It won't be long before everyone will be sitting down to the best meal of the year - Thanksgiving Dinner! There is nothing our family likes more than gathering together around a big, beautiful platter of turkey surrounded by all the trimmings, although the stuffing alone is what brings some of us to the table! Then there's mashed potatoes, gravy, cranberry sauce, sweet potatoes, and, just to make it a healthy meal, some kind of green vegetable. Of course, there's never enough room for the green vegetable...gotta leave room for pie! No matter whom you're with, where you are, or what you have for your Thanksgiving meal, we hope it's a wonderful celebration of the many things for which you're grateful. This magnificent turkey is by Mary Lake Thompson for Melissa Shirley Designs. It's available on 18 mesh as a 5x5 or 7x7 and on 13 mesh as a 12 X 9.5 design.

WINTER 2009 CLASS SCHEDULE Our winter class schedule has just been finalized. We're sure there's something just right for your skill level and interests.

Embellishment with Linda Linda Corirossi's Embellishment classes will help you select fibers and stitches to take your canvas from the ordinary to extraordinary. These classes are held on a special "vacation schedule" in the winter. Sign up soon, because these sessions fill up quickly. February 2, 3, 5, March 2, 3, 5 9:30 to 11:30 February 3, 4, 5, March 3, 4, 5 1:00 to 3:00 $30 per session Reservations and Pre-payment Necessary

Beginners Class Mary Jo’s class is a wonderful way to learn or to increase your knowledge about needlepoint. It is a 6 week class that teaches all the basics as well as many different stitches. Come join the fun. The cost includes the instructions, fibers and the canvas. Beginning Monday, January 26 to March 2 1:00 to 3:00 Beginning Saturday, January 24 to February 28 9:30 to 11:30 $125

Dutch Santa Is there anything prettier than the first tulip of spring? This Dutch Santa from Kathy Schenkel's International Santa Collection is a reassuring reminder that spring and tulips will be here soon. It's too late to plant tulip bulbs, but not too late to have this stitched by tulip time. Saturday, February 28 1:00-3:00 $125

California Poppy Collage For those of you who like Saturday classes, Jane will teach this project featuring one of California's happiest flowers - the poppy. Your first class is only an hour to get you started on some easy prework followed by two classes of instruction. Saturday, January 24 1:00 to 2:00 Saturday, January 31 and February 14 1:00 to 3:00 $85

Backgrounds to Brighten Your Canvas Looking for a quick and easy background? Find the perfect stitch and fiber to compliment your canvas. All materials provided. Friday, February 6 Wednesday, March 4 9:00-12:00 $40

Beards and Fur Have you ever had trouble making the perfect beard for a Santa on a stocking or ornament? Are you unsure about what to do for the fur on his coat? Are you at a loss about what stitch and fibers to use for animals? Let Linda show you the many options for solving these dilemmas. All materials will be supplied. Wednesday, February 4 Friday, March 6 9:00 to 12:00 $40

MARK YOUR CALENDARS To celebrate the season and as a gift to our customers, we're having a no holds barred Holiday Sale! In-stock canvases for ALL holidays -- Christmas, Hanukkah, New Years, Easter, Halloween, Fourth of July, Thanksgiving and every holiday except your birthday -- will be 20% off from December 13 - 31! Additional markdowns will be taken off selected canvases. Don't miss this opportunity to get that special stocking, ornament, or other project at a very special price.

TAPESTRY TENT UPDATE Over the past couple years, Tapestry Tent got further and further behind delivering product and eventually went out of business this summer. We missed Liz's fabulous painted canvases but are delighted to report they are available again! Susan Roberts bought the line and expects to be caught up on all back orders by the end of January. Liz will continue to design and paint, adding even more spectacular designs to the Tapestry Tent collection. We have received several stockings already and more items are on their way. If there is a Tapestry Tent design that you've had your heart set on, we will be happy to order it. Susan assures us you will receive it in a timely manner.

Have you ever wondered who those smiling faces are who greet you at The Canvasback? Here's a picture taken a few years ago that appeared in a Needlepoint Now article. From left to right in the front row are Sally, Jennifer, Jane L., and Debbie. In the back row you'll find Ann, Jane H., Beth, Tina, Nancy S., and Mary Jo. Not pictured are Lyn and Nancy C. These ladies are the best! Their knowledge of and passion for needlepoint are what make us so very good at helping you with your needlepoint needs. Whether it's a huge project for a church or a small request for a single strand of Persian, they provide the highest quality service in the industry. I am so lucky and truly blessed with their needlepoint skills and their commitment to The Canvasback! Sally From all of us at The Canvasback, best wishes for a yummy turkey day!