Ski Topper

If you've been reading our blog for a while, you know that I enjoy the ornaments called Toppers. They are quick to stitch and offer a large variety of subjects. Nancy finished this great topper for this year's Christmas. I know it's on her tree in Vermont where people are actually skiing.

Christmas exchange

We hold a Secret Santa at the store every year. Helen drew my name and had seen this shirt on one of our customer's. So this was my secret Santa gift. Isn't it great?

I thought you would enjoy seeing it with the finished Rockefeller Center Stocking.

Snowbound

If you've been living through this past weekend's blizzard (or had the good fortune to just read about it), I thought I share this picture of the front of the store. Ridgewood was really hit hard. The newspaper reported that we received 17.5 inches of snow but on my back deck, it looks more like 20 inches of snow. In addition, the wind has caused very large drifts so in some areas, the snow is even higher.

A path was cleared in front of the store so you can get in. But beyond the path, there is lots of snow. We did have stitch and chat today and plan on having it again on Thursday. We are open again tomorrow and Thursday and then closed for a few day for New Year's.

Holiday Dog Walker

I got back DJ's Holiday Dog Walker just before Christmas. I really enjoyed stitching this piece, and posted on it several times as I was doing the stitching. The finished piece is a standing holiday decoration with a lovely bow and snowflakes on the gusset. Our finisher did a lovely job!

I found a stitch in one of Brenda Hart's books for the snow background. I did ground the figure in the piece by adding the horizontal area under the dogs.

I hope you continue to enjoy the holidays! 

Diane's Ornament

Diane did this pretty ornament for her grandson's first Christmas. It will always be a lovely reminder of his first year.

I really enjoy seeing customers pick out ornaments for their children and grandchildren. Over the years, I get to see the collections grow. Of course, this is the first one in the collection.

A Christmas Tradition

Jane makes an ornament for each of her grandchildren each year. And she chooses the ornaments based on their current interests. This year, she did a Princess angel from the Painted Pony and a train from A Collection of Designs.

It's a wonderful tradition. I'm sure the children will treasure these gifts.

Vanessa's Ornaments

Vanessa sent me pictures of her needlepointed ornaments on her staircase. As you can see, she's been very busy stitching ornaments for several years. Don't they make a lovely display!
I got  caught up in preparing for Christmas at home so I haven't posted for a few days. I missed posting some wonderful finished items so I will try to get those up this week. Many of you have let me know that you love seeing the finished canvases. I hope you are having a wonderful holiday season.

It's Almost Christmas

Recently, Mike our UPS guy has been delivering boxes of finished items daily. Marianne's beautiful angel arrived this week. The canvas was a Tapestry Tent angel. Marianne did a lovely job stitching it and we received it just before the finishing deadline. So off it went and came back just in time for Christmas.

It is a fantastic Christmas decoration.

Gifts for the Stitcher

I know that some of you don' t let others know what your stitching hobby costs; others don't care who knows. But for those of us who stitch, receiving a stitching gift is often a pleasure. So if others are pestering you for gift ideas, we thought it would help to have a list of suggestions.

If you like to bead, the ezbeader is a new accessory. The disc attached to the canvas via a magnet. Once you remove the sticking surface, beads will stay on the disc until you remove it. It's a great stocking stuffer.

We have new thread organizer bags. They are small notebooks that have 10 large plastic bags for your threads. It's a great tool for organizing a project. I've show the outside of Helen's bag and also the bag filled with her threads.(Ask for gift certificate - and the gift certificate could be put in one of the bags!)

Of course, a new pair of scissors is always a nice addition. You can then use your old pair for metal threads!

We also received a shipment of the Park Avenue accessory. It's a way to hold multiple needles on your work- perfect for the two or three needle experience.

Marianne's Stocking

Marianne is a prolific stitcher. She purchased this beautiful Tapestry Tent stocking canvas in the spring. She has been working on her Tapestry Tent items diligently. She managed to finish it just after Thanksgiving and we were fortunate that one of our finishers was able to turn it into this beautiful stocking. It is a lovely gift and stitched beautifully.

Merry Christmas Stand up

Karen completed this wonderful Raymond Crawford design. She asked our finisher to do her magic -- and she certainly did. These box is just wonderful. It's actually more festive in person. Karen took the mystery class with Ruth Schmuff but the stitch guide is available.

Stitches, Volume I and II

A customer asked me asked me to get these the book versions of Ruth Schmuff's Stitches, Volume I and II, . (I already have the app version on my Ipod Touch and the CD's.) But I can't believe how fantastic the book versions are.  I  loved the books!   There are lots of stitches and large, easily read stitch diagrams. When I am looking for a stitch, I like to browse through books to find a stitch.  I have several books that I have two copies -- one for home and one for my summer house. I can tell that these books are going to join that select group of books!

Of course, if you are also a book addict, and computer literate, you will probably want the CD's, too.

If your family is searching for gift items, we have four volumes of each one in stock. But I would recommend sending them soon!

Perfect for the Tri-athalon

As I was reviewing the various ornaments, I realized that there are three that would make the perfect gift for the Tri-Althalon. These three ornaments focus on the three events- swimming, cycling and running. Any one of these could be done for a man or a woman. The hardest one to conver would be the marathoner -- but with a slight longer hairstyle, it could be done.

Many stitchers look for a series of ornaments to give to someone. This series could take you for three years.

The Princess and Me obviously has an incredible selection. Our trunk show will leave at the end of this week so you should take advantage of our trunk show price - 10% off the canvas and threads purchased for any Princess and Me ornament bought during the trunk show.

Two Traditional Santas

These Santas really appeal to me. I love the fur trim on the top Santa. He is an old-fashioned Santa. I like that his bag is green and he has a different but attractive beard. Once again, the stitches add to the whole effect!

The second Santa has been very popular with our customers. Our sample has French knots on the fur trim. I would be tempted to use petite peluche for his fur trim or his beard.  I like the softness this thread create. The two threaded stitch on the coat is very effective. I particularly like the way the arm is delineated.

American Express Small Business Promotion Continues

I just read that American Express has extended its Support Small Business Promotion through December 31.  Basically, if you are among the first 300,000 enrollees, you can receive a $25 credit on your American Express statement when you spend $25 or more in a small, independently owned small business. All you have to do is    register your card quickly.

It's certainly worth a shot.  Of course, we take American Express, so if you haven't used yours yet, why not use it with us.

Animals Ready for Christmas

There are lots of ornaments featuring animals. Of course, there are quite a few penguins, polar bears, reindeer and moose. I just chose three so you could see a selection. (There are also cats, and dogs etc.)

The polar bear is wrapped up in Christmas lights. I might be tempted to change the thread to white Fuzzy Stuff with its glitter.

My oldest daughter really loves penguins so I would be tempted by this adorable trio. I also think that a friend with three children would also enjoy this one.

The Princess and Me's reindeer really have great attitudes. This one is supposed to be Prancer but he has a red nose.

Santa is Busy!

I really do love the Santa Ornaments by The Princess and Me. There are just so many choices. Today, I am featuring three. The first one is Santa on a motorcylce. Once again, I love the stitches. This Santa is sweet and could still be on my tree. I like the peppermint wheels but would have been tempted to make them glittery, too. Once again, the bear is great.

The next Santa is bringing out the plum pudding. I like that he is carrying a rolling pin.

The final Santa is a pilot -- perfect for the man (or woman) you know who likes to fly!

Transportation Ornaments

There are some wonderful ornaments featuring transportation. I've posted pictures of the Christmas ship and the cruise ship since lots of people like to stitch ornaments when cruising. In addition, I thought the Airstream motor home is perfect for the RVer who travels throughout the US. Wouldn't it be fun to stitch as you travel.

Religious Ornaments

A number of customers have just loved the finished samples of these ornaments. Several customers have ordered larger Nativity, one for her daughter. There are actually two Navities so you could do the smaller one. Another customer loves the three kings because it reminds her of the church pageant. There is another more grown-up version of the Three Kings for the more serious stitcher.