Planet Earth has expanded their line of Pepperpot Silk, one of our favorite threads, with 27 brand new colors. The new colors are now available for purchase in store and in our online store here. This new colorful collection brings a vivid assortment of shades of pinks, purples, oranges, reds, greens and blues; perfect spring and summer colors for sunny Florida.

Pepper Pot silk is a 100% silk thread that is now available in 266 solid colors as well as hand dyed variegated colors. The thickness is the same as DMC Perle cotton #5, or approximately 3 to 4 strands of floss, so it fits 18 count needlepoint canvases perfectly. No plying or stranding necessary and since it doesn't come on a card it doesn't have any creases to straighten out. On the downside it's non divisible, you cannot divide the thread into smaller thickness. And it does have dye lots, if you're trying to stitch a large area, make sure to buy enough at one time for your project. We would be happy to help estimate amounts if you send us a photo of your piece with the overall dimensions included or come by in person. Pepper Pot comes off the skein ready to stitch and glide through your canvas (or fabric for cross stitchers and embroiders) beautifully. This buttery smooth and strong silk thread is always a pleasure to work with.

We recently invested in a machine that allows us to surge the edges of needlepoint canvases! This fabric surge binding is stronger and more permanent than using tape along the edges as most needlepoint shops use but requires an expensive machine.

Now whenever you purchase a canvas from us we will surge the edges for you, at no additional charge!

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Today I'd like to highlight a wonderful thread we carry that a lot of people don't know about, Planet Earth Merino Wool. It is a 100% merino wool fiber that is super soft and easy to work with. It has lovely, rich colors that inspire creativity and look even better in person than in a picture. The wool naturally has a smooth, springy and stretchy nature which is forgiving and makes beautiful stitches. The plied thickness is the same size as DMC Perle Cotton #5  making it perfect for needlepointing on 18 count canvas with 1 strand. Or needlepointing on 13 count canvas with 2 strands. You get a good amount on each skein approximately 30 yards of merino wool (for comparison DMC Perle #5 has about 26 yards of cotton per skein, and Colonial Persian has about 24 yards of Persian wool per skein). 

If you have worked with Persian wools such as Paternayan or Colonial Persian before and liked the finished product but wished that they were nicer to work with, this is a great option. It is similar to those wools but it's super soft against your hands as you work with it and not itchy, or scratchy at all like the Persian wool can be. This softness means the merino wool is not as durable as Persian wool, and I wouldn't recommend it for things like carpets, kneelers or items that in general will have very heavy wear. Of course this isn't a problem for items that won't experience constant hard wear and tear. I highly recommend it for items that will be framed, turned into stockings, hanging pieces, ornaments, and pillows and belts that won't experience hard wear.

We carry almost 100 colors of Planet Earth Wool, and if you haven't tried it before I'd recommend giving it a shot on your next project, I think you'll enjoy! ​

You can find our online listing for Planet Earth Merino Wool here. Or browse the manufacture's website here.

The Tampa Bay Lighting are the back to back 2020 and 2021 Stanley Cup Champions! That makes Tampa Bay the champions of the NFL and the NHL at the same time, how neat is that? We've got a brand new hot off the presses Tampa Bay Lightning Ornament to commemorate the accomplishment.

We have quite a few needlepoint belts and ornament designs in stock to show off your favorite hockey, football, and baseball teams in Tampa Bay and elsewhere around the country. Just look in the professional teams category of the needlepoint canvases click here for professional sports. Or for your favorite college and university teams click on the college and universities category here.

We have just got in a lovely collection of hinged boxes from Funda Scully. They finish up into wonderful 3 Dimensional boxes with the included metal hinged lid. Our local finisher does a good job making them up for finishing, they will open at the hinge and you can store small objects inside the fabric lined interior of the box. They make great gifts for the person who has everything, memory holders for special occasions, beautiful holders for your stitching trinkets, sweet toothfairy or memento boxes for childhood treasures, or fabulous seasonal decoration.

We just received a little Christmas ornament and stand up trunk show at the shop until January 30th. We are also running a discount of 20% or more off the canvases. Here is the link to view the show (By clicking each image you will be able to view multiple canvases of the same theme). Below you will find a few designs.

Hi Friends,

Hope this finds everyone safe and healthy. Thanks for wearing masks when you come for pick up so we all remain safe. We are so lucky to have relaxing hobbies to calm us during these stressful times.

We'd like to update you on the current finishing situation.  Our finisher, Alina, has a momentous task ahead of her this year.  She is working very hard to make sure that we can accommodate as many customers as possible, but it has been extraordinary year in many ways, and we have much more finishing to complete than is usual at this time of year. We will continue to accept finishing projects, but we can no longer guarantee that anything turned in will be finished by Christmas. The projects turned in will most likely have to wait until January for finishing, thanks for your patience with the finishing situation.

On another topic, please remember to think of us when you need a canvas.  We can order canvases from any designer in the country, and your purchases allow us to continue to remain open. I understand the allure of ordering online in the middle of the night but if you check with us first...we may be less expensive and might even have the canvas in stock. These are challenging times for small businesses and we should try to shop local.

Justin has been working diligently on a shopping cart for the shop. This seems to be the way commerce is heading. It's a very slow process but items are added daily. If you have any questions - we will gladly answer via e-mail or phone.

Thanks and stay safe! Patience will get us thru this mess.

Susan, Justin, Sandy and Greg
 

Another yarn company we love is Urth Yarns. For every skein they sell they help plant a tree, but that's not the only reason we love them. We love their yarns. One of our favorites to knit with is the oh-so-soft, short striping colors of DK weight cotton called Uneek cotton.

Recently Urth yarns started a new drop shipping program to ship direct to you the customer. You can browse their website, here are some pretty kits to spark your imagination, then come back to us and let us know what you'd like to order and the company will ship right to you. Let us know if you have any questions via calling at (904) 731-4082 or emailing us here.

From now till August 28th we are happy to host the wonderful trunkshow from Associated Talents Needlepoint! There are over 450 canvases of all different styles, shapes and sizes included. There are lots of Chirstmas ornaments, Easter designs, baby sleeping signs, Halloween decor, pillows, stocking cuffs, stockings, mini stockings and more.

We have completely gone online for this trunkshow, you can view and purchase from anywhere in the United States! Check it out here!