You probably have realized by now I'm a thread junkie. I've said it before, and I freely admit it. But I've never actually gone so far as to purchase a whole set of a specific embroidery thread (you know, one of every color!). Granted, I've come close. Last year, a certain hankering crept over me: I longed to purchase the whole available range of cotton floche! And I resolved, at that moment, that if I ever did buy a whole set of one type of thread, the first set would indeed be cotton floche. It took a while to do it - a whole set of an embroidery thread isn't cheap, if the set is somewhat extensive, so I had to save for it. When Hedgehog Handworks launched their January sale (15% off everything) this year, I jumped!

Cotton floche is a beautiful embroidery thread, perfect for monogramming, for all kinds of surface work, for folk and ethnic styles of embroidery, for cross stitch. It works great for long and short stitch shading, as you can see in this beautiful piece worked by Jeanne of Just String. It makes beautiful little flowers for surface work. It's wonderful to smock with. And some stitchers love it for needlepoint on higher count canvas...



Me? I love it for.... everything!



I love its softness, and its vivid colors.



I love its range of shades within colors.



I love that its easy to stitch with.



I just downright love the stuff.

And I love the fact that I now have the whole range! (Well, the whole range available at Hedgehog - 89 colors!) *Sigh*

Pure ... Thread ... Bliss!

(The next question: what am I going to do with it? I suppose you'll just have to wait and see!)

If you're not familiar with floche and want to do some reading on it, I've got a couple articles here on Needle 'n Thread:

Thread Comparison between Floche, DMC perle cotton, and DMC stranded cotton
Floche, Danish Flower Thread, and coton a broder
Floche vs Danish Flower Thread - comparison
Miniature Flowers Sampler using Floche

Labels: embroidery resources, floche, hand embroidery information, supplies, threads

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, January 26, 2010
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Since I'm exploring a bit of crewel embroidery these days, I thought I'd share some resources with you for different things relevant to crewel embroidery. You'll find that most of these resources are relevant to other types of hand embroidery as well, though, so even if you aren't into crewel, you'll probably find something here that entices you!

Transferring Your Embroidery Design

For transferring crewel designs, a reader suggested using a sepia colored micron pen, as it will be less likely to show (with anything except white). I totally agree! But sepia colored art pens are not always available at craft and art stores, so they're harder to come by. I just ordered a couple from Blick Art Materials. They have both the Sakura Micron Pens and the Prismacolor Illustration Markers. I like both. A product search for "micron" pens will bring these up.




A light table is also a great instrument for transferring designs. If you like to embroider your own designs instead of pre-printed designs, investing in one of these is a good idea. You can use it for all kinds of applications - not just for tracing onto fabric. I use mine for lots of things - card-making, embossing, designing layouts for needlework, etc. You can find these at Blick's as well, in all sorts of types and price ranges.

Fabric for Crewel Embroidery - Hedgehog Handworks Sale!



Traditionally, linen twill is favored for crewel work. Besides linen twill, you can also use a plain weave linen. Hedgehog Handworks carries Legacy linen twill for $84 / yard - and right now (through January) they're having a 15% off sale (on everything!), but the twill is 30% off - so it's $58.80 yard. That's an absolute steal. If you want to use plain-weave linen, they also carry Strathaven linen, which works well for crewel when backed by muslin. Both linens can be used for other needlework applications as well. I was thinking the twill would make a nice ground fabric for goldwork and needlepainting, so I'm planning on trying that out later. Hedgehog Handworks is also a great place to pick up Renaissance Dying wool, cotton floche, Gilt Sylke Twist, Soie d'Alger (best price online, while it's on sale!), and Hardwicke Manor hoops.... not to mention goldwork threads... and the list could go on. Do check out their January sale - it's a great time to stock up!

So whether you're exploring crewel embroidery with me right now, or you're playing with other surface embroidery endeavors, the above resources will help you find the tools and supplies you need for your needlework.

Try not to go hog-wild at Hedgehog! (Well.... I suppose you can if you want to!)




(I did.)

Labels: embroidery links, embroidery resources, fabric for embroidery, linen, needlework tools, supplies

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, January 08, 2010
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Yesterday, I addressed an inside-the-house issue of organizing my current needlework projects. I do this every so often, intending to become more efficient. If nothing else, I at least put myself to working in a specific direction, and that is always helpful!

Organization of embroidery supplies and projects is a good step towards efficiency. And if you're more efficient with some things, then it stands to reason that you'll get to spend more time actually stitching. Organizing the loose ends of various projects and gathering them together in one easily accessible spot reduces rummaging time. So this is what I set out to do yesterday.



I keep inside the house (as opposed to outside in the studio) a variety of smaller projects, and usually, they end up in a basket. Right now, though, I have a surplus of small projects I want to address in the next couple weeks, and my basket runneth over.

So I high-ho-hithered myself outside to the studio, fetched two more baskets, and set about organizing things in the order I want to address them. I failed to take a photo of the Stack of Stuff that didn't fit in that first full basket up there!



Remember this piece? I want to keep it accessible, because I like to pick it up now and then and try to make a little progress on it. So it, and all its components - pattern sheets, threads - are going in this basket (for "ongoing" projects)



You might not recognize this in its present form, but its my Schwalm embroidery project, along with all its components - and it's going in the Ongoing Projects Basket as well.



This isn't a needlework project per se, but since I'm currently reading this book, it is belongs to my "inside needlework" stuff, too.



After organizing everything, I ended up with three baskets and a book. The basket on the left is full of tools, hoops, needles, magazines, and some threads - all miscellaneous items, but things I like to have quick access to. The basket in the back is full of "ongoing projects," the projects that take a long time, but that I want accessible, because I'm still working on them. The basket in the front is full of current small projects that I will be addressing in the immediate week or so. It holds the crewel smalls I've been working on, the other two needlebook kits, some linen twill and wool threads that I'm going to be playing with today and tomorrow, and a couple other packets of threads that I will be photographing for upcoming blog posts.

The baskets fit on the floor of my bedroom closet, easily accessible when I need something, but not creating any clutter in the house. Perfect.

Going through and organizing this small collection of supplies (and a book) helped to direct my work for the next couple weeks. I was able to set goals around my organized supplies. Now I know I can work more efficiently, because I know where my immediately needed supplies are, and I can make the best use of my time.

Yes, I know it doesn't always stay this way ---- we can but try!

How do you organize your immediate needlework supplies in your house? Any organizational tips you want to share? We're all ears!

Labels: organization, pictures, supplies

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, December 30, 2009
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Access Commodities has announced two enticing new needlework goodies that I thought I'd point out to you. One is especially suited to fans of historical needlework and the other is perfect for those of us who like pretty accessories!

First up, if you've been a follower of the Plimoth Plantation Jacket project which was unveiled last week, you may be particularly inclined towards this beautiful set of threads now available. It's a Plimoth Plantation Thread Pack, and it includes the various colors of silks used on the jacket, as well as a wee jar of spangles.



You can read all about the Plimoth Plantation thread collection on the Access Commodities Blog, where you'll also find the contact information for ordering these beautiful threads!



The other new item just out is Germaine, the third needlebook in the series of French Maid Needlebooks designed by Roberta Chase and packaged and distributed by Access Commodities. The needlebook I'm currently working on (called "Nichole") is from this same series. These kits have some Major Points that make them desirable, in my mind: 1. The designs are charming; 2. the instructions for creating the needlebooks are wonderfully clear; 3. the supplies are The Best - fabric, threads, ribbons, needles are all top quality - the kit is complete with everything you need to make the needlebook; 4. the reproduction fabrics used as the lining and inside pocket are pretty and unique!

I've never actually been a 'collector' of series items, but I love this series of needlebooks, and I'm pretty... uh... certain at this point that I'm going to be avidly waiting for each kit. I don't know how many are projected, but I do believe there is at least a fourth planned.

You can read about Germaine on the Access Commodities blog. If you want to order the kit, I suggest ordering through The Mad Samplar - they are apparently carrying the kit in stock, and their whole ordering process on their website is very easy. In my experience, they have have excellent customer service, too - and who knows? You might even be able to get it before Christmas, if the shipping gods are on your side!

The more I learn about Access Commodities (which is a company not directly accessible to us retail shoppers, but is a wholesale distributor and manufacturer of fine needlework supplies), the more I'm impressed with what they do. The availability of some very fine needlework supplies here in the US is thanks to Access Commodities. From Au Ver a Soie products, Trebizond, Appleton wool, goldwork threads, Legacy linen, Hardwicke Manor hoops, slate frames, and so forth, we have access to them (no pun intended) because this company has a vision of supplying the best in needlework products. If you shop at your local needlework store and find that they carry Access Commodities products (such as Trebizond or Au Ver a Soie threads), and you are interested in other products (like Hardwicke Manor hoops and so forth), you can probably ask for a special order. I think it would be worth it to ask - it would benefit you, your local needlework shop, and the stitching public in general, because it would demonstrate customer interest in other fine products. I'm all for supporting the industry, especially when it means keeping quality needlework supplies available for all of us!

Ok, I'm off my soap box!

Christmas vacation officially begins for me tomorrow morning! I'm working on two Very Exciting Projects during the break, but I can't share them with you until all the kinks are worked out and I'm positive that they will happen. But once I'm positive they'll happen, I will be jumping up and down and shouting about them from the rooftops. (I'll give you a hint: it's about time - I'm going to produce something!) (I suppose that wasn't much of a hint!) Anyway, you all will be the FIRST to know.

Besides those Big Looming Scary Projects, I've got a bunch of small things I must work on for sanity's sake, plus a few tutorial ideas that I want to develop for you.

Can I have your input? I'm open to ANY ideas of things YOU want to see, that I can feasibly manage to do for you here on Needle 'n Thread. Do you have any ideas? Any topics or techniques you'd like to see discussed? Hearing from you will help me shape content to your interests, so don't be shy! It will also help me set a direction for 2010. I want your input! I need your input! I appreciate your input! So please - input!

Have a terrific day with your needle and thread!

Labels: Embroidery Projects, embroidery resources, miscellaneous embroidery musings, silk, supplies, website news

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Thursday, December 17, 2009
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If you've been into needlework in the US for a while, and if you enjoy quality threads, fabrics, and tools, then you probably have heard of Access Commodities, which is an import and manufacturing business that distributes different types of needlework supplies here in the United States. Access Commodities, for example, brings us the Au Ver a Soie line of threads, Trebizond, Gilt Sylke Twist, Hardwicke Manor Hoops, Legacy Linen, and a variety of other fine needlework products. Here are two new-to-me products from Access Commodities that I hope will be showing up in shops soon: a new linen twill from Legacy and a tapestry wool, perfect for fine crewel work.

We'll start with the tapestry wool. Appleton wool is perhaps the most well-known of the wool threads used for surface work, and they rightly deserve their good reputation - they have an excellent color range, are colorfast, and are reasonably priced. But Appleton wool is a bit rougher and thicker than some of the newer wools showing up on the market. Take, for example, the Gentle Art Simply Wool that I used on a lettering tutorials recently - this is a tapestry wool, with strands that are finer than Appleton wool. However, it comes in a very limited color range, and is expensive for the quantity on each card.

The tapestry wool we're looking at today is called Fine D'Aubusson, made for Au Ver a Soie by la Route de la Laine (their website is currently under construction). It is made in France of pure wool, and it is colorfast, with a fine medium-tight twist.



I am not certain what the color range is on these threads. I am hoping that they will be available in a broader range of colors than the Gentle Art Simply Wool threads. One thing I do know by seeing these skeins is that they do, at least, come in shades of colors - the greens and the mauves make that clear. Not that color number is a necessary indication of a broad range of colors, the color numbers (2452, 2454, etc.) make me hopeful that there are many shades available. We'll see....



The threads are wound in an 8 meter hank, but there are actually 32 meters of thread here, because the strands are bundled in fours.



For most crewel work, you would use one of these four strands. The strands separate easily from the bundle of four - they aren't twisted together, just kind of loosely grouped.



In the background of the photo above, you can see the new linen twill from Legacy Linen. I generally think of linen twill has a heavier weight fabric, but this particular twill is rather light and crisp. Legacy usually doesn't use sizing in their linen, so I'm pretty sure that the character of this twill is somewhat crisp - I'll have to rinse and dry the piece I have to test it out a bit. In any case, it is certainly a lighter weight twill, very nice for more delicate crewel work. And the color is nice, too - it's not a bright white, nor is it the more commonly seen "natural" color. It's more of a "fresh milk" color - kind of creamy and off-white.



Legacy linen has long been my favorite linen, but it is prohibitively expensive, so I only use it for special projects. Whenever you're looking for the Best linen to stitch on, look for Legacy! You'll find it in needlework shops that carry other supplies from Access Commodities, and if the shop doesn't normally carry it, you can usually ask them to special order a length for you (if they already carry goods from Access Commodities).

You can see what kind of products Access Commodities distributes by visiting their home page, and you can keep up with their new supplies by visiting the Access Commodities blog, which has some really archived articles on it and is worth a good browsing session.

As soon as I find out a little more about the wool tapestry thread, I'll fill you in.

My plan is to sketch up a little design on this twill and test the threads - so, as soon as I have time, I'll let you know how it stitches up! Have you seen this particular wool in shops or used it for your own stitching? If so, I'd love to hear about it! If you regularly use wool, what's your favorite brand and why? Can you make any recommendations for those of us who are looking for a nice wool embroidery thread?

Labels: crewel work, embroidery resources, linen, pictures, supplies, threads, wool

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, December 01, 2009
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, November 06, 2009
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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Tuesday, November 03, 2009
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Here's a wee tidbit on the real metal thread called "flatworm" that's used in goldwork. This is going to make a Really Short Post, but I thought the information was interesting, nonetheless...

Flatworm is a real metal thread used for embroidery. It is also called "oval" thread, and is made just like smooth passing thread used in goldwork, but then it is rolled between two rollers to flatten it out.



This is what the wonderful, lustrous stuff looks like! Flatworm! Ahhhhh - a Bee-yoo-tee-ful goldwork thread! I've written about Flatworm before, and I still have a bit of an infatuation with it every time I see it. And yet, I have not done a lick of stitching with it. But it's pretty, isn't it? And it's got a great name!

While none of this information so far is too unique, this is the part I like:

Flatworm really does have a connection to its namesake, the Worm. It has been and is produced for the fly fishing industry. Fly fishing enthusiasts cut up the flatworm for making fishing lures, hoping to trick the little fishies (actually, they probably want to trick the Big fishies) into thinking that the somewhat twisted, flat broad reflective metal thread is a worm.

I never quite felt as akin to fish as I did when I learned this bit of information. In fact, I have never felt akin to fish at all.

But now, I admit that I can relate. If I were a fish, I'd go for a flatworm lure. Wouldn't you?

Info from a goldwork threads manufacturer who contacted me to explain! Thank ye kindly!

Labels: goldwork, supplies, threads

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Friday, August 28, 2009
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In case you're looking for some needlework resources or inspiration, I thought I'd compile a list of a few places I've come across over the last few weeks, coupled with some needlework news, specials, and resources...

First, some needlework shop news:


I mentioned already that Hedgehog Handworks is offering free shipping during the month of August. This is a really good deal, methinks. How many times do you look for something online, only to be deterred from ordering because of shipping? Especially if you're just looking for one little thing - like a certain color or type of thread! I had a project underway a few years ago and ran out of a specialty thread that I had to order. The shipping more than doubled the cost of thread! I'm always happy to find a free shipping deal! And, as Méri pointed out, international shipping is half price. So check out Hedgehog this month to see if there's anything you need! (Floche is on my list before the month is out...)



Threads in Bloom - specializing in Brazilian embroidery supplies and kits - is also running a little deal in August to celebrate 22 years in business. (That's a long time! Congratulations, Sharon!) During August, Sharon will be including free mesh zipper bags with any orders $10 and over. For orders of $10 - $25, she's including a small bag; $25.01 - $35.00, a medium-small bag; $35.01 - $50, a medium bag, and orders over $50 will include a large bag. These mesh bags are terrific project bags - I have a few and I use them all the time! I've taken to using the large mesh zipper bag to store multiple projects of a particular kind. For example, all my Trish Burr kits are safely tucked away in a large zipper bag.



If you're looking for specialty embroidery supplies in Europe, Aurélie Clay and her mom have recently opened an online shop in France. The shop is called Brodely, and you can find it in both French and in English. Brodely has just opened up, so I'm sure we'll see some expansion on the shop. What I like about it: they carry goldwork supplies! They also carry some harder-to-find supplies for embroidery on tulle, including cotton tulle and tambour needles in a variety of sizes. You can also find silk fabrics, sequins, beads, and so forth. And, they accept Paypal, which makes it very easy to place orders from overseas! I like this little shop - it'll be fun to see how it develops.



Paint-by-Threads is an interesting online shop specializing in embroidered art (already embroidered) and kits (for you to embroider) in the Arts & Crafts Movement style. The Framed Needle Art section is quite inspiring to browse through, but what really catches my attention about the shop is the selection of linen available to purchase by the yard. The prices on the linen per yard look quite reasonable. I haven't seen any of the fabric upclose, in person, but I'm going to order some swatches. There are some Belgian linens and Irish linens on there - and, like I said, per yard, they are priced quite reasonably.

Now, onto some Fun Stops online....



Have you visited Needleprint? This is a site devoted to a huge world-wide stitch-along on the Mary Wigham sampler from the Ackworth school. The designs that abound on the website are in the "Quaker" style of samplers, and the historical information about needlework from the era and from the school is all rather engrossing. I found myself whiling away quite a bit of time, reading through the posts and seeing what's offered on the website. If you like the Quaker style of needlework, you will really enjoy this site. The stitching is counted - and it has that old world charm that is beguiling, I think. I love it! There are some nice projects and freebies on the site, too, so browse around and dig deep!



Ok, I know you're going to think this is really weird - it's not really "needlework" - why is she sending us to a hat pattern? But, anyway - enough of that! Let me explain! On Betz White's blog this week, she featured her new reversible bucket hat pattern, which she has for sale on Etsy. Ok, ok. I'm not a hat person. I'd like to BE a hat person! But I'm not. But I know several people who are - and I think this pattern (while cute as anything in Betz's fabrics) has some potential in a needleworky-sort-of-way. So stay tuned for that in a while - my niece and I are working on something! It IS a cute hat, isn't it? And think: embellishment!

Those are a few sites that have caught my eye recently! Hope you have fun looking through them!

Labels: embroidery resources, historical needlework, supplies

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Sunday, August 09, 2009
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If you like to use iron-on transfers for your hand embroidery projects, you might be interested a really nice line of transfers produced by Mani di Fata of Italy, and available through Lacis. I purchased a couple different types of iron-on sets, including regular surface embroidery designs and cutwork designs. Here's the set for surface embroidery...

I've only occasionally used iron-on transfers for my embroidery projects. Truth is, I find it easier and more reliable to trace patterns, even those intended to be ironed on. With this set of transfers from Mani di Fata, I'm definitely tracing. Though the transfers would last through several applications, I'm pretty sure they'll last even longer if I stick with tracing them rather than ironing them.



These transfers came in a very large envelope. There are three sheets of transfers, each sheet folding out to... oh, some huge tabletop proportion! (I didn't measure them...)



Each sheet contains many motifs for embroidery. You simply cut out the pieces you want to iron-on, making note of the markings for repeat patterns if your design has a repeat. Then you set up your fabric and iron on your pattern.



The package contains motifs suitable for the bedroom, the living room, the dining room, the kitchen... you get the idea...



... and they're all more or less mixed up on each of the three sheets in the package.



There's one nice alphabet in the set - it features letters marked out with lilies of the valley. It's a very pretty, medium-sized alphabet.



Some of the highlights that sold me on this particular set were these cute cups...



... this line of cacti - though I've never embroidered potted cacti and have no idea if I actually ever will...



... and the many nice corner-type designs in the set. There are at least six or more designs specifically suitable to corners, some very simple and some more complex.

Now, I haven't tried the actual iron-on-ness of these yet, though I will, so I can let you know how well they work. But given the quality of the paper and the sharpness of the designs, I'm assuming they iron on well. I'll play with that this week and let you know.

You can find these iron-on sets through Lacis, by searching "mani di fata" in their online catalog. You'll also find that they have several cutwork iron-on sets, books, and so forth by the same company. You can also look up the Mani di Fata website, which is written in Italian, but you can switch to English or Spanish translation on the site. I found it difficult to find exactly the same set of transfers on their website, but they have all kinds of other delectable things to look at, too, including kits - cutwork tablecloth kits, for example, with the design already printed on, and all kinds of other neat stuff.

Back to the transfers - these sets really have the nicest designs I've seen in these types of transfers. I'm glad I found them while rummaging through Lacis, and now I wish I had bought more of 'em!

Labels: embroidery resources, iron-on embroidery transfers, pictures, supplies

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Monday, July 13, 2009
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Located in Berkeley, California, Lacis (pronounced "Lah-cease") is, like I said yesterday, a weirdly wonderful needlework (and more) shop. It's somewhat difficult to explain this place. I would have liked to have spent much more time there, but alas, by the time we stopped, we were behind schedule already. I ended up missing some of the "definites" that I wanted to see (and buy!), and I took lousy photos in general. 3,000 miles or so later, I'm kicking myself for that!

But, still, I'll tell you what I can about this needlework-lace-museum-gift-book-and-antique-shop sort of shop. It's a strange mix, but it works!



Located on a very busy street in Berkely (is there a street in Berkeley that isn't very busy?), the shop has two parts to it: the shop, and the "lace museum." From what I could tell - and I didn't go through the whole thing - the lace museum is an ecclectic mix of collected laces, in a very casual venue. Unlike museums where pieces are kept behind glass, in climate and light-controlled settings, this museum is somewhat hodge-podge-ish, with the various displayed laces pinned to wall displays and draped hither and thither. Perhaps, behind the outside front, there are display cases and so forth, but I never quite made it to the museum proper.



In the shop part of the establishment, vintage clothing hangs from the ceiling, along with hats and bric-a-brac and all kinds of other stuff, taking up just about every display spot in the store.

Below, needlework goods fill the shelves and racks throughout the place.



In addition to needlework supplies, lace-making supplies, millinery supplies, costume-making supplies, and vintage books and patterns, you'll find, mixed in, racks of nostalgic greeting cards and prints and so forth.



Everywhere you turn, you'll find strange little gift and specialty items, like this wooden fish puzzle.



There are an abundance of threads. These are Edmar threads, used often in Brazilian embroidery. Besides the threads visible on display racks, there are drawers and drawers of different types of threads. One thing on my list for my visit to Lacis was to check out the whole range of floche that they have available on their website. I completely forgot! C'est la vie.



Threads for crochet, specialty yarns and lace-making threads - all kinds of threads take up the shelves and racks in the middle of the shop, as do spools of lace and ribbon and so forth.



Once you walk in, your attention may be first arrested by the clothes hanging above you and draped over everything, but it doesn't take long to forget about the stuff above while perusing the stuff below! I thought the vintage apron on this dress was quite sweet.



You can buy vintage lace and vintage handkerchiefs there, as well, although I have to admit, I saw one "wedding hankie" - very fine needlework, indeed! - for $125, and was a little surprised at the price, especially considering that there were about six or so of the exact same handkerchief there (which leads one to think they may have been mass produced?). I bought one similar, in pristine condition, on eBay last year for a mere $18. So with a little shopping around, if you're in the market for antique lace or vintage handkerchiefs or the like, I think you could probably find them at a more reasonable price elsewhere. However, as far as selection goes, Lacis seems to have a pretty vast selection of vintage goods to choose from!



Upon leaving the shop, I felt a bit flurried. It's definitely one of those places that, if you go, allot a good amount of time for serious, concentrated browsing - thought concentration is somewhat difficult, as the shop was crowded with all kinds of shoppers, the staff was all very busy either helping customers or seeing to a variety of different tasks (like ironing fabric, separating buttons, answering phones, and fluttering about), and in general, the place has an overwhelming feeling of "clutter." Weeding through the clutter, though, is fun.

One of my favorite aspects of the store was the back corner, which is filled with all kinds of needlework books on every kind of technique, many of which books are out of print or hard to find, and some of which are foreign. I liked the selection of vintage iron-on transfers for cutwork, as well as some interesting old magazines that I came across.

If you like a clean, tidy, and organized needlework shopping experience, Lacis may not be the place for you. Still, if you're looking for anything related to needlework - even obscure tools - chances are, you'll find it here. If you want a bit of adventure and you like exploring, then definitely put Lacis on your list of places to visit!

I'm still regretting the floche. But I know why it slipped my mind - there was just so much to see!

I didn't purchase much at Lacis - a few books and cutwork patterns and a couple greeting cards, and I think that was about it. I don't think I bought any thread at all. I know they have fabric there, too, but I don't even recall looking at any! It was, to say the least, a whirlwind stop at a whirlwind store! On the bright side, anything I missed, I know I can find on the Lacis website, if I really need it. This, by the way, is the place that I buy my cutwork threads. I didn't bother looking at cutwork threads, as I'm pretty fully stocked with them right now.

After leaving San Francisco, we headed south to Santa Clara, and then to Monterey and Carmel. Though we didn't find our old house in Monterey (there are new homes along the street there), we did see some beautiful places.



One of my favorite aspects of Monterey, and really the whole central coastal area of California, is the sunny-foggy days. The day begins with a heavy fog covering the coastal area, but this tends to burn off by mid-morning, and the sun shines until late afternoon, when the fog starts to creep back in. Here, the fog is moving back over Monterey Bay and wharf.



I'm kind of a sucker for seascapes, marine life, and birds. In Monterey, you can find all three in abundance.



The seagulls are huge and humorous.



Upon leaving the Monterey and Carmel area, we took the coastal road towards San Diego.



We stopped for a humorous interlude with some sea lions that were lounging on a beach. No, they aren't dead. They're just... lounging. I think it's what they do best.



We visited several of the old missions along the coastal route. San Juan Capistrano, famous for its yearly influx of swallows, is certainly a beautiful setting, but it was probably my least-favorite mission stop, as it is so commercialized. The mission itself seems to be overshadowed by the swallows!

We took the coastal road all the way to San Diego, to Coronado, where my folks also lived (before I was born), and where my older sisters went to school for a bit. We found the old school and the old house. The house is about five houses from the beach, on Pine Street. Prime property today, but back in the day, my parents thought $30K was too much for it!

After a quick stop in Coronado, we headed east again - finally - to the rural parts of the country. I longed for open road and reduced traffic! And boy, did we ever get both! Through the deserts of Arizona and New Mexico, there isn't much going on.



We went to the Grand Canyon - the southern and eastern rims - in Arizona. Hm. I'm not sure what to say about it. It's majestic - beautiful - awesome - but the height made me rather woozy. Still - it's something!



Finally, we went to Sante Fe, where we visited the Loretto Chapel to see the St. Joseph stairs, a very beautiful spot, with a very interesting story.

That was our last "tourist" stop on the trip - the rest was just returning to Kansas. To make the occasion of returning home memorable, we ended up in a massive thunderstorm that spawned at least one tornado within a mile of where we sat on the side of the highway, waiting for the storm to pass. Yes, Toto, we're back in Kansas!



The trip began and ended more or less where the red dot is there in Kansas. Not bad, for 14 nights, three of which were spent in Minnesota before really "striking out." It was a heap of fun! Still ... there's no place like home!

Now, that's the nitty gritty of the recent travels, but wait! There's more! Though I won't bore you with anymore road tripping details, I do want to show you some of the needlework loot I picked up along the way, especially the books and a few handy items and accessories for stitchers that I thought looked ... uh ... necessary.

I'll be sharing that with you over the next few days, while I'm trying to get together some upcoming tutorials and videos, and while I'm sorting through some projects and getting to work again. So, keep an eye out!

Labels: embroidery resources, needlework and travel, personal, pictures, supplies

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Posted By: Mary Corbet on Wednesday, July 08, 2009
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