Arctic Needle

Arctic Needle's News from the Underground - June

2010-06-20T15:15:00.000-07:00

June 2010
I have been called a fabric snob and thought I would find out just what am I stitching on.

My most recent piece is the Wednesday Night Silk Club piece done on Zweigart 28 count Lemon Drop with Orchid silk floss from Gloriana. We are doing Mrs. Waddelow’s Huswife from With My Needle. This pattern has a lot of the fabric showing so I though linen would be the better choice.

My next project is on 14ct Aida. It is a Christmas stocking, full cover and may or may not get a lot of wear. I will however be stitching this in the car and at the cabin where I don’t have additional magnification available. 14 count I can see with just my glasses. I will be using three strand of cotton floss and so far it is coming along great.

My next most recent start is a whimsical dragon. This I am stitching on 18 count waste canvas on to the back of a peach blouse utilizing 2 over 1 and this rarely leaves the house as it requires good light and magnification. I do have a small magnifier with light that attaches to my q-snap frame and have found this to work great. I have now made this my Tuesday night stitching project.

The next piece is also full cover on 22 count hardanger. There are no blended colors in this piece so 1 over 1 is appropriate. I have had this one put away for a bit as it requires full concentration, excellent lighting and magnification. The floss colors a very close and the color changes many.

The next two are on canvas 22 and 24 count respectfully. I like working small. The 22 count is the Golden Phoenix, this requires canvas for the metal threads to pass through and as a learning piece the canvas makes it less frustrating them the same size fabric would.

The 24 count piece – well I could have used the same size fabric and it would have been specialty stitches instead of needlepoint.

So I have six different projects, six different stitching requirements and six different end uses. So my suggestion based on this exercise, don’t limit yourself choose your fabric based on your stitching style, where you will be stitching and the end use of the project. If you always stitch with a particular type of fabric or canvas shake things up a bit you might like it.

Maybe next month we will look at needles and how I'm not real picky there either.
Karen

Important dates to remember
Every Tuesday at 7PM we are stitching at Ann's. This is a great time to catch up on some of those WIPs
1st and 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6PM is canvas club. New projects start on the 1st Wednesday and we work through any problems on the 3rd Wednesday of the month.
2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month is the Silk Club at 6PM. Don't want to do our project, so what silk looks great on needlepoint canvas and we can help you with a design.
7PM every Wednesday come join us for great stitching and great conversation, make new friends and catch up with the old.

4615 E 102nd Ave - (907)748-2437 sales@arcticneedle.com www.arcticneedle.com

Arctic Needle's News from the Underground - May

2010-06-07T15:03:00.000-07:00

	Read archived messages here			Arctic Needle BOOKMARKS –BOOKMARKS – BOOKMARKS Jen tells it better then I ever could, here in her blog is a three part story about where our bookmarks went and how. jenfunkandweber.com/blog When you read the blog keep in mind Marion really only made 54 bookmarks or so, and we totaled nearly 100 yeah us!!! We will be working with Mt. View Elementary again next year and I hope to do more with all ages of children and host several make and take events with their after school program. My personal goal is to complete 12 bookmarks by the beginning of the challenge 2011. The Needlepoint Shop group is meeting Monday the 24nd. This is a small group of ladies that choose to do the same project and meet once a month to keep each other motivated. I have the orders in for the silk floss we will be using with this project and all of them will be great. I can see them now. As I mentioned last newsletter the pattern is from With My Needle using your choice of fabric and SILK floss. We choose to use Gloriana. Yes this is a specifically silk floss project. That seems to be it for now so Happy Stitching, Karen



	What is on my MP3
	Angles and Demonds by: Dan Brown
	4615 E 102nd Ave - (907)748-2437 sales@arcticneedle.com www.arcticneedle.com

Arctic Needle's News from the Underground - October

2009-10-31T12:09:00.001-07:00

			Arctic Needle	October 2009
			Well I have finally put together most of the kit for this project, everything included except hoops and scissors the kit price is $95.00. RSVP and pre pay only limited to three students and we will start on the 11th of November at 6PM. We are doing this Stumpwork piece from Country Bumpkin and I have only had to make a few substitutions. The Online Needlework Wholesale people have created a Online Needlework Retail show to be up and running November 5th through the 8th. Check it out. Funk and Weber Designs will have a 'booth' and be selling kits of 20 her charts. BOOKMARKS –BOOKMARKS – BOOKMARKS I really can’t say this enough. We will still be working with Jen Funk-Weber and the Children’s Literacy project – so MAKE BOOKMARKS. We will have a kickoff event after the first of the year. Wouldn’t it be fun to kick off the event with a tea and come dressed as your favorite character?? Yes it would and I think that is what we will do. So spend time thinking about who you wish to dress as. Admission will be five bookmarks so you really need to stitch. I will let you know when and where in the next issue. This will be open to your friends and family as well there will be alternative admissions for those who don't or would care not to stitch. Purchased bookmarks are ok too. Issue 57 of Sampler and Antique Needlework is here as well as the CD of the entire 2008 collection of the Gift of Stitching. I also have limited copies of the 2006 and 2007 CD's to complete your collection. That looks like it for now, just when I think this will be short and sweet it turns out to be a book. Happy Stitching, Karen November 4th: Canvas club Christmas Lights - 6PM November 5-8: on line Needlework Retail Show November 8th: EGA Meets at the Mountian View Lion's club house - 1:30PM November 10th: stitch in at Ann's everyone welcome - 7PM November 11th: embroidery - stumpwork to start - 6PM November 15th: ANG meeting at the Mountian View Lions clubhouse - 1:30PM November 18th: Canvas club finish those Christmas lights -6PM November 24th: Stitch in at Ann's - 7PM November 25th: More embroidery - 6PM

News from the Underground - September

2009-09-27T18:21:00.001-07:00

Arctic Needle

September 26, 2009

Our September Embroidery Project was a huge success. I will be working on the key for the remaining floral.

Our next embroidery class is more of a stitch in I will provide you with a kit and advice. We will be doing a Stumpwork piece from Country Bumpkin as soon as I get all the pieces together I will let you know. Look for this series to start in November.

The Emma Louise needlepoint class was again a great success thanks to both Trish and Kay great team teaching. If you are interested in taking this beginner class please drop a line and let me know. We can put another class together.

I will be ordering from Evertite next week when I place my orders. These stretcher bars are great for everything from embroidery to needlepoint and all forms of needlework in between. I do not currently have a price list but I can tell you that they are more expensive then the regular ones but well worth it.

The on line Needlework Show will be starting on October 7th and run until October 12th. I hope to be signed up before it opens but with the change in my email address I seem to have been dropped off. No bother I will get on the list again.

BOOKMARKS –BOOKMARKS – BOOKMARKS

I really can’t say this enough. We will still be working with Jen Funk-Weber and the Children’s Literacy project – so MAKE BOOKMARKS. We will have a kickoff event after the first of the year. Wouldn’t it be fun to kick off the event with a tea and come dressed as your favorite character?? Yes it would and I think that is what we will do. So spend time thinking about who you wish to dress as. Admission will be five bookmarks so you really need to stitch. I will let you know when and where in the next issue. This will be open to your friends and family as well there will be alternative admissions for those who don't or would care not to stitch. Purchased bookmarks are ok too.

The Kats are back!!!!

I am still on the automatic list with Calico Crossroads and we have two new kats by Kelly - Minnow Paws and Beeehave. Each leaflet is $6.00 and I have limited in stock.

Issue 56 of Sampler and Antique Needlework is finally here that was delayed in the change of address. I think I have it fixed now and I should be back on the regular mailing schedule.

That looks like it for now, just when I think this will be short and sweet it turns out to be a book.

Happy Stitching,

Karen

Keep up on where I will be on Twitter

Important dates to remember

September 30th - no stitch in sorry I am in a class

October 7th - Canvas Club at 6PM

Stitch in at 7PM

October 13th -

Stitch in at Ann's all are invited call for directions

October 14th through 21st -

no class and no stitch in I am closed for a vacation

October 27th - Stitch in at Ann's

October 28th -

embroidery at 6PM if you need more help or extra practice.

7PM stitch in

What is on my MP3

Alvin Journeyman - Tales of Alvin Maker Book 4

4615 E 102nd Ave - (907)748-2437 sales@arcticneedle.com www.arcticneedle.com

June 13 newsletter

2009-06-13T15:19:00.001-07:00

Where am I stitching??	Well it is summer and I am very pleased my husband has finished putting on our back deck. I have been able to enjoy some warm nights stitching on the porch. NOTES: if you did the May Canvas Club offering you may need a second skein of pearl. I used Caron Collection's Water Colors and require a second skein to finish off the outer boarder. If you have done the June Canvas Club you will need a second card of Frosty Rays. This is currently on order and should be here by June 19th if not before. Kay has promised to stitch the next project before class so we are sure of how much material we will need. Rumors are true Arctic Needle is moving we will be in the new location August 1st. Our new address will be 4615 E 102nd Ave. With that in mind everyone who has personal items or lay-aways in the store will have to call or e-mail me so you can make arrangements to pick them before July 15th. Hours will be afternoons by appointment and Tuesday and Wednesday evenings for classes.
Keep up on where I will be on Twitter I hope to be at Barns and Noble on Saturday June 20th about 10:30, come stitch with me.
Important dates to remember
June 14th EGA meeting at the Mountian View Lion's Club clubhouse June 17th, 24th Wednesday night stitch in July 7th canvas club 6PM until 8pm July 8th Wednesday night stitch in
What is on my MP3
Prentice Alvin - Tales of Alvan Maker by Orson Scott Card
new address new hours beginning August 1st

Memorial Day

2009-05-22T17:29:00.001-07:00

	Arctic Needle	May 22, 2009
Where am I stitching??	We will be closed Saturday May 23 until Tuesday May 26th for the Memorial Holiday Canvas Club June 2nd we are doing a sampler that includes some metalic threads in ocean and lavender colors. the canvas size is 10 X 10 so you can use the same stretcher bars from last month. The kit will cost $19.00 and includes thread, needle and canvas as well as Kay's excellent instruction and great company. Sign up now for the best pick of threads. The kits are not all the same but are close. Oh did I mention I am not sharing what the design is you will just have to stitch it and see. That's it for this time just wanted to touch bases quick. Karen
Keep up on where I will be on Twitter Saturday May 23th I should be in Chickaloon. Keep checking Twitter I may be out on Monday
Important dates to remember
May 23 - May 26 Closed May 27th Stitch Night June 2nd Canvas Club mystery project June 3rd Stitch Night June 14th EGA meeting at the Mountian View Lion's Club clubhouse
What is on my MP3
Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold by Terry Brooks
Moving in August watch for new address, new hours and new classes

vacation update

2009-05-11T13:58:00.001-07:00

	Arctic Needle	May 11, 2009
Where am I stitching??	Vacation update I will not be in beginning May 14th due to my son graduation from High School. Kay will be in the store on Thursday until 4PM. We will them be closed until Monday May 18th. Beginning Needlepoint Class if you wish to sign up for the next beginning needlepoint class please let me know as it is filling quickly. Class will run over 3 weeks, two classes in week one, skip week two for catch up and extra help, and two classes in week three. All materials are provided and class cost is based on thread cost at the time I order it. Various fibers are use and there is a sample in the store come take a look. I don't think the cost was over $60.00 last time, but I will have a better idea in another week or two. One thing you will need to provide is a laying tool but in the first class we will discuss several options. New in August Weekly embroidery instruction - Thursday evenings will bring monthly lessons and projects as well as general knowledge and all around good times. Watch here for more information. Hope all had a happy Mother's Day I know I did my mom is here and my daughters family did all the cooking. Wow it was great. Thank you everyone. Karen
keep up on where I will be on Twitter Saturday May 16th I should be in Girdwood
Important dates to remember
May 7th Bookmark Challenge Ends - 64 bookmarks were received - thank you all I am currently making arragements with the Library for delivery. May 10th Deliver bookmarks to Library May 11th - 17th Children's bookweek May 13th Stitch night May 15th - 17th Arctic Needle will be closed May 20th Stitch Night May 27th Stitch Night
hat is on my MP3
Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold by Terry Brooks in the que: Eragon by Christopher Paolini
Moving in August watch for new address, new hours and new classes

April 25th Newsletter

2009-04-25T15:36:00.001-07:00

	Arctic Needle	April 25, 2009
Where am I stitching??	New Product The online Needlework Show was really, really good to me this year and the product is coming in. We are expecting new charts and new scissors. We have received the new limited edition silks from the Thread Gatherer - lovely spring colors but only here for a short time. The new charts from Calico Crossroads came in earlier this week. The two new charts are Jack and Plenty - you will just have to come in and see. We have put in the entire line of Soy Luster, a lovely size 12-16 pearl type thread made completely of soybean. Works up great with one strand on 16 count for cross stitch and I am still waiting on feed back from the tatters. Other News If you are collecting the free charts "Year of Favor from the Lord Quilt" wall quilt April is here. The grid charts are still available but the April chart will only be here until the May chart comes in. Kay has stitch the grid as well as March and April squares. I am impressed I really love it and I'm not one much for flowers. These charts have been generously provided by Handblessings. Bookmark charts are still available if you are collecting them this is the third year. These charts are free and offered by the creator of the Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy program, Jen Funk-Weber of Funk and Weber Designs. These charts will only be free until the end of the bookmark challenge May 7th after that they will cost you one stitched bookmark to be used in the next years challenge. Canvas Club Is open to everyone and a small inexpensive project is created by Kay for each month. Last month we created tiny little Biscornus. The projects can normally be finished in a short period of time. The stitching was completed in the two hours on Tuesday night and the finishing was taught at the Wednesday night stitch-in. If you care to join us please RSVP so we can have enough kits on hand. Wednesday Night Stitch-in Is open to everyone, bring a project to stitch or problem we can help you fix. Between the people who show up regularly we can solve almost any problem - stitching problem that is. I am taking a vacation My son graduates high school on May 14th and my parents will be here. The store will close after Wednesday stitch-in May 13 and not reopen until May 18th at the regular time. Mom and Dad will arrive Anchorage on May 3rd. Mom will spend most of the afternoons in the store, she really likes that. Last year she helped Kay put up the wool and Dad did some needed rearrangeing. On graduation weekend, their last weekend here, we are headed to Seward and maybe Girdwood. They both enjoyed the tram up the mountian and I think the last time we did that with them we saw whales on the arm (or is that in the arm?). Either way it was way cool. I got really long with this - sorry but there was so much news!!! Looking forward to seeing you soon. Karen
Keep up on where I will be on Twitter April 25th we were at Marty's New York Bagel Deli on Dimond. There are classes in the store the next two weeks so we have three weeks to think about where to be next. Always open to suggestions.
Important dates to remember
May 2nd Needlepoint class May 5th Canvas club meets May 6th Stitch night May 7th Bookmark Challenge Ends May 9th Needlepoint class May 10th Deliver bookmarks to Library May 11th - 17th Children's bookweek May 13th Stitch night May 14th - 17th Arctic Needle will be closed May 20th Stitch Night May 27th Stitch Night
What is on my MP3
Freedom's Challenge by Anne McCaffrey in the que: Eragon by Christopher Paolini Magic Kingdom For Sale - Sold by Terry Brooks The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
4101 Arctic Blvd., Suite 105 Anchorage, AK 99503 (907)562-6500

2009-03-21T17:40:00.000-07:00

Arctic Needle
4101 Arctic Blvd, 105

Anchorage, AK

907-562-6500

News

Bookmarks for Literacy

We are receiving donations in from The Gentle Art (thread) and Weeks Dye Works (fabric) for the Make It and Take It bookmarks on April 5th. Our contact for needles has had a death in the family and I am not sure how that will effect our donation but I would like to ask everyone to please bring extra size 22 needles. Jen Funk-Weber has donated wide ribbon and Lisa is donating narrow ribbon, thank you. We have plenty of fabric I will just have to cut some more pieces.

So far Shannon is our most prolific stitcher. She has stitched A to P of last years alphabet chart and plans on stitching the rest in time for the give away in May - you go girl.

This years chart is available if you would like to stitch a sample before the event, just stop by the store and request your copy.

Below I have included the text from the last newsletter so you have all the details.

To kick off National Library Week and get ready for Children's Book Week the local chapter of the Embroidery Guild of America Jen Funk Weber, local needlework designer and author, and Arctic Needle are hosting a Make it and Take it book mark class at Lousacc Library Sunday April 5th at 2PM.

Children (6-10 accompanied by adult), parents, teens, and adults come and create a fabulous embroidered bookmark. This can be donated to the Children's Book Week bookmark give away or taken home.

Please come join us we can always use more volunteers and if you have any 1/2 or 1/4 inch ribbon you would like to donate we are running a tad bit short.


	Canvas Club Come join us on Tuesday April 7th at 6:00PM for a Mystery Project hosted by Kay. This is a quick stitch and quick finish while learning a new stitch or two. The cost for the kit will be $4.00. Please RSVP so we will make enough kits.

March 5th newsletter

2009-03-07T15:20:00.001-08:00

March Newsletter
March 5, 2009

Arctic Needle
4101 Arctic Blvd, 105

Anchorage, AK

908-562-6500

News

Bookmarks for Literacy

Children (6-10 accompanied by adult), parents, teens, and adults come and create a fabulous embroidered bookmark. This can be donated to the Children's Book Week bookmark give away or taken home.

Please come join us we can always use more volunteers and if you have any 1/2 or 1/4 inch ribbon you would like to donate we are running a tad bit short.


	Canvas Club Come join us on Tuesday April 7th at 6:00PM for a Mystery Project hosted by Kay. This is a quick stitch and quick finish while learning a new stitch or two. The cost for the kit will be $4.00. Please RSVP so we will make enough kits.


	Huck Weaving with Huckleberry Finn All were had by a wonderful time OK so the audio was not that good but the company and stitching was. We had 8 book marks completed and when I get my part done the will be hung is the store for display. This was a great project and I think we should do it again. This time maybe we will leave Huckleberry out of it or at least get better speakers.


	Snow 'n Tell Was held on Saturday February 28th and as always was a huge success. Some of the displayed pieces are still here but will be leaving soon. If you haven't been able to come and see them you may want to take a moment and do that before they all go home. This years winner was a beautiful hand embroidered mermaid bag.

DMC has increased their prices and postage is going up.
and this means my prices are going up. As of April 1st DMC will be 63 cents a skein. I have always been below suggested retail with DMC and I just can't do it anymore. You can purchase DMC from JoAnn's and Michaels for about 40 cents a skein and then what they don't have is stock come supplement here. Any floss orders placed before April 1st will be filled at the current prices.

2009-02-14T11:53:00.000-08:00

It is amazing that it has been a month since my last post. It really doesn't seem like I have added enough stitches to have been so long. But life goes on and I have been busy. Tuesday evenings we do a crewel class here at the store, Wednesday night are the stitch 'n bitch and I can't work on this at that event the stitches are too small. Thursday we bowl, my high score to date - 158.
Bob received a 600 series pin two weeks ago. He is really doing well. My mantra...wrist straight follow through.
Thought I should mention about the pink tape at the edges of the photo. That is pink hair tape. It is a low tack tape, does not leave a mark when removed and works great for temporarily keeping thread out of the way when you are stitching. I haven't been able to find it anywhere so Mom sends it to me when she is able to locate it. Thanks Mom!!!

update on stuff

2009-01-04T12:31:00.000-08:00

Well just a quick look at where I am on the projects. The White Dragon has 2900 stitches on this first page and I estimate that I have completed 1900. The fringe on the edges are thread ends marking every ten stitches just to keep me on track.Olde World Roses has the stitching complete and now I want to design a quilted border. I have a beige fabric I just need to decide on a maroon one.

and this is the fabric I have chosen for the latest baby quilt I have been asked to make. Looks like I will be really busy.

After the Holiday update

2008-12-26T19:06:00.001-08:00

Well I guess I got side tracked with the Christmas madness and all.

I haven't done much stitching this last ten days or so. First I wanted to start a small animal kit from Funk and Weber Designs, I have it at home, but when I cleaned up for my 'Fifty Years of Excellence' birthday party I must have moved it to a safe location. I have not been able to find it since. So that has had me stalled, just the thought of losing it made me frantic. So today I resigned myself to the fact that I will not find it. I went to the store and pulled the pattern so I can at least make the model I wanted.

On the White Dragon every time I put that project down I lose my place so yesterday I went and found a line minder and attached it to the chart. Now I need to find where I left off and get it going again. I will do that tonight so I can work on it tomorrow.

The tatting don't even ask, it is put back again and I am so glad that that is just a practice piece. I start and cut it off and start again. They say practice makes perfect, I should be an expert soon.

Olde World Roses by The Needle and I is nearly complete but because the store is closed this week so we can do inventory I won't get a chance to finish is until after the first of the new year.

week of frogging

2008-12-13T07:08:00.000-08:00

Well I haven't posted all week so let me catch you up.

First I am stitch this piece on 22 count 1 over 1. So on Monday I began stitching with the color that has the symbol '('. I was stitching with a piece approximately 18" long. Not real sure how many stitches I put in but it was enough. As I stitched, this should have meet up with more of the same color previously stitched. Well it meet up alright but I realized I was stitching with the wrong color. I should have been using ')'. I put it down and went to bed.

On Tuesday I pulled out all the stitches and threaded the needle with the correct color and there it sits in the needle holder just taunting me.

Wednesday was a late night at the store. A bit of a stitch in so I was working on my needlepoint. When I got into the store on Thursday I removed all the stitching I had done on the previous night. It does not pay to flap your gums and stitch. Thursday night we bowl so no stitching, but I did bowl a 149. Really good for me.

On Friday afternoon I replace all the stitching I removed on Thursday and it is looking pretty good. I'll try and be quicker about posting a picture. Friday night I straightened out my tatting that I messed up.

So I guess it has been a week of backward progress. I am really looking forward to a more productive weekend.

and this is the slow progress I am making

2008-12-09T15:49:00.001-08:00

this is what the finished cross stitch is to look like

2008-12-09T15:47:00.001-08:00

2008-12-04T15:14:00.000-08:00

Well I still haven't posted a picture and I haven't done any more stitching either.

I started my first full cover cross stitch

2008-12-01T15:29:00.000-08:00

I will post a picture just as soon as I can but currently it doesn't look like anything recognizable. Sometime in the future it will be a white dragon in flight.