MARCH, 2026

       Today as I write this newsletter the temps here in PA are in the low 40's and in a few days we will be enjoying warm weather in the 70's for a few days before the temps drop again. What a wonderful break from the weather we had in February - snow, rain, and ice. As you drive down some streets there are still mounds of ice covered snow on the side of the roads. Probably they will be there until summer. At the end of this week is also our Nashville Market where designers old and new put their new releases on display for all the see and make purchases. All Nashville Releases are under the Nashville Market tab on our web site. Many patterns are already on order and we are awaiting their arrival as I always pre-order what I think will sell, while others are on automatics which will be shipped by the designs once the show is over or prior to their attending. These past 6 to 12 months have been a challenge keeping up with all the prices changes - from DMC to fabrics and patterns due to tariffs. All products related to our craft come from overseas. The only thing made here are patterns by US designers. Tariffs are a tax levied on suppliers for products imported to our country, then the suppliers raise prices of the products to compensate for the extra fees. Hence, making prices higher causing us as well as all companies to raise their prices. We are still experiencing delays in receiving merchandise from England, France, and Italy due to the higher cost shipping to our country and the tariffs. Now that the tariffs have been deemed illegal, possibly that will stop price increases or at least not with every shipment. USPS also increased postage rates which only added to this issue. Then we have supply issues - meaning Rainbow Gallery, the company who purchased Kreinik, still cannot make floss to fill orders fast enough to supply all colors and types of Kreinik flosses due to base floss shortages and lack of necessary equipment to make the floss. Who knows when this issue will be resolved, only time will tell. Now we are encountering Mill Hill bead shortages. Again, these products all come from Overseas. At least, Picture This Plus is now on a 6 to 8 week turn around on dying fabrics. So there is a light at the end of the tunnel. With regards to fabrics - we have been hearing from customers that some shops have little or no Zweigart fabrics in some colors. We have them all - all Zweigart and Wichelt fabrics in all counts and colors. If one is out of stock, we have a re-order in and waiting for the fabric to arrive.

        For those of you who are waiting for a back order, most suppliers will not give us a time frame for shipping back orders - they also send as they get stock and once we receive our merchandise, we send the same day. We also always send tracking. If you see your package stuck, call your local postmaster or USPS, give them the tracking number, and you will find the package will then get moving again. During this past Christmas, packages were stuck all over the country due to weather conditions, employee shortages, and the holiday closing. Once a package leaves our shop, are hands are tied and the responsibility then sifts to USPS to get you the merchandise. We had someone complain that she did not get a package we sent on December 18th when she expected it by the 24th. If she would have checked the tracking, she would have seen that they tried to deliver her package on December 23th. and were unable to get to her - meaning if she had called USPS, the package would have arrived in a day or two instead of complaining that it look weeks longer when possibly her local post office put her package aside and forgot to re-deliver. All the aggravation would have been avoided with a simple phone call to USPS, instead of getting upset and thinking she was ripped off, when she was not. We only charge the day of shipping unless we know something is on the way or if you purchase a pattern with an embellishment pack and we know they are coming. We then ship when they arrive. As we always say, please order well in advance to avoid any disappointments. All stitchers and have a stash to hold them over until their order or back orders arrive. We are all doing our best to supply everyone timely, and appreciate your understanding. We can only hope that all these delays will clear up and shipping will get back to normal.

       Since all the price changes have been taking more time than I liked, I was unable to add all the patterns to our 1/2 price sale. I will continue to add them in the coming weeks. As I have been changing prices, I have also discontinued many patterns which are listed with counters to make room for new releases. It seems that I am on the computer now more than stitching. However, I have new shop models that will be posted in the coming days under our Shop Model tab. You might want to take a look to see new models now in our shop.

     Now on to some of the new releases that arrived last month

(**signifies New Designer)

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CROSS STITCHING ART released AISLING , plus Lily, Hazel, and Rhea, Priestess of Fire

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LUCKY FARM is from CUTE EMBROIDERY BY KATE who also released Bee Farm, and 4 Seasons

FROM THE HEART released CELEBRATE FREEDOM as well as Hannah's

Flower Baskets

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SPRING FEVER is by Is STONEY CREEK COLLECTION who also released The Reason for the Season, Believe in Tomorrow, and Hello Friends

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LADYBUG STITCHES released ALL PILED UP - SWITCHABLES - TULIPS plus

All Piled Up - Switchables - Presents, and The Blackbird

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STRAWBERRY BAND SAMPLER from TINY MODERNIST who also released

The Book Goddess, and Meet Me At The Beach

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FISH BOWL KIT is presented by MILL HILL'S 2026 SPRING BOUQUET KIT SERIES who release Painted Birdhouse Kit, Sardines Kit, Pool Balls Kit,

Koala Kit, and Tent Kit

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CUORE E BATTICORE released LOVE IS IN THE AIR plus Shabby Valentine's

Day Calendar

DOWN PATRIOT LANE by THE STITCHWORKS who also released

Tail Wagging Friend

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