{Local Finds: Welcome Stitchery}

 photo courtesy of welcomestitchery.com

I’m trying something new.  Having just moved, I am on the prowl for new haunts (not that I get out much).  In my case, my prowl includes places to take the kids and places to feed my crafting addiction.  I am already pleased as punch that there is a Michael’s right around the corner.  All I had in CornHole was a HobbyLobby – and there is only so much scripture being shoved at me I can endure in the name of crafting (although, I do find the framing department to be far superior and cheaper than Michaels).  Anyway, the something new… I will showcase these new local haunts, show you what I am working on as the reason why I went in the first place, and add them to my LOCALS sidebar.

Today I’d like to present to you The Welcome Stitchery in Crystal Lake, IL. 

Welcome Stitchery. 48 Brink St. Crysal Lake, IL

A full service cross-stitch shop, in the cutest little downtown area.  I went looking for this place so I could find a particular color and type of linen for a project in a BHG Holiday Crafts 2009 magazine.  Let me tell you – this shop is so perfectly OVERWHELMING.  There are charts FLOOR to CEILING in 3 or 4 big rooms.  Floss of every kind imaginable and any kind of fabric you would need for a cross stitch project.  There were THOUSANDS of worked up samples and the staff was so kind and knowledgeable.

I’ve always loved cross stitch, but I’ve only ever worked from prepacked kits- so I had all kinds of questions.  The ladies spoke with me politely and answered all of my silly questions.  I spotted a Christmas ornament that had been worked up and wanted to do it just as shown.  The ladies directed me to the pattern, helped me pick a hand dyed floss for it, choose the beads and the evenweave.  I’ll show the project soon, as it’s small.  For some reason, I only like to work cross stitch for Christmas related projects.  Weird, no?  I think it’s weird, but whatever.

The class list is pretty cool too- and oh look!  A Christmas themed class!  YAY!  Guess what I’ve signed up for?!  Everything they have in the shop is also listed in their online shop – so even if you can’t get to them they can get to you! 

I’ll try to remember to bring my camera next time and get pictures of my own.  If you are in the area, go check it out!  A great little place!

Pleasant Home

In celebration of a big move, the super talented Jodi is having a GREAT BIG GIVEAWAY.  Well, lots of great ones that added together make a GREAT BIG ONE!  Jodi has revamped her online world, and I think it's perfect.  She's super sweet and so super talented- and I have a knack for amusing her early in the morning (wish I could say the same for my kids - I am apparently no fun- Only Daddy!!!)!

Check out this little baby quilt below - I have the pattern saved for it, and I can't wait to get my sewing mojo back to start working on it. 

Anyway, click the button above and cruise around her site for a bit.  She's an endless source of inspiration and just a happy, joyous person to read.  The story about her blog name is great!