2009 Bookmark Challenge

Nordic Needle is sponsoring Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy March 19 to May 7, 2009. In 2008, NN was overwhelmed by the generosity of stitchers. Over 450 bookmarks were donated to the Stitching for Literacy project. Techniques included cross stitch, hardanger, embroidery on paper, blackwork, canvas work, needlepoint, pulled and drawn thread, bobbin lace, tatting, crochet, knitting, machine embroidery, peyote beading, Bargello, Schwalm, and crewel embroidery. There were bookmarks from at least 29 states and 6 countries.


To participate, send Nordic Needle your bookmark(s) by May 7, 2009, and they will be displayed with your name, city and state (or country) in the store. After the challenge ends, a drawing will be held and the winner of the drawing will receive a $100 gift certificate to Nordic Needle! The more bookmarks you send, the more times your name is entered into the drawing and the better chance you have to win!

To find patterns and ideas, go to the NN website and type in "BOOKMARK" in the SEARCH box. As you clean and sort your stash, you probably have scraps of fabric and thread suitable to make bookmarks. But if you don't, NN has a Bookmark Grab Bag.

Bookmark Grab Bag (GBBK) $5.00 value on sale for $1.79
Get four bookmark patterns with 2 skeins of thread for only $1.25 (990-592-0021)

Also, there are lots of free bookmark charts on the web -or- you could make your own out of small motifs of any chart you have. Here's some links I've found:

www.allfreecrafts.com - You can do a search for cross stitch bookmarks, or bookmarks to find more

http://www.angelfire.com/on2/xstitch/collection.html - easy, kids

www.charlescraft.com

www.choccat.com

www.classicstitches.com/

http://crossstitch.about.com/

http://designstash.com/

www.doodle-head.com

http://perso.orange.fr/passion.broderie/marquespages/marquesp1.htm

www.cyberstitchers.com - use the search feature at the bottom of the screen

www.stitchingthenightaway.com

http://www.twdesignworks.com - Knotwork; Renaissance


I'm not affiliated with NN in anyway, however I do believe literacy is an important skill, and reading should be encouraged. For most of us, being able to read is something we take for granted. I was an adult literacy volunteer, and experienced first hand how important it is to the literacy students being able to learn how to read, or improve their reading skills.