Karol's Korner
Here are all four grandkids together:
Jordan, Derek, Taylor, and Sydney L-R: Arend (Jennifer's boyfriend), Jennifer,
Rachel, Alan, Chris (Rachel's husband)
Click on the grandchild piece below for pictures of the Handblessings trunk show.
Click on the ornament for more pictures from the Rosewood Manor trunk show!
(This is an exclusive pattern designed for Fiberworks by Handblessings.)
(This ornament from Rosewood Manor is in the Just Cross Stitch Ornament magazine.)
Check this page often for updates or new info from Karol.
Thursday, April 17, 2008 - A big THANK YOU for all of the fabric lovers that participated in our Love to Show Hop Trail two weeks ago. I think almost everyone that shopped at all seven shops won a door prize. Watch for the Fall Fabric Tour the month of October.
The show is on NOW! www.needleworkshow.com go and see lots of cool stuff. Let me know what you want by Monday noon.
We actually had a great day yesterday - sun shining and in the high 60's. I think spring had finally come to Iowa although it is rainy again today. Now that tax season is over, the DH will be getting into his planting mode. So that will mean long days when the weather cooperates. I always hope it rains on my birthday, which is in a couple of weeks, so I can go out to dinner without having a guilty conscience that I am keeping him from his work.
I am participating in a group course through the on-line ANG group from Gay Ann Rogers. I have always admired her designs but have not yet done one. This is one of her mystery pieces that you don't know what the total design looks like until you are done. We don't have an ANG chapter close to Waverly so I am a member at large and have been watching the efforts to establish an on-line chapter with great interest. If you have an ANG or EGA group close to you be sure to join and take advantage of the education opportunities they offer.
What's new - Just Nan's new limited edition tins should be in tomorrow. Bent Creek had finished up their Red Thread series so if you need anything for that we have all the patterns and finally the embellishments for the border if you are stitching it in one piece. Also new from them is another section of the Big Zipper called The Big Tree and a "Ewe" kit Life is Good. Lizzie Kate has Jr. Boxer Cupcake. From My Big Toe we have some lovely new scissor fobs and patterns 10 Commandments, For This Child, Mercy (building block), New Creation. Other new ones include: Wild Flower - Sparky & Friend, Snow Sisters; M Designs - Checkered Hearts; Passione Ricamo - Circe the Sorceress; With My Needle - Kind & True; Stoney Creek - Dragons & Wizards, Welcome Baby; Donna Kooler - Ulitmate Stocking Collection; Mill Hill Welcome Home series Peace to All; Trilogy kits Secret Crush and Secret Shamrock; Jill Oxton's Cross Stitch & Beading #74.
Five new Gentle Art Sampler threads in beautiful pastels arrived yesterday.
We have started (April) a biscornu of the month club. We will try to pick a different designer each month who has offered a pattern for one of these cute pin cushions. The first two are from Just Nan and Sweetheart Tree. If you'd like to join in, just give me a call or email and we will send you a kit monthly for these.
If there is anything you need for us to look for or send you, don't be shy. Have fun stitching till next time!
March 19, 2008 -
The on-line Needlework show dates are April 16-21. Go to www.needleworkshow.com and take a peek at what they have to order. There are door prize drawings you can sign up for as well as making a list of what you want me to order for you. I need to have that information by 12:00 on the 21st so I will have time to place orders.
Here is my sweetie Sydney, honorary shop employee, at 13 months. She must be giving her mom a loving raspberry. On Tuesdays and Thursdays she'll give you a smile if you come in to see us.
Another personal note, daughter Jennifer is now engaged and we will be planning a wedding for December 27th. We get to go dress looking next week. What fun!
New cross stitch patterns include Shepherd's Bush Scatter Eggs and Scatter Hearts; Rosewood Manor Read, Learn, Dream Bookmarks, Good Night, Seasons of the Trees; Vals' Stuff Feline Seasons, SamSarah Twenty Five Days, Baubles March April, Doubles Hip Hop Hare. the Doubles can be done as either cross stitch or wool applique. The Victoria Sampler brings us Welcome Hearts Sampler, Desert Garden Sampler, Where Stitchers Gather, R is for Runner and S is for - what else would S be but Stitcher. Some of these patterns have a touch of Hardanger in them as do Patricia Ann's Friendship Sampler and Loopylou's Destiny. Nora Corbett - Mirabilia is doing a series of Santa's reindeer. Lizzie Kate continues the double flip it series with Believe, Care, Learn, Listen. Lavender and Lace have a lovely little girl called Isabella's Garden. Blue Ribbon Designs offers Bunnies and Blooms, Letters, Leprechauns and Luck, Small Token of Affection and Black Velvet Inscription Sampler. She does beautiful work and so she why are we surprised since she is an Iowan! Drawn Thread continues theie sampler series with STU and also 26 letters. Just Nan has come out with Barnabee the bee in a great enameled needle roll holder similar to the previous red lady bug, as well as patterns Mitten Men, Florentine Floral, Memories, When Barnabee met Bella - a biscornu.
In quilting some new Thimbleberries patterns and in paper punch some new greeting card pattern books are here, plus a book of quick to stitch prayer shawls from Annie's Attic and crochet dishcloths.
It is time for another newsletter so I will close and get to work on it. Check it out for more new things.
Remember the Love to Shop Hop Trail runs April 3-5. Join us for a chance at gift certificates and door prizes and mystery pattern.
February 7, 2008- We wish all our customers a Happy Valentine's Day with love from Karol, Jeanne, Rachel and Sydney! We are doing some remodeling in the framing area of the store. After we had an energy audit done by the gas company, the plan was to put insulation board on the outside wall of what was our recycle/storage room which just had concrete blocks between us and the outside. It was cool enough to store beverage cans and not have to use ice or refrigerate it before drinking in the winter. With the search for more display space in the show area, I decided we could recycle and store in two smaller areas that used to be a men's restroom when this building was a bar in a former life and the electrical box room. Hence, the recycle/storage will become the framing room. We have framed inside walls with 2 x 4's with insulation in between them so it is beginning to warm up already. The pegboard and dry wall is leaning against one wall awaiting the next work session - hopefully the last weekend of February. My brother is doing most of the work and he has commitments showing at the home shows in Waterloo and Cedar Rapids the next two weeks. (He does closets, if anyone needs organization in theirs) We are still counting stuff. The quilting fabric is usually the last to get done.
I mentioned the Love to Shop Hop Trail that will be on April 3,4,5. Also mark your calendars for the next on-line needlework show in April. I will confirm the dates and let you know in the next chat.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008 - The newsletter is almost done. If there are classes you would like to take, please let us know what technique and when is the best time for you. If you get 3 or more people together that want to learn the same thing, we will schedule a special time and customize the class just for you.
There has not been quite as much new product this month as most of the cross stitch designers are waiting until the Nashville market to release their new things - that will be in the first part of February.
We celebrated "baby" Sydney's, as her brothers call her", 1st birthday on Sunday. It is hard to believe she is that old already. She is taking her first steps. She is much more inventive than the boys were when they were little at getting into trouble at Grammie's "house". They must think I live here. She opens the floss drawers to look at all the pretty colors as well as pulling the ones off the bottom hooks. Maybe I should put her to work helping us count for inventory. Ick -we are at it again and are slowly making progress.
Both Zweigart and DMC have announced a price increase - so be forwarned. We will try to update prices in the web catalog as needed efficently. Pearl cotton in skeins will be $1.40 and in balls $2.40. Floss will be 50 cents a skein. I haven't seen the fabric price list yet, so that remains to be determined.
We've been having lots of snow here - hope things are nicer where you live!
Friday, January 4, 2008 - Whoa - it's been almost a month since I last wrote to you. I guess Christmas and New Year's fit in there somewhere. Hope everyone's holidays were safe and happy. If you are a Pat Thode's Heartstrings canvas lover, here is some news for you. She is doing a reissue of the limited edition Santas 2003-2007 only until March 15, 2008. These will be delivered in May. So, if you missed out on one of these years and need to fill in let me know. We have room in the block of the month offerings for 2008 - see below for pictures - sign up NOW so you won't miss out. It's time for the dreaded inventory so I won't have to count sheep at night - I'll be all counted out. Stop in to see what old friends have jumped onto the bargain table as this is when I move things that have been counted too many times. Mark your calendar for Super Bowl Sunday, February 3rd, we will have our annual 15% off sale from 12:00-4:00. Four hours of frantic frenzy and fun. You may not get your usual attention on this day, but the bargains are fantastic. Another date to note is Follow the Love to Shop Hop Trail coming April 3-4-5, 2008. Thank you to all who made the Fall Fabric Tour a hit. Watch for that to be repeated in this fall. With the advent of snowy weather, remember to call ahead if it is storming to make sure I made it into the shop. We do live a ways out in the country and sometimes the roads are a challenge.
Thursday, December 6, 2007 - It is time to sign up for a block/row of the month quilt project. We are doing two for 2008. The Lodge Big Quilt from Thimbleberries will be one opportunity. Lynette's instructions are very good so even if you are a novice quilter, you can do this one. The membership fee is $20.00 and the monthly block will be $18.50. This includes the big club quilt pattern, all the fabric for the front plus binding, monthly newsletters, special club only patterns and 10% off of all Thimbleberries fabrics for the whole year. Click on this link to sign up for the Thimbleberries. link to The Lodge Big Quilt The second quilt is called Seasons in a Row designed by Quilt Country. Those kits will include fabric for each monthly themed row plus borders and sashing for $18.00 per month. January is snowmen, February is hearts, March is kites, etc. Click on this link to sign up for the Seasons in a Row. link to Seasons in a Row We will have a meeting on the 3rd Thursday of each month from 6:00-8:00 for demos, tips, treats and any help you might need to complete the project. If you cannot attend this meeting or want to do either by mail-order, the kits will be mailed out the day after this meeting.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007 - Happy Thanksgiving! It is time for Waverly's Christmas Open House coming this Sunday, November 18th from 12:00-4:00. We will serve hot cider and goodies. Come and visit!
Just a word about postage rates...when the postage went up this summer it also changed the size and shape that packages/envelopes could be sent. Before the increase there was no size or thickness limitations on first class, everything was by weight. Now a first class envelope cannot be thicker than 1/4" and it has to be of uniform thickness. A large envelope first class is a new category that can be up to 3/4" thick but again needs to be uniform in thickness. One ounce goes for 80 cents. The third classification in first class is parcel which is what we have to use if packages are lumpy - with a bead pack, pearl cotton or a reel of Kreinik for example. One ounce goes for $1.13. As long as we are 13 ounces or less, the lumpies can use this rate. There are no zones for first class. When we go to parcel post then the farther away you are from point of origination, the more it costs. We try to send everything by the least costly method, but sometimes the post office employee and Fiberworks doesn't agree on the rate, and you can guess who wins! Sometimes our electronic scale and theirs doesn't weight quite the same or it depends on which person helps us at the counter. (Even they admit to being confused about where packages fit sometimes.) We don't charge you any handling fees for cost of packing, tape, labels, etc. So if we don't get the postage quite right and are off by say 23 cents, please forgive us. We try our best to be accurate.
Thursday, November 1, 2007 - Doesn't time fly! Halloween is over and Thanksgiving will be here before we know it. The Rosewood Trunk show has gone on its merry way, but if you look at the pictures and see a pattern you want, we still have stock available. We probably won't be having classes during November and December since people are busy with the holidays. If there is some technique or project you want to learn or work on, let me know and I can set up a time for you. A group of 2-4 would be nice. I have been a member at large in ANG (American Needlepoint Guild) for many years but there has not been a chapter close enough for me to attend meetings. There is now a group of members who are organizing a cyber chapter. If you are interested in being a part of this, contact me and I will give you the information to participate. EGA (Embroiders Guild of America) also has an online group called Cyber Stitchers. I belong to the Prairie Rose Chapter which meets in the Waterloo/Cedar Falls area. If you are close enough to this area and would like to visit, let me know and I'll pick you up or meet you somewhere to take you with. You can gain a lot of helpful tips, new techniques, and new friends who share your interest in stitching by attending a national organization's guild!
Thursday, October 11, 2007 - The Fall Fabric Tour is underway! Stop in and get your passport today. The pictures of the Rosewood Trunk show are up on the web site. Just click on the ornament above to see these lovely pieces. It is almost time for the Needlework Show On-line. The show opens at 2 pm EST on Wednesday, October 17th and goes through Monday, October 22nd. There are over 100 vendors that will have their items for you to view. It is almost like going along with me to market. There will be cross stitch, canvas (needlepoint), punch needle and beading designers, plus threads, accessories and fabrics to preview. If you would like to order anything from these vendors, please let me know by noon on Monday so I have time to order things before the show closes. You cannot order directly as purchasing is for retailers, but you are encouraged to take a look, and there are usually some doorprizes you can sign up for, too.
http://www.needleworkshow.com/cgi-bin/2007.pl this is the link to see who will be at the show. You can call, leave a message on the answering machine if we're not here, or email or fax anytime.
We have information on the 2008 Thimbleberries Block of the Month. If you are interested in participating, give me a call. We will be doing the Lodge Big Quilt in the traditional Thimbleberries color pallete.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007 - We have had models from Handblessings in the shop for 10 days. To see them click on the Each Grandchild is a Blessing picture above. We do have some stock left if you see something you'd like to have just give us a call. Now hanging is the trunk show from Rosewood Manor. Many of these are beautiful sampler type projects that will take more than a couple of evenings to complete. Karen has shared a small bonus pattern for those who purchase one of her other patterns during the trunk show. These are truly heirloom designs. We will have pictures up later this week. It is almost time for our Fall Fabric Tour to begin. All of the month of October you have the opportunity to use coupons at the seven stores on the tour. Buy your passport for $2.00 at any of the participating shops (coupons are included in the packet.) With a $5.00 purchase, you can have your passport stamped and sign up at each store for a chance to win a lovely gift basket. Turn in your passport with all seven stamps by October 31st and you will be entered into a drawing for a Pfaff sewing machine. No rushing around in a couple of days - travel at your leisure. Coupons are only good for passport holders, so get yours today.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007 - The Just Cross Stitch ornament magazine issue arrived today. There are lots of neat ornaments to make to decorate your tree. Order on the what's new page. New Shepherd's Bush kits are here just in time for Halloween: Pumpkin Hill, Happy Haunting, Happy Halloween Fob with orange scissors, and Family Sampler. The first three are in the pear shaped figure style and the last one is in the more angular style that they have used in the last couple of years. Pictures are up on the new page. Other new kits from The Sweetheart Tree are Blackberry Heart and continuing the alphabet series is I for Ivy and J for Jack-o-lantern. Thimbleberries fabrics in the Christmas Street line are finally coming in. We've had the patterns for these pieces since June. We now have caught up with the electronic newsletter capability. If you would like to receive your newsletter by email, please let me know. Then you can read what you like and print off anything you want to save. We do not share emails with anyone else - only to send you newsletters or updates about the shop. You can also read the newsletter by going to the newsletter tab from the home page of this web site. Help us save a tree. Mark your calendar for October 17th - 22nd for the on-line needlework show. While you can't buy yourself, this is your opportunity to see what many designers have to offer and let your LNS know what you would like to have. Currently there are 122 vendors listed for the upcoming show at http://needleshow.com/cgi-bin/2007.pl
Tuesday, August 21, 2007 - Have you heard of the Gift of Stitching magazine? It is a monthly on-line publication written in Australia. You purchase a card with a subscription number on it and then you have access to the web site each month to look at and download whatever pages you want to save. This way you only have to store the patterns or articles that you are interested in keeping. Your subscription begins whenever you activate the card which is renewable at the end of your 12 months. Obviously you have to have access to the internet to get to the web site. The August issue includes an interview with Gloria Moore from Milady's Needle and one of her designs done especially for the Gift of Stitching. A mystery sampler from Follow the Leader, patterns from Debbie Draper, Helga Mandl, Jacinta Lodge and a blackwork design from Lynne Herzberg are also included. Look on the new page for this item if you'd like to order it.
Lizzie Kate has now released the last two Flip It Bits for the year, November and December, and also the kit, Winter Banner, joins the other seasons. New fabric from Butterflies and Flowers collection and Finger Paints by Camelot Cottons has arrived. Also the beginning of an autumn group from Thimbleberries is here. These will be up on the catalog as soon as we get fat quarters cut.
Thursday, August 2, 2007 - While Ridculous Days is over in Waverly, we still have lots of $1.00 cross stitch patterns in the sale boxes. Come in and look! Lots of kits are marked way below cost as well. Several new patterns came today on our Hoffman automatic. To see pictures of these click on the Hoffman link and choose new book listing on our catalog page. Many have a fall or Halloween theme: Glendon Place has Mr. Bone Jangles, Franky the Thinker, Whooo's There, and Vinny the Vampire. Imaginating: Tiny Treasures, Wacky Words. Kustom Krafts: Miracle (horses). The Primitive Needle: Kindred Spirits, Blue Ribbon Designs: In The Pumpkin Patch, Pumpkins and Poltergeists. SamSarah: Rise & Shine (doubles - done in x stitch or wool applique) . Rosewood Manor: Shakespeare Wedding Sampler, Good Foundations ( watch for her models coming to our store in October!) . Plum Street Samplers: Quaker Calendar VI, Bugs & Hisses. The Prairie Schooler: Thanksgiving Comes Again. Elizabeth's Designs: Happy Halloween. Val's Stitchin' Stuff: Boo. The Silver Lining: A Bed of Roses - The Velvet. Diane Braebner Designs: Faith, Hope & Charity. Little House Needleworks: Fruit Game Boards, Two White Houses, Captain's Inn. Country Cottage Needleworks: Home Sweet Home; Prairie Grove Peddler: Shades of Brown, Singing Winter's Song. By the Bay Needleart: Box of Winter. Son Alan has a job and has moved in with his middle sister in Waterloo - only 20 minutes from home. He's working for their local paper the Courier as a copy editor. Who knows, maybe someday the editor of the New York Times!
Tuesday, July 24, 2007 - For all you Prairie Schooler fans, the new Santa is here - he's a knitter for 2007. We also have the limited edition Santa canvas in from Heartstrings. This is only available during the current year so be sure to get yours while you still can. We have the new velvet finish knitting needles in from Clover. These are really smooth - you'll want to pet your needles like the back of a cat. Be sure to look at out automatic page. If you have a favorite designer or thread maker or fabric weaver and would like new items as they are released, just let us know. We have grouped some items already, like Bent Creek zippers and Lizzie Kate Flip-Its . If there is something you'd like that is not on our page already, let us know and we will customize an auto just for you. If you like Weeks Dye Works floss and wool, maybe you'd like to try some hand dyed 30 count linen. To begin, it will be offered in 24 colors dyed to match their floss. It will be a good price for a hand dyed product at about 4 cents per square inch. If you would like a fat quarter (approx. 18" x 27") each month, we will offer 10% off - $17.50 instead of $19.45. A different color will be available each month.
Tuesday, July 10, 2007 - Hope everyone had a safe 4th of July and celebrated our historical independence. We salute each and every person that has helped to keep our nation free. We pray for those serving in our armed forces here and abroad. We are ready to send out the mext installment of the Thimbleberries block of the month. If you'd like to join us, it's not too late to jump in. I still have fabric to cut a few more kits. House and Garden is the project in the warm and cozy version.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007- Things are starting to arrive! The new Sampler Threads are Blackboard, School Yard, School House Red, Chalk, Uniform Blue, Autumn, Bubblegum, Tutti Fruitti, Kiwi, Orange Marmalade, Punchberry, Lemon Drops, and Huckleberry. The first colors of Simply Wool from Gentle Art are Dungarees, Dried Thyme, Black Raspberry Jam, Cranberry, Copper, Maple Syrup and Brandy. Dinky Dyes pattern Life is A Dance with the silks for it and silk threads for The Peacock Stitching Chair from The Cat's Whiskers are here. I just have to stitch one of these it is so unique and done in purples & blue. Look for their Summer Breeze tuffet in our class listings. It will teach you to sequence threads and construct this adorable little cushion.
Thursday, June 7, 2007 - Wow! So much to see and so little time. I'm back from Columbus with order slips in hand. Punch needle was still very strong with needle felting and wool applique are making definite statements. Look for a class on needle felting and wool applique in the next class series. Just a few items will I mention here - Just Nan has her Queen's Bluebird Box in the Queen of the Needle series (limited edition) and the 3rd sampler in the house and garden series will be out mid June. Sweetheart Tree has two more letters kits - G for Grapes and H for Hearts plus Pirouette in Purple kit. She is starting on a series of Teenie Tweenie for the 12 Days of Christmas - the first four are available now. A needlepoint angel ornament for each month from Fern Ridge Collections as well as a couple of new beaded scissor fob/needlecases are on order. New floss colors in Sampler Threads from Gentle Art and Weeks Dye Works floss. Gentle Art is now dyeing a crewel weight wool. New Mill Hill ornaments and Santas on perforated paper plus mini bell pull nutcrackers and snowmen. Several new kits from Shepherd's Bush will be arriving in June and more in late August. Sign up now for the Just Cross Stitch magazine Christmas ornament issue - see the color cover in the shop. Bent Creek's Big Zipper is the beginning of the zipper series for this year - love that 18 count linen - easy on the eyes. For those of you who work on 14 count Aida we have some lovely overdyed fabric in now - Babbling Brook Blue, Queen Anne's Lace for example. Also 3 new solid colors of 28 count linen from Wichelt. Some neat counted canvas pieces from Kick Back and Stitch will be coming in soon, too. Three new porcelain needle magnets - halloween, statue of liberty and dragonflies are here - also mother of pearl thread winder, thread rings and thread holder. We have subscription cards for The Gift of Stitching on-line magazine. You can read on the internet and then download and print off whichever pages you want to keep and file. Enough for now - gotta run to the post office. Stop in often to see what's new!
Tuesday, May 29, 2007 - Hope you all had a pleasant holiday weekend. We got child #3 graduated from Wartburg College - the last! Alan is looking for a job in computer science/business management. If you know of any great places to work let me know and I'll pass it along to him.
We leave for Columbus on Thursday. Busy doing a last minute check of what staples I'm missing on the shelf. And then the big decision of which project to take along to work on on the trip. I'd work on Sydney's birth sampler, but I need to order one more thread - and you thought I just did it to you guys so you would have to come back again. The next newsletter for the Thimbleberries Club and the Blizzard Bunch block of the month will be ready on Friday - either to pick up or mail out. If you'd like to join either club, there is still materials available. The Thimbleberries project is the warm and cozy version of the House and Garden Quilt and the Blizzard Bunch is a flannel quilt with cute snowmen. We welcome Sydney's mom, Rachel, as an assissant at the shop a couple of days a week. She will be glad to help you with any of your stitching needs and is updating the web site regularly.
May 17, 2007 - Jennifer and I are getting ready to go to market the end of the month. If there is anything you want me to look for while I am there, give me a call and I will add it to my list. The 2007 Limited Edition Santa "Christmas in the Woods" needlepoint canvas from Pat Thode - Heartstrings will be available in June. We have picture on the new page if you'd like to preview and pre-order it. It is a handpainted canvas with an excellent stitch guide and embellishments .
May 15, 2007 - Check out our new tabs! One for viewing the newsletter online and one for our new Absolutely Automatic program!
Fiberworks
108 E. Bremer Ave.
Waverly, Iowa 50677
Phone: 319-352-5464
Toll Free: 1-800-307-4103
Email: fiberworks@forbin.net
