Hi everyone! It's May, It's May, The Lovely Month of May! I love this song from Camelot. But, you should be glad you weren't in the room when I was singing it a few days ago. Can't carry a tune. After a very long winter, everything is suddenly in bloom. Overnight the daffodils, tulips, flowering trees and shrubs are bursting with color. The birds behind our house are chirping like crazy. These sights and sounds seem to brighten everyone's spirits. The shop is also blooming with great designs for you to stitch, fibers to enjoy and samples to inspire your creativity.

Scissors Next to good tapestry needles, the most important tools in your stitching box are scissors. I say scissors because every stitcher should have at least two pair: a good pair of embroidery scissors and a pair of everyday household scissors. The everyday scissors can be almost anything you have lying around in a desk drawer. A pair with 6 or 7 inch blades is probably the best choice. Use these to cut canvas, paper, metal threads, etc. A pair of fine embroidery scissors are an investment that will last a lifetime -- that is, if TSA doesn't take them away from you, but more on that later. Embroidery scissors are usually 4-6" long, have a sharp point, finely ground blades and smooth finger holes. The picture to the right shows some of the finest embroidery scissors available. The first pair on the left are the classic embroidery scissors from Gingher ($43). You can't go wrong with these Italian made scissors. They have slim blades, a very sharp point (good for "unstitching"), smooth gold finger holes and a leather storage sheaf. For a modest fee, Gingher will resharpen and adjust them. I've had a pair of these for many years and am still quite partial to them. The next four pair are from Dovo, a German company that makes some of the finest scissors in the world. These scissors are available in only a limited number of fine needlework shops, and The Canvasback is proud to be one of them. The first of the Dovo scissors shown has lovely filigree handles and are available in gold ($41) or silver ($22) finish. The next has a beaded edge around the handle and a clover shaped cutout ($43). The delicately formed handles on the next pair are absolutely lovely($54). The last pair is a real collector's item not only because it's a limited edition but also because of the unique rose quartz handles ($66). These are just a few of the many fine embroidery scissors we stock at The Canvasback. We have many more styles and colors and are sure to have one (or more) that are just right for you. Some needlepointers are happy with just one pair of good embroidery scissors and grow emotionally attached to them. Others collect scissors and are always looking for newer, prettier, more unusual ones. We're happy to help you pick that special pair if you want just one or "enhance" your collection if you want the newest, latest, or rarest addition. No matter which fine embroidery scissors you use, take good care of them. Always store in a leather sheaf when not in use. Keep the point protected, keep the blades clean and do not use them to cut paper, metallic thread or other synthetic threads. This will dull the blades almost immediately! Also, even though TSA policy says you now may take small scissors on domestic flights, they're inconsistent in how they administer this policy, and rules for international flights do not permit taking embroidery scissors on board. So, unless you want to risk having your beautiful, treasured scissors taken from you, pack them in checked luggage.

More Scissors Of course, there are other specialty scissors for needlepoint. In the picture to the left, the first pair, also from Dovo, are stainless steel with long, slim blades ($40). These are extra sharp and work well for getting into tight places. The next pair are, in my humble opinion, almost as indispensible as your embroidery scissors. These task scissors ($20) have a number of features that make them the pair I reach for more than any others. One of the blades is serrated, which makes them especially good for cutting metallics without dulling. They have large finger holes, which appeals to those of us with thick or swollen hands. Next are a pair of we call "Premies" because of their small size. They're less than 3" long and are incredibly sharp for such a modest price, $4. At this price you can imagine that they won't last forever, but if some overzealous TSA agent takes them away you won't be heartbroken. The last two pair are called squizzers, something of a cross between scissors and tweezers. The ones on the left have curved blades that make it easy to lift waste knots. The ones on the right have straight blades. Customers with arthritis or other hand problems may find these easier to use because you move the blades by squeezing the handles rather than sliding fingers into finger holes.

Beyond Pillows Do you love to stitch but have so many pillows you don't have room for any more? Why not turn your stitched canvas into a tote bag? We have a wonderful finisher who can make a soft-sided tote with your needlepoint on the front. She can add inside pockets with or without zippers. She's done zippered closures, ribbon closures, buttons and bows. The lining can be as wild or sedate as you like. In short, the only limit is your imagination. Here's a shop sample made in Ultrasuede with a bright green print lining.

Happy Stitching, Flower Picking, and Bird Watching! We hope you'll visit us soon to see all the great new things arriving daily. A new needlepoint project is just the way to welcome spring. Sally and The Canvasback Staff