Laura Loves...Rainbow Gallery!

I'm sure as avid stitchers you have all heard of Rainbow Gallery so this is nothing new to you, but I just have to rave about them!

New to our store are these gorgeous laying tools. They come in both acrylic and wood and both are stunning. I love the different color options:

There is even a hot pink one and you know how I LOVE all things hot pink!

There are also these beautiful wood options if you are looking for something with subtle elegance:

All these laying tools are smooth and sleek and the perfect weight, I LOVE them and I just couldn't be happier that we have them in stock at {Bloomin' Stitches}. A little holiday hint? Laying tools are the perfect size for a stocking stuffer! I LOVE finding stitching tools in my own stocking, I'm sure you would too!

And what do you need a laying tool for? Fibers! So many beautiful fibers that I LOVE!

{Fuzzy Stuff} is perfect for a beard on Santa. Or maybe some angel wings? 

And some are just plain FUN like the {Sparkle Rays} line:

For even more sparkle, I LOVE the {24 Karats} option in gold!

I LOVE how all the different fibers from {Rainbow Gallery} let me really personalize my projects. There is a fiber for almost anything you can dream up, I hope you LOVE them too!

Happy Stitching!

Love,

Laura

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Laura Loves...custom orders!

Have you seen this canvas on our site yet? It's one of my favorites and I absolutely LOVE it! And so do a lot of our customers because it is our #1 best seller. Ever.

We started with just this black and white option, but then added in a purple option too!

In fact, Jane M. Wood (from Needlepoint Nation) got her hands on one of these and will be blogging about her stitching process. So far she's picked out some fabulous fibers and bling!

Follow along as she decides what background stitch she'll be using.

Just recently we added a blue and white version: 

Actually we can have this made in any color combination you would like! I LOVE when I can take a design and make it just a little more 'me'. Can you just see this in the {Bloomin' Stitches} hot pink?!

If this is a little sassy for your tastes, you could further customize while stitching. Perhaps stitch over the U with an E? With a star? You can make it yours and I LOVE that!

What will yours look like?

~Laura

Laura Loves...Rebecca Woods

I see so many beautiful canvases come across my desk that sometimes it's hard to pick a favorite one. I do know one of my most LOVED designers though; Rebecca Woods!

She has a wide range of designs; from large and complex projects to quick and small weekend stitching. There really is something for everyone and if you like her smaller canvases, you can work your way up to some of the larger ones. 

One of the things I really LOVE about these larger pieces is the attention to detail and vibrant colors! These Easter, Halloween, and Christmas pieces are just a few examples of the larger projects that I LOVE!

If you are looking for a smaller project, I would LOVE to recommend something like this little moose! 

One other thing that I LOVE about Rebecca Woods are her Christmas designs.  She offers both full stockings and smaller stocking cuffs (to add to your own stocking). How much would your family LOVE seeing either of these on your mantel?

If you are looking for something other than holiday pieces, I LOVE that she has those too! She has this darling little house ornament.

She really such a well rounded designer and I think that's what I LOVE the most.

Lots of Love,

Laura

Laura Loves...Sloppy Joes!

I just discovered a new and better Sloppy Joe recipe! And I bet you'll never guess the secret ingredient.

I've had this cookbook for a while now and I use it quite often, but had not yet tried this recipe until the other night.

Are you ready for that secret ingredient?

It's pork sausage! I never would have thought to add sausage to Sloppy Joes.  Would you? The flavor of the sausage really blends well with the flavors of the sauce, making it very tasty. I also love that the small amount of flour makes this a less runny consistency.

And it's super easy! Brown up your meats and then throw everything in the slow cooker to eat at your convenience. I LOVE any easy meal at the end of a long day.

Try it tonight, I think you'll love it too!

Laura Loves...Raymond Crawford's Cookie series!

Have you seen this new cookie series from Raymond Crawford? I LOVE them!

They are all about 3.5 inches in diameter and are designed to look just like a frosted sugar cookie. Aren't they fabulous!? He has numerous designs that cover most of the holidays, plus some that are just for fun. I LOVE how vibrant the colors are (just like real frosting!).

I LOVE that they are small which makes them quick to stitch. They are also affordable so you can make as many as you want! These are the perfect weekend project.

Have you ever received a delicious edible cookie arrangement? I'm envisioning a dozen of these cookie canvases stitched up and finished on a stick and then artfully arranged in a basket, just like the edible version! Less calories and what a beautiful gift that would be. I would LOVE to give that as a hostess gift!

Or stitch up a seasonally appropriate variety and display them on a tray at your holiday party. Your guests will be intrigued and probably LOVE them too!

We have a small selection of these cookies available for immediate purchase. If you see some other designs you'd like, we'd LOVE to special order them for you!

Most of all I LOVE that I get all the fun of making and decorating cookies without the calories.

Laura Loves...Congo Squares

Sometimes I want the taste of a cookie, but the texture of a brownie. Enter Congo Squares! I just LOVE this recipe!

My cousin introduced me to this recipe and it's become a favorite at our house. You can mix it up by substituting different flavored chips instead of just chocolate, you can add frosting and toppings for a celebration, or you can serve it warm with some ice cream. Divine!

These also freeze well, which I love! I can satisfy my sweet tooth craving and then stash the rest in the freezer for another day. Or make this dessert ahead of time for an event or busy weekend.

One tip...remove them from the oven just before they look completely done. Just like a brownie, they are better just a little bit undercooked as they cool. Otherwise they can come out a little on the dry side.

I hope you LOVE these Congo Squares as much as I do!

Laura Loves...Leigh Designs Manor Houses

After receiving one of our latest vendor shipments last week, I knew I had to write a Laura Loves about Leigh Designs!

Have you seen these canvases?! They are so full of color and the detail! Oh, the detail! I could go on and on about how intricate they are. And the best part? They come with stitch guides! Love that!

Hatton Hall has these little sheep that I just love and look at the beautiful flowered vine climbing up the front of the building.

Ingatestone Manor recently sold out, but I couldn't pass up a chance to highlight it. I love how the swan is gliding so calmly and that she included the reflection of the manor in the water!

Saving the best for last...I LOVE Blickling Hall!! The lion is so stately and the colors just jump off the canvas. I can see all three of these stitched up and hanging up on my wall as a series. They could add a little elegance to a casual space. Or maybe as focal pieces in a formal living room!

Laura Loves...Fran's Chocolate

So this week I'm showing a little love to my favorite chocolate shop, because one needs more than just needlepoint to be happy. I love Fran's Chocolates! I mean I really, really, REALLY love Fran's Chocolates...perhaps even obsessed!

Fran's does the best Salted Caramel Chocolates that I have ever had. Ever. They offer these delicious treats in both milk chocolate and dark chocolate, a little something for everyone. I've tried other brands and nothing compares to Fran's. They also make amazing truffles, their Espresso Truffle is what dreams are made of!

Fran's is located in Seattle, WA where they have a few store fronts. Of course you can also purchase their delicious treats online. The staff at Fran's (and don't they have the best job on earth?) is wonderful and accommodating. I recently hosted a party and contacted Fran's to do the party favors. They did a beautiful job of presenting their fine chocolate in a lovely white box with a purple ribbon to match the party colors.

Check them out and just try to hold back, I bet you can't eat just one!

Laura Loves...The Artists Collection

We have brought in a new vendor, The Artists Collection, and I just LOVE LOVE LOVE them! Their canvases are whimsical and so full of bold colors that I love them even unstitched! And even better, most come with stitch guides which make them so easy to stitch up.

We just featured their acorn collection on Facebook because we just can’t get over those tiny little charms! I could see them stitched into little ornaments to hang together on a display tree this fall. Or maybe even as a small garland for your mantel?! The possibilities are endless with their perfect size and they would stitch up very quickly…maybe a weekend project?

This flag canvas is perfect for a patriotic home and I love how playful the Christmas canvases are.

I hope you love these as much as I do!

~Laura

Laura Loves…Leigh Designs Animal Print Collection

Oh my, how these canvases speak to me! I love the entire collection. The colors are just so vibrant and saturated. What I love most is how the animal prints contrast with the pinks and purples that she chooses!

Can't you just see this made into a throw pillow?! With a coordinating (or even a different) animal print on the back! Or maybe pull in one of the pinks or purples! No matter how you had it custom finished, it would be gorgeous. I love the idea of one or two of them in a living room to add some flair.

Leigh has really outdone herself here. I love how she foresees the future of needlepoint and puts paint to the canvas.

We'll be happy to kit these for you using Planet Earth Silk and/or Silk and Ivory, just say the word.

Happy New Year!

~Laura

Laura Loves…Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa

I LOVE this recipe, it makes the best hot cocoa EVER! Really. No, really it does! There are a few versions of this recipe available online, my inspiration came from Mrs. Happy Homemaker. I have tweaked it and just love my variation. Here is the recipe.

Ingredients: 
1 ½ cups heavy whipping cream
1 14oz can sweetened condensed milk
6 cups milk (I use 2%)
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup milk chocolate chips
1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
dash of salt

Combine all ingredients in a slow cooker. Cover and cook on low for 2 hours, stirring occasionally, until mixture is hot and all chocolate chips are melted. Stir again before serving. Garnish as desired.

If I am entertaining I love to make a double batch and have a Hot Cocoa Bar for my guests. I offer a selection of toppings such as; mini marshmallows, candy canes, whipped cream, Andes mints, and Kahlua for the adults. Everyone can make their very own custom mug, just the way they like it! Every time I serve this I get nothing but RAVE reviews! I love how easy it is to make and so impressively delicious.

But here is my real secret true-love obsession with this hot cocoa: MOCHAS! Oh my…they are amazing! I heat the left over cocoa and add it to my morning coffee. Heaven in a cup.

'Tis the season and I love to make Creamy Crockpot Hot Cocoa!

Happy holidays everyone!

~Laura

Laura Loves...Iced Pumpkin Cookies!

I love to make Iced Pumpkin Cookies and just HAD to share the recipe with you! These cookies are so soft and the icing is yummy and simple.

I've made these two ways: drizzled and dipped. Drizzling the icing on was good, but dipping the tops of each cookie in the icing just made it so much better! I definitely recommend that method. Dip, people, dip!

We did find that these came out a little better if you slightly undercook them.

'Tis the season and I just LOVE to make (and eat) Iced Pumpkin Cookies!

~Laura

Laura Loves...

Elizabeth Turner Needle Buddies: Dress on a Hanger!

Oh my, how I love the new Elizabeth Turner Dress on a Hanger and matching High Heeled Shoe!

These new Needle Buddies are adorable! Meredith at Elizabeth Turner really puts her heart into her Buddies and it shows! She is creative and on the pulse of what is new and wanted in the world of Needle Buddies.

The Dress and Shoe come in two colors: Pink and Black.  You all know how I love pink! And the black looks like something that would come straight from my closet.

I am loving the price at just $19.99 and they are currently available but in limited quantities.  

Check out our eBay store or contact us directly and get yours before they are gone!

~Laura

Laura Loves...

Periodically we like to feature something that Laura, owner of Bloomin’ Stitches Needlework®, is crazy about! In her own words, ”Laura Loves...” is all about her current obsession.

Laura Loves...Beading Containers!

There is nothing better than a magnetic beading tool! Well, maybe chocolate, but that is a whole other “Laura Loves...”.
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There are two I love: Elizabeth Turner Collection Bead Buddies and EZ-Beader by The Collection.

I love both of these beading containers. They both contain a tacky strip upon which you sprinkle your beads and a magnetic fastener to attach to your current project.

The Bead Buddie container is 1.75” x 1” and sits just half an inch above your canvas. The tacky surface sits inside the container thus ensuring no beads fall out. I love the price at just $7.99.

The EZ-Beader is 2.25” in diameter and the tacky surface sits atop a wooden base. The beads are not enclosed, like with the Bead Buddie, thus on occasion the beads may fall off. This isn’t a concern for me as I love the wide, flat surface. The price is just $10.00.

Both containers are available in our eBay store or by contacting us directly.

~Laura