Design Buzz...
Hot new projects on the market

Below is a list of designs that we found using Kreinik threads that are available through your favorite (or maybe soon-to-be favorite) designers. Visit the designers' websites or ask your local needlework shop for more information.

Visit your local needlework shop monthly to see what's new. Purchase Kreinik products from them or our online shop at www.kreinik.com.

Plastic canvas
Fans of plastic canvas will like the new leaflet from The Needlecraft Shop: "Everyday Bookmarks" features 14 quick-to-stitch projects. "Dogs" uses Kreinik Heavy #32 Braid color 202HL Aztec Gold Hi Lustre along with Cord 002C Gold. "Tulip", "Daisy" and "Pansy" use Kreinik 1/8" ribbon in 205C Antique Gold Cord. For more information, visit www.drgnetwork.com.

Cross stitch
New from The Cricket Collection: "Give Us A Kiss" features 11 year-round ornaments. You'll need Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid in these colors: 001 Silver, 003 Red, 015 Chartreuse, 015HL Chartreuse Hi Lustre, 024 Fuchsia, 027 Orange, 033 Royal Blue; plus Blending Filament 001 Silver, 002 Gold, 029 Turquoise, 032 Pearl, 085 Peacock."Rabbit Habit" has two pretty designs you can keep up through spring and summer. You'll need: Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid 015HL Chartreuse Hi Lustre, 015 Chartreuse, 009V Vintage Emerald, 150V Vintage Amber, 202HL Aztec Gold Hi Lustre. For more information, visit www.cecricket.com

Love dragons?
MarNic Designs has a new project, "Reading Opens Up My World," featuring a cute dragon helping a child to read. It uses Kreinik #4 Braid in 9192, 3202, 012C, 242HL, 026V, 150V, 005HL, and 052HL (of course, dragons must be sparkly!). Visit www.marnicdesigns.com for information.

Also check out this list of recent design releases from Xs & Ohs Design Company (www.xs-and-ohs.com):

• "Shake it with Pride" (a dancing dragon) calls for Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid 9194 Star Green
• "Margarita Dragon" features Very Fine #4 Braid 3533 Purple Mambo for the dragon's "hair"
• "Don't Judge" calls for Very Fine #4 Braid 002 Gold and Blending Filament 032 Pearl
• "More Precious Than Gold" uses Blending Filament 032 Pearl, 023 Lilac, 028 citron, and Very Fine #4 Braid 011HL Gun Metal

Non-dragon designs from Xs & Ohs:
"Happy Haunting" features glow-in-the-dark Braids 051F Tangerine,
052F Grapefruit, and 054F Lemon-Lime. Use these colors in Very Fine #4

• "Angels Among Us 2008 Calendar" features Very Fine #4 Braid in 002 Gold and Blending Filament 044 Confetti Blue (makes gorgeous angel wings!)
• "Cinderella Shoes" uses Very Fine #4 Braid in 032 Pearl and 001 Silver
• "Peace Angels" calls for Very Fine #4 Braid 002 gold
• "Hockey Santa" is a fun stocking design, featuring Very Fine #4 Braid 1432 Blue Ice for snow
• "Twinkle Twinkle" uses two spools of Kreinik Ombre color 1700, and 4 spools of Very Fine #4 Braid 127 Yellow Orange

Visit www.xs-and-ohs.com for more information on the designs.

Still thinking about snow?
Or maybe you're getting ready for next year's Christmas designs? You'll love "Winter By The Garden Gate" by MarNic Designs. three funny snowmen come sliding down a hill. The design uses Kreinik Very Fine #4 Braid in 005HL and 033. For information, visit www.marnicdesigns.com.

Blackwork designs:
Sally Rudkin of Stitchin'spiration was one of the most popular designers at the February 2008 needlework retailers trade show. She creates blackwork designs that are fun and contemporary. New from Sally: "Garden Sampler 1" and "Garden Bellpull 2" both use Kreinik Silk Bella in 2013, 3013, 4206, 5055, 6124, 8075. "Pineapple Greetings" calls for Kreinik Silk Mori in 2016, 2017, 4206, 4215, 4216, and 7087. "Christmas Tokens" are stitched on Tokens & Trifles sewing cards, using Kreinik Silk Mori in 4066, 1117, 2015. For information on these designs, visit www.stitchinspiration.com.

Needlepoint
We love Ruth Schmuff's needlepoint designs because they are fun, colorful, use a variety of threads for unique effects, and always have just a bit of "something different" that sets them apart. She creates her own designs, plus creates stitch guides for other painted canvas designs. Ruth is a shop owner too; she owns a needlepoint shop outside of Baltimore, Maryland. Here's a list of Ruth's latest designs (for more information, go to www.tistheseason.org):

• "Chocolate" (#8 Braid 092, 212; #12 015, 024, 242HL, 9194)
• "Squatty Santa with Cats" (1/16 091; #8 009, 028, 202HL)
• "Squatty Stitching Santa" (1/16 3215; #8 008, 100, 202HL; #12 014; #16 002J; Jap #1 002J; #5 gold Jaceron
• "Gift Girl Ornament" (1/16? 006, 014, 015HL; #12 622)
• "Snowflake Girl Ornament" (#8 1432)
• "Star Girl Ornament" (#12 221, 622; 1/16 006)
• "Holly Girl Ornament" (#12 008, 829; 1/16? 006)
• "Jingle Girl Ornament" (#12 5001, 221)
• "Baltimore Crab" (#12 015)
• "Baltimore Hon" (1/16? 242HL)
• "Witch Hat" (#8 005HL, 202HL, 5555; #12 153V; Japan 001J)
• "Witch Shoes" (#8 005HL, 202HL, 5555; #12 153V