Ottobre's Spring Issue

We just got a picture of Ottobre Design magazine's spring issue cover. Looks like another great issue. Here is what I have received about the contents:

This issue includes thirtynine (39) patterns for kids in sizes 62-170 cm.

COCOON KIDS TRAVEL AROUND THE WORLD-
Clothes suitable for layering for very young children. Delightful details, lovely appliqués and embroidery. Organic fabrics are also featured. Rompers, knit pants, a tunic, a raglan-sleeve tunic top, a pinafore dress, various tops, a wraparound jacket and slippers.Sizes 50–92 cm

ONE FINE DAY-
Straight forward clothes in delicious colors for toddlers and preschoolers. Cheery details, pockets and appliqués. These patterns are also perfect for novice sewers. Tops, the easiest pants on earth, a tunic, a pinafore dress and a skirt.Sizes 92–140 cm

GARDENING WITH FRIENDS-
Practical outfits for garden playtime. Lots of nice details: plenty of pockets in various shapes and sizes, garden-themed embroidery motifs and appliqués. Tops, a sweatshirt, pants, a skirt and a pinafore dress.Sizes 92–128 cm

CHECK THIS OUT!
A special collection for schoolgirls and schoolboys. Comfortable materials pepped up with large appliqués and prints. Tunics, tops, hooded sweat jackets, pants, leggings and a skirt.Sizes 128–170 cm

This issue will be released January 16th. Let us know if you want this issue or a subscription - there are plenty for everyone!

Hand Stitched Christmas Card

One of our long time Wooly Thread friends in Germany, hand-stitched a Christmas card using Schwalm embroidery. It is on linen and set over red paper so the needlework shows better.

Thanks so much, Christel. what a lovely gesture! I appreciate it.

New Wool Rocks

We just got our newest shipment of wool rocks and some pictures and information about the women in South Africa who make them.

These women are members of the Xhosa tribe and live in Cape Town, Johannesburg and the Eastern Cape. They are part of a job creation program that gives them as artisans the confidence and means to support themselves and their family in otherwise economically depresssed areas. They earn a fair wage and learn new skills. This benefits not only the individual women, but also their communities. The company that imports these rocks for us has a mission to bring socially and enviornmentally friendly products to its customers and, at the same time, to help suppport community development around the world.

We stock the smaller rocks/pebbles, but can special order rocks as large as 36 inches in diameter.

Ottobre Pricing

This is just a 'heads up' that the Ottobre prices will be increasing significantly in the next few days.
The reasons........
The ever flucuating exchange rate has increased by about 5% - 8% this month.
Also Ottobre announced a price increase effective January 1st not only for the magazines but for the postage, too.

If you want a magazine, a subscription, or a renewal to an existing subscription, right now is the time. Prices on our website will reflect the change shortly.

Ten Years on Ebay

Today, December 6th, marks exactly 10 years since we first signed up on ebay. Back then it was in its infancy and sold mostly beeny babies - remember those? We sold one of Mark's beeny babies for over $300 and we were hooked. Now, thousands of transactions later, we have more than 100 items listed in our ebay store at any given time. It is a huge part of our business and attracts customers from all over the world.
If you haven't visited our ebay store.....check it out:

http://stores.eBay.com/thewoolythread