June 5:
These are Lindy's comments that go along with the pics in her first Facebook batch, seen here.

HI Everyone,

We’ve had an awesome day stitching at sea today… we spent the day in Barcelona on Saturday, and I finally have some pics that I’ve sent for you to see!

I love all the food markets… so I tend to take lots of pics of those. There was a bustling little meat market down on the corner by the hotel. I’ve never seen anyone cut up an ENTIRE chicken in less than a minute!

We toured the city, and saw the beautiful tiled bench by Gaudi, and his villas in the park. (That’s my daughter, Natalie, perched on that gorgeous tile bench.

Streets and Hotels, all the windows and doors… I love the building that appear perfect and straight… till you walk by them and see the patina of age.

Here is one of those pics that show you NOTHING… just a lot of city. If you look closely, you’ll find the cathedral just about in the center of the shot, shooting up from the rest of the buildings. Started in the 1800’s… there is no budget and no finish date… so we’re just stuck in the middle of history during those 150 years it takes to build one of these things!

Oh goodness… another famous marketplace… check out the fresh octopus

More freshly caught fish… everything piled high! So much to look at and try to identify!

I love the meat stands. Some are full of sausages all hanging so beautifully, some have HUGE hunks of hind quarters, I don’t know what half of it is… I just know that I love looking at all of it! Check out those whole heads (of something) with the eyes STILL there!

such a gorgeous display of fruit…but one of my favorites is the shot of the backside of an egg booth! They had a MILLION brown eggs there, all stacked up inside the booth. I’ve never seen that many eggs in one place before, and certainly not used to them not needing to be refrigerated!

On Barcelona’s ‘Main Drag’ (I’m terrible about remembering and spelling all the right names for places) there were street mimes everywhere. I particularly liked this guy… and I did tip him, because we took his pic for you. He was all gold and black, perched just so… with nothing one could see… to sit on!

I wrote windows for this one… just like the lines of the windows!

We spent our day on Monday at Sea. We were in the Golf Ball Lounge up on the 14th deck. Such a lovely wall of windows all day long our light was great, and there was a breeze blowing through the room along with the sounds of the water everywhere! We set up a little miniature Silver Needle at Sea, and chatted, stitched and shopped from some pretty stuffed suitcases! Just Nan designed a charming little grapevine humbug with blue waves along the edges to remember our three countries we’ll visit this week –France, Italy and Spain. Erica Michaels designed us a cruise ship with resident mermaid in the sea below, so we made that into a miniature sea chest. Bent Creek, Lizzie Kate, and JBW Designs all contributed little special designs just for our trip. Trilogy has the cutest miniature US Passport Trinket, so all had to have TWO of those… as it is never good to lose your passport on your travels! I found an enchanting French perfume shoppe window scene that we kitted for the stitchers… and Brooke Nolan designed our mascot: The SS Alfredo! What a lovely day!

Tonight is ‘Formal Night’ at dinner… after our Welcome Cocktail Party… and tomorrow promises an unforgettable day in Naples Italy!

Hi Everyone!

Several of the shop gals and I are leaving in the morning for our Mediterranean Cruise to Spain, Italy and France!!!! Our flight from Tulsa to Dallas has already been canceled... half of us could re-book, the rest are leaving at 5:30 am to drive down there...such a great way to begin the journey... at least we get to sleep in the car on the way! I have some last minute thoughts to send along before I'm out of the shop for two weeks!

*** Newly Retiring Vera Bradley is flying off the sale shelves! Everything 1/2 OFF... if you like Bali Gold, Bali Blue, Calypso, Pirouette, and Carnaby... this is for YOU! The VB website has them at only 25% Off... we went to 50% Off... just to be serious about it, and treat you!

*** Our Blackbird Designs Workshop balances will be due right after we get home from the cruise on June 17th-ish. If we have your card on file, we'll automatically process you. If not, we'll send a note. Not to worry about a thing on your end!

*** Teresa Laymen has sent the finished piece for our Gingerbread and Lace Knotwork Class. Over-the-top cute... you're going to learn how to master French, Colonial and Bullion Knots in an hour... and them make a gingerbread house, garnished with your stitching and some antique lace! Some were concerned that we weren't learning the miniature knotwork Teresa is so well known for... but not to fear! We have a scissor fob project planned for the morning learning piece... then the Mouse House for the afternoon!

*** Camp Wannasew Registration for November 18, 19, 20 and 21st opens Thursday morning June 17th, at 10:00am, when the shop opens. Check out Camp pics and details on the Camp Page! Then... call us the morning of the 17th!

In preparing for our trip... I finally joined the 'real world' and got an I-Phone! DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU CAN HAVE A SILVER NEEDLE APP????? My gosh, I didn't know... but now I have one, and it's FREE! I'm right there, in one of those little colored pics right on my home screen!!!!!
*Open Safari
*Hit Google
*Type in The Silver Needle
*Touch to open our website... MAKE SURE it's all loaded
*Touch the Plus Sign at bottom of your screen
*Choose the Add to Home Screen option
*Select prompt that says it'll add as a App adding to Home Screen
*Hit ADD!!!!!
My gosh... now there we are...in total miniature! Even the shopping cart works, and you can take Silver Needle wherever you go! Isn't life amazing!!!???

That's it... I'm off to pack! (That little phone is even delivering the weather forecasts!!! If it could just get on the airwaves with the airlines, and FIX the darn flights... Wouldn't it be cool if your phone could talk to 'those people' as calmly as they talk to us... and put them on hold as long as we have been... so they could grasp the gravity of OUR situation???????) hmmmmm!

I'll see you in Spain!

Lindy

Hi Everyone!

What a fun week we've had so far in 2010!!!
We held our annual New Year's Eve Sale... and you ALL were up in the middle of the night ordering on-line... you are *Model Customers!!!* (who don't seem to need a lot of sleep!) I have the shop gals working extra hours this week and next -- we're trying to get through the tubs of orders -- *corrrectly* -- so you happy when your boxes finally arrive! I think as of this note... Thursday evening the 7th... we're up to the 6:30am orders! Don't be angry with us if it takes a few days longer than normal for us to fill your order... all is 'pulled' or 'reserved for you' in those tubs, so it's safe and sound!

Are you *Getting Into* my January Daily Treats??? Just like the flavor-of-the-day at my favorite custard stand back home... I thought it'd be fun to do something drastic, immediate, and *out-there!!!* I've scoured the shop for great finds of cool stuff... and Mary has built a 'banner box' at the top of Just Arrived to send you to the info everyday. At midnight (Mary doesn't need much sleep either!), she is uploading our new Daily Treat Special... good during THAT 24 HOUR DAY ONLY!

Gone after that day... I guess I'm teasing you by telling you what we did this past week.

It's been really fun... every time we get an order for the Daily Treat... it's a loud and festive announcement to the room-at-large!!!

On a more complicated note... we are in the process of moving our Silver Needle domains! (Kind of sticky in the internet world of things!) We're upgrading servers to faster, newer, bigger, and snazzier than we have now. It's playing havoc with your account sign-ins, and I feel your pain about that. Think of it this way... we are, RIGHT NOW, sitting in the beauty salon, getting our hair colored. We look REALLY crummy now, with foil in our hair, sitting under a dryer... but in a few days, when the beautician (AKA the web-people) get finished with us... we'll be STUNNING! If you have trouble getting to something in these next few days.... Mary reminds you that we have all the rest of our domains and websites listed at the top of the Just Arrived Page! Pick one and Enjoy Life!

The Silver Needle Gals

July 25, 2009

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick note to thank all of you who came to our Lizzie Kate/JBW Event this past weekend!!! We had a shop-full of happy stitchers -- all of you were so gracious and happy -- the weekend went TOO FAST! Food was yummy, projects were darling, you did a GREAT job shopping, and the weather delivered us a cool weekend for all. I THINK Mary has a few cool pics from the class... they tell you so much more than my words can. (See below!) Judy and Linda were so much fun to have... stories and fun all day long.

We'd prepared for so long... cleaned the shop, (I even vacuumed the air returns in the ceiling, and because the dust was gone... they started to rattle again!) straightened displays, moved, fluffed and buffed, even though it's all over... everything still feels clean and wonderful! I wish that could LAST!

We announced our Camp Wannasew Registration for next Fall a few weeks ago -- it's going well -- check it out and join us for a weekend of LESS people than the LK/JBW thing! (and still the great shopping!)

If you're adventuresome... check out the Cruise to Europe next summer! We have 18 cabins booked so far! Shop gals coming alone and rooming together, some couples, some 'chick-trips'... you name it! Our Cruise Lady, Judy, reminds me to tell you that if you want to put down a $500 deposit to hold a spot... it is FULLY REFUNDABLE THROUGH next March 31st, 2010! We're going to stitch during our day at sea, and just have a wonderful time touring Spain, Italy and France with a group of our favorite people -- STITCHERS!

So... we rest this week after our lovely LK/JBW Event... but give us a few days... e-mail newsletter comes next week!!!

Lindy and the SN Gals

June 8, 2009

Hi Everyone!

Gosh... I looked at this page tonight... and was embarrassed! I've had every intention of writing a little update every week... I even have a reminder sheet that I file with my "Bills Due" to bug me... but obviously, I've been re-filing that reminder every week (till the next week) since the first of the year! NOT POSSIBLE! Surely, surely, many messages have been erased... (but probably not!)

So... moral of this sad tale... is to tell you to check WHAT'S NEW every day!!! Our Just Arrived page generally has activity... but WHAT'S NEW is Mary's daily update for ALL the web pages. Doesn't get me off the hook for being a slacker... but it DOES make her look good! I guess that I figure after you've checked WN and JA all week... I have nothing else to add in my notes! (It's midnight... I'll have to sleep on this!)... I have my work cut out for me!

L

Too late to make the pics on Just Arrived before Superbowl Weekend...

*Nora Corbett's Rudolph and Santa's Sleigh charts arrived TODAY! Rounding out the Christmas Couriers Set of Santa's 8 Reindeer... there is lots of debate about whether Rudolph *really counts* or not. For 50 years, Santa has remembered *me*... just know... 'The Boss can't run the place without good help!!!'

Ricardo of Beverly Hills -- the licensee for Vera Bradley **luggage** has announced that Yellow Bird AIRLINE LUGGAGE is being retired and they are introducing Purple Punch as the new airline luggage color this April!!! Black Microfibre is also being retired, and being replaced by a black nylon. ***DO NOT***DO NOT confuse this with the VB lovely cotton handbags, totes, etc we have all the time... *PAY ATTENTION*... I cannot order anymore Yellow Bird *Luggage*... this weekend is a really good time to get one if you've really been lusting after one!

Hope we hear from you this weekend!!! The shop is buzzing with activity... everyone is working the 2 days... we cleaned a little... but didn't break our necks!!!

And, by the way... we don't care WHO you're rooting for... we don't even care if you LIKE football at all... it's just a great excuse to have fun!!! 'See You' on line, over the phone or in smiling-person this weekend!!!

Holidays are over... we had our New Year's Sale the 31st... and you blew us away with your sale orders!!! ***We're really happy about it!***

We pulled your orders as they came in so that everyone had a fair shot at their choices, based on the time the order came in. Writing them up - and packing - continues. Know that we are coming in early and the gals are stopping by to help work when they have an extra few hours to spare. This Sunday afternoon IS scheduled to continue processing your orders!

Thank-You SO MUCH for getting up so early to get on that computer and get your orders to us!
(You're getting pretty good at this!)

The Secret Needle Night Annual Prepay Special ends with January... check into that.

The new 2009 Spring Vera Bradley is scheduled to arrive TODAY the 9th, or next Monday the 12th! Watch for that!

Just wanted to 'touch base' with you... and re-assure you that sale orders are flying out of here 'minutely!!!'

Hi Everyone!

Just a fun note to let you know that our annual Christmas picture is up on our Home Page!
It's always a picture of the shop gals at our annual Christmas Party in my living room, which took place last evening.

Of course, Mary did a great job with the pic (she never wants to be in these things... just makes all the rest of us!), but you should have heard us today! "Oh, what a lovely picture... but my neck looks fat... look at my hair!... YOU look great, I look fat... doesn't she photograph well?... oh look -- she has her eyes closed...

You can just imagine the comments, I'm sure! But... what a lovely picture, we did agree on that!!!

So there we are... your trusty crew of stitchers!
E-Mail Newsletter due next Friday, the 19th! 'Till then, may all your projects finish in HALF the normal time!!!

Lindy and The SN Gals

HI Everybody!

Lots of quick news this Sunday Evening or Monday morning (depending on your time zone...)

We finished Mona's Finishing Frenzy this past Saturday with a flourish of FUN!!! We hosted 58 ladies from all over the US for a lovely day of Mona's creativity, personality, and talents.

Everybody came with 6 pieces of needlework stitched (their homework), and spent the day assembling, fluffing, pinning, taping, gluing, and sewing. Their finished projects were transformed into little cubes, easels, wedges and ornaments... *what a cool day we had!!!*

Mary came and took a few pics to show you (We had such a large turn-out that the Scrapbook shop in our center loaned us part of her space for the day, so that's why you won't recognize the walls.) Anyway, everyone left with lots of confidence -- knowing they really CAN finish all those stitched things that are just piling up in drawers. Instant Christmas gifts galore!

Camp Wannasew Registration for the Spring of 2009 opens at 9am on October 2nd. Camp dates are March 12, 13, 14 and 15th, and April 16, 17, 18, and 19th. (Thursday is the early-bird day.) We DO have a couple of spots left in THIS Fall's weekends... October is probably too close for anyone to change plans, but we do have some spaces in November. Details and pics are on the Camp page of the Weekends/Classes Page.

Just Nan is going to be continuing her Over The Top and In The Tin Series for 2009!!! If you have been on that automatic-ship with us, WE WILL ROLL YOU OVER... and continue it for you. You don't need to do a thing... unless you want to drop it, or finally *get in on the fun!* I did manage to procure a few more sets for this next year, and once again, they ARE sold out from Nan.

We went to Market last weekend, so along with that Just Nan news.. I have lots and lots of new product to post on the site. If you know something is new, or coming out, and you haven't seen it yet, send an e-mail or call... chances are, we already have it! My tubs 'runneth over!!!'

Finally, September 15th through October 15th brings our Fall Vera Bradley Event!!!
***Remember 15/15/15***

Purchase ANY Vera Bradley -- both in-stock OR special order... and you earn 15% of it's price in FREE SILVER NEEDLE STUFF!! All the new colors and styles count, all the Microfibre... even the Lifeguard Press Paper Products! I'm putting a ditty up on Just Arrived about it... so check there for more details.

Questions, just give us a call! We're in the shop Mon thru Sat 10am to 6pm!

Have a great week, everyone! Our weather is getting a little cooler... I even got out all my pumpkins and Halloween decorations at home this weekend... so Fall is really on the way!

Lindy

Happy Tuesday to Everyone!

Just a couple of quick notes this morning...

Our Mighty Bright Floor Lamps arrived back in the shop this morning! Unavailable since June, they are super-neat lamps, and if you've ordered one... it left the shop this afternoon to get to You!

Our Just Cross Stitch Halloween and Fall Magazines arrived today, too. Those will be in your mailboxes ASAP!

Next, the Vera Bradley Micro-Fibre Collection for 2008 has arrived! There are something like 20 different pieces! Offered in both Espresso and Black, we have little things, all the way up to huge Weekenders and a GREAT new laptop bag that comes with a removable computer cushion sleeve! There is another drawing for a FREE Pucini Morgan bag -- happens this Friday -- so if you aren't in the drawing -- send us a street AND e-mail address! We'll get you into the drawing!

Snapperbet #2 is here... along with the next Big Zipper by Bent Creek. There are two new baby designs, too! More Premana floral scissors -- this time a pretty yellow pair, have arrived. And the next four Heart in Hand Markings are here! Just give me a day or two to get everything to Mary, so it can go up on the site!

We're quite a busy little place these days! The shop is still clean and tidied up after our Sweetheart Tree Event with Sandy Vanosdall last weekend, and boy, does that feel good!!! We had a lovely class, two awesome projects, and lots of friends and fun!

If you're in the shop, ask to see the Jeannette Douglas My Stitching Album model, and Scream House! We have both of them here to drool over...SO NICE to see them in person!

End of this morning's Quick Notes!!!

Thanks for reading,

Lindy and The SN Gals

Happy Monday to Everyone!

We've finished our wonderful Sweetheart Tree Weekend with Sandie Vanosdall... and life settles back to 'normal' this morning. The stitching tables are all back to the party rental place, the backroom of the Silver Needle is STILL neat and tidy, the dishes are all washed and my kitchen at home is clean! Everyone is back to work this morning... with really nice thoughts about the fun weekend we've just had!

Along with our After Hours Reception Friday night, Sandie taught our Country French Heart project -- the box top version -- all day on Saturday -- and we topped our weekend with dinner at my house last night! It was a little 'toasty' weather-wise, but with something icy and cool to drink, everyone survived!

THANK-YOU to all of you who came from so far away: WI, IL, CO, and TN, and a little closer like TX, KS, AR, and MO, and TULSA! I know that it takes time and effort to commit to a trip, and sometimes the travel itself is really a pain... but I hope it was really worth it for all of you. I, personally, had a great time!!! (And the SN shop gals have delicious left-overs for at least 3 days of lunches!!!) I know Sandie had a great time, too. (She got to shop a little -- like a real person!) It was a lovely weekend, and I do, truly hope, that more of you can join us for the next one.

I think Mary put a few pics up on the classes page, so take a look when you get a chance. I love to look at the previous year's pics too... you might recognize Jeannette Douglas on there, then Nan Caldera is there -- the Just Nan Queen of the Needle -- Pam is there doing the finishing part. then, there are Mona and I at Mona's Finishing Frenzy On-The-Road at Sherry's Shop -- Country Crafts in Greeley Co! Next is Liz Turner Diehl teaching Stumpwork. The last two are both retired now from the industry. See Jay Patterson from Rainbow Gallery? He came and did a big thread-education day. Final pics are from Gay and Jerry Bowles of Mill Hill! They came the summer before Mill Hill sold, and they have now retired to the mountains in NC. Fun pictures to remember special days!

So... Thank-You Sandie for the lovely weekend we spent together!

Saturday, July 19

Hi Everyone!

Just a quick note...

Mona's Finishing Frenzy information is now complete and up on the Class Pages for your perusal! Darling stuff... this is a one-day CRASH COURSE in assembling your various needlework projects into little useful things. Offered thru the mail, too, check out the details!

We are giving our monkeys new bananas this week... in an effort to step up productivity! If you're looking for your order... I'm sure it's safe and sound in our system! Just Nan's Over the Top and In the Tin came along with her Gilded Dragonfly... the 4th of July came and messed up our work and shipping schedule... we debuted Scream House... I sent out a Vera Bradley newsletter... and then I left town for 4 days... to leave the shop gals treading water!!! On top of all that... we're having to CLEAN the backroom in anticipation of our Sweetheart Tree Weekend coming up in a few days!! We are over-the-top-swamped, but very happy about it! I have extra help on each day, and we're diligently working to get all your cool things to you ASAP!

That's it! Gotta Go!!! (My office is part of that backroom... and it's calling...!)

Tuesday, July 1

Hi Everyone!

Quick notes to update you about shop happenings!

We are hosting a Glendon Place Trunk Show in the shop! TONS of huge framed pieces... finding space for all of them has proven to be a challenge! We have that North Pole piece stitched... Pretty Pumpkins... lots of lovely things. All will be in the shop till July 25th.

Just Nan has released her Gilded Dragonfly Scissor Purse, and the 2nd In the Tin design of Sizzle -- for summer. Both ship out this week... if you forgot to order silks or fabrics for the dragonfly, don't worry, they are still available. Sizzle is sold out, unless you're already on the auto-ship, but I BELIEVE that we actually have something like 6 Gilded Dragonflies left..., so first-come, first-served on those! Don't depend on email for this one... pick up the phone and call our toll free number.

Our new 2008 Fall Vera Bradley arrived last Thursday. (Everything came on the same day... all of Nan's new, the Glendon Place show... and 28 cartons of VB!) Murphy's Law! Anyhow, it took Angie and me 2 days, but we managed to re-do the shop display, fluffed till we couldn't stuff more things into the cabinets... and it looks GREAT! I'm writing new words for pieces for the website, so watch for that in a couple of days. VB has, finally, caught-up with themselves, and put the new things up on their site in a timely fashion!!! I think all is there for the viewing!

Lizzie Kate has released her Crazy Caption Contest Winning design... I'm writing description words for it NEXT... as soon as I'm done with this note!

That's It... have a great week... I can't believe the 4th of July is around the corner!

Hi Everybody!

Just a quickie hello...

I realize that I have WAY UNDER-USED this little 'Notes From Lindy' link on the site! It should be weekly updates between the e-mail newsletters! ... Well... I'm not sure I can keep up with that, but an occasional, personal 'hello' IS in order!

I leave for the summer buying market this Friday... not a 'Cash 'n Carry' ... just an 'ordering' show. There will be lots of new things coming in the next few weeks! Just watch the Just Arrived and What's New pages on the site... we'll be adding daily!

A huge, gracious Thank-You to everyone who has taken advantage of the Vera Bradley Retiring Sale, and reserved the Mighty Bright Floor Lamps! Just Nan's Bella is coming this next week... along with the second installment of her Over the Top and In the Tin series. Then... Nan's Dragonfly Scissor Purse design debuts... everything has been hitting our fan -- all at one time!!! Thanks for any patience you've had to use on us!

Angie and I are answering phones Thursday morning, June 12th at 9:00am for the Fall Camp Wannasew Registrations! Don't forget to remember! Our weekends are a lot of fun... very low-key... a great value... we think you ought to come! If that's not your 'bag'... come visit us while we host Sandy Vanosdall from The Sweetheart Tree the weekend of July 25th and 26th!

I won't keep you... Vera Bradley new Fall 2008 ships the week of June 16th.

I'm trying to write myself a note to REMEMBER to jot notes for you... lets see how I do!

till next time...
Lindy

Hi Everybody!

Well... you certainly blew us away with your fabulous orders during our New Year's Eve Sale last week... and we haven't landed yet!!! THANK-YOU so much for all the lovely comments in your orders and mails... if you were a phone-in stitcher... I hope we had enough time to chat a bit... We pulled all of the orders right away, in the order in which they were received. Now we're feverishly packing and shipping them daily, and I just thought I had better let you know that!

We kept a log of all incoming orders... so if you get anxious... we can look you up to verify that YES, we did receive either your call, fax or web order. We are logging as we ship, too... so we can tell you if you've been one of the lucky ones, yet. Otherwise... we really appreciate your patience with us! We could just shove stuff in boxes... and rush to get it all out... and make a ton of mistakes in the process... but we're trying NOT to do that! Fill rates have been pretty good so far... that's good news for you... and since the orders are bigger... it takes a little more time on our end! (Darn!)

We are trying to keep up with the regular daily orders, as well. I have separate groups of gals working the daily vs. sale orders, so that nobody gets 'stuck behind' anyone else. (We've even added Closed Sunday Afternoon Hours to do the orders!)

UPS delivered 47 boxes of the new Vera Bradley yesterday and today... THAT is being unpacked and put on display as we speak. (New Free-Gift-With-Purchase, too! And it'll be well stocked for the Superbowl Weekend!) The Lizzie Kate Living With Charm 2008 Flip-It Frames came today, too...

Secret Needle Night Prepay Special ends with the end of January... don't forget about that -- details are on the Secret Needle Night Page.

March and April Camp Wannasew Weekends are coming. I am sad to say that we have space in both weekends. Used to be that wasn't the case... but everyone is so much busier it seems than they were 10 years ago! (why is that so?) Anyhow... DO think about coming to OK to 'Shop The Shop' and have a great stitching weekend with friends. Mona and I are working on cool projects... it'll be fun!

That's it! Just a big loving THANK-YOU from all of us for your excitement and support on New Year's Eve!!! You are safe and sound in 'one of the tubs'... and we're working everyday to un-earth you and get your things to you!!!

Happy New Year!
Lindy

October 5, 2007

Hi Everybody!

We're home from our Stitching Festival Show in Hershey, PA... the trailer was definitely lighter on the way back... it left room for the chocolate to travel home in the CAR! If you've never been to a stitching show... it's a big deal of 3 or 4 days of classes from designers and a merchandise mall full of shops and designers peddling their wares -- and a couple of thousand of YOU GUYS!

You may have already heard that the CATS gals are not going to sponsor the Hershey show anymore. It would leave us without a show in that area of the country for the first time in something like 20 years. OK... nothing concrete yet... but it looks as if Hershey IS NOT going away! Too early for specific dates and details, but I'll definitely keep you posted. I think it's important to share the 2008 AND 2009 dates and cities so you can make travel plans with your stitching friends. (Isn't it funny that we need dates 2 YEARS ahead of time for planning???)

Anyhow... all this news is fresh to the industry as of last Wednesday... so give us a few weeks to sort everything out... and DON'T WORRY in the meantime! Life as a stitcher is good!!!

We are in the middle of our Fall Sales Event at the shop. In order to comply with Vera Bradley pricing rules, it features 15% OFF the value of your Vera Bradley purchase price -- in any other Silver Needle stuff! 15 New pieces arrived yesterday, and I put up a tiny ditty on Just Arrived about it. Really NICE baby-cordurry PJ pants and shirts, little slippers, umbrellas, I-Pod cases, padded hangers... all that.

I brought home the PJ pants to do some words, and Natalie tried them on, and bam -- GONE! Took them back to her apartment! I don't think it's all up on the VB site yet, so be a bit patient.

Camp Wannasew Registration opened up yesterday for the Spring 2008 weekends... look into it!

That's it..quick and concise!

Enjoy, Lindy and all the Gals

August 2

Hi Everyone!

Whew... We've been super-busy in the shop the last couple of weeks, getting ready to host Jeannette Douglas for our Exclusive Silver Needle Sampler! She came this past weekend... and it was superb! Mary came and took a few pics -- I hope she has some to share beside my notes! Jeannette arrived Thursday, and had to come home with me to bake cookies for the Saturday class day. We had an after-hours Meet and Greet reception Friday night in the shop, class on Saturday, and a BBQ dinner party at my house Saturday evening! Everybody came... everybody stitched... everybody ate... and everyone was HAPPY!

We had several crisis situations during Jeannette's visit. Our Secret Needle Night embellishment order got lost in the mail on the way to Diane, our Clay Lady. Since she has a BRAND NEW grandbaby... and we were both out of town for the crucial 5 days of design/approval time -- on separate coasts -- and cell phones didn't cut it -- we both JUST ADJUSTED! We'll get cool clay next month!!! (Sometimes you just have to throw up your hands, take a breath, and smile...)

Then, our Vera Bradley Co-Op Catalog Mailing had issues. Seems the mailing house misplaced our file, and didn't include Silver Needle customers in the Summer/Fall Main Catalog Mailing. They DID, however, manage to mail out 675 catalogs to those of you that have registered ON the Vera Bradley website choosing US as your favorite Retailer. Well... 675 of you have a card redeemable for a Free Gift With Purchase of a cute little credit card case -- only VB didn't release the card cases -- because the mailing house didn't mail both lists! Go figure!

So... as you are reading this... we are calling/following up/hounding/nagging... to get it all straightened out! If you do not have the wonderful main Fall 2007 VB catalog and want one... please add it to your next order. They are quite heavy to mail -- almost a pound -- so, without an order, if you'll kick in a dollar and we kick in two -- we can get one in the mail to you -- AND HONOR THE FREE GIFT with purchase, if they ever grace our doors!

So... life around here is busy... which, in the end, is exactly how I want it to be! I could complain... but would only be kidding myself... because I LOVE the busy, daily, hectic challenges!

Lindy

July 6

Hi Everyone!

We aren't due for an e-mail newsletter till next week... (if you don't get them, please subscribe! We don't share addresses or BUG you!) but I had lots of news, so I thought I'd jot a few thoughts here, in the meantime!

Announcing a joint Hands to Work and Carriage House Trunk Show!
We are hosting one of the best Trunk Shows in the shop that I have ever had -- in our almost 25 years! Our big oak table is filled to overflowing with 59 stitched samplers and a few punch needle pieces. Due to return at the end of July... I HOPE you'll be lucky enough to find time to come in and see everything! We are blown away by all the lovely things... just the look of the line... the antiqued colors... the fun sayings... we're going to put up some pics on the website, and offer a Carriage House Samplings and Hands to Work 15% off Special all month... but it just doesn't do the collection justice!

One of my favorite pieces is Hearts and Flowers. Check out this verse...'When in love I do commence, may it be with a man of sense.' Lots of it is not new... but it's the first time we've actually held the stitched models in our hands. We have both the Village and Houses of Hawk Hollow Run, and that lonnng mermaid punch needle stocking. So take a trip down our Carriage House page, and ENJOY!

The New Fall 2007 Vera Bradley Cottons are Here!
4 New colors, 10 New pieces... until we get everything up... I think you can view the colors on VB's website. Of special note is the new Cargo Sling -- a replacement to all of you who loved your Spectators and Carry Alls! There is a Mini-Hipster that is THE COOLEST! An excellent, petite traveling piece! Curvy Tote is a bigger, deeper, flat tote bag, and The Villager has been re-done -- but only a little bit! (I'm not even sure what the new differences are!) There's a Backsack -- real cute and relaxed, medium sized drawstring bag, three new Bow Cosmetic Bags, and three pieces that we've had before. Zip/Clip ID case... Reversible Belts and Cell Phone Cases.

Silver Needle has been awarded the 'VB Store With-in A Store' status... which means our shop's display is awesome, we carry the entire line, and our service is the best! (well, we already KNEW that) We earn the priority-ship status... so that's why we have all the new product weeks before some other retailers -- and so much earlier than VB posts it on their website. (I've even been invited to the 25th Anniversary/Gold Retailer Dinner in Atlanta in two weeks!) The big question -- WHICH handbag should I carry???!

Anyway, we have such a great selection of lovely things... our current retiring pieces remain 25% off... and the new is so 'Fall-Feeling!'

Jeannette Douglas comes in just a few weeks!
We're making the catering plans... but the pic of the REAL piece remains a surprise! She's doing a special needlecase for class attendees only -- a little bonus we hadn't counted on!

And don't forget our shop Classes!

I think that's it... I really need to close to work on my Just Arrived words for all this cool new stuff!

Happy July!!!!

June 17, 2007

Hi Everyone!

Just a couple of pics from our Sidewalk Sale Saturday, June 16th! Yesterday morning, we 'decorated' our parking lot with TONS of delicious bargains... and as you can see from the pictures... there was plenty to keep everyone happy!!! We opened at 9 to numerous 'road trip' groups... I know a few of them paused shopping to have lunch next door... and then finished, in time for a Saturday afternoon drive back home again.

I could count on two hands the number of items that were over $25 in price... everything else started at a whopping 50 cents, and went from there to the $1 and $3.00 tables. Then... for the 'average-priced bargains'... we had $5.00 and $7.50 tables... finishing into the 'high rent district' of $10, $20. We had a 75% Off showcase of watches and glass fobs... and then moved up to Half Off!

Time Lapse pics would have been cool! We set-up from 8 to 9, and stayed 'open' till 2:15. EVERYTHING was packed up, tables back inside... EVERYTHING by 2:45! You'd never even know we'd had a circus on our sidewalk that morning! First sunny day in Tulsa in 2 weeks, too... it was a great success!

I want to say a HUGE Thank-You to my shop gals for all the extra lifting and sorting -- they really did a great job. And also a HUGE Thank-You to those of you who came and ENJOYED!!! We remember several 'Carry-Out Trunk Deliveries' of multiple bags! You really did quite well... because there wasn't much to pack up at the end!!!

Next one of these parties??? At least another 5 years from now!!!

Enjoy the pics!

Lindy and
The Silver Needle Gals

February 12, 2007

Hi Everyone!

I write to you tonight... just returning home from the Nashville Wholesale Trade Show -- our Spring Needlework Buying Market. I'm finally at my desk... in my jammies, suitcase unpacked, mail from the past few days opened and filed. It rained all day home during our drive... my dogs were outside all day, 'basking' in the mud and smells... and the three of us are SO HAPPY now, to be curled up in my office!

Mary, Mona and I brought home A TON of really cool new things! It will take me weeks and weeks to get words written for everything that is here, and all the upcoming new releases. You're going to have a great time checking everything out! Just watch Mary's *What's New* Notes every day, and you should be in great shape. And if there's something you've heard about that just can't wait for us to get it up on the site, give us a call. I'll bet we have it!

I came home to answer the age-old question... 'WHERE IS my Order???!' Oh, everyone,...*DO KNOW* that our industrious group of gals are so, so, so busy filling them... and working on getting them to you! And then, I have the nerve to go to Market and bring home tubs and tubs of new stuff... when we haven't even sent out what we have!

We joked in the car today, that I should ask anybody who lives close to Tulsa to come to town and work a day... kind of like the old laugh about eating in a restaurant. When the bill comes... you can't pay it... so they put you in the backroom to wash the dishes! Well... we have a backroom... it's NOT full of dishes... but it IS full of orders you guys are all waiting for, AND all this new stuff that we have to check in and price!!! I just need you to know that we aren't sitting around doing nothing... or stitching either... we are pulling, writing, checking, adding, double-checking, processing, packaging, UPS-ing and mailing, and logging all your treats! We want you to love them as much when you open your package as we've loved gathering them together for you!

So, into the shop tomorrow... to do all the right things to get your orders to you... and start showing off all our new Goodies!!!

Happy Stitching,

L