Wednesday, September 16, 2009

BREAKING NEWS: Colonial Needle Buys Lee Needle Arts

My spies tell me that Colonial Needle (which sells needles and knitting supplies and is turning into a needlepoint distributor as they offer a painting and a model stitching service to designers) is buying Lee's Needle Arts.  Colonial Needle is buying both the leather goods and the canvases so most everything should still be available.  I know many shops, teachers and regular stitchers are breathing a sigh of relief at this news.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

11 comments:

Denise & Linda said...

Jane,

That's great news! I had heard rumors as well, and am so pleased that an established company will be making the acquisition. Thanks for this info! Denise

Sharon G said...

I heard the news a bit ago and am happy to see the line continue. Back in the very early 70's I shopped at a shop in Wilkes Barre PA (Today my closest shop is 2 hours driving time)located next to where I worked. The shop owner had all her "special" canvases in the back and would only sell or show them to a needlepointer who was worthy of stitching such a canvas. I did get to see and buy a number of Lee canvases back then. I still have a set of fans hanging in my living room which are from her line needlepointed in the 70's. The designs are classics and will hang there as long as I have that wall.

Colonial Needle is a great company owned by a wonderful family in Westchester NY. I have every confidence in the world they will do a great job with the line. This was some of the best news this quarter in the industry. It would have been so sad to see it die.

THe other good news is that I see Jane dug up a photo of one of my horses rear ends, called the Graphic Girls. I am planning a series of single horses as standups. Stay tuned.

Jane, you have a fantastic blog. Thank you for all you do for the world of needlepoint.

Anonymous said...

Yippee!! Let's hope your spies were not misinformed.

Anonymous said...

OH rats! I meant to add I love the canvas of the day (Graphic Girls BH02. Horses petoots make me laugh for some reason and did I spell petoots right?? Is that really a word??

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

My pleasure, Denise. Special thanks to my spy who passed this along to me when it was final.

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

Gosh, you never know who reads Blog! I am honored to have SharonG stop by. Yes, I featured your horses' rears as my canvas of the day today. I am very glad to hear they are going to be available as individual pieces and geared toward seasons and holiday as I think they'll make fabulous standup pieces on their own or in sets. You do lovely work.

I am very happy about the sale of Lee and thrilled you think so highly of the new owners. That bodes well for us stitchers as the leather goods are first rate and the designs classics.

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

It's pretty solid news, this sale. I am thrilled to hear it myself.

NCPat said...

That is great news....thanks for sharing! Love the horse's rear ends....in fact, I think I know a couple of those that posed! LOL

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

Oh? You recognize some of the models for the horses' rears? LOL

Bet we all do....

The Chilly Hollow Needlepoint Adventure said...

I don't know if Patoots is a word or not. They are horses' asses in my vocabulary although I knew some folks consider this rude language. There are several large versions and smaller individual ones to come. Stay tuned!

NCPat said...

I am sure horse's patoots is a word....we use it all the time....cannot wait to see some of Sharons!