Dear Knitters and Stitchers,

I love summer. I remember taking the dogs outside this past cold and blustery winter thinking how neat it is to go outside with Duncan and Tessa in the summer and feel the warm breezes blowing wihile looking at the beautiful stars above the mountains. Now those hot sunny days of summer are here and all I can think is "Thank God for my wonderful life." What could be better then hanging out at a shop filled with beautiful fibers and projects, great customers and staff, two fuzzy puppy dogs and time to knit and stitch. YES!!!! I did say time to knit and stitch. Summer is one of my favorite times for projects. I take a knitting project with me everywhere I go. Hoseback riding, hiking, picnicing, street fairs, roads trips. The list of possible opportunities for project time grows dramatically in the summer expecially with all of that extra daylight. It just seem like there isn't any time for your love of fiber and crafts. There is always a way to make time for what we love. Time with family and friends, gardening, travel, outdoor activities and just hanging out is what summer is all about. The shop is a great place to bring visiting guests. They can hang out in the courtyard and check out the trout or grab a beverage in the restraunt's bar. All while you and your girlfirends check out what The Stitchin' Den is suggesting for great summertime projects or helping you get ready for the gift giving season. A lot of new fibers, books and supplies have arrived for summer. Some are even on sale now. Stop in and check out what is new and say hi to Liz Staedler. Liz is the newest additon to the staff at The Stitchin' Den. Here's to a great summer.

Wash Clothes for Louisiana The Stitchin' Den's customers are great when it comes to helping when asked. It is appearant by the generous donations of hats and scarves for children in Nepal, yarn for the senior center and girl scouts of Estes Park, pink scarves and hats for Susan G. Koeman foundation for Breast Cancer research, needles and fibers for Warm The World and the list goes on. Now there is a need right here in the United States. Louisiana is battling the massive oil spill along their beautiful Golf Coast and are bathing animals caught in the spill with wash cloths. These wash cloths can only be used once and then discarded. They need alot of cotton wash cloths. If you want to help, bring your knitted or crocheted cotton wash cloths to The Stitchin' Den. They need to be 10" by 10", all cotton and knitted or crocheted on a US10 needle. St. Bartholomew's Church in Estes Park is sponsoring this drive for donations. There is also a bucket in the entry of St. Barts where you can put your donations. If you need to purchase supplies for your wash cloths at The Stitchin' Den, just mention what you are doing and you will receive 10% off. The Stitchin' Den

Classes By Shirley Wagner Swing Skirt Shirley has designed a pattern to knit a beautiful swingy, drapy skirt that will fit any body style and still be comfortable and cool in the summer or warm in the winter. You will learn how to make this skirt as well as how to use increases and decreases in any project to make your garments fit. Confident beginner class. You need to know how to CO, knit, purl and bind off independently. Saturday, August 14th, 28th and September 18th. Instructor: Shirley Wagner Time: 11 AM – 2 PM Cost: $40.00 for three sessions. Optional embellishment session by appointment $21.00. Other supplies include Tofutsie x 5 balls $16.98 each. Embellishment yarn’s prices will vary and are optional. Needles size 3 or 4 circular 24” cable, Size 1 or 2 circular 24” cable for waistband. Bring $5.00 cash separate for Shirley’s pattern This class is a design class and is for a confident beginner and beyond. Instructor: Shirley Wagner Limited to six students You will begin by swatching to understand the construction of the skirt, waist band and shaping. Before session two, you will have worked the skirt to the beginning of increases. Session two will show you how to design the skirt so as to fit your hips. Session three is focusing on finishing the skirt and creating the ruffle. The optional embellishing session is by appointment and provides one on one time with Shirley so as you can learn how to make a one of a kind ruffle. Double Fair Isle Hat Series Elizabeth Zimmerman's series of Reversible Fair Isle Hat Classes Saturday, August 21st, September 4th and 11th. Instructor Shirley Wagner Time: 100 PM - 400 PM Cost $45.00 plus supplies at 10% off. Supplies: Graph paper, 16" circular needles to obtain gauge of 5 sts/inch, matching double points, Book Knitting Around by Elizabeth Zimmerman, Size G Crochet Hook, 2 – 4 colors of Cascade 220. Pick from four color combos or use two colors throughout. Call or e-mail for color options. This hat can be worn right side out or wrong side out. Homework: Work swatch flat in stockinette, but don't turn and purl. Knit a row and carry the strand around the back of the swatch and knit the next row. You will learn pattern reading, Fair Isle Technique, pattern design, knitting in the round, an exclusive way to pick up stitches. This hat is knitted in such a way as you end up with two hats. Turn hat inside out for a completely different hat. Informal help session August 28th 1PM – 3PM Next class in series is a reversible hat with flaps. Project Finishing 101 This is a UFO day. That is Un Finished Project’s Day. Tuesday, August 24th Instructor Shirley Wagner 1PM - 5PM Cost $20.00 plus supplies if needed. Bring your UFO's including sweaters for a fun afternoon of learning how to finish your projects. Rare opportunity to learn at the knee of a master knitter. them. Imagine This!

Classes by Marilyn Mueller Fall In Love With Color This class is for all skill levels. Pay $20.00 and come to one day or both days. The same material will be covered in both classes, but you can come to both if you want extra help. Learn how to work with colors and textures, what techniques to use to achieve different use of color work and how to combine different colors and textures. Friday and Saturday, October 8th and 9th. Instructor: Marilyn Mueller Time: 1PM – 3PM Cost: $20.00 plus supplies if any. This is a stash busting class so bring your stash and knitting supplies. 10% off any supplies purchased during your class. Magnificent Mittens and Socks We have all seen them and we have all fallen in love with those magnificent mittens and socks that Anna Zilboorg created in her book. We all are just a bit intimidated by the complex appearance of these projects. Well, Marilyn Mueller makes it look easy as she creates numerous mittens and socks in all kinds of color combinations. Learn how to work Fair Isle patterns while combining beautiful colors of your choice. These are great projects for gift giving or gearing up for this years ski season. Confident beginner class. You need to know how to CO, knit, purl and bind off independently. Saturday, Oct 16th, 23rd and 30th Instructor: Marilyn Mueller Time: 9AM – 12PM Cost is $30.00 plus supplies at 10% off. Supplies include size US 5 double pointed needles both size 5" and 7". Encore or Brown Sheep worsted. Socks would be best in encore so they would be machine washable. Choose 2 - 4 colors for each project. Student’s choice of colors. Also the book by Anna Zilboorg Magnificent Mittens. Magnificent Hats and Headbands Love FairIsle? Love color? Love fun and fast projects? Need to get started on Christmas gifts? Want lo learn how to design your own hat or headband? Just want to knit? If you said yes to any of these questions or if you just want to hang out with new people and learn a new technique, this class is for you. Confident beginner class. You need to know how to CO, knit, purl and bind off independently. When: Saturday, November 6th and 13th Instructor: Marilyn Mueller Time: 9AM – 12PM Cost is $40.00 plus supplies at 10% off. Hats A Knitter's Dozen, Lamb's Pride Wool or Encore. Chose three colors to combine. Brioche Knitting Brioche knitting is a beautiful technique that twists stitches to make a lovely pattern in your projects. Learn this technique while making a headband or scarf. Confident beginner class. You need to know how to CO, knit, purl and bind off independently. When: Friday and Saturday, November 19th and 20th Instructor: Marilyn Mueller Time: 1PM – 3PM Cost: $20.00 plus 10% off supplies. TBA Take one session or both for $20.00. The same material will be covered on both days. Come when your schedule allows or get extra help by coming both days. The Stitchin' Den

Hot August Knits The Stitchin' Den is announcing Hot August Knits. This is the first annual southern Wyoming and Northern Colorado Yarn Crawl. It will be between August 18th and September 1st. The Following shops will be participating: Ewe Count Cheyenne, WY Prairie Wind Fiber Arts and Beads Cheyenne, Wy Cowgirl Yarn Larimie, WY Jeny's Originals Larimie, WY My Sister Knits Fort Collins, CO Your Daily Fiber Fort Collins, CO Woolen Treasures Yarn Shop Loveland, CO The Stitchin' Den Estes Park, CO Wild n'Wooly Greeley, CO Please join us for fiber, fun and prizes. More details will be announced later. Can't wait???? Give us a shout at the Stitchin' Den at 970-577-8210.

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Quote This month, instead of a quote to think about, I am sharing Erma Bombeck's words written after she found out she was dying from cancer. IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day. I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage. I would have talked less and listened more. I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded. I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace. I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth. I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband. I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed. I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains. I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life. I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime. Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.. When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, 'Later... Now go get washed up for dinner.' There would have been more 'I love you's' More 'I'm sorry's.' But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute.look at it and really see it . live it and never give it back. STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF! Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us click here

Shop Hours We all have days that are more challenging than others. When this happens to me I can't always back away and regroup. What I can do and actually do is look at pictures in my office of times when there was peace in my life. This is a picture I took while riding the horse I lease from the stable at Wild Basin and Elkhorn Stables. I hope you can see her ears at the bottom of the picture. When I am riding alone in the mountains (with my sock project in my saddle bags just in case) I am truely at peace and totally content. I have my most creative moments when I am out on Cowboy or R-Tech enjoying the beautiful flowers and scenery. SHOP HOURS Estes Park is open daily 10:00AM - 5:00PM. We are closed on the following holidays: New Years Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas day.

Address The Stitchin' Den Courtyard Shops 165 Virginia Dr. Estes Park, CO 80517 1-970-577-8210 Ph (Mailing Address is the Stitchin' Den, PO Box 337411, Greeley, CO 80633) (E-mail is info@thestitchinden.com and the web address is www.thestitchinden.com)

Until next time, thanks for all your continued support and suggestions.

Everyone At The Stitchin' Den, Susan, Donna, Pam, Deb, Sherry and Liz