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e-Newsletter

If you are subscribed to the newsletter, you will receive an email notice when each new issue appears here. You will also receive special links in your email notice that will take you to pages of unannounced specials and sales.

Issue: May 2008

Welcome . . .

to the May issue of my e-newsletter. I hope by now you've noticed the re-design of my site. I have worked very hard to improve the navigation and organization. There are some graphical changes as well, but I think the usability is much better now. Whenever you work with code for as long as I have these past weeks, you tend to miss things here and there. So, I would sure appreciate an email if you find a photo missing or a button that doesn't work for you. I can quickly correct the mistakes if I know they are here.

Spring has officially warmed the soil here, and while I am thinking about cleaning the yard and planting flowers (soon), I am also doing some indoor Spring cleaning. The stock shelves need re-organizing and some things will have to go to make room for new arrivals. So look for some bargains here (while they last) because I really need to make some room by moving out some odds and ends.

The focus of this issue is needle felting and punch needle embroidery.  Both of these art forms are portable and easy to take along on vacations, long car rides, baseball games, or where ever you find yourself  with time on your hands and in need of something to do with your hands. My rug hooking friends, if you haven't tried either of these, Spring and Summer are great times to have something to take along with you that is lighter and more portable than rug hooking -- and it's still wool! We love wool.

See my easy-to-follow instructions for punch needle and needle felting.

quick links

Quick Links are links to other websites that I think you will find useful and interesting. Places that are fun to explore, articles that are interesting to read, and people I just love!

In this issue -- quick links to needle felting and punch needle resources!

Sharon Costello

Visit Sharon's web site to see her needle felted creations. She makes whimsical dolls, scarves, and beautiful vessels with needle felting. She offers video instructions and kits to make her designs, too. Great inspiration and fun to look at.

Feltmaker's List

This online list forum is a fabulous resource for information about both wet and dry (needle) felting. Just go poke around and you will learn so much! Thanks to Pat Sparks for this forum.

Charlotte Dudney's Answers

Charlotte's great instructional DVD is available on my Punch Needle Supplies page. At her website, Charlotte answers some frequently asked questions about common problems.

New Book - 'Coast to Coast in Punch Needle'

If you haven't visited my home page lately, you might not know about the new punch needle book that I worked on with Landauer Publishing. It contains a design for each state of the union! This was a labor of love which took over two years to complete. I hope it intrigues you - I challenge anyone out there to punch all 50 states and turn them into a pieced quilt - I think that would be a fabulous heirloom! If you take the challenge, I'll even send you the DMC floss I have left over from the project -- it's a ton of floss! Email me if you are interested.

You can order your copy now . Books are here! I will personally sign  your copy.

Subscribers: Do you have a favorite website or shop you'd like to share with everyone? Send me the link in an email and I will share related information in a future Quick Links column.

Business owners: Want to advertise here? Just  email and ask how.

Needle Felting with Wool Roving

Needle felting  is so much fun - if you have not tried it, you really should! It's inexpensive to get started and it's a very versatile art; you can make pins, necklaces, embellish clothing, and make felted purses to embellish with needle felting. I have some beautiful overdyed Merino roving that will make beautiful flowers, sun faces, and many fun projects for sunny Spring projects! It has shades of gold, mustard, cream, and a hint of aqua. Luscious! Wool is not just for winter, you know. I'd love to see what you make with this! I am going to make some felted earrings!

0.5 ounce for only $2.75

(any excess shipping charged through the shopping cart for this light-weight material will be refunded to your credit card immediately.)

Clearance Sale

Twisted Threads Tin Frames  40% Off!

I have only a couple of each of these left in stock and it's just time to make room for new things. So, help me clean out the stock shelf! First come, first served.

TF05 Pin Frame

3 x 1 inch with pin attachment

SOLD  OUT

TF02 Itty Bitty Frame

2 x 2.25 inches (with loop hanger)

SOLD  OUT

TF01 Flanged Frame

6 x 6.25 inches with 3.25 x 2.5 inch opening. Two hangers for side or top orientation.

Retail: $18.25   Sale Price: $10.95  - these were marked 'Sold Out,' but I just found two more!

These handmade, high-quality tin frames by Twisted Threads are absolutely perfect for framing needle punch designs. Finished punch needle work sits right down into the recessed tin. Needle felted designs will look awesome in these frames, too!

Favorite Designs

Here's my three favorite punch needle designs for mounting into these tin frames. You can order the designs as patterns or kits with threads, from my Punch Needle Kits page.

If you are a subscriber, be sure to click the link in your email to see the Subscriber Special for this issue.

Twin Eagles

for Pin Frame, 1 x 3

Pot o' Posies

for Itty Bitty Frame, 2.25 x 2

1898 Primitive

for Flanged Frame, 2.5 x 3.25

That's it for now . . . thanks for reading . Go forth and be creative!!

Sally

Sally Van Nuys          Amherst Folk Art & Rug Hooking      141 Woodhill Drive     Amherst, OH 44001         440-984-3486 Home Studio

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Sally Van Nuys          Amherst Folk Art & Rug Hooking      141 Woodhill Drive     Amherst, OH 44001         440-984-3486 Home Studio

Feel Free to Ask Me A Question!