January 30th, 2010
Our new class brochure is out and posted on the website - see the links at right and below to view them. The class list page has been updated also. My apologies to my email list as I put invalid links to these documents in the latest newsletter.
NEW STOCK: The Bohin needles are back in stock - if you haven't tried these yet, check them out the next time you're in. These are by far the smoothest needles I've ever handled, and they are priced similar to other needles. We now stock Dovo brand scissors - they have developed a cutwork-style scissors with a narrowing of the tip which makes them ideal for getting under the fabric threads you need to cut. Our only warning is that you don't leave them unattended as we've had reports of them cutting fabric while no one is watching them.... We have new laying tools in stock - lovely carved bone ones that look like ivory, and some new rosewood ones too.

January 2nd, 2010
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
During January, we're having a sale to make room for new shipments! ALL CHRISTMAS STOCK IS 35% OFF. We're also holding a TREASURE HUNT: Find an item with a handwritten price (not stock number) and get 50% off (beads, charms and buttons excluded). There will be more sale items advertised in the next few weeks, so keep an eye on this page (and our sale page, which will be up January 3rd) for more.

December 21st, 2009
Happy Winter Solstice! All of us at The Stitcher's Muse would like to wish you and yours a very Merry holiday season, and our hopes that the New Year brings many satisfying stitching hours to all our customers.
We'd also like to congratulate Janice Rousseau and Ann Webb for being the successful winners of our Noella's Christmas Berry contest.
New at the shop: We now carry Skirtex, a thin but very firm non-fusible interfacing used by many designers for needlebooks and etuis. New Brazilian embroidery supplies include three colours of trigger cloth - white, cream, and navy, plus several beautiful designs, and size 15 milliner's needles for those VERY large bullion knots.. We also have new and pretty stumpwork kits, and a small collection of shisha mirrors. New fabrics include a lovely shade of linen called Vintage Blue Whisper, a gently-overdyed soft blue perfect for a sky background, and opalescent Rainbow Dreams (pink and blue overdyed) in a 28count Lugana. Caron Collection threads have been restocked, and several new shades brought in. Kelmscott Designs' new Crown needle minder (a lovely deep purple) from Kelmscott Designs, plus their Angel scissors have also come in this week. There's still time to pick up some lovely gifts for your favourite stitcher!

December 6th, 2009
DECADENT DESSERT DAY
On Sunday December 13th from noon to 3 pm. Bring your favourite decadent dessert and we'll supply the coffee, tea, hot chocolate and punch. We thought this would be a great way to welcome the holidays and take a break from the busy-ness!
We've received several shipments including new books (temari balls, Swedish/huck weaving), more Mill Hill kits, LOTS of scissors (and some pretty fobs and chatelaines), new charts (Nora Corbett's new Jade Blue and Orchid, amongst others). We've also switched point-of-sale systems, and I have been very busy over the last few weeks putting over 6000 stock items into the new system. Please be patient with us while we switch over - it may be a few weeks before everything is running smoothly.
We're planning a SALE for January - some things have just been hanging around too long, or I've overstocked on them. It will be a good time to pick up a few thing you may have had your eye on!
Please remember that we will be closed early on Christmas Eve (2 pm), but if you need us after 2 pm, please call ahead - we don't mind waiting if someone's coming in, but we don't want to hang around if no-one's coming in either! We'll also be closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year's Day, and early on New Year's Eve (2 pm).

November 27, 2009

We've been very lucky to acquire a very limited number of Just Nan's newest needlework collectible, Noella's Christmas Berry, a lovely cloisonné bird with her embroidered Christmas "berry" - a little pincushion. This is so pretty and sweet! Because I couldn't bear to do a "first come, first served" on this one, I decided to hold a contest instead.
Contest Rules: Enter by email to info@thestitchersmuse.com, or mail to #7— 70 Church Street, Nanaimo, BC, V9R 5H4, or by telephone to (250) 591-6873. Draw date: December 15th, 2009. No substitutions, prize awarded limited to one Just Nan Noella’s Christmas Berry kit. Please note that Noella must be purchased by the successful contestant (price appr. $75.00)
New Charts & Kits: There are too many to list, but here is a sampling: Just Nan: Christmas Cheer is in, Over the Top Glow collector tin & chart, Hootzi Humbug (a really cute little owl). We now carry Teresa Layman’s cute little knotwork rug patterns. Whispered by the Wind winter/Christmas charts (great for playing with over-dyeds), Lots of Stoney Creek charts (both Christmas and non-seasonal). Beautiful designs for smalls from Wendy KC Designs (Garden of Hearts and Flowers, Winter Treasure Box, Christmas Potpourri, Strawberry Sweet Bag), & Carolina House designs (Pink Pearls & Roses, Quaker Garden). We have lots of Mill Hill ornament kits, the new Christmas ones are pretty (Naughty, Nice, Holly, Jolly, Star & Hope), 4 Jim Shore Santas, 3 Arctic Circle Santas, new additions to the Buttons & Beads Christmas Village lineup, and lots of their older kits that we thought were pretty too. We have all the new Nora Corbett/Mirabilia designs, including the lovely Day Nymph and Night Nymph, and Lavender, Amaryllis, Magnolia, & Bluebell. Jade Blue and Orchid are on their way. We are importing the Coleshill Collection from the UK, beautiful needlepoint and stumpwork kits (you’ve got to see “Cream Caprice”!). We keep up with all the latest Victoria Sampler too, including Gingerbread Stitching House (a needlework etui!), 12 Days of Christmas, Sugar & Lace, Carol Singers, and Cathy Jean’s sweet little Snow Babies. We also have new books on tatting, and more Temari ball books on their way. We also still have some great Hallowe’en charts and kits.
New Fibres: More Gentle Art colours. The new Memory Thread by DMC has arrived. We’re always expanding our collection of Caron, Rainbow Gallery, and DMC perlé cottons.
New Tools: New needle minders by Kelmscott: Acorn, Adam & Eve, Buzz (beehive), and the latest Crown (arriving any day). More tatting shuttles are on their way. We’ve also got new (to us) less-expensive hoops and thimbles. New Fabrics are always being ordered. We love the linens, so those are our largest collection, however we’re happy to order any fabric Zweigart or Wichelt/Permin carries. It can sometimes take a long time to get fabrics as they are often backordered from Europe, so if you have a special request, give us plenty of time.
We are planning a sale for January—watch this space and your mailbox!

October 18, 2009 Watch this space for an upcoming contest!
Here are more additions to our new stock:
Hallowe'en charts and kits: my personal favourite is "Spooky" - a haunted mansion with hidden objects - very well done! Also the latest Just Nan - "Counting Bats", her Hallowe'en Hat (collectible tin), pumpkin pin and needle slide. Drop in to see our Hallowe'en display and other designs.
Christmas stock is beginning to trickle in - the Mill Hill beaded ornaments are quite elegant this year - and the Jim Shore and Northern Santas are elegant, too. We're expecting Just Nan's Christmas designs any day. Whispered by the Wind has a lovely quilt-inspired Christmas design out, and we've brought in her Recipe for a Snowman, amongst others. There are also a few books with small Christmas designs on their way.
Mirabilia/Nora Corbett has several new designs - check out her website at Mirabilia. The two nymphs will be in our next order. See Wichelt and click on "Mirabilia". Remember we can bring in any of her charts - just ask!
Also new to us are more charts by The Drawn Thread and With My Needle.
Our collection of Gentle Art Sampler threads is expanding, as is the Caron Collection. We're thinking of bringing in another hand-dyed line, but can't decide between Weeks, Thread Gatherer, and Threadworx. Do you have a preference? Email me at Hand dyed threads.
Other, more mundane items include:
The latest latex thimbles - they fit snugly over the finger and are very comfortable to use! For those of you who love fine finishing, we have silk pins! Also quilting pins and glass head pins, and YLI silk sewing thread (requested by the Appliqué Guild). Heat resistant Mylar sheets for templates are in stock, and I'm tracking down a source for Skirtex (or similar). Bohin tapestry needles are back in stock - you have to feel these to believe them - smoother than other brands. John James petite tapestry and beading needles are also back in stock. Another new item is tiny 2mm rick rack trim for doll clothes and quilt embellishment.
Also new to us are oval and round wooden frames for finishing, ranging in size from 4 inches to 16x20 inches. Come check them out!
Hope to see you soon!

October 5, 2009 September was a very busy month for both the shop and myself, but lest it appear there is nothing new, I thought I would at least get a start today. New stock continues to arrive weekly. Here is a small sampling:
Just Cross Stitch Ornament Issue - we are currently sold out but are expecting a new shipment any day. New Nora Corbett/Mirabilia designs include Bluebell and Magnolia Pixie Couture (with Amaryllis and Lavender on their way), and Shakespeare's Fairies. A-Z of Silk Ribbon Embroidery is a new book by Inspirations magazine and up to their usual standards of inspiring photography and clear, easy-to-follow instructions. Legacy Linens are a new line for us, and we've brought in the Shadow Work, Napery Ivory, and 30 count Debutante Pearl. We also have the newest Victoria Sampler charts and accessory packs, Gingerbread Stitching House, Sugar and Lace, Button Up for Christmas 3 (Snow Fairy and Snow Star), for Christmas and Jack O'Juggle and Lady Kitty Bug for Hallowe'en. Also for Hallowe'en are Mill Hill's latest Tiny Treasured Diamonds, a series of six diamond shaped ornaments with a Hallowe'en theme - two of them use Glow in the Dark threads! That's all I have time for right now - I will add more new items soon.

August 23, 2009 The new class list is up with some photos, for those of you who cannot access Acrobat files. The list can be found Class list and photos. I'll be adding more photos soon.

August 18, 2009 A few items that are new to the shop: Teresa Wentzler's new chart Tracery Dragons, a new Fractal, Mountmellick Inspired by Nature book (gorgeous!), tiny 2.5" "preemie" scissors, some beautiful new blackwork charts, cards with cutouts for your stitchery - we have four styles in stock - round hole, oval hole, rectangular hole, and oval hole with decorative Rosemaling painting arund the cutout. We've also received new petitpoint kits from Kreinik (done in silk!), and cross stitch kits (eg "It's OK to Giggle!"). We've also expanded our Caron Collection fibres.

August 12, 2009 We had a great anniversary sale and party last month. New stock for fall is arriving daily, but with summer vacation I haven't had time to update the "news" page. I will endeavour to do so within the next few days!

July 8, 2009 Our one-year anniversary is coming up soon! It's been a great year and time has certainly flown. I'd like to thank all our customers - without you, I wouldn't be here, and I wouldn't have had all the great experiences and chats that I've had! In appreciation, we're holding a store-wide sale all this month. Check out our Sale Page for details. We're also holding a celebration on July 24th (our official anniversary), with birthday cake, a prize draw, and more! We'll be open late so everyone will have a chance to come join us. I'll post more details as it gets closer.
Also new are Buttoned & Beaded Mill Hill "Leaves", "Pheasant Sampler", "Olive Oil", and "Balsamic Vinegar" kits; new Nora Corbett/Mirabilia Circle of Friends, Sweet Pea, Lilac, Lily-of-the-Valley, and Pansy charts, a new Crossed Wing hummingbird, and a new Pacific Coast Sampler canvaswork chart by Laura Perin.

June 8, 2009 Wow, I can't believe it's been this long since I posted here. My apologies to those who check regularly and have thought there's been "nothing" new. Our biggest news lately is that I've been working on bringing in Jackie du Plessis of It's Fine-ally Finished for a workshop, and I've been successful! There will be two workshops, be held on September 17th and 18th (Thursday and Friday) so mark your calendars and ask the boss for time off! I've had such a hard time deciding which of the many beautiful projects to have Jackie teach, that I'm putting it out to my customers. Please visit her website at It's Fine-ally Finished, click on "Teaching Projects" and let me know which ones you like! Also, the "She Sells Sea Shells" on the "coming soon" page under teaching projects is now available, as well as "My Plum" see photo) Please send me your preference by email, and indicate whether you think you may be able to attend, so I can get an idea of numbers. The full day workshop will probably be for more experienced stitchers, and the half-day for less experienced stitchers. I can't wait to hear from you!
In other news, we have brought in three new charts by Whispered by the Wind: Bagatelle, Rhapsody, and Winter Lace. New from Victoria Sampler is the Stitcher's Garden Sampler. There's a new Zweigart "At Home With Needlework" magazine out, and we've received new Embroidery and Cross Stitch magazines too. We're always increasing out fibre stock - we have more colours of perle cotton, Caron Collection, and Rainbow Gallery. Drop in and see us soon!

April 21, 2009 Oops - I needed to update the links for our class brochure and newsletter, and accidentally uploaded an old page. As a result I've "lost" the "What's New" postings since February! My apologies.
We had a wonderful time with Carolyn Mitchell, the workshop was enjoyed by all. I hope to upload some pictures soon.
New products include the latest charts by Thea Dueck and Cathy Jean of Victoria Sampler, the Harmony Sampler and Harmony Sampler Limited Edition sampler tin by Just Nan, and a collection of designs and accessory packs by Jeannette Douglas, a Canadian designer. Of course we brought in several of Carolyn Mitchell's designs while she was here. Also very exciting was a shipment of hand-turned wood needlework tools by UniqueWood Gifts (aka Wray Parsons). These gorgeous tools are a "gotta get it" for many of us. So smooth and pretty! Last but not least, we've also expanded our collection of YLI silk ribbon.

February 28, 2009 We've had a very busy week, with one or two shipments arriving nearly every day.
The most exciting was our shipment of Thea Gouverneur kits - if you're not familiar with this designer but like realistic cross stitch, these are a must-see! All on linen with quality threads and beautiful, subtle shadings. If you've been in the shop and seen the birdfeeder-in-progress near the Mill Hill beads, this is the same designer. They are absolutely lovely!
Also in the chart department, The Drawn Thread order has arrived. Gorgeous samplers somewhat similar to The Victoria Sampler's charts. Visit www.drawnthread.com for a taste!
We've also received a shipment of charts by Ellen Chester (With My Needle). These are Quaker-styled motifs done in samplers and smalls. Visit www.withmyneedle.com to see her work.
We are also now carrying The Gentle Art Sampler and Simply Shaker Threads. There is a small selection in stock, and we will be adding more depending on demand.
We've also expanded into Edmar Brazilian embroidery threads, bringing in a selection of the most popular colours of Gloria, Iris, Lola, Bouclé, Frost, and Nova. Come check out the lovely shades and textures!
An order has been placed with Just Nan, and should be arriving any day. If you haven't seen her 15-sided biscornu, check it out at www.justnan.com. We've ordered those beautiful pins too!
For all you quilters and fabric artists, we are now stocking Timtex, a solid fusible interfacing which makes great fabric bowls and boxes.
Another addition to our inventory is Joan Moshimer rug hooks. We have the medium and primitive sizes in stock, as well as a selection of 3 different backings. Other sizes and backings may be special-ordered.
That's all the news I can think of for now. Drop by soon to see all the great new stock!

February 14, 2009 Happy Valentine's Day! Yesterday we received more fibres from Caron Collection and Kreinik, essentially those needed for the kits for Carolyn Mitchell's classes. We also received a shipment from Treenway silks, and now have a complete collection of the Gulf Island series of thread collections. We've also expanded our collection of Canadiana series, and have brought in some gorgeous Easter-style colours in that series, as well as a few others, both ribbon and thread collections. You've just GOT to check them out!


We are going to start our new mailing list system today, so those of you who are signed up for our mailing list, watch those inboxes for a confirmation notice (you may have to check your "junk mail" folder as well, and add our email address to your "trusted senders" list - some junk mail filters may filter us out). If you haven't signed up yet you can do so by filling in your name and email address on the right side of any page on the website.

February 10, 2009 We've just received shipments from Rainbow Gallery, Nordic Needle, DMC, and Mill Hill.
From Rainbow Gallery: Primarily completed the fibres needed for Carolyn Mitchell's workshop "My Way" (sponsored by the Arrowsmith Needlearts Guild), and her workshop being sponsored by The Stitcher's Muse.
From Nordic Needle: New Handi-Clamp scroll frames (wood scroll frames with plastic "snaps" like Q-Snap frames), lots of new books (see the "New Books" section on our bookshelves), restocked Q-Snap frames.
From DMC: restocked floss, brought in new perle cotton colours for use in Carolyn's workshop.

From Mill Hill: some new bead colours, the new Jim Shore "12 Days of Christmas" chart (if you like beading and Christmas, you've got to see this one!), Teresa Wentzler's "12 Days of Christmas" (similar to Jim Shore in layout, but more elegant - Jim's is a bit more "folksy"), new Buttons & Beads kits: Cappucino, Latté, Camping Out, Potting Table, Spring Herbs, School Days. These are so pretty - a great project for "tired eyes" times - they're done on perforated paper which makes the holes easy to see.