What’s a laying tool and what do I need it for, anyway?

Hey Everyone,

Sharon here, with a post I didn’t know we needed until I took Heidi’s Bargello and More class. I’ve known what laying tools are for quite some time now, but I didn’t understand what I needed one for, as I was strictly a cross stitcher until taking this class. Today I’d like to talk to you about what a laying tool is, and how it can help you, whether you are a cross stitcher or a needlepointer.

Laying tools are most often used to “railroad” your stitches. This basically means you are coaxing the threads side by side on your canvas or fabric, with no twist. I learned from several sources that this is how it is done:

Bring your needle through your canvas/fabric as usual, but before going back down to complete that portion of the stitch, place the laying tool underneath the fiber, taking care to make sure the strands are side by side. Just before pulling your fiber(s) taut, remove the laying tool from its resting place between fibers and canvas. A laying tool is generally used with 2 or more fibers, but can be used for backstitching as well. Some stitchers hold the belief that you can only lay 2 threads, but others have had success with higher numbers. Experiment with what works for YOU.

Next, let’s talk about what you should be looking for in a laying tool. This is different for each of us, and is as individual as the choices we make for a project. You’ll have the most success by coming into the shop and holding potential laying tools in your hand, and working with them to see what is most comfortable. We will happily provide you with some doodle cloth and play fibers so you can feel what it is like to work with the different choices we offer. If you have any questions about how to best hold the tool, or any others you can think of, feel free to ask, we are there to help.

Finally, we have a special offer for you. From now until June 6th, when you buy a laying tool, you can purchase either a Buddy Case by Namaste or one of our Chatelaines (the ones that hold your tools, not the patterns by Martina!) for 15% off the normal cost. Here’s one of our laying tools in a buddy case, for an idea of how to store your new tool:

Keep Stitching,
Stitcher’s Treasures
(760)737-3113

Stitcher’s Spotlight-Hiromi

Hey Everyone,

Today we’d like to share with you some of the beautiful work of our friend Hiromi. Hiromi is an accomplished stitcher in both cross stitch and needlepoint, and does stunning work. If you have been in the shop over the last few months, you may have gotten to see her Japanese Box or Sea Quilt, which Hiromi inventively turned into a CD box. Here are some of the pieces she picked out for us to share with you today:

This is England’s Rose.

Meet Melchior, the 1st Wiseman Nutcracker!

Finally, this is the stunning Mermaid of Atlantis. If you need more information about a design or canvas you see here, please call or email the shop.

Keep Stitching,
Stitcher’s Treasures
(760)737-3113

Stitching News and Notes, May 26th

Hey Everyone,

We hope you had an enjoyable holiday weekend and found some time to stitch.  With Memorial Day, summer has finally begun, although you can’t tell it from the May gray that is still lingering most mornings!  There are a few things going on at the shop you should know about, so here goes.

First. Nancy has the Flint Cottage/Christmas House scheduled for a class on this Saturday, May 30th, and again on June 13th.  Please call or email the shop with any questions.

Next, we’d like to remind you that the second part of the Bargello and More class taught by Heidi is on the afternoon of June 6th.  If you missed the first half of the class, and would still like to participate, please just call or email the shop to make arrangements.

Alex is here the 28th and 29th of June to continue the Ming class, as well as help you with any of his previous classes that you may need assistance with.  He tells us he just received a new shipment of European threads, so have your wallets ready!

Finally, Stitcher’s Treasures is proud to tell you that we are participating in the Padres’ Stitch and Pitch this year! Please visit our site for details.

Keep Stitching,
Stitcher’s Treasures
(760)737-3113

Friday’s Update – Have a Great Memorial Day

Here it is Vicki again and I do hope that you can forgive me for not being as good as Sharon and I do hope that she can get back into this soon.  Actually this is good practice for me.

I do have to reflect a minute on the upcoming holiday as I want to take this time to tell all the families of fallen heros, veterans and active military thanks for their service.  We certainly would not have all that we do without you. 

Now onto the updates.

Tahnia bought us these beautiful pieces to share.

This an update from Aleata.

 

Vicki has been busy but it doens’t so much.

I have to apologize to Dorothy because she got out of  here last night before I had a chance to get a picture of  lovely piece.

I hope all of  you have endured my updates.  This is not really my thing but I muttled through.

Have a safe holiday weekene and we will see you all here next week.  Oh by the way if you get a chance go and look at the web page as there are some updates there.

New Namaste Products Available

Sharon is a bit busy this week so I, Vicki, believe it or not, will be doing the post for today and tomorrow.  I am sure that it will not be as good as Sharon does but I will try, she has such a flair for this.

Namaste has just sent us an email with a new bag, so I wanted to introduce you to the Hermosa Bag.  It will be available in June and the available colors are black, peacock, eggplant, saddle and olive.  The dimensions of this beautiful bag is 18″ x 7″ x 14″.  Lots of room for all you stitching needs and/or and overnight/carry on bag for upcoming trips.

For those of you who are not familiar with the Namaste Bags you have to come in and look.  They feel and look like leather but are not.  They are very roomy for all of those things that you have to have with you everyday.  Here are some pictures of the other styles.  They all have the same price of $69.00 a real deal for such a nice item.

From left to right: Malibu, Laguna, and Zuma.

Let’s not forget the ones I love the most the Buddy Cases.

These hold your stitching needs with a magnetic top, on the inside, to keep needles and they two compartments for your other can’t live without items.  They come is 7 beautiful colors that can match or be a contrast to you other Namaste Bags.  The cost on this versatile case is only $15.00.

And last but not least is there Oh Snap! pouches.  We don’t have these in the store yet but will shortly.  I am going to give you a visual so you see what I am talking about.

They come is 3 sizes Small: 6.5″L x 1″ W x 4″ H, Medium: 9″ L x 1.25″ W x 7″ H, and Large: 10″ L x 2″ W x 8″ H.  They are sold in sets of 3 and then they have two other sizes that are sold in a set of 2, XL: 14″ L x 2″ W x 10″ H and XXL: 15.5″ L x 2″ W x 13″ H.  The prices are great on these pouches at $15.00 per set, what a bargain.

Well that is all from me today.

Designer Spotlight: The Silver Lining

Hey Everyone,

Today we wanted to show you just a few of the many patterns by Marc Saastad of The Silver Lining. These patterns, as well as many others, are in stock here at the shop. Please call or email us to see if your favorite is available!

This is Camilla’s Rose.

Paradise.

Finally, Spring Point Light.

Keep Stitching,
Stitcher’s Treasures

Inside Bargello and More!

Hey Everyone,

Sharon here! I wanted to talk to you today about what it is like to take a class from Heidi, since I was fortunate enough to take part one of the Bargello and More class on the 16th. If you are interested in the class, there is still time. Please call or email Vicki to see about setting up a time to catch up on the first part of the class prior to the second meeting on June 6th. Here’s what the piece will look like finished:

Heidi is an amazing teacher, full of helpful tips and tricks to make stitching a piece easier for you. She works with each student individually as much or as little as they need, and is very encouraging. If you are having trouble understanding the way a stitch should work, she tries really hard to find the explanation that will work for how your mind works. This is definitely not a one size fits all approach to learning! We each did one of the 4 center medallions during class, and have been asked to complete the other 3 so that we can move on to the border in the 2nd class. The second class has some stitches that are definitely new to me, so I am looking forward to seeing what happens next. I hope you’ll consider joining us! Here is the progress from Saturday for Leslie and I. Aleata is an overachiever and has her homework done already!

Leslie:

Sharon:

Aleata:

Keep Stitching,
Stitcher’s Treasures
(760)737-3113
(866)645-3113

Progress Update, Part Two

Hey Everyone,

I know this is usually the Stitching News and Notes segment, but we have the other progress pictures to share from over the weekend, and I think you are all pretty well versed in what we have coming up here at the shop!

Ginia is working on “My Stitching Album”, a class piece:

Connie is working on Alex’s Ming class, and is almost done with the wrapping:

Debbie B is working on Alex’s Ming as well, and her progress is just stunning:

Cathy S is working on one of the Mirabilia Christmas Trees:

We have pictures from Heidi’s bargello class as well, but that is a post all of its own, so you’ll have to join us later in the week!

Keep Stitching,
Stitcher’s Treasures
(760)737-3113
(866)645-3113

New Canvas Spotlight

Hey Everyone,

We’ve had so many new needlepoint canvases arrive at the shop in the last few weeks, we decided they needed a day all their own! As of this writing, all are available and in shop, so please call, email, or come in to claim any that strike your fancy! Featured today is Lani Enterprises, and there are others available by this designer in stock as well.

Butterfly 501:

Butterfly 497:

Love Heart Hugs:

Pink Rose Collage:

Keep Stitching,
Stitcher’s Treasures
(760)737-3113
(866)645-3113

Featured Stitcher: Dorothy L

Hey Everyone,

Dorothy has a finish we wanted to share with you, so we thought it was a great time to feature a few of her beautiful finished pieces by making her the featured stitcher of the week. If you would like to be a featured stitcher, please just call, email, or come by the shop with the finished pieces you’d like us to share with our readers!

Here’s Venetian Opulence, which took about 3 months to complete:

Autumn Queen:

Winter Queen:

Angel of the Morning: