Hello!
Happy spring! We are finally getting some temperatures above 50° F. (10° C.) and much of the snow in our yard has melted. Of course, we still have some nights below freezing, and there are stubborn piles of snow in shady areas where the sun can’t melt them, and the weatherman is still suggesting between 4” and 12” of snow in the next few days (thanks, Canada!), but we are mostly through with winter! I can’t wait for a nice spring rain to wash away the leftover winter residue, and enough warm sunny days for the grass to turn green and the trees to start to bud.
 In my past two newsletters I have been promoting the bookmark challenge for literacy. We are starting to receive bookmarks, which is very exciting! So far we have received 21 bookmarks from 8 states (Oregon, North Dakota, California, Ohio, Virginia, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Minnesota). They are on display in the Nordic Needle store to encourage other stitchers to contribute one or more bookmarks, too!
The founder of the challenge, Jen Funk of Funk & Weber Designs, is writing a daily blog about bookmarks and literacy, and she has kindly given me permission to share some of her thoughts with you!
Jen says, “There is a form versus function issue with bookmarks. The primary purpose of a bookmark is to mark one’s place in a book. A bookmark without that purpose is what–a paperweight? A tongue depressor? A hat? Bookmarks need to serve their purpose, first and foremost. (Don’t we all?)
However, bookmarks are also beautiful, funny, touching, heirlooms. Stitchers are spending precious time embroidering gorgeous bookmarks to give away during the Bookmark Challenge. Part of the purpose is to celebrate and introduce readers to needlework. Wouldn’t it be more effective if the needlework were actually visible?
Personally, I hate to see gorgeous bookmarks hidden away inside books, but how do we allow a bookmark to function while simultaneously showing off its form?
Answer: bookmark forms and ribbon.
There are a variety of bookmark forms available. I use shepherd’s hooks. The curved metal hook attaches to just about any bookmark with a split ring. The hook marks your place in the book and the embroidery hangs outside, visible and inviting. The hooks can be used on the ready-made fabric bookmarks, too. When you want to stuff your book in a backpack, simply tuck the needlework inside the front book cover.
Ribbons can work like the hooks, attaching to bookmarks with a split ring, threading through a hole, or being stitched along an edge. When I thread a ribbon through a fabric bookmark, I stitch an eyelet to open and reinforce the hole through which the ribbon passes. Applying a grommet would be another way to create a hole through fabric.”
Jen goes on to say that she recently received a very special bookmark from a friend. She wanted to use it, but she didn’t want to hide it inside a book. By punching a hole through the laminated paper bookmark, and adding a ribbon, she can use the ribbon portion as the “page marker” and still see the beautiful bookmark!
Thanks, Jen for the helpful tips about making beautiful AND useful bookmarks!
Another of Jen’s posts contains an important message to share. She has given me permission to quote it:
The sun did not shine. It was too wet to play.
So we sat in the house all that cold, cold, wet day.
I sat there with Sally. We sat there, we two.
And I said, “How I wish we had something to do!”
-from The Cat in the Hat by Dr. Seuss -
“Thirty-eight percent of all fourth graders in the United States can’t read this poem. (From U.S. Department of Education, National Center for Educational Statistics, “Executive Summary,” of The 1998 National Assessment for Educational Progress Reading Report Card for the Nation, NCES 1999-500. Washington, D.C.: March 1999.)
Many of us spend time with kids, our own or someone else’s. How would you feel if someone told you that you could make a profound difference in a child’s ability to read by spending fifteen minutes a day playing games and reading books with him?
That’s what author and teacher, Peggy M. Wilbur, says. She’s been diagnosing and remediating elementary and middle school children’s reading disorders since 1987, and she’s got a fabulous Web site, http://www.succeedtoread.com loaded with information and ideas that we can all use during the time we spend with kids.
I was fascinated (and thrilled) to discover that rhyming is an important skill for kids to develop, that the ability to rhyme will help a child learn to read. I love to rhyme, and I do it all the time. See? I can be walking down the aisle in the grocery store and think to myself, “I need a bag of flour.” For kicks, my brain then responds, “I need it in an hour. Don’t take it in the shower. Find me a pink flower. I need a super power. You do not have to glower….” Does anyone else do this? I do it on my own in my head; I do it with Mike, taking turns back and forth to see who gets stumped first; and, yes, I do it with kids. I’ve never done it for the express purpose of helping a kid learn to read, though. It’s just fun! (Get some sun. Can you run? Eat that bun. I weigh a ton. I think I’m done.)
If you spend even a little time with kids, check out the website http://www.succeedtoread.com for ways that you can help improve their reading skills.”
Thanks again, Jen for sharing. I have never met Jen in person, but I love her writing style and I understand why she is a children’s author. She has such a fun way of looking at the world, and such an engaging personality! To read more of Jen’s blog, or to learn more about the bookmarks for literacy challenge, go to:
http://www.JenFunkWeber.com
We carry some of her designs. Check them out by going to our website and using the Search feature, putting in the word Funk. You will get a few extra things (items that are described as “funky”!) but scroll down the page. Jen’s are the silhouette designs stitched on black fabric.
In case you missed the details of the Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy campaign, I will repeat them. Everyone is invited and encouraged to participate!
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 and enter the word “bookmark”. We have bookmark designs in Hardanger embroidery, blackwork, tatting, beading and more!
If you do Hardanger embroidery, you might be interested in one of the free charts on our website for a Hardanger bookmark.
Also, if you want quick finishing so you have more stitching time, we have some 2” wide banding that would make finishing the bookmarks a snap. Just machine or hand stitch across each end and fringe! Sold by the yard only. These two aida bands are 60% off while quantities last!
These two 2.25” bands are brand new! Sold by the inch or yard:
Thank you for considering the bookmark challenge. Last year we were thrilled to receive 171 bookmarks sent from 22 different states and three foreign countries. The techniques used included cross stitch, appliqué, crochet, bargello, embroidery, tatting, Hardanger embroidery, beading, plastic canvas, embroidery on paper, silk ribbon embroidery and canvaswork. Can we break last year’s record?
In the last few newsletters I included information that many of you sent about the meaning of the garment of white in baptism. Joan from Australia wrote, “Hi Sue.
Could you please thank your readers for their replies to my query about the Baptismal "Bib". I really think the symbolism of it is wonderful. I feel that this is a very special time for both babe and parents and loved ones.”
For those who asked, yes, I am making progress on Rebecca’s baptismal gown. Unfortunately the disc problems in my neck have slowed me down, but I am determined to finish it in time! Laura and Ray have kindly delayed the baptism a little bit until I am well enough to travel (also buying me a little extra stitching time!).
This week’s recipe is an old recipe that I found in my recipe box (the wooden one that used to be my mom’s) that I haven’t made for years. But I remember the taste – they are yummy! And so simple to make. This would be a good recipe to make with children or grandchildren! Depending on their age, they can crush the graham crackers in a zip-closed bag, they can stir, and they can spread the mixtures! And they will certainly enjoy eating the results!
Mound Bars
- 2 cups crushed graham crackers
- One-half cup melted butter
- One-fourth cup white sugar
- 2 cups (one 7 ounce package) angel flake coconut
- 1 can sweetened condensed milk
- 1 package chocolate chips
Mix the crushed graham crackers, butter and sugar together. Spread in a 9” x 13” cake pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350°.
Mix together the coconut and sweetened condensed milk. Spread on top of the graham cracker mixture and bake an additional 15 minutes.
Sprinkle chocolate chips on top of the hot bars, and once they have melted, spread them evenly.
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 As Roz mentioned in last week’s newsletter, the Nordic Needle cookbooks have arrived, and we are very pleased with the finished product. I hope you will be, too! Buy a few for your friends or family!
0020 Stitcher’s Choice Cookbook – 500 recipes! $12.99
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Before we get to this week’s featured products, I want to mention some Special Purchase and Special Discount items. You know the routine – deeply discounted, limited quantities, order today!
 The first item is a special purchase Ott-Lite in a color that we have never carried in the past. It is beautiful – but we have a limited supply. The brushed nickel Designer Series Lexington Ott-Lite combines a clean, sophisticated look with proven technology. Bring natural daylight indoors with beautiful furniture-quality lamps from Ott-Lite! These TrueColor lamps have top-quality construction with gorgeous marbleized glass shades, sturdy weighted bases and 18 watt natural light that is easy on your eyes and perfect for color matching. The head of the lamp is adjustable and the height of the lamp is adjustable so you can move light wherever it is needed! The lamp includes a bulb, and replacement bulbs #6882 are also available. An additional shipping charge of $10.00 will be added to this lamp when it is shipped to any of the 48 continental U.S. states. For orders sent anywhere else we reserve the right to bill for actual shipping charges.
990-260-0001 Brushed Nickel Lexington Ott-Lite Floor Lamp – very limited supply!
$269.99 on sale for $189.99 Save $80
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 The next special offer is a packet we put together just for you, our faithful newsletter readers! It includes four of the “so cute” Charlie ‘n’ Friends designs from Margaret Sherry of England – Watering the Flowers, Just Charlie, Sitting Comfortably, and Charlie & George in the Rain. Charlie is an adorable teddy bear that is sure to brighten the day with these fun and cute cross stitch designs. Stitched on 14 count white aida they range in size from 4.5” x 5.2” to 7” x 6.5”. These won't last long, so act fast to get this great assortment!
990-066-0002 Four Charlie ‘N’ Friends designs (cross stitch)
$51.96 on sale for $18.19 Save 65%
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If you crochet, or have friends who do, you are going to love these two offers! I have marked these two overstocked kits down to rock bottom! Order today!
K1104 Two Hour Black Scarf Kit (crochet)
$18.99 on sale for $7.59 Save 60%
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K1131 Rose Garden Beaded Crochet Bag Kit
$74.99 on sale for $28.49 Save $46.50
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Finally, please check out the Burda Hardanger magazine category. The Burda Hardanger embroidery magazines are no longer being published, so we will not be receiving any new Burda Hardanger designs. When we heard the news we called our supplier. He bought out Europe, and we have bought out most of what he could get of the older issues. So now is the time! If you don’t have all of the Burda Hardanger issues, stock up now before they are gone forever! Many are discounted, and all are “while quantities last”.
Burda Hardanger magazines.
A07-01-00
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