INDEPENDENT NEEDLEWORK NEWS

We have a few weeks of catching up to do as far as the new releases go, and the Halloween and Christmas designs are starting to be released, making this a very picture heavy post.

As for what’s new this week at Hoffman Distributing, there are all kinds of goodies. First, a few things which are news not because they make my wish list, but for other reasons which make them post-worthy.

First, Hoffman Distributing has been putting quilt design on its weekly list of new releases every once in a while. This is a fairly recent development, I think, but as it is apparently going to be a regular thing, I’m going to mention it here — especially as I know many of you quilt. As the different arts start being mixed more and more together by the stitchers, quilters, and other people actually DOING those forms of art, I think it will happen more often.

Anyway, this one is by Lynn’s Prints/Diane Graebner and is called They Smell So Sweet Mom:

Next up is one I’m not sure yet whether or not I actually like … I’ve never been a lighthouse fan when it comes to stitching them myself, but Imaginating’s Lighthouse Welcome has the distinction of being the first lighthouse design that has caught my eye. I think I DO like it; I’m just not sure I’d ever stitch it for me … but there are lots of other people it could be stitched for, and I know a lot of you — lighthouse lovers or not — will find it very appealing for its playful use of lots of fun colors.

Another design which is news but not one of my favorites this week is from The Vermillion Stitchery, who has climbed onto the bandwagon along with seemingly nearly every other needlework designer and her sister to come up with a pattern for the 12 Days of Christmas. There didn’t used to be any designs dedicated to this particular Christmas carol, and now there are quite a plethora … enough to choose from to suit just about anyone, and I’m sure more are on their way. Maybe this one will be YOUR favorite of the many there are to select from, which is why I choose to share it with you. As shops may decide not to pick it up themselves simply because there ARE already so many, if you don’t know about it, you can’t request it by special order.

Now on to the patterns which definitely went right onto my own wish list. The needle-wielding mermaid in Sue Hillis Designs‘ My Heart Belongs to the Sea is a must have for me, and she looks like a quick stitch, too. I think she’d be perfect for the top of a tin (if I can find a tin big enough — I’d like one to hold more than what I can manage to stuff in an old Altoid tin), although I might have to stitch her over one depending on the dimensions of the design and the tin …

Plum Pudding Needleart’s Holiday Samplings is a monochrome delight which would make lovely holiday gifts for everyone in your family — and a set for you — without interfering all that much with the rest of your stitching must do list.

Looking back to see what I missed while I was between websites, I first checked the beginning of August at Hoffman Distributing for new releases I didn’t know about. Of course, I found several there.

A. Fox Original added two to my list. Failte (Welcome in English) is one I could stitch for almost everyone in my husband’s family … and I most likely have Irish from the paternal side of my family somewhere in my background also. Besides, who doesn’t love clover? Although I do always wonder why designers don’t stick in more four-leafed clover in their designs; I know it’s hard to find in the real world, but stitching is the perfect world, isn’t it?

I also love A. Fox Original’s Let it Snow, which I think would look stunning on a dark blue or even black fabric. Or how about stitching it on a deep red or green fabric?

I am head over heels for Ladybug Lane Designs‘ Praise Loudly, which is not only an important message for individuals of any age, but also just such an adorable design you can’t help but smile when you look at it. I’m pretty sure if I were upset, it would help me soften my words just by studying it for a few seconds, and I’m tempted to stitch one for every room in my house just for that reason! Instead, I think it will be another one which gets stitched more than once because it would make a super wedding or anniversary gift for pretty much anyone.

I’m also adoring The Primitive Needle’s Kindred Spirits, which fortunately appears to be another quick stitch, since my wish list is growing so much this week.

Then I took a peek at Hoffman Distributing’s listing of new releases for the end of July just to make sure I was all caught up, and I did find a few designs I had missed.

By the Bay Needleart’s Summer Hill is just lovely … and looks so much cooler than the weather going on in MY neighborhood!

Cross My Heart’s Christmas Kitty Capers contains images everyone owned by a cat will recognize!

Meanwhile, Cross Eyed Kat has done an amazing job capturing a tortoise shell colored cat in a lifelike way in its new design called With Cat for Comforter.

Now to get you caught up on the Friday Features … This week’s Friday Feature is a visit with Anita Boatright of The Sunflower Seed.

I know you’ll want to go back for the two Friday Features you may have missed while I was off-line. One is a delightful interview with Nancy Wallerstein and Pam Smith, who are the geniuses behind The Prairie Schooler.

The other is a fascinating discussion with another favorite designer, Kay H. Cavnar of Lilybet Designs.

Technorati Tags: Hoffman Distributing, new releases, cross stitch, Vermillion Stitchery, Twelve Days of Christmas, 12 Days of Christmas, Imaginating, Lighthouse Welcome, lighthouse, quilt, Lynn’s Prints, Diane Graebner, They Smell So Sweet Mom, Halloween, Christmas, Sue Hillis, My Heart Belongs to the Sea, mermaid, Plum Pudding Needleart, gift, Holiday Samplings, A Fox Original, Failte, Welcome, Let it Snow, Ladybug Lane Designs, Praise Loudly, anniversary, Primitive Needle, Kindred Spirits, By the Bay Needleart, Summer Hill, Cross My Heart, Christmas Kitty Capers, Cross Eyed Kat, With Cat for Comforter, tortie, tortoise shell cat, Friday Feature, Nancy Wallerstein, Pam Smith, Prairie Schooler, Kay H. Cavnar, Kay Cavnar, Lilybet, Anita Boatright, Sunflower Seed

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 12th, 2007 at 6:11 pm and is filed under Cross Stitch, Designer Information, Enabling (Stash Enhancement), Interesting Articles, Posts Containing Information about Heather. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.