Early Spring Greetings!

Tax Day is over here in the US and I'm sure most of you here in the states are just grateful it's done with. The amount of paperwork required for a business tax return is amazing and I'm always happy to have my accountant deal with it. Even though I could do it myself (my minor was in Accounting in college and I've done some kind of bookkeeping most of my adult life) it's well worth the money to hire a professional. Keeping up with the IRS rules is just too much to bear :-). Plus it means more time to stitch for me!!!

Madero Sister's Needlework Show

Blanche & Lupe have an amazing collection of pieces they have stitched over the past few years and they have kindly allowed us to display their works for a month at the shop. Lovers of samplers and similar designs, they both have stitched many of the same designs in different colors and made other changes to them. We hope you'll take some time to come visit the shop between now and May 15th to see this wonderful artistic display. It's not to be missed!

On-Line Needlework Show

In addition to the trade shows we attend during the year, there are two On-Line Needlework Shows each year - April and October. This started a few years ago as a great way for designers to connect with shops without having the expense of a physical show and has been a great boon for both new designers and those for whom distance is an issue. So we see many designers from outside of the states that we might not otherwise see items from.

You can take advantage of the show by visiting needleworkshow.com and letting us know if you find something you'd to put on your Wish list. If it's not a designer we're planning to order from we'll try to find a shop that is and pair you up. Be sure to give us the name of the designer as well as the design. The On-Line Needlework Show is open today through April 21st.

Happy On-Line Shopping!

Classes

The first of 2 Embroidery Clinics by Mike Swan Saturday April 26th. Mike will be doing another Embroidery Clinic on May 17. It's a great opportunity for Mike to help you with your specific project or get you started on a new one.

Everyone had a great time at our Beginning Temari class last weekend and they went away with finished Temari balls. The Intermediate and Advanced Temari class dates have changed to May 17 and June 14. If you've not done a Temari ball before a Beginning class is the place to start. The Intermediate and Advanced classes require that you have a wrapped ball to do your decorative wrapping in class. The monthly Temari Time clinics on the second Sunday of the month are for those who have done at least one Temari ball before and need some group help.

Future Classes & Events

We are planning to have June McKnight come teach a Bargello class in the next couple of months and we'll let you know when we've settled on a date with her. June has released a wonderful new Bargello Book that's getting rave reviews and we'll have here to sign her books as well.

Sharon G will be coming in November to teach embellishment of one of her needlepoint canvases. I need to get the final date from her and then I'll post the details.

And for those looking at their long term calendars...Jeannette Douglas will be coming to teach a special piece for us in October 2010. She's such a popular designer and teacher that her schedule fills up fast so we're thrilled to find a date she can come visit us.

Visit our Classes page to sign up for any of these classes.

News

Product Reviews

Starting with this issue of the newsletter I'll be doing a product review of one or two items that are either new on the market or perhaps new to the shop.

Stitcher's Lotion
	I'm sure I'm not the only one with very dry skin, which is a problem when I stitch with some kinds of silk thread. I have a devil of a time with filament silks like Soie de Paris and Serica because my cuticles tend to catch the thread. There used to be a great lotion on the market years ago that disappeared when the company making it went out of business. I kept looking for a replacement and I've found one that comes close. Well actually, Susan found it for me.
It's the new Stitcher's Lotion from Yarn Tree, which comes unscented and in several "flavors". While any unscented lotion is never truly unscented, this one is acceptable to me - and more importantly to my husband who has an aversion to pretty much anything with an added scent. It goes one smooth and dried to the touch within about a minute for me. If your hands are not serious dry like mine it will take a bit longer to absorb, but it does dry quick enough that you can stitch soon after applying it. So far the reviews from the customers who have bought it are good. So if you're in need a of a new lotion to try for stitching you might give this a try. The lotions come in 2oz (great for travel) and 4oz tubes and can be ordered through our on-line catalog - or come visit us in person and give them a try.
Bohin Needles
Bohin needles are made in France and I've been stitching with them since we picked them up last year - and I just love them. They are a little shorter than most other tapestry and chenille needles, but not as short as the John Jame Petite needles. The plating is very smooth and I find it glides through the fabric easily. If you find that you need gold or platinum because your skin wears off the plating, you may still have that problem. That's a function of body chemistry and not all needles react quite the same as their plating is usually a bit different. We do sell the Bohin tapestry in sizes 22, 24 and 26 as individual needles so you can buy one and give it a try.
You can order any of the sizes we carry through our on-line catalog.

What We're Stitching

One of my best buds (Jean Lea @ Attic Needlework) does a section in her newsletter with what the shop staff are stitching and I've decided to blatantly copy her :-). So starting this newsletter we have a little bit about what some of us at the shop are stitching on. And it can be pretty diverse given what everyone likes.

We're all working on the Cricket Collection's Give Me a Kiss and we're just about done with all 12 of them. Here are photos of 10 of them we've finished (stitched by 7 different people so far).

I don't have this in our online catalog but you can purchase it through our Merchant Mall link with Hoffman Distributing. Just do a Keyword search for Give Me A Kiss, or Kisses.

Happy Stitching

Cathe
...and the current cast of: Debi, Caroline, Mary, Ali, Cheryl, Sherry, Susan and Margaret

510-522-0404 * 877-HAYSTAC * 877-429-7822

Shop Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 11am - 5pm, Sun 1pm - 4pm
Monday By Appointment

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