I’ve been dying to write this post for a long, long time – before I even knew what the new Needle ‘n Thread would look like, and for that matter, before I knew we would even have a new Needle ‘n Thread for sure! But here it is, shiny and new, and I want to tell you a little bit about it.
But first, a final tribute to the old, so that we can remember what it looked like:
RIP.
And now let’s get on with the new!
Here are the notable features of the new Needle ‘n Thread:
- 1. Main Page Slide Show: this slide show rotates between five images, each to a major part of the website. The first image will feature a current project, so it will change as I get things done. But the others will remain the same. Each picture is clickable and will take you to that section of the site. You can also move through the slide show by clicking on the numbers on the lower right edge of the frame.
- 2. Top Menu – all the main sections of the site are here…
- 3. …except this: Types of Hand Embroidery (in the right column). This is a new addition – it is a menu of the different types of hand embroidery discussed on Needle ‘n Thread so far. As topics expand, this section will continue to grow. I hope you like it!
- 4. Sub-navigation: When you are within the site, you will find sub-navigation links in this top left corner.
- 5. In the right column, you’ll find a featured book!
- 6. And, in fact, if you visit the Books and Links page, you’ll find a rating system on the books, plus links to each of my reviews. At the end of that page, you’ll find some pertinent links to online needlework resources and so forth.
- 7. The How To videos are now indexed with photos, so you can get an idea of what the finished stitch looks like.
- 8. The Patterns page is also indexed with photo thumbnails, so you can select the pattern you want easily or just browse through.
- 9. Oh, and then there’s the Picture gallery! It’s great for browsing!
- 10. There’s a great translate feature in the left column, for those whose first language is not English.
- 11. And the site search is really a site search! It’s all Needle ‘n Thread.
- 12. At the end of the right column, you’ll find a link to the Categories (tags) used on Needle ‘n Thread, and you can visit the Archives by individual year.
I hope you enjoy my new online home! I have to admit, I like it a LOT!
Now, in case you’re just ooo-ing and aaaah-ing over my great technical and creative abilities, let me set the record straight! The concept, design, and technical work on Needle ‘n Thread are all the work of the folks at Imagemakers, Inc., in Wamego, Kansas. Truly – I did nothing except say “yes” or “no” (but more often, “I don’t know”). In our first meeting, I took them a vague idea of what I knew I sort of wanted, said some things about colors, and I recall mentioning embroidered bugs more than once (?), and this is what they produced. They could not have come up with anything I liked better – it’s exactly what I wanted. I know they put in lots of late and long hours, so thanks, Dan and Clayton and all who helped!
Tomorrow, I’ll resume the regular posting of needlework related content (I can’t wait to show you my Blackwork Fish progress), and later this week, we’ll celebrate the launching of my new website with a grand give-away!
Thanks so much for your patience and for sticking with me! I’m looking forward to kicking things up a notch this year with Needle ‘n Thread. I have some ideas fermenting in my head, and I’m always open to new ones, so feel free to leave a comment if you have any suggestions!
Very nice work! I love it!
Mary,
I love the new look and look forward to exploring!
Best wishes for many more years of Needle ‘N Thread!
Fabulous! So professional and inviting! Easy to move around in and find things too! I just love the picture index for the patterns, and also for the videos! What a great addition to your site! Very nice job!
MGM
An impressive undertaking – we all are very lucky to have you and this resource!
Yea, you’re back! The new site looks wonderful. May you (and we) have many, many more years of Needle ‘n Thread.
It looks fantastic Mary!!
It’s beautiful, Mary!
You know now I’ve not much time to see your new website but what I saw is lovely. And what great idea that “Types of Hand Embroidery”!
Beautiful, Mary! Congratulations and thank you so much for such wonderful website.
By the way, I’m loving being here 🙂
Congratulations, Mary! It’s really beautiful. The colors are perfect. Everything is very pleasant and user friendly. Thank you for continuing to share your stitching talents and experiences with us.
(Great job, Imagemakers!)
Thank you, thank you, what a great Mother’s Day Gift. We truly appreciate all your time, effort and inspiration.
Best,
Maria
The only problem I have with this neato new look (and it IS, believe me!) is that the slide show makes it very slow to load for those of us on dialup.
Other than that…RAH!! 🙂 🙂 Nicely done!
Oh I am so glad you are back, I have missed you. This looks so exciting, I can’t wait to look around.
Well done, I am sure it is worth the wait and all the hard work.
Looks awesome!
Mary
so nice!!I love the colours and this new look!
many thanks for this helpfull site.
Michele
Wow! Congratulations! Just loaded up the new site -after checking all day to see when it went up! – and it looks great! I’m off to squizz (your word, Mary) around the new site! I missed you and my daily dose of inspiration!
Kathy
Kathy
I love it. Thanks for the effort that has gone in to making the new site. I love the navigation menu and the organization format…. makes it so user friendly. Great job Mary. With best wishes
I love it! Wonderful job! It’s much easier to find stuff, and the library, OOHH, the LIBRARY! Love it, love it, love it!!!
Gwen Kok from Dordrecht, the Netherlands
Hii Mary,
What a beautiful come back.. Great site.. more pleasant colours.. And more easy to explore.. even for a new comer..well done..
One doubt.. do we have to subscribe again to get ur news letters as emails? For I din’t recieve any mails after the new site has launched..
Love Deepa
love the new look. change is always welcome. Nice to know about you. I really enjoy reading your newsletter. why am i not getting the newsletter?
Je découvre ce site et je le trouve admirable. Quel merveilleux moment passé dans vos pages. Félicitations
Thanks, all! I’m glad you like the new site look!
To answer the newsletter questions: you don’t need to re-subscribe to continue receiving the newsletter; it just hasn’t gone out yet. The newsletter will go out when I post tomorrow (Tuesday, May 11th). The feed needs to be fixed and the format tweaked a bit, so I’ll be working on that this afternoon, so that it can resume tomorrow.
Sorry about the delay on that!
MC
Mary,
Congratulations! It looks absolutely wonderful.
Mary,
Love the new layout! Easier to find all your goodies. Thanks
Woot! Woot! Way to go Mary. The site looks great, now I’m off to explore!
Kathy
nicely done Mary
glad you are back my morning coffee isn’t the same without a peek at the latest projects
Hello Mary
I’m a recent visitor to your site and have quickly become a devotee. This new and improved one is fabulous. I love the work you produce and you have rekindled my love of all things embroidered. I currently now have at least 4 projects on the go! I’ll look forward to logging on regularly. I wish we had you here in England. Keep up the terrific work.
Best wishes
Margaret
Hi Mary,
How thrilling to open my email this morning and find your wonderful new site. As soon as I finish my Mundane Monday housework I’ll be back in here to see everything you have on your site.
Helen in SW FL
Love the new site…just need to get use to it.
Love the new look. I am starting on some vestments as an ordination gift, and your information has been invaluable so far. It’s not easy to find any current information on ecclesiastical embroidery, so thanks for providing it!
The new site is wonderful and very easy to navigate—a great aid and inspiration to everyone. I thank you for your generosity in providing this to the world. Jana
Superb!! I like it very much. Very clear and nice colours.
I love the new site. Lynn
Hi, Mary, so glad you are back! I really like the new web site – it is really easy to locate anything in which I’m interested. In fact, I’ve been all over it, today!
I do like the pictures addition. Super job! Looking forward to more of your explorations in needlework – Katherine
Your new site is wonderful! Thank you for sharing your knowledge and for the wonderful inspiration!
Love the new look. The photo indexes are a great addition. I pop into your video stitch library often. The Blackwork Fish is inspirational.
gracias mary por estar de nuevo ”veremos tus ideas geniales
un abrazo
lidia
Wonderful! Congrats! I’m finishing up my last essay for my class (library school) and my reward will be to look at everything on your new site. I love the colors!
🙂
Hey Mary,
The new look is so wonderful, I liked it and the way its arranged is very nice.
Thank you for all this efforts u have done
sweety
Hi Mary,
Having just spent a couple of enjoyable evenings looking round the new site, I just have to say a big ‘thank you’ for all your work (and the work of the people at Imagemakers) on making this such a fabulous site.
I love being able to see the stitches in the Video Library and the Tips and Techniques section makes it so easy to get at any help you need.
It’s all just wonderful!
Elaine
Cheshunt, UK
I missed the daily newsletter. Glad to see it’s back.
I have had a pretty good look around the new site. It is very well organized and I have already discovered many things. So much helpful material. I loved the list (and comments) about all the different types of embroidery. The thumbnails of the video library are going to be very helpful. I know I haven’t seen everything yet, but look forward to more exploring.
Great job!
I’ve been bogged down the past few days and have saved this post so I can visit when I have more time. Unfortunately, it’s not looking like I’ll get that time for a bit yet, so I’m dropping in to say that it looks great and I can’t wait to explore. Congratulations!
BEAUTIFUL!The new N&T is really wonderful.Thank you Mary for making this site so beautiful.Very organised and I am looking for ward to read it.
In pondering your question, I think the type of embroidery I like best is one which gives me an added challenge with new stitches or technique. Blackwork has always been a particular favorite of mine, even though I’m not particularly good at it. Taking a class by Tonya Berlin would be heaven. Thank you Mary for offering this wonderful class.