Our weather in the SF Bay Area has turned quite chilly. I know for many of you the idea of 40-50 degree seems balmy this time of year but for us it's downright cold. So winter has finally arrived and that means it's time for more stitching! So get a really hot cup of tea, coffee or cocoa and spend some quality time with your favorite piece - or maybe pieces. I can never quite decide what to stitch on so I've always got at least 6 projects going at the same time :-).

 
Patrick's Woods - March 2010

Sherri Jones of Patrick's Woods will be teaching for us Sunday, March 21. Her Mermaid's Two Tales is a great project not only to stitch but to learn how to finish. We will be doing this as a pre-stitched project so that we can spend the day of the class actually putting the clam shell purse together. The class fee is due when you sign-up and then we'll send you the stitching portion of the kit. The finishing portion will be handed out at the class in March. This is a class where you MUST be present. Sherri does not allow us to sell kits to students who do not attend in person.

You can sign-up online or by calling the shop. Your credit card will not be charged until we ship the pre-stitching portion of the kit to you. Sherri has some kits ready to send to us so we will be getting some shortly Come join us for what will be a very fun day.

What's New & Updates

Country Cottage Needleworks Spring Social - Part 2 Springtime Couple This is part 2 of a 5 part series from Nikki Leeman. The thread packs come with the silk and the chart. The model was stitched on 28 count Lambswool. We have parts 1 and 2 and each is $15.00

Raise The Roof Christmasland - Part 4 Oh Holy Night This 4 part design concludes with Oh Holy Night. Thread pack includes the silk and the chart. The model was stitched on 32 count Vintage Pearled Barley. We have all 4 parts and each is $20.

Little House Needleworks Sampler of the Month - January & February This is the beginning of a 6 part series from Diane with 2 months in each thread pack. The thread packs include the silk and the chart. You can either stitch the months as individual designs or all together. Each thread pack is $21.00.

Little House Needleworks Once Upon a Time - Hope Once Upon a Time is a three part series of thread packs - Dream, Believe and Hope. We have just received Hope as the final part of this series. Each thread pack is $17.00.

• Victoria - Jan/Feb 2010 issue
• Embroidery & Cross Stitch - Vol. 16, No. 11 issue

We have stocked up on the fun photo nail files we carry. If you're looking for an inexpensive item to add as a stocking stuffer these are great. Come check out our current selections.

Don't forget that we do have a good selection of great gifts. There are our cute Lamb Scissors holders, tape measurers, Stitcher's Lotion, needleminders, scissors, JABC Just Pins and whole array of goodies. You can find many in our on-line catalog (look under Gifts) or on the blog. Or visit us in person to see lots of things that never make it to website or come and go quickly!

You can find quite a few newly released charts through the Hoffman Merchant Mall and you can place orders for anything in the Hoffman on-line catalog. You're also welcome to check out our other 2 main distributors, Norden Crafts and Wichelt Imports to see what's new or what other fun things are available we've not mentioned.

A reminder that the Alameda Family Services Holiday Home Tour is this Saturday December 12th. Tickets are available at the shop and are $30 (cash or check only since the funds go directly to Alameda Family Services). Come to Alameda and visit some lovely holiday homes and then visit us for some stitching fun!

I hope that you are finding a little time to stitch with all the holiday activities. I'm trying to do some more on my bird purse as well as doing a bit of "gift" stitching. There never seem to be enough hours in the day for all my hobbies. I still try to read at least a book a week, do some of my beadwork, bake a little and of course stitch! One of my wishes for Christmas would be more time to get it all done :-).

Here's hoping you find enough time for your fun activities! Happy Stitching,

Cathe
Cathe's Personal Blog
...and Debi, Leila, Jennifer, Mary, Ali, Mary Frances, Caroline, Sherry, Susan and Margaret

Society of Soie Surfine
...when only the finest will do!

Our batch of the Olivine should be skeined in the next few days and then we'll start sending them out to you or calling you to pick yours up. The fabric for our custom color is finally at the dyer's so we hope to see the dyed version in January. The next color of thread will be a gold and we're still working out the schedule for it. Arranging this has been a lesson in patience and learning a lot more about what our vendors go through when they're waiting for the base materials to dye. But trust me, it's worth the wait!

You can sign-up for the Society through us by calling the shop or through the on-line catalog. We will be taking sign-ups for Series 1 until 30 days after the end of Series 1 (Spring 2010). Visit the Society News blog or you can Follow The Society on Twitter.

510-522-0404 *  877-HAYSTAC *  877-429-7822
1533 Webster Street  *  Alameda, CA 94501

Shop Hours: Tuesday 11am - 8pm, Wed - Saturday 11am - 5pm
Sun 1pm - 4pm
Monday By Appointment

Don't forget, we have free Wi-Fi.