I've been through a lot of workbaskets and bags during the last 30+ years - big ones, small ones, fat ones, and skinny ones. Some made of plastic and fabric, others of wood and tin. They have been baskets, totes, boxes, bags that stand up by themselves and salute when I walk in the door, and more. Some of them have been very expensive, but didn't offer the organization or ease of use I was looking for.

Finally, I found needlepoint workbag Nirvana - marked down to a mere $4.99 at Bed, Bath & Beyond. Oh the joy!!!!!

The bag is actually one of those photo pocket bags meant to show off your favorite pictures to anyone willing to look at your tote. But, take out the photos and slip your needlework essentials in their place, and you have a perfect needlepoint work tote. This one is wide enough for my favorite scroll frame and ziptop bags of tapestry wool, yet is narrow enough that I don't feel like I'm hauling around a 50 pound bag of laundry.

The bag has 5 reasonably sturdy pockets that hold everything from scissors and assorted tapestry needles to masking tape, t-pins, and a measuring tape (and everything in between). The tools I need are within easy reach in this bag, and I no longer have to go digging around in dark pockets or zippered cases. These bags are easy to find and are available at home product and crafts stores

No, the kitchen sink is not in there... it's not that humongous.

But, for less than 5 bucks, I am one happy needlepointer and just had to share this with you!

We've changed our clocks, which signals that it's time to start your Holiday crafting. I'm pleased to have joined with other crafters to bring you a weekly post full of inspiration. Crafts include everything from gingerbread houses to placecards. There are so many nice ideas, I wish I could make them all!

This is also a "user friendly" project. You can join the fun by sharing some of your favorite projects! The information is at the bottom of this post.

Clothes Pin Holiday Card Holders
What to do with all those holiday cards? Hold them up with clothes pins as dazzling as twinkling lights with this how-to from Kate Pullen.

Make a Gingerbread House
Ever want to create the perfect gingerbread house? Okay, I have yet to master this skill..but you can! Our Barbara Rolek will show you how.

How to Draw a Christmas Tree
Here is one that will come in handy for all those handmade cards. Master sketch artist Helen South will show you how to draw the perfect tree from start to finish.

Paint a Glass Ornament
Turn a plain glass ball into a work of stained glass art. Our Guide to Painting will show you how to create this delicate trimming.

Silent Night Cross Stitch Pattern
Don't just get cozy, get your stitch on. Create a Silent Night design with this free pattern from Connie G. Barwick.

Stitch a Pear Trio
Hang up something special in your home for that Thanksgiving gathering. This free 'Pear Trio' needlepoint pattern from Cheryl Fall is just what your walls needed.

Easy Christmas Ornaments
Start a tradition for the kids to make new ornaments each year. Sherri Osborne has the shape patterns and project ideas for these ornaments that reflect Christmas traditions.

Print Thanksgiving Placecards
Add some warmth to your table with these Thanksgiving place cards that will have your guests saying 'awwwww'. Barbara Crews has the free printable for you to personalize.

Wine Bottle Wrap Pattern
Instead of giving a bottle of wine in one of those skinny bags, make a felt wrap that the bottle can be displayed in all season. Phyllis Dobbs will show you how.

Make a Miniature Christmas Tree
Why are tiny things always so darn cute? Learn how to make a little pine tree with Lesley Shepherd.

Interchangeable Thanksgiving Pins
Sometimes you just can't commit to just one pin. With this interchangeable Thanksgiving pin by Tammy Powley, you can tell everyone when you're ready for pie...and when you're overstuffed.

Want to Join Make it Merry to show off your holiday crafts? We will showcase your crafts and recipes of all holiday traditions. Learn more.

I've been noticing a trend at needlework stores. It's the disappearance of tapestry wool. At my local needlework store, the entire stock of needlepoint yarn was cleared out in favor of more lucrative knitting yarns. I can't really blame the shop owner for doing this - fish gotta fly and birds gotta eat, right?

While I can appreciate a needlework shop's need to stock supply that they can turn, I do wonder how needlepointers are going to cope with a diminishing supply of tapestry wool. Mail order is difficult at best, as catalogs and online color cards are not true to the actual color. Nothing compares to selecting yarn by holding it in the hand and comparing colors side-by-side.

There is a solution: use knitting wool.

After waiting for tapestry wool for over 3 months due to a backorder, I decided to prowl the yarn shops for suitable alternatives. While there are several terrific options, I did find one that works particularly well and is available in a very nice range of colors. Cascade Yarns of Seattle produces a beautiful 100% wool yarn that is a joy to work with. I tested it by using the yarn exclusively in the Monogram Frame project. It was nearly identical in weight to tapestry wool, and held up well when pulled repeatedly through the canvas with minimal "fuzzies".

There are the pros and cons in using knitting wool. On the upside, the hanks are large, so you often only need one, and you often get more wool for the money than when buying tapestry wool skeins. You can also get creative and try stitching with variegated, multicolored yarns and rustic heathers. On the downside, the color pallette is limited compared to tapestry wool, and if you only need a small amount of yarn, you'll need to purchase an entire hank.

When purchasing knitting yarns for needlepoint, select yarns that are 100% wool that are the same weight or thickness as tapestry wool. This is especially important if you are combining yarn and tapestry wool in the same project. Avoid acrylic, blended yarns and cottons, as they are not suitable for needlepoint due to either lack of give or too much stretch. You can find instructions for preparing a large skein or hank in the know-how section, to make pulling lengths of yarn easier and tangle-free.

If you find yourself with dwindling local resources, don't be afraid to talk to the shop owner and express your concerns. They are always willing to listen and can often help you find suitable alternatives within their shop.

Tip: Carry a bit of tapestry wool in your wallet, pocket or handbag at all times for comparing yarn weight or thickness. You never know when you'll stumble on a terrific yarn option.

Sometimes I suffer from Holidays on the brain and forget that folks want everyday patterns too!

I'm happy to oblige! New this week is the Origami Inspired Bird needlepoint pattern. It's worked in bright shades of blue, red, gold and green. Enjoy!

If you're wondering what to make for someone special as a holiday gift, may I suggest a monogrammed pillow, box or tote featuring a pretty leaf border Monogram Frame? The letter is super easy to customize with the Classic Alphabet pattern - simply swap out the center area with the needed letter.

Additional ideas for Monograms and Alphabets can be found on the Cross Stitch site - Enjoy!

For those of you who have been stitching the cute little Halloween Petite Four or Birthday Petite Four patterns, I've added a Christmas Tree (shown) and Hanukkah Dreidel version, just in time for the holidays.

Tip: Place several needlepoint Petite Fours worked in different colors under a glass dessert dome, or add a loop of ribbon for hanging and it's ready for the tree!

A few days a go I was going through my stash and noticed that once again, I had quite a few half-skeins and bits and pieces of tapestry wool. I just hate getting rid of it, so I stow it away until I get an inspiration for a scrap project. Due to the sheer number of "bits," I knew it was time to design!

The French Braid needlepoint pattern was inspired by a quilt I made several years ago, and is worked mainly in satin stitch with a touch of tent stitch used in the black border areas.

It's a perfect project for all you who just can't bear to part with leftover tapestry wool.

The Holidays are creeping closer and closer, so I thought it would be nice to post another quick and easy project. The Swedish Ornament is worked in Mosaic Stitch, which is worked over two meshes. This gives the ornament a nice texture, but it can also be worked in tent stitch over a single mesh.

I've had several interesting conversations lately with needlework shop owners and manufacturers who, instead of moaning about the economy have instead indicated that business has never been better. This didn't exactly take me by surprise, as it's always been my observation that when the economy is down - or when winter hits - people tend to hunker down in their homes and do more hands-on projects, like needlepoint.

When the economy is down, do you tend to do more needlework? If so, we'd love to hear about some of your current projects!

While you ponder the question, here's the new Oval Bubbles needlepoint pattern for you to try.

I recently posted the Breezes Through the Treezes pattern, made up of separate design sections. Just for fun, I took one of the sections and stitched it into needlepoint pouch. To further enhance the design, I worked the outline stitch around the sides of the trees to add definition. Sometimes it's nice to think outside the pattern and be creative with individual design elements.