’s an heirloom!
In answer to the question about keeping your place on a complicated chart that changes colors frequently, Denise H. wrote, “I have a friend, Kathleen who was doing a "Mystic Stitch" pattern and she pre-marked her stitches that were all the same color with a yellow highlighter. Then when she finished the stitches she would mark them with an orange highlighter. She did each page this way. At first we laughed at her, but when we started one we all thought what a good idea.”
Finally, I had two more readers respond to the question about the “garment of white” used in Roman Catholic baptisms. I am including them because I enjoy learning about symbolism and other people’s traditions. I hope you do, too!
Monique V. from Burnsville, Minnesota wrote, “As a Roman Catholic and holder of a Master of Divinity degree, I would like to address Joan of Australia's question about the role of the baptismal garment. First, there is no special name in the ritual books for this garment, except "white robe" or "white garment." The cloth which is used must be white. The idea of being clothed in a white garment probably comes from Scripture.
In the early centuries of the Church, only adults were baptized. They would go through three years of Christian initiation (especially important when the culture was non-Christian), and be baptized at the Easter Vigil. For that ceremony, they would step naked into the baptistery and be immersed three times. After they emerged from the waters, they were anointed with oil and then clothed in a white garment, symbolizing that they had been washed clean of their sins. They wore the white garment from Easter through Pentecost, then resumed their every-day wear.
Through the centuries, baptism evolved from full-body immersion to sprinkling the head with water three times while clothed. The white garment also evolved from being clothing to a white napkin or bib. In many parishes today, a small group of (usually) women embroider these cloths with baptismal or Christian symbols, to be given to the child. The words said with the giving of the "garment" are: "See in this white garment the outward sign of your Christian dignity. With your family and friends to help you by word and example, bring that dignity unstained into the everlasting life of heaven." The family is encouraged to supply the garment, if possible.
I want to stress that the only things really necessary for a valid Catholic baptism are water and a person who wants to be baptized. The white garment is a sign of the grace given at baptism – the giving of the white garment is not necessary for a valid baptism. But we Catholics love signs and symbols, and like to use a lot of them when the sacraments are celebrated.”
Bob L. did some research, and shares this information. “There is no ecclesiastical mandate directing all baptismal candidates up to age 12 to wear white. However, it is most suitable for infants who should wear a white baptismal garb since they are not difficult to find and the symbolism of the garment cannot be underestimated, since it represents the purity of our soul at the moment of baptism.
As for those who are older children, one could wear a suit of any kind. Attire DOES matter in anything we do in the Church, for it conveys our understanding of the sacredness of our surroundings (in a church) and our understanding of the beautiful mystery we are about to witness or partake in.
That being said, what matters for children's baptismal attire is that it be respectful to correspond to the dignity of the sacrament. The priest will provide a white garment (usually a small alb) for the child right after baptism which symbolizes the new purity of soul and entrance into divine grace. The alb is then returned to the priest unless it was provided by the family whose child was baptized.”
Thanks for sharing, Monique and Bob. Unfortunately, my neck problems are preventing me from making fast progress on the baptismal gown for Rebecca, but I am still determined that it will be finished in time!
If you served ham for your Easter dinner, the recipe this week is a great way to use up leftover ham! This is good old-fashioned comfort food!
Ham Casserole
- 2 cups cubed ham
- 2 fifteen ounce cans of creamed corn
- 1 cup cubed Velveeta cheese
- 16 ounces macaroni or other pasta
- 1 eleven ounce can cream of mushroom soup
- One-half cup milk
Cook pasta according to directions on box. Drain water and put in large bowl. Add the other ingredients and mix together. Put in greased casserole or 9” x 13” cake pan. Bake at 350° for one hour.
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Before we get to this week’s featured products, I have some exciting special offers for you! Some are special purchase items and some are special combinations that we put together just for you, but all are available in limited supply! Order them today!
 The first item is a pack of angel cards by Emie Bishop of Cross ‘N Patch. This assortment includes all eight of Emie's gorgeous angel designs (years 1994 through 2001) with a color photo, chart and instructions. They all call for working on 32 count Belfast linen, but you could use a larger fabric (22, 25 or 28 count) to produce larger angels. These beautiful intermediate level Hardanger designs, accented with gorgeous cross stitch, would make beautiful gifts or make the whole collection for yourself! The cards have a retail value of $3 each, but we are offering the collection at a 42% discount while quantities last! Very limited supply!
990-124-0009 Eight Emie Bishop Angel Designs (Hardanger and cross stitch)
$24.00 on sale for $13.99 Save 42%
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Next we have created a pack of fabric and thread that would be perfect for teaching beginners to cross stitch. Maybe you have some friends who would like to learn, or know of a group of children who might enjoy cross stitch. The pack includes a 12” x 12” piece of antique white aida fabric and 8 skeins of embroidery floss in assorted colors. Very limited supply of this pack!
990-429-0000 12” square of 14 count aida plus 8 skeins floss
$6.50 on sale for $2.59 Save 60%
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This is a frame we have featured before, but the sale price has just dropped even lower! It is a special purchase item, so buy it now! The beautiful dark mahogany Pfaltzgraff collage frame is 11" x 11" x 1.5" with four openings that fit a 4" x 6" photo. The two horizontal openings are closer to the front of the frame while the two vertical openings are deeper, giving the frame additional interest and depth. The frame includes both a built-in easel and two sawtooth hangers, so you can use it on wall or table! Display your favorite photos or pieces of needlework in this beautiful frame.
990-666-0003 Pfaltzgraff Collage Frame
$20.00 on sale for $10.00 Save 50%
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If you are looking for Hardanger designs that will fit the openings of the Pfaltzgraff frame, check out these two books!
The next item is a special purchase item that is useful and beautiful! The sturdy braided basket has a silk drawstring top and delicately beaded bobbles. It measures approximately 8" wide x 8" long x 6" deep. Excellent construction with a unique look! Very limited supply! Once they are gone, we cannot get more, so order today!
990-517-0005 Drawstring Box - Chocolate
$24.00 on sale for $11.99 Save 50%
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 In my last two newsletters I have mentioned some A-Z books that were special purchase items. We have one last A-Z title that we bought as “overstocks” from the importer. We are able to offer them for a limited time at substantial savings, but then they will go back to full price. So buy these beautiful books now while our overstock supply lasts!
A-Z of Thread Painting is a complete manual for the beginner through to the advanced embroiderer. This book is filled with over 180 step-by-step photographs and 26 fabulous designs from the world's best embroiderers. The art of painting with a needle is one of the most revered forms of embroidery, but one that is within reach of every embroiderer. This easy to use book will lead you through all the stitches and techniques needed to create your own masterpieces. It showcases dozens of stunning designs. Each design is presented with simple instructions, clear color photos, pattern and stitch direction diagram so that you can easily recreate these superb embroideries.
1659K A-Z of Thread Painting
$29.99 on sale for $19.99 Save $10
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Still on sale for a limited time!
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