Believe it or not, there were new things that came in this month, and I am expecting shipments the first week of May from Pine Mountain Designs AND Lizzie Kate (yea!) Of course market season starts in June, and then we enter the busy stitching portion of the year (generally July-March). There have been some cute series this year and some neat pieces by newcomers. This last month I really liked:

Bent Creek: Stoneware Hilltops are coming -- there will be five in this series, and I will do an auto for these. I can't give you the last one for free (since there are only five), but I am doing free shipping on the last one you get. They're $16 for the kits, and were a teaching series. The second part of Snapperville came in, too. There's still time to join that auto as well, and the button packs are in ($7 each). I can send you the border chart for free with your purchase (it really makes the piece).

Blackbird Designs: The aforementioned Spring Fling (LOVE IT, LOVE IT!) I also really like their Union Forever piece. They have such a neat look.

Cedar Hill Designs: Two new bouquets came in -- Easter Bouquet and Spring Bouquet. This whole series is turning out really cute. Flowers never go out of style, either.

Cross Eyed Cricket: More neat ornaments are here to hang off of your ornament tree. These are all hearts (elongated a little this time). The finishing instructions are very good, and there's a poem by Emily Dickenson included in one to tuck inside your pocket (see the picture to get what I mean.)

Little House Designs: Diane has a really cute little series called Piece of Cake. There were four new ones I added this month. These are all really quick stitches, and often only call for DMC floss and a little piece of fabric. What could be better for spring?

Long Dog: Bois le Duc came in, and it's really a cool one-color sampler...it's actually two samplers in one. A band sampler is pushed up against a spot motif sampler with neat motifs like a lobster, a castle, a ship and more. It's a biggie, as they all are. But she's really got a great look. You can spot one of her samplers a mile away.

Shepherd's Bush: Not a lot from Tina and Terri yet this year, but My Heart's Garden (a kit) came in, and it's really sweet (a heart with a scene wrapped 'round.) I sold the first batch in a few days, and have more on order. The mat for this one is $41 (mat/frame are $96). I am told Shepherd's Bush will have a bunch of new things for market...can't wait to see those.

Wild Heart Designs: The Spanish Wine Sampler is all the rage, and I have the silk packs from Access Commodities to go with it. I've heard rumors there will be a Spanish Wine II, but have not heard a date yet on that. It's really a gorgeous piece. The silk pack is first-class, and in fact I scanned the set and put it up my basket, too.

I tend to stitch a lot this time of year (I love my spot by the window in my kitchen.) I finished a cute piece for a friend's birthday this weekend and immediately picked up Spring Fling by Blackbird Designs. Can you believe it's the first one of theirs I've started? I love their designs, but it seems like lately I've been stuck stitching Raise the Roof stuff (which is fun, but I like variety as much as the next stitcher.) I have my eyeballs on a few other fun ones...I received button packs for Bent Creek's Easter Row...that one looks like a lot of fun to stitch, especially with the fun chocolate bunny buttons.

Well, this newsletter is late in getting out, and I've yakked long enough. I hope you all have a great month of May with NO SNOW and lots of sunshine. And I hope you get some time in your favorite stitching chair, too.

© 2007 Theresa Venette. Articles on this site may be reproduced in needlework group newsletters or other handouts with permission of author and proper attribution. Send questions, comments and suggestions to: xspeddler@yahoo.com