Monthly Archives: March 2011

Needlearts

Stitching for Literacy

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The Stitching for Literacy program celebrates reading and needlework. Here is your advance notice to make a hand-stitched bookmark now to donate for Children’s Book Week which runs May 2 – 8 this year.

Stitching for Literacy Bookmark Challenge

Jen Funk Weber of Needle and ThREAD is again sponsoring an annual drive for hand-stitched bookmarks that will be donated to libraries and schools during Children’s Book Week. The Stitching for Literacy Bookmark Challenge runs March 17 – April 28, 2011.

During this annual Bookmark Challenge, independent needlework shops, guilds, and other groups collect hand-stitched bookmarks and donate them to libraries and schools during Children’s Book Week. The bookmarks are distributed to kids as rewards for reading accomplishments.

This a wonderful opportunity to take a little time out with the needlework you love — make a bookmark that encourages a child to read. Check with your local stitchery shop or library for collection programs they are hosting, or take action yourself to host a program on behalf of a library or school. If you want to participate but are not sure where to donate, Jen at Needle and ThREAD is the point of contact to help you.

For knitters, here’s inspiration and general instructions for a pleated-end bookmark that has a lot of possibilities of embellishment and personalization. The write-up is available for free at the HeartStrings FiberArts site.

Elegantly Simple Pleated End Bookmark

There are also more ideas for bookmarks made in cross stitch, etc. at the Stitching for Literacy site.

I hope you will be able to join stitchers all over in making bookmarks for this year’s Children’s Book Week. Feel free to post your comments and ideas here.

p.s. A shout-out to my fellow bloggers in this month’s challenge.

V7N Blog Challenge with a Twist

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Musings

Lace Maple Leaf Socks KAL

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I am pleased that the 50 Socks Book Group on Ravelry chose my Lace Maple Leaf Socks (a.k.a. Canada Socks) for it’s March/April Knit-A-Long. I don’t want you to miss the opportunity to participate and enjoy the camaraderie of other knitters. The KAL is being held on Ravelry. During the entire time of the KAL, I’ll be around to answer questions or help in any way.

Lace Maple Leaf Socks is one of two designs I did for the CD book 50 Socks – 50 States published in 2009. The CD book is still available from Sirius Knitting Publications and Crystal Palace Yarns. Lace Maple Leaf Socks has now also been published as a individual pattern, and is available from HeartStrings dealers and the Ravelry Store.

Visit the official KAL group thread for the rules, prizes, and the place you’ll want to post progress pictures of your socks so that you can win free yarn, etc.

There is also a Chat thread to ask questions, talk about your yarn choices, etc.

Will we see you there? Thanks to Crystal Palace Yarns for sponsoring the KAL and donating prizes.

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Needlearts

UNWIND in the beautiful mountains of NC

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Unwind, a new Fiber Arts Retreat

Nancy’s Knit Knacks is holding their first annual retreat in Blowing Rock, NC. It is being held April 29 – May 2, 2011 in the beautiful mountains of North Carolina. The retreat will accommodate a cozy group of 60 attendees coming to relax, knit and learn. There will be workshops, evening programs and lots of time to socialize and to explore the area. I just love the name that Nancy picked out for this retreat: We all deserve to Unwind now and then, and this looks like a perfect event to do just that. Registration closes March 25th or as soon as all spots are filled.

Details and Registration are at www.unwindgetaway.com

I’ve spent much time in the past enjoying the mountains of NC, and Blowing Rock holds fond memories. Alas, I myself will not be able to attend. But I have sent a book of 12 patterns for each retreat attendee. So I will be there with you in spirit and sponsorship!

You can see a list of all Unwind Sponsors here. It looks like a lot of great stuff has already come for door prizes and to fill the goody bags. Even if you can’t go to this year’s retreat, it’s ok to dream and drool, right?

p.s. A shout-out to my fellow bloggers in this month’s challenge.

V7N Blog Challenge with a Twist

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Promotions at HSFA

New Online Chat Support at HeartStringsFiberArts.com

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If you’ve been at the HeartStringsFiberArts.com website recently, you may have noticed a small change. I am available for online chat now and then throughout the week. If you see the “Live Help Online” button, click to say “hi” and chat a bit if you need help finding anything at the website.

A few people have already stumbled upon this and been surprised that it really is me on the chat! Of course, that is not my picture up there; it’s just one of the generic buttons provided with the service I use. I actually had thought about taking a picture of me with my phone headset, but I figured that would be a little over the top, lol.

There are no pre-set hours for when I will be online, though. We will just see how things go for now. Even if I am not online, you can now conveniently send a message to my dedicated email support address just by clicking the “Live support Offline” button (which is what the above button switches to automatically when I go offline).

Don’t worry, you can still reach me by any of the other ways that you may have been using, including the dedicated toll-free phone support line.

Do remember that I have a life, too, though. I will respond to you as soon as possible if by chance I am unavailable. So be sure to leave an email address or phone number with your message as to where I can reach you.

 

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