Finished Pillows

At the store, we see a lot of finished items. Some of them are done at our more expensive finisher. She does a fabulous job selecting fabrics and trimmings for items. But of course, that takes time.

Other pillows do not require such fancy finishing. But sometimes, a customer wants a very decorative pillow but doesn't want to spend as much as the top end finishers cost.

This weekend, we had several wonderful examples of pillows that were finished by our regular finisher. She did her normally great job of finishing the pillows. But the end product was definitely enhanced by the customer's outstanding choice fabric and trim.

I thought you would enjoy seeing two of these pillows. One was done by Ellen. I don't have the other customer's name here at home. Both pillows are outstanding!

Tussie Mussie

I just caught up with Terry this week. She took the Tussie Mussie class at Deborah Wilson's Cabin Fever. She said it was a really fun piece and very doable in two days.

So let us know if you are interested. We are taking registrations now for the class being held on Sunday and Monday, October 26 & 27th.

Melissa Shirley's Web Site

Melissa Shirley just emailed me the link to her website: /www.melissashirleydesigns.com/

Remember I missed the show, so it was fun to look at the just released designs in addition to those from January. I love the egret designs from the winter show.

For those of you who love butterflies, there are some beautiful ones.

Melissa went crazy for gardens this spring. She has bird houses, butterflies and formal gardens in addition to just wonderful garden scenes. I also loved some of the flowers.

Take a peak. We'll be glad to get you what you want.

I Hate Being Sick

I'm still home with the flu but I was able to spend a little more time on work related items. I've ordered some Threadworx, the new company whose threads are replacements for Needle Necessities. I'm looking forward to getting these threads in.

I'm planning on doing some stitching tonight and hope to be at the store tomorrow.

People are definitely planning what canvases they are bringing to David McCaskill. I've ordered the Autumn Girl and have a discontinued Great Dane that I want to do for my daughter Emma.

Upcoming classes

It's not too late to sign up for the City Snow class (or as we call it, the Coat Ladies. I need to order the canvases by April 1 so if you haven't registered and want to join us, call the store. The class is being held on three Sunday afternoons. It's the perfect class to use some of your stash up if you choose. I will also have a kit available if you want to replicate what I did.

Cathryn is teaching David McCaskill's Stitcher's Purse over 3 sessions. They will be held on Sunday mornings. I have 6 people registered so there is still room for one more.

Finally, the Stadium class in also scheduled for three times on Sunday afternoon. I think one date is being changed but it will start on April 13. You can see pictures and more information on our web site.

OOPs, I forgot. There may be one or two openings for David McCaskill on Saturday, April 26th. Call if you want to save that place. 201-612-7770

We are really excited about these classes!

My last blog didn't post

I do try to keep current with the blog. Sometimes, I'm better at it than others. But this weekend, I posted a blog that somehow never made it the the blog page itself.

I was thinking that this Easter we did so few eggs. It's hard to know if it was because Easter was so early this year. But it means we can get back into the egg swing next year.

I've been home with the flu so I don't know exactly what's going on at the store. I've been trying to work on my designs for the Design for Embroidery class with Mary Shipp and my next design for the NAN certification program.

In between, I have done a little stitching on the Old World Stitching Santa. Kelly Clark outdid herself with this piece.

Easter in early March

Fortunately, Easter is rarely this early. In fact, only those 95 and over have ever observed an Easter this early and the next one this early won't be for over 100 years.

In the store, we did far fewer Easter eggs. Somehow, no one seemed to realize that it was this early until it was too late! I'm working on the Old World Stitching Santa and it doesn't seem out of season yet.

Of course, I am enjoying the forsythia we bought. I love the bright and cheery flowers -- they seem to promised that spring is coming. I was thinking that I haven't seen a canvas of forsythia although it would make a great canvas for embellishment.

I also had a chance to look at the classes for The National Needlework Trade Show in June. There are some great technique classes that I am looking forward to taking. Sign-up is tomorrow so I'll be waiting at 10 AM.

Calendar

We are trying a new calendar. We had one once before but you couldn't see what was written.

Go to the events sections. There is a trial version of the calendar. Dates with an event will be highlighted. You bring your mouse over the date and it gives you the information about the class.

Let me know what you think.

Stitching the Old World Stitching Santa

I've been enjoying stitching the Old World Stitching Santa. I love seeing it take life. For those of you who want to take a mini class in it, I think it would be best to just do the plaid shawl and the basket in a class. So far, most of the other stitches are familiar. The complicated part is the shawl and the basket.

I'm Back

I got back from the National Academy of Needlearts Seminar late Tuesday night. I planned on posting from there but I had limited access to the internet there so it just didn't happen.

I have now completed my Teacher Certification year in Nan. Helen has almost finished her year, too. We will both be embarking on Level I of Teacher Certification. We both have a lot of stitching ahead!

The NAN exhibit of needlepoint was lovely. I felt quite honored to have the Right Facing Camel get an honorable mention award.

Traveling

I'm in Tucson right now and have managed to get to two of the local stores. I love to go to different stores to see what I might have overlooked at market.

I always manage to find something that I think is intriguing. I've been looking at some new books to add to our offereings. There is a small project book that could be useful to take along. In addition, there is another new book by June McKnight on Bargello and one by Sue Higgons (Higginbottom?) focusing on just 52 stitches. I plan to order these as soon as possible.

New Clases and a New Judaic Trunk Show

I just wanted to make sure that you've checked the new classes list. All new classes currently scheduled on listed. We are missing a couple of pictures but I will fix that when I am back from Tucson and Kansas City.

Our Judaic Trunk Show should be set up this coming week. It's a great opportunity to see the designs of a number of designers on the same theme. Come and take a look.