February and March Stamping Class Schedule

Getting a wee bit tired of all the snow? Coming in for a stamping class is a surefire cabin fever reliever! Here's what we've got in store for this month and next:

Valentine's Pop-up Cards
Saturday February 11th from 10-noon
Teddy bears and frilly hearts galore!

Punch a Bunch
Using a variety of punches, we'll make a whole bunch o' cards.
Wednesday February 16th 1-3, and Saturday February 19th from 10-noon

Ribbons & Lace
Using brightly colored ribbons to embellish, we'll make cards for all occasions.
Wednesday February 23rd from 1-3, and Saturday February 26th from 10-noon

St. Patrick's Day Cards and Birthday Cards
Wednesday, March 2nd from 1-3, and Saturday March 5th from 10-noon

All New Housemouse
Housemouse makes the cutest stamps. Come and see!
Wednesday March 9th from 1-3, and Saturday March 12th from 10-noon

Easter Eggstravaganza
Its not too early to start some nice cards for Easter!
Wednesday March 16th from 1-3, and Saturday, March 19th from 10-noon

Call 872-2118 or stop by the store to sign up. Bring double-sided tape, a glue stick, scissors and whatever stamping supplies you have to class. As always, folks who purchase $50 worth of stamping supplies are entered to win a $25 gift certificate. The next drawing is on February 12th.

Our annual yarn sale has begun!

All yarn is 20-50% off! Now's the time to stock up! A Christmas gift for you or for and all the knitters and crocheters in your life. . put some yarn in those hand-knit stockings! Happy Holidays!

Needle Felting Class!

Mark your calendar! On Saturday, January 22nd, we'll be hosting two needle felting classes with a special instructor, Bob Nichols. There will be a beginner's class from 9:30 to noon, and an advanced class from 1:00 to 3:00. Each class is $20 (including all the supplies!). Take one class or make a day of it and do both. Bob's easy going, a great teacher, and it's sure to be fun! You can read about Bob and his fiber art here. That's Bob, above, at Fiber College, with his needle felted sculpture and paintings at Fiber College.

Needle felting is fun and easy. If you've ever wanted to make a cute little animal or doll with this technique, here's your chance to learn! Needle felted animals are so cute! If you're in the shop, check out our selection of needle felting books. "Wool Pets" is a great beginner's book, with lots of cute animals (of course):

Stop by or give the store a call (872-2118) to sign up for either or both workshops.

There's still time to knit up Christmas gifts! We've got new sock yarn (as if we didn't have enough for you to choice from!) And don't forget to grab some free patterns when you're in the store. The easy hat pattern is here, made with lovely Eco Duo yarn. Two skeins make three hats!

If you'd like some help with your knitting, or just some good company, don't forget about our ongoing knitting classes - Monday through Thursday nights from 6:30 to 9:00pm, Wednesday afternoons from 2:00 to 4:30, and Saturdays from 1:00-3:30.

Buy fifty dollars of yarn (for yourself or as a Christmas gift - y'know, knitters love yarn as a gift - hint, hint), and you'll be entered to win a $25 gift certificate. The next drawing will be on December 5th. Speaking of Christmas gifts, we've got the wonderful Hiya interchangeable needle sets for $79.99. We've figured it out and that's about $500 dollars worth of needles!

December stamping classes

Christmas Card Workshop
Wednesday December 1st 1-3pm
Get those Christmas cards started!

Time to Make Your Cards
Saturday December 5th from 10-Noon
If you haven't gotten started on your Christmas cards, it's time!


New House Mouse and more. . .
Wednesday December 8th 1-3
Saturday December 11th 10-Noon
. . .Christmas cards, of course! These are all so cute.

Last Minute Christmas Card Extravaganza
Wednesday December 15th 1-3
Saturday December 19th 10-Noon
As they say, "better late than never!"

Christmas Card Party
Wednesday, December 22nd 1-3
This will be really last minute! We'll get in the holiday mood, and also make some Christmas Thank You cards.

The next drawing for the $25 gift certificate will be on December 4th. Remember, if you spend fifty dollars on supplies, you'll be entered in the monthly drawing.

As always, bring scissors, double sided tape, a glue stick, and whatever stamping supplies you'd like to the classes. Please call 872-2118 or stop by the store to sign up.

A really popular scarf

Here's Peggy, surrounded by lots of sock yarn, wearing the ever popular basket weave scarf from Nomis' booklet "Hats, Scarves, and Mittens." This big scarf is knitted in Noro Kochoran, a lovely blend of 50% wool, 30% angora, and 20% silk. Would make a wonderful Christmas gift! At the store, we've got samples of many scarves knit in the same pattern. It looks just as lovely (but quite different) in solid white - Plymouth's Buckingham is a great choice - another super soft yarn made of luxurious 80% baby alpaca and 20% silk.

Speaking of sock yarn and old favorites, here's a link to two free sock patterns from a 1940 booklet entitled "Essentials for the Forces" from England. There's a pattern for over-the-knee socks, and one for bed socks with pom-poms! Both of them, these days, are more suitable for women. Check it out here.

Hats!

These hats are great for gifts (and great for you). They're so warm and cozy in Cascade's 70% baby alpaca and 30% merino Eco Duo yarn. The yarn comes in various shades of natural colors.

You'll need one skein of yarn, a 16" size six circular needle, and size 6 circular needles. This pattern fits most:

With circular needle, cast on 100 sts.
Work 8 rounds in K1, P1 rib.

Switch to stockinette stitch (knit all rounds) until hat measures 6 inches.

Option: If you wish to work a contrast color into the hat, decrease 1 stitch in the 9th row. Knit 1 stitch in main color, 1 st in contrasting color around for 5 rounds. Then switch back to working in main color, increasing 1 stitch when you do.

Decrease rounds (switch to double pointed needles when needed):

1 - K3, K2tog around
2 - Knit around
3 - Knit around
4 - K2, K2tog around
5 - Knit around
6 - Knit around
7 - K1, K2tog around
8 - Knit around
9 - Knit around
10 Knit 2tog around
11 Knit around

Cut yarn, leaving a 12" length. Using a yarn needle, thread yarn through remain stitches, pull together, and weave loose ends in.

Easy!

November stamping classes

There's still leaves on the trees, but they're going fast! That lets us know that the holidays will soon be here. It's time to get stamping! Here's what we've got in store for November:

Christmas Concertina
We'll learn to make little books. Cards, too!
Wednesday November 3rd from 1-3
Saturday November 4th from 10-Noon

Stamping on Tiles
We'll be making hot plates and wall hangings. Stamping is not just for cards!
Wednesday November 10th from 1-3

Northwoods Christmas Cards
We'll be making cards with new design from the ever popular Northwoods collection.
Wednesday November 17th from 1-3
Saturday November 20th from 10-Noon

Call 872-2118 or stop by the store to sign up for classes. As always, bring a glue stick, double sided tape, scissors, and stamping supplies to class. Participants receive 10% off all stamping supplies in the store, and if you buy $50 worth, you'll be entered in our drawing for a $25 gift certificate. The next drawing in on December 4th.

Wrist warmers

Call them what you will - wrist warmers, fingerless gloves, pulse warmers, wristers, or gauntlets - they're quick to knit and make great gifts. Berrocco's Ultra Alpaca is a super soft yarn that comes in many colors. Click here to get the free pattern.

October stamping classes

Besides the usual birthdays, thank you, and get well cards, Autumn is a time to get cracking making cards. Before you know it, it'll be Christmas!

Awesome Autumn Cards
Northwoods makes such gorgeous scenery stamps, especially for this time of year!
Saturday, October 2nd from 10:00-Noon

Sympathy and Get Well Cards
It's always good to have these on hand.
Wednesday, October 6th from 1:00-3:00
Saturday, October 9th from 10:00-Noon

Alcohol Inks and Watercolor Techniques Workshop
We'll learn to make cool backgrounds and shading.
Wednesday, October 13th from 1:00-3:00

Tea Bag Folding
Tea bag folding is a paper folding technique that originated in Europe. It's similar to origami. Come learn the basic folds to make something new!
Wednesday, October 20th from 1:00-3:00
Saturday, October 23rd from 10:00-Noon

All Occasions Cards Workshop
You name it - we'll make it!
Wednesday, October 27th from 1:00-3:00
Saturday, October 30th from 10:00-Noon

Please call 872-2118 to sign up or drop by the store.

Bring scissors, a glue stick, double sided tape, and stamping supplies to all workshops. If you buy $50 or more of stamping supplies, you'll be entered in our drawing to win a $25 gift certificate. The next drawing is on November 20th. As always, class participants get 10% off all supplies purchased.

The days are getting cooler. . .

. . .so it's time to get those needles out and start knitting, if you haven't already!

Joyce is modeling the beautiful one size fits most Jojoland Halo kimono. It uses Jojoland's beautiful variegated Rhythm yarn against their solid Baritone yarn. Sorry, this is not a free pattern. It's just that it's so beautiful we wanted you to see it!

A reminder - we'd love to see pictures of your knitting. Please email if you have any digital pictures you'd like to see displayed on this blog!

September stamping classes

It's time to get busy and start making cards! Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas will be here before you know it (and winter, too, but we don't want to think about that, do we?) Here's our stamping classes for the duration of the month:

Wednesday September 15th from 1-3
The "Cat's Pajamas" Christmas Cards
What are they? Come find out!

Saturday September 18th from 10-noon
Fall Northwoods Cards
Northwoods cards are gorgeous. The card at the top of this post is a Northwoods stamp. Check out their detailed coloring instructions here. Come to the class to play with some new stamps!

Wednesday, September 22nd from 1-3 and Saturday September 25th from 10-Noon
Too Cute to Spook Workshop
This will be great fun!

Got sock yarn?

You know we have plenty of sock yarn in the store! If you knit socks, we bet you have some leftover sock yarn, too.

Joyce is wearing "The Kimono of Many Colors", a pattern from Cherry Tree Hill.

Now that the nights are getting cool, it's time to start thinking about knitting (and wearing) sweaters again!

Here's another pic:



This is fun to knit - every kimono is one-of-a-kind!

C'mon in for your free gift!

During our summer yarn sale, which will be going on through August 14th, if you print out this post and bring it into the store, you'll get a free gift! If you can't print it out, just mention you saw it on the blog - no problem!

Yarn sale is still on. . .

. . .don't forget! Yarn is on sale from 20-50% through August 14th!

Like the bag above? You can get the free pattern here.

August stamping classes

Summer's flying by! Here's our stamping classes for August:

Outlines Flowers and Paper Quilting
New floral cards, always great from the Outlines series.
Wednesday, August 4 from 1-3 and Saturday August 7th from 10-noon

Pop-Up Cards
Wouldn't you know? They pop up when you open them. Lots of fun!
Wednesday August 11th from 10-Noon and Saturday August 14th from 10-noon

All New House Mouse Workshop
New the cute critters are fuzzy and soft. Come check 'em out!
Wednesday August 18th from 1-3 and Saturday August 21st from 10-noon

Punches and Ribbons
Make a portfolio of cards to give or have ready.
Wednesday August 25th from 1-3 and Saturday August 28th from 10-noon

Please call 872-2118 to sign up for classes. Don't forget to bring a glue stick, double stick tape, scissors, and any stamping supplies you have and want to use.

The next drawing for a $25 gift certificate is on August 28th. As always, class participants get 10% off supplies, and you're entered to win the drawing if you purchase $50 worth.

Summer yarn sale!

C'mon in! Our annual summer yarn sale is going on now through August 14th. Yarn is 20-50% off! Now's a good to time to stock up. Summer is over before you can blink in Maine, and soon we'll all be thinking about knitting warm scarves again!

In the meantime, if you want to knit up a quick and cool summer vest, please go to the Knitting Fever website for the pattern. There's lots of other wonderful free patterns on their site. Check it out! We carry much of their yarn line, and if you see something we don't have, we'd be more than happy to order it for you.

In other news, the Bob Nichols needle felting workshops are now scheduled! The beginner class will be on August 7th from 9:30-noon, and the intermediate class is in the afternoon from 1-3. The workshops are $20 and all supplies are included. Please check this earlier post for more information about the class. Bob's a great teacher and his classes are so much fun! Please call 872-2118 to sign up, or just stop by the store. Stop by anyway, and check out the yarn sale. That yarn you've been hankering for may be 50% off!

July Stamping Classes

No, it's not April Fool's Day, and it's not Christmas, but we've got some upcoming early Christmas card classes in July! Here's the schedule for the month:

Christmas in July!
Wednesday July 17th from 1-3 and Saturday July 17th from 10-noon
Stay cool and get a super early head start on great crds for Christmas!

The Way Life Should Be
Wednesday July 21st from 1-3 and Saturday July 24th from 10-noon
We'll be making scenery and summer cards. Ah, Maine in summer. Make memories with cards!

Hero Arts Workshop
Wednesday July 28th from 1-3 and Saturday July 31st from 10-noon
All new cards from the wonderful Hero Arts company. Join us and have fun!

Please call 872-2118 to sign up or just stop by the store. Don't forget to bring a glue stick, scissors, double sided tape, and any stamping supplies you may have. As always, class participants get 10% off supplies.

June Stamping Classes

Saturday June 12th from 10-Noon
Father's Day or Guy's Birthday cards

Paper Cut Creations
Wednesday, June 16th from 1-3
New folding cards and shaker cards.

Paper Cut Creations
Saturday June 19th from 10-Noon
Let's play with more folding and shaker cards!

New House Mouse
Wednesday, June 23rd from 1-3
We'll make some summer themed cards for birthdays or any occasion.

New House Mouse
Saturday, June 26th from 10-Noon
More summer themed cards!

Impression Obsession
Wednesday June 30th from 1-3
These cards will be different and really fun. We've got new ideas from the stamp show!

Our next drawing for a $25 gift certificate will be on July 17th. Come in and buy $50 worth of stamping supplies and be entered to win.

As always, stamping classes are $7 and participants get 10% off their supplies. Please stop by or call 872-2118 to sign up. And don't forget to bring scissors, a glue stick, double stick tape, and whatever supplies you'd like to use.

We look forward to seeing you! Stamping is fun!

Summer quilting and sewing classes!

Come join us for some wonderful quilting and sewing classes!

Spring Table Runner with Janet Music
Saturday June 19th 10-4 $35
Please bring a bag lunch.

Penny Rugg Sample with Peggy Wentworth
Wednesday June 23rd 1-4 $20
A kit will be available from Peggy for $15

Red, White, and Blue Posie Wallhanging with Barbara Bathelder
Saturday June 26th at 10 $35

Liberating Stars with Elvira Gastaldo
Just take two pieces of cloth, sew, and square up. It's quick and fun!
Date - to be announced - please call, stop in, or check this blog. $35

Beginner Hand Applique with Peggy Wentworth
Monday June 28th 10-12:30 $15

Puzzle Quilt (Stack and Whack) with Peggy Wentworth
Beginner Level II (know how to use a rotary cutter and do basic piecing)
Monday July 12 10-2:30 $30
Please bring a bag lunch.

Square Table Topper Wall Hanging with Jane Pronovost
Tuesday July 13th, 20th, 27th, and August 3rd from 10-12:30
Evening classes from 6:30-8:45 on same dates $40

Under Water Fantasy with Peggy Wentworth
Monday July 19th 10-2:30 $30
Small fabric pieces covered with tulle are quilted to make this unusual wall hanging.

Beginner Machine Sewing Classes with Liz Baley
Thursday, June 17th, July 1st, and July 8th from 1-3:30 or 6:30-9
We'll learn about fabric, machines, make an apron, and a second surprise project.

Stop in or call 872-5403 to sign up for a workshop. Come have fun, and cool off in the air conditioning. Summer's a great time to quilt and sew!