Edit: The forum is back up and running now! Yay!

Save the Stitches! was down yesterday due to some technical difficulties and we’re still working on them to get them resolved. For now unfortunately, the forum is offline until further notice. Our apologies for this hiccup to all of you out there! We’re working to get it all back up and running ASAP. Until then, the rest of the site is functional and accessible. Little fun fact-o-rama though, seems like every time I go out of town on a proper vacation (if even for a day, as was this case) something inevitably goes haywire back home; I think my computer must miss me while I’m away, and it throws little digital tantrums. Yep, that’s got to be it.

Thank you for your patience, and I hope everyone’s weekend was fantastic!

P.S. If you haven’t seen it yet, make sure to check out Debi’s latest guide on Needlepainting/Threadpainting!

Written by: Ryan

We just got an awesome new embroidery book in and, yeah, I had to talk about it. The cover makes me drool in and of itself – grey fabric with a teal cupcake? Yes, please. Makes me hungry AND want to stitch.

Not only does this book have some awesome and amazing patterns, but it also goes over some great tips on washing and transferring, plus advice on patterning, combining, and using the motifs. In addition to all that, it even has detailed, in-color embroidery stitch instructions! Hot diggity.

The patterns themselves are totally rocking, like baby buggies, super happy birthday balloons, retro Christmas reindeer, sledding snowmen, *breath* cute cupids, Valentines wreathes, hat wearing owls… and that’s not even half the book! It even has number birthday candles and funky party hats! The things you could do with the designs are pretty endless. Create unique and personalized gifts – towels, bibs, onesies, aprons, blankets, even cards!

The near best part about transfer embroidery is how quick you can whip it up. No counting, no fussing, just quick stitching and fun results. For 25 bucks and some floss and fabric, the world is your snazzy oyster! What more could you want? The only thing that could make this book even more awesome would be if it actually made delicious teal cupcakes.

Written by: Ryan

Our wall in the back sale room at Nordic is playing host to the winning designs and honorable mentions from the new 2010 Award Winning Designs in Hardanger book, and let me tell you, seeing them in person is unbelievable! The display will be up until the 17th… know what else is happening until the 17th? We are running a deal for you! When you purchase the new 2010 Award book, you have the option to receive the 2005 Award book FREE! Niiice.

One of my favorite designs from the new book is a totally awesome Norwegian theme table center that actually includes satin stitch Viking ships (amazing!), Stave churches and an excerpt from Norway’s national anthem: “Ya vi elsker dette landet” (“Yes, we love this land”)! The other designs are fantastic as well, but that one just took the cake for me. Get your copy today and check out these unique Hardanger creations for yourself!

Written by: Ryan

I can’t wait for tonight to get here!  Carol Pedersen is in town to give us some great advice from her new Hardanger Tips, Tricks, and Fix-Its Book, #0637.  She has put together a valuable resource for stitchers including how to get your project organized and how to improve the speed and elegance of your stitching.

We won’t have time to get to the fix-its, but Carol has provided five case studies to walk anyone through how to fix stitching and cutting errors.  There is even some tips on how to restore the edges of older Hardanger embroidery.  After tonight I can forge ahead with confidence (and be able to clean up any uff da’s I make!)   Wish you could be here!

Check out Carol Pedersen Designs »

Written by: Debi

We’re putting on our How Far will you Go? campaign again this summer! Yay!

If you’re planning a visit up to the north, detour on over to Fargo; we would love to be one of the stops you make! Spend a few minutes or stay all day. You will be glad you stopped by!

When you stop by, ask for a personal tour. Meet the folks who take and fill your phone order. You can go behind the scenes to see where kits are created and orders are packed for shipping. Be sure to sign our guest book and put a pin in our map to tell us where you are from. We love seeing how far everyone has come, and hearing stories about their hometowns and their trip. It is so exciting to know that stitchers from around the world are just as excited about meeting us and seeing the store as we are about meeting and showing them (or you!) around.

Have you been to our store already? Share your experience!

Written by: Ryan

Does anyone remember those older DMC travel rolls that were great for storing your floss? They used the StitchBow system and were super handy. We were discontinuing the travel rolls when I first started and I kept saying to myself, “I need to get one of those before we’re all sold out…” but then I never did and they were gone so fast.

But! DMC has now released a bright new patterned travel bag and stitch bow roll, and they were so pretty and fancy I couldn’t help but think pageant material. So this is what happens when it’s nearing the end of the day, I’ve had way too much caffeine, and I’ve got some awesome new, pretty bags that I just have to share with you guys! Gadget Pageant Q & A with the NEW StitchBow DMC Travel Bag and Roll!

Written by: Ryan