Funk & Weber Designs.

Funk & Weber Designs opposes Orphan Works legislation.
S.2913-The Shawn Bentley Orphan Works Act of 2008
and H.R.5889-The Orphan Works Act of 2008

The livelihoods of artists, writers, and designers are at risk. Please add your voice to the Orphan Works Opposition.

The New Puzzle Pattern Contest, which will reveal the latest Funk & Weber Designs puzzle pattern, begins August 1 on the Needle and ThREAD: Stitching for Literacy blog.

EmbroiderMe!™: Bracelet Basics and Beyond

Get your needlework off the wall and into your life! Learn the basics of needlework bracelets, then let your imagination soar as you create one-of-a-kind jewelry for yourself and others.

Next class, September 22-28, 2008

Class details

Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy
2008 Bookmark Challenge Results

Thanks to the generosity and enthusiasm of stitchers across the country and worldwide, we collected and donated to libraries, schools, and literacy programs

638 hand-stitched bookmarks!

Techniques included cross stitch, Hardanger, paper embroidery, blackwork, canvas work, needlepoint, pulled and drawn thread, bobbin lace, tatting, crochet, knitting, machine embroidery, peyote beading, Bargello, Schwalm, and crewel, to name a few.

Bookmarks were received from at least thirty states, as well as Bermuda, UK, Canada, Netherlands, Trinidad/Tobago, and Finland.

Truly, the collection was amazing.

We're already planning for next year. We hope you will join us for the

Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy
2009 Bookmark Challenge

March 19 - May 7

Until then, come on over to the blog where we'll be reading and stitching all year long because...

reading and stitching make the world a better place.

New patterns

NT102 Book, Book, Book!

Second in the Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy series, this is the other half of our Tribute to Librarians. It comes from this joke:

A chicken walks into a library and says, "book-book-book," (say that as though you're making a chicken sound), so the librarian gives the chicken a book. The chicken takes the book to a pond and sits next to a frog. The frog says, "Read-it, read-it."

Yes, we released these out of order. No excuses; it just worked out that way.

NT103 Ambigrams

This chart contains 2 ambigram patterns that can be finished individually or back-to-back.

The first is an asymmetrical ambigram, which means that it spells one word right-side up and a different (but related!) word up-side-down. This one spells "Story" one way and "Read" the other.

The second pattern is a symmetrical ambigram, which means it spells the same word right-side-up and up-side-down. Either way you look at it, this one spells "Read."

NT104 Wild About Reading

How long did you think it would be before we brought wildlife into this series?

The tiger-skin pattern and couched teeth encourage everyone to Go Wild and Read.

Funk & Weber Designs will donate to libraries, schools, and/or literacy programs a minimum of 10% of profits from the sale of this pattern.

To learn more, visit the Needle and Thread: Stitching for Literacy Web site and blog.

The April 2008 Needlework Show Puzzle Contest Winners

Debra, from Edmonton, Alberta
Dee, from Pittsburgh, PA

The answer to the puzzle: Clueless in Alaska

The Needlework Nutshell Puzzle Contest Winners

July: Gina, from Houston, TX

June: Leslie, from Minneapolis, MN

May (extended contest, five winners):
Mandy, from Brea, CA
Becca, from Farmington, NM
Bev, from Clinton, MI
MaryPat, from Toronto, ON
Debbie, from Mechanicsville, VA

April: Becky, from Pikesville, MD

March: Karen from Atlanta, GA

February: Denise from Saskatoon, Saskatchewan

January: Crystal, from Germantown, PA

December: Angi, from Peterborough, England

November: Suzanne, from Ottawa, Ontario

October: Becca, from Farmington, NM

September: Katrina and Andrew, from Waco, TX

August: Ellyn, from New York, NY

For needlework news, musings, tips, contests,
and what's happening now at
Funk & Weber Designs, subscribe to:

The Needlework Nutshell.

We are needlework designers from Alaska specializing in counted cross stitch. This online catalog contains images of all our patterns. It is always complete, always current.

We have information for stitchers on where to find our patterns, and information for retailers on how to place orders. We will be glad to answer any questions you have and are always happy to hear comments and suggestions from fellow stitchers.

Thank you for your interest in our company and designs. Enjoy your visit.

Updated August 2008