March 2016 V8 I3

"Tapestry" by Ink Circles

The Nashville wholesale needlework market was wonderful, again, this year! Marilyn and I arrived in Nashville with a bit of time before check-in to the hotel. We decided to visit the Opryland Mills Mall where we found some shoes and some cupcakes. I knew which of the participating Village Home Series designers were attending Nashville and bought them each a pack of 4 mini cupcakes, which I delivered the next day. We checked in, unloaded the piles of fabric and everything to set up our booth, and began putting everything together for the shops to make their selections. . That evening, we went down for the happy hour that the hotel hosts and were very happy to have both Annaick Chavel of Nimue and Michael Powell join us. We had a very nice visit with them. I probably don’t need to say what a big fan I am of them both. Friday we completed the set up and went out to get some sandwiches from Honey Baked Ham. We had open hours that night. Marilyn had made packets with a quarter each of the four new colors to make it easy. Those sold out right away. Saturday, the booth was open all day and that evening we went out to dinner with Cheryl of Glendon Place and Jean of Brick City Cross Stitch. Always a treat to visit with them. Sunday, again, the booths were open all day. After a nice visit with Karen of Rosewood Manor and Lynda of Keslyns we had dinner with Nancy of Nancy’s Needle and her two helpers who are just a riot. I think I will make some packets of eighths for the Needlework Galleria show. Eighths, will be more reasonable and I will do a Christmas pack, for sure. They make such pretty little groupings and I will have fun putting a few together.

Ink Circles is our March featured designer. Tracy Horner provided design three in the Village Home Series. “Village Square” is a mandala style design which, along with Celtic designs, are Tracy’s specialty. Her statement for “Village Square” - “My village home is in a small town full of parks and trees and flowers. I can easily walk to the bookstore, the stitching shop, and the pub.” Some of the prizes for the bingo games this month will be charts from the featured designer. Check the calendar for dates and times. The monthly drawing will also be a prize from this design line.