Cross-Stitch Tool Wins Most Innovative Craft Product of 2010 at International Trade Show held in UK

Bloomington, IL, April 21, 2010— New cross stitch tool (Easy-Count Guideline™) wins international acclaim as The Most Innovative Product of 2010 at the Craft Hobby & Stitch International Show, Europe's number one trade show for the creative craft section, held in Birmingham, United Kingdom, each spring.

Easy-Count Guideline™ was first introduced by R & S Designs, Inc., founded by Ron and Sue Hardwig, to the cross stitch and craft markets nationwide in the summer of 2006 and has brought much attention to the hobby. The Easy-Count Guideline™ saves users nearly one-third of the time it takes to complete projects by keeping a stitcher's place on the fabric and increasing the visibility of stitches. The Easy-Count Guideline™ was developed from a special nylon line perfectly colored and sized for cross stitching. Easy-Count Guideline™ is used to create a red grid on the fabric (10 x 10 squares) so the pattern can be matched up to the fabric more quickly. It is left in the fabric (aida, evenweave, or linen) throughout the length of the project. Because of its unique material and design, Easy-Count Guideline™ can be easily removed from the fabric when the project is complete as it does not get caught in the stitches or leave any trace on the fabric itself. One can work anywhere on the project, following one color, for example, up, down, or even diagonally on the fabric, switching colors less often. The Guideline can be added to any project, from very simple to very complex; the grid helps one to focus on a specific part of the pattern and reduces errors as well. Even children can cross stitch using this simplified method.

Individuals who had once cross stitched but gave up the hobby are finding they can return to the craft with the incorporation of Easy-Count Guideline™ into their projects. One customer wrote to say how Easy-Count Guideline™ allowed her to complete her cross stitch project for the first time since she was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.

Stitchers who suffer from anxiety and depression are also finding this relaxing tool to be a positive influence in their struggle to overcome these personal problems. "Anxiety and depression can be reduced and mental well-being promoted within weeks by simply taking up this easy-to-do, relaxing hobby. The sense of satisfaction and pride in creating one's own masterpiece offset the stressful day-to-day struggles. The repetition of cross stitching creates a calming environment," said Sue Hardwig, co-founder of R & S Designs, Inc.

Additional information, examples, and research data about Easy-Count Guideline™ is available on the company's Web site, along with an instructional/demonstrational video of this new aid and valuable tool for cross stitchers. Patents are held in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, as well as Australia. Distributors are found in each of these countries, as well.

Easy-Count Guideline™ was listed in the June 2010 issue of The World of Cross Stitching as one of the ABC's of Cross Stitching as an essential necessity for cross stitchers. Reviews of the product have also appeared on www.about.com from Connie G. Barwick, a U.S. expert in cross stitch and in The World of Cross Stitching, Cross Stitch GOLD, and Cross Stitch Collection in the United Kingdom. Sales have dramatically increased with the product being sold by Keepsake Quilting, Nordic Needle, Yarn Tree, Hoffmann Distributors, Wichelt Imports, Inc. and Herrschners in the United States; the Fox Collection in Australia; Celtic Rose and The Happy Cross Stitcher in the United Kingdom, as well as Stitch N Time and L'atelier de Penelope in Canada.