It always amazes me how quickly the seasons change. The holidays sailed swiftly by and we are looking forward to spring once more.

2008 is off to an exciting start with the launch of my brand new website: in addition to my rug collections there are e-greeting cards to send to friends and family, a Claire Murray "Hooker’s Blog" for you to share ideas and rug hooking experiences, as well as stories and pictures of Claire Murray rugs in your homes. Look out for special online offers and contest winners every month.

There are new rug kits available now on line, and stay tuned for additions to the needlepoint and counted cross-stitch line coming in the spring.

Old favorites have a new look with hand braided accents added to many of my most popular rug designs and the introduction of a custom rug program has brought new styles and sizes to the line, prompting me to create my largest rug ever – an 11x24 foot Coral Reef beauty! We are hoping to have a photo of this spectacular rug in its new coastal home and will post it as soon as we have it.

In other rug news, I have recently designed a Chesapeake Bay collection, which will debut at the opening of our latest Claire Murray® store in St. Michael’s, Maryland in early April.

Spring 2008 promises new accessories for you – watch for the Claire Murray® Spa Collection coming soon and an all new cashmere throw line for those who have told me how much they miss my throws.

In response to requests from many of you, we are reintroducing some of your favorite dinnerware collections, including Provence and Sirens of the Sea and soon we will be receiving the popular Nantucket Cottage collection as well. More good news: I am offering placemats and coasters to match!

My Licensed Boutique Program, a "store within a store" concept to compliment my 16 Claire Murray® stores, continues to expand both nationally and internationally – our latest participant is in Southern Australia and we plan to add New Zealand and the U.K. this year.

The Claire Murray® Art of Living magazine, LA VIE CLAIRE, has celebrated its fourth birthday, giving us an Anniversary Collection to add to our sought after Inaugural and Collectors’ sets. I have been surprised and delighted by the number of you who have written and the tremendous diversity of our readership: every age group and occupation enjoys LA VIE CLAIRE. For those of you who have not yet discovered our quarterly publication, please check the link here on our website.

I have read hundreds of your letters and each one reminds me why I love what I do.

Thank you for all your kind words and encouragement, but most of all thank you for sharing in the Claire Murray lifestyle.