Di van Niekerk's website

Subscribe to our Newsletter Updates Translate this page View shopping cart
Download these lovely designs (click on them to enlarge) absolutely free from our website. Click here to see our newsletter or here to subscribe to our newsletter , a great way to stay updated on all the latest free designs and specials.

Embroidery is a pleasing stress-reliever!


Click on the image to enlarge

January / February 2010



I love this New year’s quote by Edith Lovejoy Pierce:

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called opportunity and its first chapter is New Year’s day."



Her words inspire me as we begin a new year filled with creativity and purpose. My head is bursting with new ideas and designs and I hope that you will love what we have planned for you this year!

I am starting on a gorgeous new book, we are releasing some stunning new designs, Werner and I plan to start with online classes, I am busy writing the instructions for Box Full of lessons 4 (a spectacular beauty!) and so much more… so, it is a good idea to subscribe to our newsletter and this way you will stay in touch with what is happening in the embroidery world!

Perhaps one of your new year’s resolutions is to spend time on creative projects that are good for your soul? What with the hectic pace that we all lead, taking time out for yourself is not only an essential (and very pleasing) stress reliever, but timing-out with your embroidery for 20 minutes a day, is also beneficial to your health. 2009 was a difficult year for most of us and 2010 promises to be a much better year – I can feel it in my bones! My wish for you: may 2010 be a happy and creative year for you and your family.

Knysna - a very special place



I had a wonderful break, the first Christmas break since the early nineties, so you can imagine how I appreciated every day! My mum, sister and I left the men-folk at home (much to their horror) and us girls spent a fabulous few days in Knysna. What a beautiful place Knysna is. We stayed at a super B&B (highly recommended) by the name of Waterfront Lodge Knysna and spent time catching up, dining out, shopping and generally having a ball! If you do visit Knysna, don’t miss out on the waterfront Knysna Quays, and do treat yourself to JJ’s – their food is superb and the service simply outstanding.

Bushman’s Kloof Wilderness Reserve & Retreat



Talking about holidays, for a really special treat on your next visit to South Africa, do have a look at this very special place in the Cederberg Mountains, North of Cape Town, which was voted as the Best Hotel in the World. To read more about this click here.

Of course, a good book is essential on holiday, and I really enjoyed A WALK in the WOODS by Bill Bryson. It is wildly funny and entertaining! Another not-to-be-missed book by Bill Bryson is DOWN UNDER which tells the story of his travels in Australia. Have a look here for more about Bill Bryson.
FREE SILK RIBBON EMBROIDERY PATTERNS FOR YOU!
To launch your new year, we have some lovely free patterns as gifts for you! I painted another S as many of you did not like the S in my Monogram & Words / Embroidered Alphabets book. So here it is for you to download. You will find many of the ideas on how to embroider the initial and roses in this book Enjoy! Learn how to print it onto fabric in the book or contact me if you would like us to print it onto fabric for you.

I also have a free pattern of a round border for you to download for your collection. Follow the directions on page 118 of my Monogram & Words / Embroidered Alphabets book as a guideline. Use this silk ribbon embroidery pattern for a lid of a trinket box, a pincushion, or for any project that needs a round design. Insert the initial of your choice as shown on page 12, or ask us to print the border onto fabric with the initial/s of your choice. Enjoy yourself!
THIS WEEK’S SPECIALS
To celebrate the new year, we have a 20% discount when you buy Monograms and Words plus Flower Fairies™ in ribbon embroidery and stumpwork books. Also available in Afrikaans.
To celebrate the good news about my Flower Fairies™ in ribbon embroidery and stumpwork book which has been selected as one of the USA Library Journal’s BEST BOOKS OF 2009, we are offering 15% off on the book, printed panels, threads and ribbons for these beautiful fairies. Enjoy!


Click on the images to enlarge
Our best-selling DVDs : These will teach you so much about all the tricks and techniques for ribbon embroidery and stumpwork


Click on the image to enlarge
And special savings on our very popular kits for the complete beginner
– a lovely project for the new year! Save 20% on:

Sunny Cosmos 1




Sunny Cosmos 2



Click on the images to enlarge
Size of images is approximately 13 x 17cm. This beautiful design is ideal for the beginner to ribbon embroidery. Simple stitches are used to embellish a flower that is a favourite with all South Africans. One of a set of two. This kit contains the painted image printed on pure cotton that is colourfast and washable, step-by-step instructions, a detailed diagram with stitch and colour guides, a colour picture of the completed design to guide you, and all threads and silk and organza ribbons you will need to make up the design.

(Less 20%) Click here to buy the complete kit for Sunny Cosmos 1
Was R 385.00 Now R 308.00

(Less 20%) Click here to buy the complete kit for Sunny Cosmos 2
Was R 385.00 Now R 308.00

Click on the image to enlarge

The kit for the A4 Fallen Fence project contains the design, printed on pure cotton and all the ribbons and threads needed to complete this beautiful design. The design comes with step-by-step instructions and a high quality colour copy of the completed design to guide you with colours and stitches.

(Less 20%) Click here to buy the complete kit for Fallen Fence A4
Was R 385.00 Now R 308.00
New Releases


Click on the image to enlarge
  • Kit Contains:
  • A3 Design/Printed Panel
    (42cm x 29.7cm)
    (16.54 inches x 11.69 inches)
  • 17 pkts of Di van Niekerk's hand-painted Ribbons
  • 13 skeins of thread
  • Includes step-by-step instructions and a detailed colour photo of the completed design

  • (Less 15%) Click here to buy the Complete Kit for NR01
    Was R 697.00 Now R 592.45
Just in time for Valentine’s day or for a special person in your life; 15% off: while stocks last.

Click on the image to enlarge
SOME REALLY GOOD LINKS AND CAUSES:
  1. On your next visit don’t miss out on the best way to see Cape Town. We had a most enjoyable day seeing our beautiful city through the eyes of a tourist.
  2. This gorgeous picture (titled I ate too moshe!) reminded me of how I felt after eating Christmas dinner. I found it on http://cuteoverload.com, a really good website and worth adding to your favourites for an irresistible amount of cuteness to make your day!
  3. Search Press has become involved in building a school in Ghana and they are trying to raise £40,000 to build a girls school in Nkwanta. In order to do this they have published a healthy eating cookbook , full of no-fuss, easy, prepare with one eye on the telly, meals that will make you healthy and make you feel good because each book sold represents a brick in the building of the school. Do visit them to learn more about this amazing project.
  4. Need a new Background or wallpaper for your desktop? I have one for you! Click here to view and to download. Enjoy!
AVAILABLE NOW. Click here to buy
Miniature designs for small projects. A lovely new series, printed onto pure cotton for embroidery. Use your own artistic license and embroider with thread or ribbon. Do as little or as much embroidery as you like. Ideal for ATC’s and fabric postcards, trinket box covers, little diaries, cell phone pouches, purses, make a pocket for a dress....whatever you feel like!

Size of image with a generous white border of cloth large enough to fit in a 15cm (6 inch) hoop:
Size A (small) 9.66 x 12.34 cm (3.8 x 4.8 inches) - R35.00
Size B (teeny) 6.34 x 9 cm (2.5 x 3.5 inches) - R30.00 ideal for ATC’s (Artist Trading Cards)
Enjoy!

Click on the images to enlarge
May all your wishes come true in 2010.
Kindest regards
Di van Niekerk and the Crafts Unlimited team in Cape Town


Don't forget that we have friendly and experienced stockists and teachers all over the world. Do visit www.dicraft.co.za/AgentDB to locate your nearest store.


Add to Twitter Share on Facebook Bookmark this on Delicious

Di van Niekerk's Crafts Unlimited
Tel: +27 (0)21 671 4607 ~ Fax: +27 (0)21 671 4609 ~ Email: renn@dicraft.co.za
Web: www.dicraft.co.za

Send this Newsflash to a friend

Your Email:

Friend's Email:

To unsubscribe: send a blank email to unsubscribe@dicraft.co.za