A word is worth a thousand stitches

While in Long Beach, California, for the recent National Needleart Association trade show, I discovered a gem of a boutique next to our gem of a hotel: a $1 bookstore on Pine Avenue. All books (all used books, but bestsellers, vintage, classics, and fluff in good shape) were just $1 each. I spent $12 and hauled home a carry-on bag full of treasures. Then last weekend, my sister and I trekked to the Book Thing of Baltimore, a free book warehouse. I have always been a fan of reading, and now I have A Year In Books planned out, along with a keepsake bookmark chosen for each tome. (Do you coordinate a bookmark with a book's theme too? Pick a special one for historical fiction, and another bookmark design for true crime... Of course bookmarks have "personalities," right?).

Like words on a page, I am equally enthralled by words on linen or canvas (even words in graffiti can be an art form). From the very first sampler exhibit I saw, to the gallery of story quilts from Southern slaves, and the Flickr photos of text messages in embroidery, I love how we express our words in our particular art form: needle and thread. Doug Kreinik's long-time motto has been "Threads visualize thoughts," and I believe the wide variety of Kreinik thread types and colors has helped people do that in the most colorful, original, exciting ways. (Seriously, for happy words, is there any color better than 092 Star Yellow? Well the new candy colors are happy too... Love has so many choices I can't list them all here (visit the metallic color chart on www.kreinik.com) And for angst, check out the new 4204 Storm Cloud, or 4205 Ironwood, not to mention 060 Midnight - all Kreinik braid colors.)

The stitchery on the wall in my foyer says "Welcome." In my kitchen: "The Early Bird Gets the Worm." Next to my window: "Le Jardin." My back door: "Peace." Do you write your words in stitches? Or have you stitched someone else's words that inspire you or make you laugh? You are part of a long tradition of self-expression. Keep stitching and, better yet, stitch some words for someone else. Be a global ambassador of The Right Words that will resonate with someone and help their daily challenges. Here is one idea: we are heading into the 2011 Stitching For Literacy Bookmark Challenge, a world-wide campaign to share stitched bookmarks and promote literacy programs. Simply stitch the word "Read" or a quote from a book and donate it to the challenge. It is quick and easy and fun and meaningful.

Let's get started stitching and helping others learn to read. On my word...."Go!"

For information on the Stitching for Literacy program, visit http://jenfunkweber.com/

Friday Fun:
If you're participating in the http://jenfunkweber.com/needle-thread/new-blogger-puzzle-contest.php Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy New Blogger Puzzle Contest, here's line 6:

C S N ' Z Z U Y W F L M X M J M U S X M C S N,


by Dena Lenham

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News direct from thread maker Kreinik Mfg. Co., Inc., located in Parkersburg, West Virginia. Visit our factory outlet store when you are in the area; call for hours 1-800-537-2166.

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