Somewhere between a May 24 holiday weekend that drove thousands of shivering campers back home to warm up and the week of May 28, summer arrived with a searing blast! Previous high temperature and humidex readings were scorched right out of the record books and the chilly start to Summer in Ontario was completely forgotten. Thank you very much for dropping by... I hope that everything's been going well for you and that you'll enjoy this little visit.
New on the Needlework Scene
NEW!
BABY Embroidered Gift Tags
I believe that embroidered gift tags are a completely new idea. Although they stitch up surprisingly quickly, your Embroidered Gift Tags are bound to become treasured items in your recipients' baby memorabilia box! Pastel Baby Beads, that decorate the back of your tags, are included in the chartpack.
NEW!
TEACHER Embroidered Envelope
Teachers' birthday? End of the school year? A retirement celebration? Or... just because.
I tried so hard to have this latest addition to the MAIL ART/Embroidered Envelopes series ready in time for the end of school... but just couldn't manage it. Although the fact that it's stitched almost entirely in half-crosses (making it an extremely quick stitch), my indecision about colours slowed me wa-aaaay down. Actually, I stitched this piece several times over and was disappointed each time. Then, I realized that stitching on a black background would not only make it look so much better... it would also simulate coloured chalks on a blackboard! Key-shaped brass charm is included in the chart-pack
A Neat Sewing Tip
I'm not sure where I first learned of this invaluable little trick, it may have been on the newsgroup r.c.t.n. (rec.crafts.textiles.needlework) or, perhaps, it was on the 1-2-3 Stitch! bulletin board. Wherever it was... it's worked magic every time I've been confronted with an obstinate crease in my fabric! You know the ones I mean, those persistent creases that appear whenever your fabric's been folded too long. You try steam-ironing them out; pressing down hard with all your might... they're still there! And don't bother putting the fabric at the bottom of a pile of heavy books... done that... it doesn't work.
Try this instead... Thoroughly wet your fabric. Gently squeeze out the excess water (no wringing or harsh twisting here!) Now, roll your fabric up as though it's a jelly-roll (that's a Swiss Roll, if you're British) and wrap it up in some plastic wrap. Put the whole thing in the freezer and let it freeze solid. After thawing enough to unroll, iron your fabric and you should find that your crease has either totally disappeared or reduced to such a degree that a second freeze/thaw/iron will totally eliminate it. Magic!!
Shop News
I'm very happy to let you know about a shop in the 'Land Down-Under' which has recently chosen to offer my charts to its' stitchers...
NEEDLECRAFT, 600 Main Street, PALMERSTON, NORTH 5320 NEW ZEALAND Toll-free (in New Zealand) 0800 909 600 e-mail: stitches@needlecraft.co.nz
Some Important Information
(and gentle reminders)
In 2005, Wendy Mesley (a popular TV journalist and co-host of CBC's consumer show, 'Marketplace') was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Her diagnosis, subsequent treatment and recovery led her to investigate the rising incidence of all forms of cancer throughout North America. The end result was an informative and much-repeated television show, "Chasing the Cancer Answer" which exposed startling facts about the fight against cancer and our environment. CBC has also provided online tips about avoiding carcinogens in common household products.
Please don't forget to familiarize yourself with the signs of Ovarian Cancer and to ensure that the men in your life remember their PSA checks.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read this newsletter. I hope you've enjoyed it. Til next time... take care,