Shop Hop Coming Soon: Take the ‘Love to Sho Hop Trail’ April 3 from 9:00-8:00 and April 4 & 5 from 9:00-5:00. Visit all seven stores and be registered for door prizes and gift sertificate drawings. Pick up your registration card at the first stop and get your mystery pattern at the last stop. Stop in for a map or check the web site for further information. Oh, did I mention 20% off quilting patterns and fabrics to those on the hop!

On-line Needlework Show – April 16th – 21st : To visit this event on the internet go to www.needleworkshow.com At present there are 115 vendors signed up to show their products at the show. It’s like going to a market with me without leaving the comfort of your own home. Some offer door prizes so don’t forget to sign up for those. While you can’t order anything, I can. So, make a list, check it twice and get it to me by noon on Monday, the 21st so I can compile orders and get them ordered before midnight. If you want items after that, we can probably still get them for you, but you will have to wait until we have enough for a minimum from that particular vendor.

Congratulations to Jennifer and Arend:
Our middle child has found her honey and we are starting to plan for a December wedding. He must be a good guy because he knows how to cross-stitch. Maybe we’ve found a new model stitcher? I guess this means her brother will have to find a new place to live, sorry Al.

New Biscornu of the Month: We will start with offering a class to begin the first one and then offer kits for the next months to come. Some may have a few specialty stitches, but most will be cross-stitched. Many have beads, charms, and buttons for accent. Call to sign up now. Kit prices will vary depending on materials used. See Technique Tip for more information on these.

Cedar Valley Chapter of the Embroiderers’ Guild of America Exhibit: 2008 Showcase of Needlarts is April 17 – 20 at Prairiewoods, 120 Boysen Rd, Hiawatha, IA. (Just north of Cedar Rapids off I-380) More information can be found on their web site www.orgsites.com/ia/cvceg . They have some talented stitchers in the group. If you get a chance, go take a look and be inspired.

TECHNIQUE TIP: Biscornu

What in the heck is a biscornu, you ask. The hottest little stitching item, is the answer. If you like to collect needlerolls or scissor fobs this is the next item to add to your collection. Biscornu is comes from a French word meaning irregular form or quirky. We assume the cushion part “coussin” biscornu has been dropped and it has taken on a noun form all by itself. No matter what part of speech these are, they are definitely cute. They can be made in most any size and used for pincushions, Christmas ornaments, scissor fobs, key chain or cell phone decorations or even sachets. Trade one with a friend, toss a few on the table for conversation starters. Any type of stitching may decorate a biscornu or it may even be done in patchwork or applique quilting. The important thing is that both sides must be square and exactly the same size. After backstitching a line around the outer edge of each piece, it is then sewn together by whip stitching using the backstitching. The center of one side is sewn to the corner of the other side so as you travel around the biscornu it becomes eight sided and a little quirky in shape. Before completing the seam edge, you stuff the cushion. After the seams is completed a button is sewn on each side in the middle and pulled tight to give the characteristic dent in the center. Many are only 3“ or 4” big so you can use remnant pieces and left over threads from larger projects.‘What a great piece to try unusual fabrics or threads and add beads or charms to accent the edges, corners or top/bottoms. They same design does not need to be used for the top and bottom as long as the dimensions are the same. Try one, but be careful it may become addictive.

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Class Schedule: One half of the class fee is required at the time of registration to hold your place. Please register at least two weeks in advance of scheduled dates to allow for ordering of supplies in time for class. Fees include supplies and instruction. Please add 7% tax to fee if you mail it in. There are no refunds for class fees once I have ordered supplies, but you may reschedule a makeup time at your convenience.

Biscornu of the Month for May = From The Sweetheart Tree – Rhodes Butterfly kit includes pattern, fabric, thread, needles, and embellishments. It is worked on 32 count platinum linen with cotton floss in rose and green. Accented with rose beads, four silver butterfly charms and pink heart buttons. Finished size approximately 3 ½” square. $21.00.

Biscornu for April – see class below. If you want only the pattern, fabric and embellishments ($21.00) instead of attending class you can use silks (+$71.00) or DMC floss and pearl (+$13.90) or your own.

Sat. April 12th 9:-00-12:00 – Just Nan When Barnabee Met Bella – This beehive/birdhouse/floral design is done on 30 count Weeks Dye Works hand dyed Lilac and Morris Blue linen with silk floss, perle and 100/3 silk from Au Ver a Soie. Want to try silks - this is the project. Most of the design is cross-stitched with a couple of specialty stitches and is accented with brass bees, heart and seed beads. Instruction includes how to finish into a biscornu – pin cushion. Finished design size is 4 ½”. Class Fee = $50.00

Thurs. Apr 17th and May 15th 6:00-8:00 –Block of the Month Meeting: You can drop in any time during this period to pick up your materials – you don’t have to stay all two hours. Helpful hints on the next block will be given. Thimbleberries Lodge quilt is $18.50/month. Seasons in a Row quilt is $18.00. Call to reserve a seat.

Sat. Apr 19th 9:00-12:00 – Herbs Necklace: Accent a tapestry ribbon with beads, beaded fringe and necklace done in soft sage green and cinnamon colors from Needle and Frame. Fusible lining will be used for your little bag. Limited number of kits. Class Fee = $33.50.

Thurs. Apr 24th 10:00-12:00 or 6:00–8:00 – Learn to Knit: You will get an instruction book with patterns in it as well as bamboo knitting needles and a ball of cotton yarn. You will learn and practice knit and purl stitches and then start a dishcloth Class Fee = $20.00.

Sat. Apr 26th XL-ENT Angel March: We got behind with Easter holidays. A green and yellow angel carries a Celtic knot charm. This continues a monthly angel series done from line drawn template on 18 count needlepoint canvas. The threads used are Needlepoint Silk floss and the stitches are simple yet interesting. Includes cording and backing materials. Finished size about 4” ornament– these are so cute you will want to hang them all year long not just on your Christmas tree. Class Fee = $32.50.
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Thurs. May 1st 9:00-12:00 – Beginning Hardanger: Starburst is done on 18 count Anne Cloth with overdyed Watercolour and Wildflower thread. Learn the basics of this lovely Norwegian cutwork technique. Satin blocks, cutting, weaving and filling stitches will be done on 5” x 5” design. Choice of color at registration. Class Fee = $20.00

Thurs. May 1st and May 8th 6:00-8:00 – Sedona Star: Make a Thimbleberries wall hanging (43” square) using her Sedona Skies fabrics; great rusty red, gold, green, blue and eggplant prints. Design is stars and flying geese chasing each other around the stars. Class includes all fabric for front and binding=$67.00. Bring rotary cutter, mat and ruler for first class and sewing machine for second class.

Sat. May 10th 9:00-12:00 Beaded Crystal Drops: Using a peyote beading stitch and delica beads you will make a band for a lamp crystal that can be hung anywhere. Kit will include enough beads to make a pair of designs and crystals to finish. Choose from the following themes: angels, Easter, nativity, snow, hearts, flowers, lighthouses, birds Class Fee = $30.50.

Sat. May XL-ENT Angel April: April is a purple and green polka dot angel with a silver birdhouse charm This continues a monthly angel series done on 18 count needlepoint canvas. Pattern is line drawn on canvas from a template. The threads used are Needlepoint Silk floss and the stitches are simple yet interesting. Includes cording and backing materials. Finished size about 4” ornament– these are so cute you will want to hang them all year long not just on your Christmas tree. Class Fee = $32.50.

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WHAT’S NEW! –
Kits: Mill Hill – new calendar series – Welcome Home – April: Sunshine Showers, May: Bless You Today; the Trilogy – Secret Crush (hearts), Secret Shamrock; Heart in Hand – 2008 Collector’s Heart; Lizzie Kate - Boxer Jr. Cupcake. Other stuff: Boye– Interchangeable crochet hook set sizes 1-14; Mighty Bright – Micro Clip Light; Fabric: RJR – Polar Brigade, Surrey Footpaths – 2t quarter Lodge; more Hiking the Woods flannel.

QUILTING: Thimbleberries: Quilted Hearts, Confetti Quilts, Pumpkins Go Round, Colorful Garden, Summer Day +; BH&G: Memory Quilts; C & T: One-Block Wonders, 150 Blocks for Baby Quilts; Leisure Arts: Chicken Buffet, Fast Fabric Gift Cards, Care Bears Frolic in Flowers, Wee Wonder Quilts; That Patchwork Place: Bits and Pieces; ASN: 101 Fun-to-Quilt Pot Holders; FriendFolks: Redwork Quilts Book 2.

CROSS STITCH: Just Nan: Mitten Men, Memories, Florentine Floral; Calico Crossroads: Celebrate 08, Yours Furever; Homespun Elegance: Meowy Time Jan/Feb; Drawn Thread: 26 Stitches, Sampler of Stitches part 7 STU; Heart In Hand: Celebration Winter & Spring; Lizzie Kate: Winter Crazy; Lisa Cowell: It’s a Boy/Girl; Stitchy Kitty: Snowman Trio; Blue Ribbon: Stitched With Love; Passione Ricamo: Circe the Sorceress; Rosewood Manor: Seasons Changing, Victorian Good Luck Sampler; Imaginating; Simple Sentiments, Whisper of God, Deal With It, Fun Loving Fellows; SamSarah: Baubles Jan/Feb/Mar; TW Designworks: Miniature Autumn Sampler; Amy Bruecken: Big Mama Claus; Stitching Parlor: Welcome Spring/Winter; The Victoria Sampler: Beautiful Finishing 1 & 2, Heirloom Nativity Sampler, Dragonfly Lace Sampler, O is for Operator, P is for Princess, Q is for Quilter; Heaven and Earth: Black Stallion, Snow Princess, Night Moves.

OTHER: Hardanger: Judy Dixon – Daydreams; J Designs – Hardanger Bookmarks. Beading: Jill Oxton – Cross Stitch and Beading #73. Canvas:; DebBee’s Designs – Primrose Path; Northern Pine – Stormy Seas; Harbour Light – Garden of Friends IV; Needlepoint NOW: Jan/Feb 08. Punchneedle: Artful Offerings – Penguin Party of One; Val’s Stuff – Snowmen Ornaments. Crochet: Leisure Arts – Artsy Afghans, Projects from Your Scrap Bag, Crochet on the Go Other: Ukrainian Drawn Thread – Yvette Stanton, The Art of Embroidery – Mary Engelbreit,

Happy Stitching!

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Fiberworks
108 E Bremer Ave. STANDARD Waverly, IA 50677 PRESORT
U.S. POSTAGE Love to Shop Hop Trail PAID April 3-4-5 Don’t miss it! PERMIT NO. 37
Mystery pattern & prizes