Resolution Stitching

 

The Dog Walker is one of my Resolution Stitching Projects. And I am proud to say that I finished it last week and sent it off to the finisher. This was a fun project to do.

The painted canvas just has the dogs and the dogwalker floating in the middle of the canvas. But by adding a ground, they are now walking on the ground instead of flying in the air.

If you are working on Resolution projects, remember that the year is almost at the midpoint. How are you doing on your projects? Several people have finished one or even two projects, so they have been able to take advantage of the 10% discount on finishing and 20% off on a canvas purchase.

David McCaskill Working on My Project

 
 
 

There was an unexpected opening in the Saturday class so I was able to be David's student again. Of course, I had to choose a canvas quickly. I had ordered Liz's fabulous Tulips with the hope that I might get to do it with David, but I had managed to sell it before David arrived. (Fortunately, David did get to work his magic with the tulips with Michelle.) But I decided to work on the Wintergreen canvas that I have show on the blog several times. I love that canvas but hadn't really looked at what was on the table. David wasn't sure what some of the items were. So he took out his pen with disappearing ink, and drew a vase with candy canes I will be making candy canes with Memory Thread and then attaching them to the canvas. He also decided that there was too much open space on the wall and drew a sconce on the wall. I'm always a little timid about drawing on a painted canvas but using a pen with disappearing ink reduces the anxiety. I even went home and worked on the canvas. I can't wait to work some more on it. It would be great to have it done before his next visit.

Rocky

 

Liz brought her wonderful canvas, Rocky to the David McCaskill class this past weekend. If you follow my blog regularly, you know that Liz and I started to talk two weeks ago. I learned that she had a Harlequin Great Dane at home and went home to get this canvas from my stash of canvases that could only be released to a "good home." Well, was this the right home! Liz was very excited with the threads and stitches that David suggested. And she plans to have Rocky done by the time David comes back next year. Of coure, by then, the canvas will be renamed for the female Great Dane.
she owns.

I included a couple of the chosen threads for the canvas. The stitches David suggested were great. And this very large canvas will be done with a just a few select stitches. I can't wait to see the finished Dane.

Helen Modeling Her Needlepoint Earrings

 


Helen stitched and finished these needlepoint earrings. They are a perfect traveling project since they are small and incredibly portable. In addition, they are so quick to stitch that you could make a pair for many of your friends. We can get them with holiday themes, Pucci colors or just simply elegant designs.

Pillows

 
 

We received a number of finished items at the end of last week. Barbara's cat pillow came back. Don't you love the shape of the pillow!

I also think the hockey pillow is just great. Both of these pillows demonstrate how effective a canvas can be when using the regular tent stitch. Threads can change the way the canvas looks!

Baby Sign

 

This delightful finished sign arrived last week. Isn't it delightful. We loved the idea of leaving the canvas open. It makes it more interesting -- and it goes a lot faster!

Teresa's Bunnies

 

Teresa has been working on this canvas from Maggie for a while. She's done a great job and just has a few more areas to finish. Of course, I love the noses done in Rhodes hearts.

Bride Topper

 

Recently, a customer inquired if the Bride topper was for a wedding cake. Unfortunately, it is not. But she wanted a picture.

This is the photo of the bride topper encrusted with pearl beads. It's quite fun. There is also a tuxedo for the groom.

David McCaskill Embellishment Class

Tomorrow, we will be spending part of the day getting ready for David's visit. I pick him up at the airport in the late afternoon. The first class starts at 10 AM on Saturday.

It's always great to have David back. He is fun to be with and comes up with great ideas. I look forward to seeing the canvases that people bring -- and to see and hear his suggestions.

Toppers

 

Last week, we received our long awaited order of toppers;well, we almost got them all! Josephine came in on Saturday to start one of the three she ordered. She is doing a boy scout topper for each of her grandsons. Each one has the appropriate troop number painted on the canvas. It's a great gift for a boy scout. And if the recipient is becoming an Eagle Scout, you can add the Eagle Scout pin,

First Anniversary Pillow

 

Helen stitched this monogram for her son and daughter-in-law in honor of their first wedding anniversary. We've done lots of these monogram pillows (we really like them for a ring-bearer pillow that can then be used later). But this is the first one done with a bargello background. Doesn't it look great?

Bumble Bee Picture

 

Joan is really an amazing stitcher. She completes so many project and so quickly. This pillow is one of her most recent projects. I think she stitched it for her husband because he likes bees. Once again, she did a lovely job.

Any Stadium Canvas

 

I love this canvas for the baseball fan who enjoys being at a baseball game -- any game. Our painter just added the baseball players to the canvas - and I think it just makes the canvas fabulous. Don't you know a baseball fan who would love the canvas? Of course, I need to take a better picture but I thought it was better to get this one up.

A Canvas Finds a Home

Every once in a while, there is a canvas that really speaks to me. If it doesn't sell, I take it home because I don't want to see it in the sale bin.Since And usually, I plan on stitching that canvas. Of course, since I own a store, I know I can get most canvases for myself if I sell the one in the store. But if the canvas is discontinued, I have to make a decision. Occasionally, I have to intervene so that the canvas gets a good home.

That's how a fabulous Amanda Lawford ended up home. It was of Rocky the Great Dane- But what a Dane. Rocky was licensed from Constance Coleman who does pet portraits. He was a Harlequin Great Dane stretched across the living room sofa. I had planned to stitch him some day.

Yesterday, Liz came in to prepare for David McCaskill's canvas embellishment class. She wanted her chihuahua canvas by Tapestry Tent to be put on stretcher bars. We got to talking (she also grew up in Manhattan on the other end of 18th street etc). Then she mentioned that she had a Great Dane. When it turned out the Great Dane was a harlequin, I had to go home to get the canvas for her.

She's now going to do the canvas in David's class. (There is still one opening on Sunday). And Rocky found a great home.

Karen's Stand up

 

At the store, we sometimes get a canvas that requires a slightly unusual finishing approach. Karen's canvas was one of those. It was part of the Brenda Stofft's trunk show (yes, Karen got far more done on her canvas from Brenda that I did). Karen worked quickly and the canvas is already back from the finisher. It really is quite festive and will be a great addition to winter decor.

Monogram Pillow

 

We've been doing these monogram pillows for about a year. It makes a great wedding gift if you use the couple's initials in the colors used at the wedding.

A Great New Baby Gift

 
 

This adorable Yankee sweater was stitched as a new baby gift. The canvas was sent to the finisher after Anthony was born, so she was able to embroider his name and number (first grandchild; first child hence a number 1) stitched on the back. There are other great designs to stitch for a baby.

We also have a wonderful bride and groom topper for a wedding or show gift. Of course, these gifts require some planning so that they are ready for the date!

Kindle Covers

 
 

Several of us at the store have purchased the Kindle, the digital book reader. They are very convenient to use when you are traveling but what do you do with the accessories? You need the plug to recharge it and perhaps a light.

When we were at the show in January, Helen and I both thought these kindle covers would be great. They are prefinished so you just stitch them and then, zip it up. We thought that because of the use it would get, the cover should be stitched in wool. Since it really can't be put on stretcher bars, you can't use a laying tool. Thus, I don't think you want to use the floss that normally comes with the kit. We had them send it to us without the thread so you can pick out your own.

Child's Belt

 
 

Gail has been away for most of the winter. She came back from Florida just around Easter. But in Florida, she had lots of time to stitch. She is stitching this adorable belt for her Grandson. To stitch a belt for a child, you can either buy one meant for children or stitch less of an adult's belt. Your choice. But think how thrilled he will be to wear this belt everyday.

Happy Mother's Day

 


At Ridgewood Needlepoint, we hope that you are all having a wonderful mother's day. I thought you would enjoy a picture of Gail's current project. She is stitching our logo and then plans to put it on a purse. Of course, she has the purse picked out already - it's a black canvas purse. So she should have a great summer bag.

Parking Spot and Beading Class

 

Recently, I read about a new gadget called the Parking Spot. I received one in the mail this week and we have all been thrilled with it. It's is a device that can hold a laying tool (including non-metallic ones) or a pencil etc. We loved it so much that we immediately ordered the tool and it arrived just in time for Mother's Day. It costs $20 so it is the perfect item to suggest to family members with limited budgets wanting to know what you want for Mother's Day. We also have some beaded threaders that are fun. Another great gift is one or two chapters of Amy Bunger's Cookbook for Stitchers. A big spender could get you one of her DVDs.

Are you intrigued with the canvas it's on? Gretchen is going to teach a short beading class this summer. We are working up dates and prices so keep your eyes out for the announcement.

I've finally managed to snag the DVD player and watched two of Amy's "How'd You Do That?" series. I thought they were great. I'm looking forward to watching more.

Another Beginner Canvas

 


This canvas arrived with the others I posted this week. It is also a great beginner's canvas. There is enough detail but also the opportunity to use some decorative stitches. I have to take a better picture of one other canvas - it's of a sheep. I hope to post that soon.

Yoko's Sampler

 

When Carole Lake was here, I attened her lecture at the Bergen County EGA. They have a show and tell table at each meeting. Of course, I had to see what had been done. I was pleased to see Yoko's finished Beginner's sampler at the table.

We've just started our next Beginner's class. We are also taking enrollments for the June Tuesday evening class and a Monday morning class. Both start go from June until July.

Good Canvases for Beginners

 
 


Just before I left for Arizona, we received some great canvases for Beginners. One is of tomatoes on the vine (perhaps, I was just fantasizing about NJ tomatoes when I bought it). The other is of a house and fields. Both these canvases are on #13 mesh and would be good for the beginner stitcher. There's an opportunity to use some stitches and I'm sure there we can find the right colors in Silk & Ivory and Planet Earth Threads. It's hard to find good canvases for beginners so I was really pleased when these came in. (I know I ordered them but it's hard to remember what you ordered after the show!)