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I love it all: embroidery, canvaswork, quilting, crochet. So much to do, so little time.





Sunday, November 20, 2011

Mail Order

Hey Blog Buddies,

Do you ever get your stitching supplies by mail order?  I use the term loosely, because sometimes the stuff comes by UPS or FedEx.  Maybe from one of the needlework stores which has a big on-line presence and a glitzy website?   I know I have, and you probably have, too.  And it's great fun surfing these sites, looking at the pretty photos of merchandise and putting an item or three into your virtual cart.  I have shopped at these sites in the past, and more than likely will continue to do so.

But let me tell you about my experience this past week--and I am going to name names.  A certain chart had caught my eye, and I also needed to price out some evenweave fabric for a class for next year.  So I called The House of Stitches.  I have gone to them before with funky requests, such as 30-count Onyx linen by WDW, and they have never not had the item in stock.  I prefer the telephone for two reasons:  I can instantly know whether or not they have the item I'm looking for and, quite frankly, their website is a wee bit clunky.  Within a minute of their answering the phone, I found out that they had:

...the chart that I was looking for...

...and they were able to kit it up for me...

...the called-for 36-count buttercream linen
and all the over-dyed floss
all wrapped up in a pretty ribbon.
They didn't have to do that.
But I was really impressed--
it's the little things...


...and I got a free chart!
I don't even get free charts when
I make a personal appearance
at my LNS...

...and the evenweave I was inquring about?
...they sent me samples
of all the different types
that they have in stock
(with pricing info) on a little card.

And yes, that's a handwritten
thank-you note next to it.
I get one of those
every time I place an order.

You don't get those
at the "big box" stores!

They usually ship the order
the same day that I call,
so I get my goodies
in 2 or 3 days, tops.

I have only one complaint
about the House of Stitches.
It's a 120-mile round-trip drive
from my house.
I'd love to go there
on a weekly basis
and be able to
fondle all their merchandise!

But this is the next best thing.
And they only add
the cost of the postage--
no "handling" charges.

And, no, I'm not related to the owner
or anyone who works there.

Now for a quick update on the
Laura J. Perin needlepoint ornament
that I started this week.

It's a quick and fun stitch.
Well, the metallic ribbon
does slow me down,
but it contributes a lot to the look.

If I were making an ornament
to hang on a tree, this would be a 
good stopping point because
it's a good size (about 3" x 3").

But I have other plans for it,
so I'll continue on and stitch the entire
4.5" x 4.5" ornament.

Hope you were able to stitch this weekend.
Thanks for visiting!

3 comments:

Laura said...

Love the story about ordering from House of Stitches!!!! Love the ribbon wrapped threads and the thank you note (bookmark sized!).....That is such a great shop!

Chris said...

I am glad that you have a great place to order from. You are right,it is the little things that make all the difference.
The ornament looks great!

S. B. Helm said...

I am lucky enough to live within driving distance but not so close that I can drop in daily. This is a fantastic shop. I can give the ladies my want list to fill while I look for more. Never leave without spending my monthly alLowance for needlework supplies.