Monday, 4 May 2026

Scarborough Needlearts Guild Stash Sale

Joanne, Judy, our driver, MaryK and I ventured to the Scarborough Needlearts Guild's stash sale this morning. It was surprisingly easy to get to St Mark's Church; 401 to Kingston Rd (Hwy2), right on Lawrence and right at the third light. It only took about 30 minutes from when we departed.

There was a massive amount of items: kits, patterns, threads, beads, accessories, partially completed kits, etc. etc. I filled a bag with items that I thought I would use and made a donation of $25 to the guild.

I didn't buy this but was intrigued by the simple pattern stitched onto gingham; almost sashiko-esque. It was actually a day planner cover. The label had nothing to do with the day planner - not sure why it was in there.

Here is what I came away with:

14ct and 16ct Aida cloth and a tube of 28ct black Monaco. Aida is great when stitching things with all-over coverage. When I did my pumpkin pincushion (which I'll highlight in my next post), I didn't have enough white Aida to do the project.

Thread snips (I tested them for sharpness), some corsage pins (inspired by Bev's decorative pins), and two spools of variegated Sulky Petites thread.

A large piece of red linen. Will have to test to see what count it is.
A Stacy Nash sampler pattern. Too big for a triangular scissor case and not oriented in the way I prefer but the sampler pattern is nice.
Some 30ct linen, 2 skeins of GAST Weathered Barn, and a skein of GAST School House Red thread.
Rosewood Manor Medallions. I don't have anything in mind for this but I could use the motifs for several different projects.
This little knotwork pattern could be enlarged for a punch needle project. Not sure I'd do it as knotwork; all those French knotssssss.....
Partially finished Papillon Creations project. The top was done but there are other motifs and the threads were included.
There were a couple of projects in each of these magazines that intrigued me.
And I'm most excited about acquiring this definitive Schwalm embroidery book from a class Barbara Kershaw did in 2009. 
I remember one of my knitting friends working on it all those years ago. I had no idea at the time what Schwalm even was. Then several years ago I started my own little whitework project and I still have two squares to fill in. I'm positive I'll find at least two designs to complete my project. I may even add another row or column to it. 

I am very pleased with my new acquisitions. 

I had planned to stitch all afternoon but the weather today was spectacular and the forecast for the next few days not so. 

I made myself go outside and clean up the garden beds somewhat, filling one yard waste bag. I pulled some dandelions and cut down some stalks I had left in the late fall. The echinacea seed heads had been picked clean by the birds. I have a lot of rogue oregano that had to be pulled out and my taller Joe Pye weed stalks needed to be removed. 

Arrangements have been made for my tooth extraction and implant which will take place next week. I decided to not be stoic and only go with a local anaesthetic and instead have opted for sedation. I won't be knocked out; just 'floating' and won't remember the procedure afterwards. I just need to get someone who can drive me to and from the appointment. I'm accepting applications...