Hi Stitchers,

As I sit today and type this newsletter, our weather is going to reach 60 degrees. Just unbeileveable. We have had such a mild Winter so far my roses keep blooming. Only 3-1/2 inches of snow and that includes the snow we received in October.  Since November, each week we have had one unseasonal warm day a week. Really weird weather, but it has also caused many respiratory issues.  If you get the cold, be prepared for at least three weeks of the runny nose and congestion before you start to feel better.  Since we have not had the cold to clear the air, the germs are still spreading. Pennsylvania is know for Groundhog Day, on February 2nd, with the little fellow predicting how long winter will last. This year he can sleep in as it's been so mild, we don't care if he sees his shadow! 

I finally have some information on the Zweigart fabric front.  It seems that Zweigart in Germany has a line of fabric colors that they produce ongoing, and they are the colors that are readily available.  The other colors that Zweigart produces are special ordered by Zweigart USA and only available in our country.  Those are the colors with issues. In March, Zweigart USA will be letting me know what fabric colors they will stock, and which colors will be considered a special order.  Some of the special order colors will be factory manufactured, others will only be available as a hand-dyed color.  I will be adding special markings to those colors.  All special order and hand-dyed colors take a little longer to receive.  If the fabric is ordered from the factory - it could take months to get the color.  If the fabric is hand-dyed, and we do not have the color in stock, it will take a few weeks to receive.. Some colors such as Pearl Grey, Clay, and Barn Grey were discontinued by Zweigart which caused their delay.  We have some of these colors now in stock as a distributor in California had the factory produce those colors, but who knows how long our stock will last. If Zweigart adds them back in the German line, then they will always be available. If not, then they will be discontinued when our stock is depleted. For those who like Tula 10 Ct. - we expect some within the next two months.  Selected colors are now available, but basics are still out of stock. I am awaiting a list so I can keep you informed. I have also added new hand dyed fabric colors by Zweigart in various fabric types and counts. Lakeside Linens is catching up with their dying, and R & R Reproductions and Weeks Dye Works still have many colors on back order.  Since these companies only dye 5 yards at a time, this is what causes their shortages.  When we run out of a color, we immediately reorder, but then we have to wait until our color hits their dye schedule. We do our best to ship all back ordered fabrics as they arrive in our shop. We appreciate your patience when it comes to fabrics.

Well here's a sampling of some of this month's What's New:

In addition, we are getting new designs from Heritage Crafts, new kits from Thea Gouverneur, and watch for a new Less=More Double Flip-it series from Lizzie Kate. Did you notice the change we made on our site?  When you click on the thumbnail and get the bigger picture,  we are listing the flosses and fabric so you can add them to your cart at the same time you order the design.   All you do is put a little x in the blocks of what you need when ordering the pattern and all will go into the cart. No more writing down the floss colors and then going to the floss page to place the order. Since we give you the stitch count, you can pick what size fabric you want to order as some people add 6 to 8 inches to a design, while others only add 2 to 4 inches.  Now you can choose what size fabric you want to purchase when you place your pattern order.  We hope everyone like this change.  It's just something that we felt would make your ordering experience easier. 

Be sure you take a minute to sign up for our monthly newsletter. They are personally e-mailed to you each month.  For Comcast customers, make us a favorite as they sometimes bounce our newsletters and our system will automatically delete you from the mailing list. Also, they have a tendency to bounce our e-mails that notify you when your order is shipped with the tracking number.

Until next time,

Happy Stitchin',

Mary and The Staff at Ye Olde Cross Stitchery