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| March 2002 |
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What a lovely time of year, the crocus and daffodils are blooming, the sky is blue and everything is shaking off the winter coat. So what's new with Homespun Hearts? Well, I've been looking out some lovely new products, but as they all come from America, we may have to wait until Malvern to see them! I for one, can't wait to wear my fun "quilting" t-shirt and try out some new patterns - some with hearts on, some with houses and some with watermelons - that's the only clue you'll get - you'll just have to come and see me! I'm also really really excited about an extremely sweet little travel sewing kit - perfect for yourself and a lovely gift for a friend. It's a cut above the usual travel sewing kits, since it has REAL wooden spools of thread, not a card with bits wound 'round - it's gorgeous. I also found a supply of those fantastic ceramic trivets and coasters with quilt designs on, and they've added a wooden trinket box with a ceramic lid to the range. They weigh about a pound each, so the postage will kill me, but I really just had to have them! Unfortunately they don't make the magnets to match any more, but I have found some other magnets with folk artist Warren Kimble's designs on. I also currently have in stock loads of those great little flat business-card sized fridge magnets with photographs of quilts. They are very reasonably priced too, at £1.50 and their size means you could post them to far-away friends - what a nice surprise that would be in your morning post! For all you Diane Phalen fans, I've got lots of mugs and cards coming as well as the cookbook illustrated with her art. Speaking of cookbooks, I've ordered lots of the perennially popular "Favourite Recipes from Quilters" and "Quilters Christmas Recipes" and a new book called "Cookies and Quilts" - who needs an excuse?! Do you remember the very funny pattern for the quilt called "Male Bonding"? There are now greetings cards with that image as well as some other funny ones from those mad creators at Jukebox quilts in California. (So of course I've ordered some!) Speaking of Jukebox quilts, be sure to check out this month's (March issue) of Patchwork and Quilting in the New to Us pages where you'll find the "Aprons" quilt (really it's called "Ladies of the House") which was the surprise hit at the Knitting & Stitching show. We also have a mention in Popular Patchwork on the What's New pages with our ever-popular wire hangers, and we are also mentioned in the March issue of Cross Stitcher (page 54) for the photo on page 51 of the mini canvas bags we sell. I've had to re-order twice since they keep selling out - I'm not complaining! I've also found a supplier of those little tiny button maker thingies which were used to make the tiny cinnamon hearts and stars. You may remember that we used to carry them ready made from Country Stencils, and then they stopped doing them, so we'll have to have a go at doing it ourselves! I think they come with a recipe, but I have one which we can use if need be. And on to another favourite of mine - the primitive cross stitch (Bent Creek, Heart in Hand & Twisted Threads) on linen with unusual threads (Weeks Dye Works and the Gentle Art) Rachel and I attended a seminar recently given by these three extremely creative and talented ladies and boy was it great! They are as lively and interesting as you would imagine, and we came away buzzing with ideas. If you aren't familiar with their work, you can see some of their designs on my website (click on "products" and then the designers name, i.e. Bent Creek), and their full range on their websites: www.bentcreek.com, www.heartinhand.com, and www.twistedthreads.com. I will be expanding my range of their leaflets, and may create some kits with everything you need included. So if you see something on their site that you want, let me know and I can special order it for you - glad to do it!! I love the overdyed, variegated look of the Weeks Dye Works and Gentle Art threads. Once you've used them, you're ruined for other threads! I'm looking into stocking them, since the above designers always create their models using overdyed threads and it gives the most marvellous distressed feel to your finished piece. So, in thinking about my selection of goods ordered, I'd say there were more gifty items coming and less patterns. Not because I don't like patterns! It's just that I haven't the time to make them all up!! And speaking of no time to sew, I'd like to introduce a new pilot scheme. It's called Star Stitchers and it works like this: In exchange for making up a design which I can use as a model at shows to let customers see the finished product, I am prepared to offer a £5.00 gift certificate on Homespun Hearts merchandise as well as a discount on future purchases for a month (or two months, depending on how long the design should take). In other words, if I provide the materials and pattern leaflet, you provide the needlework skills, and when finished, I get to use it as a model and you get to use a 10% discount for a month on everything you buy. It would be on a sliding scale so that the more difficult the design and the longer it took you to stitch it, the more discount you'd receive. A simple design would earn 1 month discount, and a really complex design would earn 3 or 4 month's discount. What do you think? If you're interested and think you're up to the challenge, then email me or phone me and let's talk about it! I'm also looking to hire someone to work at a few shows. The main one I need to get sorted is the Championships in Esher, Surrey (June 27, 28,29,30) I'd need someone to help set up on the afternoon before (June 26) and be prepared to work hard and fun for four days. You need to be comfortable dealing with the public, happy changing money, able to stand four 1/2 days of mostly on-your-feet, and interested in having a laugh and sewing! Not too hard - and I'll provide lunch, chocolate (essential) and pay you for your time. Call me or email me if you're interested and you live within driving distance of this venue. That's about it for now. Look out for us for the first time at Chilford (March 22,23,24) and of course at Malvern in the marquee - same spot as last year, and the new venue at Sandown in June. I'll also be at some smaller venues: Quilters Guild Regional day Saturday (March 2) in Little Hadham, Herts, and the Chiltern Quilters Exhibition in Beaconsfield (March 16,17). Take care and Happy Stitching!! Lynn |
