The Winter Newsletter

Is it too late to wish you all a Happy New Year? Just where exactly do the weeks go? We're nearly at the end of January already and there's lots going on here at Leven Crafts and some exciting things coming up.
With the new year comes a new look. We've undertaken a major redecoration of the shop so there's a strong aroma of paint fumes at the moment as we try to cover the dated, orange pine, refresh the walls and add new shelving. You've all been very patient with us during the disorganisation - not long to go now hopefully until everything's back either where it should be or in its new home. Sadly we've had no volunteers to help with the painting but we can't blame you really!!
Our other big news is that we are giving up the workroom and bringing the workshops into the (also newly-decorated) wool room where it's warmer and cosier. The workshops will continue as before although numbers will be restricted to 5 or 6 per workshop. That won't be a problem though because, if a workshop fills up, we can put on another one, and with smaller classes we can give you more help and attention.
We've got a Bergere de France event booked in the wool room on Tuesday 1st March where Colin from Bergere will be showcasing the upcoming Spring/Summer yarns, patterns and sample garments. We are selling tickets for the event for £5 but you will get that refunded if you spend £25 on the night and you'll also receive a free copy of the new pattern book and a glass of wine (or two!), so not a bad price we think. Only 30 tickets are available so book soon won't you? Bergere yarns are 10% off until the end of January in the meantime.
The Bergere and Drops yarns are selling really well and the latest Drops offer starts in February with Felting Fever where the gorgeous Big Delight yarn will be reduced from £4.20 to £3.15 a ball which is an amazing reduction. We've just taken delivery of a Drops and a Bergere order so we've plenty of stock for you at the moment.
Our Mystery Block of the Month started this month and has been really well subscribed. It is a 10 month project to make a lap quilt, and the first instalment has gone out which was the materials list; February's first block instructions will be ready from 1st. It only costs £5 per month (plus second class postage if you want it sending out) and is a fun project to make. Contact us if you'd like to join in, it's not too late.
This season's new fabrics have started to arrive and we have the latest range of Lewis and Irene Bumbleberries in, Makower's Bohemia (florals and stripes) and Sea View (nautical, beach huts etc.) and a gorgeous baby panel and co-ordinates from Benartex called Breezy Baby. Each month  we have a new range of Lewis and Irene fabric scheduled to arrive, including Bunny Garden, Bluebell Wood and Tropicana. We're not clever enough to include photos of them in this newsletter but they will go on to the shop pages on here for you to see and drool over. We try to get stock onto here as soon as we can - if only there were 48 hours in the day we'd get it all done!!
Well, it's back to the paintbrushes for now but we hope to see you in the shop soon - painting isn't compulsory!
Happy stitching!
Ruth and Lorna