Judy's Easter Eggs

Judy stitched her eggs after the beginning of the year. Aren't they beautiful? She were able to get them done just in time for Easter. They arrived a few days before Easter and she was able to take them home and enjoy them for the holiday. course, it's not too late to start for next year.

Judy did do a great job on them.

If you are going to display your eggs together, it's best to finish them at the same time so they will have a coordinated look! We still have eggs left and it's really not too early to start for next year.

More about Prairie Chiickens

I've talked to a couple of customers about my birding trip to Nebraska. For those of you who are interested, I wanted to share two blogs with you that will give you more information. One is Rick Wright's blog: http://birdaz.com/blog. Rick also refers you to a new blog by Mitch who operates the tour to the Prairie Chicken. On his blog, he has a great picture of a Prairie Chicken = much more accurate than the impression I give at the store! His new blog is: http://surfbirds.com/blog/GrasslandDan/.

I continue to work on my San Francisco mini-stocking. I just have the water and a little bit of the bridge to finish. Then it's on to the Spring Door!

The Christmas Door

My finished Christmas door arrived today with all the Easter eggs. I promise to post pictures of those tomorrow.

I really enjoyed stitching this door. I had it finished so it can stand up along or be put on an easel.

The Christmas door is part of our Door club. They have all been fun to stitch and the first canvases should be going out soon. We are just waiting for them to arrive.

You can still join. I'm thinking of letting people purchase 3 doors with the option of adding other ones. Of course, if you get all six doors you can have your own door done!!

Kathy Schenkel's San Franciso Mini Stocking

I'm almost finished with this delightful mini-stocking. As some of you know, this mini stocking is Kathy's newest mini stocking design. But since my husband is from San Francisco, I just had to stitch it immediately. I'm very pleased that I managed to keep the bridge dominant. The gull is being turned into a Hermann's gull because it is a dark gull and will look great against the foggy sky. I plan on stitching the sails in a very white thread for contrast. The green area will be knots.

I have really enjoyed stitching this and can't wait to get it off to the finisher. I love it when the things come back.

Portuguese Tile

I know that most of you are familiar with The Caron Collection, the manufacturer of some of our favorite threads - impressions, snow, watercolours and waterlilies to name a few.

But how many of you realized that they also have a wonderful line of canvases. Their designs are beautifully stitch-painted and definitely have their own unque style. Most are sophisticated geometrics. In addition, you can choose to have the design painted on #13 or #18 canvas.

We just received two canvases. The one above is called Portuguese Tile. I loved the blues and greens and the combination of flowers and geometrics. It is truly a beautful canvas.

My trip to Nebraska

I know that some of you were surprised that I was going to Nebraska. So I thought you might enjoy seeing the picture of one of the birds I went to see. The picture above is of a Greater Praire Chicken doing it's territorial/ mating dance. The male chickens defend a spot on a piece of prairie against other males -- and try to seduce the very particular females. There were up to 70 males in various stages of the dance - each female seems to come alone so that the males can fuss over her! We had some wonderful views of other birds too but didn't get to see the same level of performance with the Sharp-tailed grouse. I'm hoping that I can go again with Rick Wright to see the Sharp Tailed Grouse perform, too.

I did manage to get some stitching done but not as much as I had hoped. It's amazing how plane delays can eat into planned layover time.

I'm still working on the San Francisco mini stocking.

The big news is that Gretchen had done a stitch guide for the NYC mini stocking. Let us know if you want us to pull the threads for you and make a copy for you.

JP Needlepoint Purse

Helen suggested that I stitch a purse for the store. Of course, I love color and this seemed like a great store sample. It's one of the JP bags that come with a decorative ribbon and are finsihed as a pouch.

Although I can do decorative stitches while watching TV, I must say that I have found it very soothing to stitch this canvas using basketweave and Silk & Ivory. It reminds me that we really should vary our stitching projects. We need different things from our stitching at different times.

I do love the colors of this purse and look forward to seeing it finished. I'm about half way done.

I'm leaving tomorrow morning for Nebraska to see the cranes at Platt River. I have lots of airport layover time so I should get lots of stitching done.

Elephant Decorating the Tree

When the Kathy Schenkel trunk show arrive, I knew I had to stitch this elephant. I posted the picture of the plain canvas in early February. I couldn't start to stitch until after my copy of the canvas arrived at the end of February. (For trunk shows, the first person who signs up gets the canvas).

Once the trunk show left, I was able to start stitching. Above is a picture of the finished canvas just before it went off to be finished into a mini stocking. It will have an elephant insert.

I stitched the elephant using petite very velvet. Of course, because it's for Christmas, there is lots of glitter on the floor, on the tree's ornaments, and even on the wallpaper.

My husband and I used to read a group of kids stories about the Large Family. The Larges were elephants; the titles and stories were particularly amusing for the adult readers and kids liked them too. When you read a story over and over again, it's good to enjoy it. Anyway, the elephant decorating the tree brought back the enjoyable memory of the "Large" elephant family.

Nancy's Coat Ladies

Nancy took our first coat ladies class last summer. Didn't she do a great job!

The fun part of this class is that it lends itself to the more novice stitcher and the more advanced stitcher, like Nancy. In order for Nancy to get more out of the class, we encouraged her to choose her own stitch for the coat on the right. In addition, she felt comfortable changing the colors used.

We will be teaching this great class again in the fall. I must admit it is one of my favorite pieces.

Kathy Schenkel's San Francisco Mini Stocking

I don't usually stitch ornaments but right now, I am in the middle of stitching Kathy Schenkel's mini stocking of an elephant decorating a tree. I also ordered the NYC and the New Jersey mini stockings. (The NYC mini stocking has an apple for its insert; the New Jersey mini stocking has a seagull.)
Today we received Kathy's brand new San Francisco mini stocking. The insert is a brown seal. It's perfect for the traveler or your favorite Californian. My husband grew up just outside of San Franciso so he will be receiving an unstitched one for his birthday on Sunday. Then I will have to stitch that one before my NYC one.

So suddenly I am stitching four mini stockings (plus the doors and my Rockefeller Center Stocking and a purse.) How many are you stitching?

I will be traveling next week to Nebraska and have quite a big of time in between flights. I am hoping that I will use the time to stitch these ornaments!

Kansas City Rooftops

I designed this piece as a teaching piece. Sue Dulle did the student booklet layout for me and edited my prose. She was a delight to work with.

She liked the piece so much that she asked for permission to stitch it. Of course, I was honored and thrilled that someone wanted to stitch it.

Above, I have posted a picture of Sue's stitched piece. She has it beautifully framed and then entered in in the National Needle Arts Exhibit. I just wanted to share Sue Dulle's entry into the NAN exhibit.

Seeing hers, it made me realize that I need to frame mine, too. In case you want to read more about Sue's piece, you can read her blog at www.sudukc.wordpress.com.

Finished Piece

Nina is a really fast stitcher. She wanted to do something special for her husband's birthday so she stitched his initials. The monogram was designed to fit into this handsome Lee jewelry box. Several other customers are doing canvases that fit into this jewelry box. Either would make a lovely gift.

But there is a very limited supply of these jewelry boxes so if you want one, let us know immediately!

Learning to Post Pictures

I know you have seen the photo of the finished Valentine's Day Door but I am practicing how to post pictures myself. I do love this door and really fell in love with Silk Lame when I was stitching it.

Jane's Chair

You know how people often say that they would like to come back as another person's dog or child or something. Well, I want to come back as Jane's grandchild (either one of them). For her first grandchild, Jane did a lovely rocking chair with a Winnie the Pooh Design. For her grandaughter's first birthday, she has completed this lovely rocking chair with a Beatrix Potter figure. It is perfectly stitched and just lovely. Jane is an incredibly precise and fast stitcher. This is only one of the projects she has finished in the past year.

Blog Pictures

I realized that when I posted this picture, it wasn't small enough. I have been learning to post the pictures myself on the blog and it is definitely a learning process. I've decided that the Microsoft ads showing kids doing fantastic photo manipulations are aimed at the wrong audience. Instead, they should show a 58 1/2 year old woman easily posting pictures to her blog! Of course, I am still sorting through deciing what size they need to be!

Valentine's Day Door.

I am so excited. Last night I put the finishing touches on the Valentine's Day Door. The finished door is so vibrant and three dimensional! I loved using the new Silk Lame by Rainbow Gallery. It's part of the Door Club.

I plan to start working on the Spring door next unless the Patriotic Door takes hold of my imagination. To be honest, that's the one I want to work on next and then I want to do Autumn followed by Spring and Summer. Oh well, we'll see how disciplined I can be.

New Belts

Some great new canvases arrived today. We received a Happy Everything belt for the person who likes to celebrate every holiday! We all received a crew belt. It's perfect for the crew member in your house whether they are in high school, college or even a graduate. I know there are lots of crew people out there.

Chanukah Door

I am so excited! Tonight, I finished the Chanukah Door for the The Doors Club. Although there are dreidels in the door, I think it would also be a great winter door -- you would just have to stitch beyond the dreidel shape.

This is the second door that I have finished. I hope to finish the Valentine's Door tomorrow night. I'll then be 1/3 done. I plan to stitch the Spring or Patriotic Door next

Packing and Unpacking- Books & Canvases

We spend Tuesday and Wednesday packing up the Kathy Schenkel trunk show. It is a delightful show to have and many of you got some fabulous canvases to stitch.

The last two days we have spend unpacking all the boxes that arrived earlier in the week. We got our order of Stitches To Go plus two new books - Julia Snyder 's Categories for Needlepoint and
Suzy Murphy's Mini Stitches. Both books look great. I can't wait to sit down with each one.

We only received a couple of the new books but if we run out, we'll be glad to order more.

Then we unpacked lots of canvases. We got some new tallis bags, a wonderful lady drinking tea and a group of Lee canvases.

Finally, the new Wiltex wool threads arrived!

Black and White Hen

This is one of my favorite canvases. I ordered it at the show but it hasn't arrived yet. The hen has such character!

We have been receiving canvases from the show this past week. We've gotten in some wonderful tallis bags, ornaments and the wonderful Vogue Lady that Judy Hendrickson stitched. The picture is posted on a previous blog - Finishing January 11, 2009

Audrey Hepburn canvas

This remains one of my favorite canvases. It's by Shelley Tribbey and comes on #13 mesh and #18 mesh. I love it that although not a picture of Audrey Hepburn, it definitely seems like it is Audrey.

What do you think? Also, notice the fantastic finishing.

Another Chandelier

If the mermaid chandelier is just to big a project for you, consider this much smaller chandelier by Shelley Tribbey. It's a different pillow and the finishing makes all the difference.

I'm so excited. We just figured out how I can add pictures directly. It will mean that the blogs can have more pictures. I've been sending them to
our computer guy to upload. This is fantastic.

Mermaid Chandelier

It's always fun to open the packages that arrive at the store. Finishing is often the most exciting because you get to see how the piece actually turns out. But there are some canvases that just call you to pick beautiful threads and stitches.

One of those canvases arrived last week. Terri had ordered the Mermaid Chandelier about six months ago. It is actually hand-painted by the artist, Barbara Elmore. When it arrived this week, everyone was just taken away by how beautiful it is.



Gretchen and I have started to pull threads and to think about stitches. We will have it for another week or so while we create a suggested thread and stitch guide so try to come by to see it.

Easter Isn't Far Away

We aren't far away from Easter. This week at the store we received some adorable Easter eggs from Associated Talents. Suzanne scooped one up before it even got into the drawer!

In addition to eggs, we received some carrots. Of course, the stitching makes a difference but the finishing makes them to die for. Below I've posted a picture of three finished carrots.

Project Bags

The new project bags have almost flower out of the store. The large sacks are perfect for carrying your needlepoint project on stretcher bars. Other customers have also liked the smaller project bags for travel projects. Others have snapped up the gadget bags. Although I got them in red, blue and black, I can also get them in purple. Since I'm planning on ordering more in the next week, I'd be delighted to order the colors or styles that you would like.

In my original post, I forgot to mention that the bags are manufactured here in the United States. I believe they utilize disabled workers so there is an added benefit to these bags.

We will be ordering them again this week so if you have a particular preference, please let us know. We will be glad to accomodate you.

I'm Back from Tucson

I returned from Tucson late Friday night. I enjoyed the brief time away and got started on the Chanukah door for The Doors Club. It's coming along nicely. I do plan on taking pictures of that and the Valentine's Door to post on this blog before I get them off for finishing.

When I returned to the store, I found out that an article had been published about me in the Ridgewood News. I'm trying to get a way to have it posted on our web site.
It includes a picture of me stitching the Rockefeller Center Christmas Stocking. People at the store and at the bank had seen it before I did! If I can get it on the website, I'll announce it on the blog.

Ridgewood News- Keeping 'em in stiches

I returned from Tucson late Friday night. I enjoyed the brief time away and got started on the Chanukah door for The Doors Club. It's coming along nicely. I do plan on taking pictures of that and the Valentine's Door to post on this blog before I get them off for finishing.

When I returned to the store, I found out that an article had been published about me in the Ridgewood News. I'm trying to get a way to have it posted on our web site.
It includes a picture of me stitching the Rockefeller Center Christmas Stocking. People at the store and at the bank had seen it before I did! If I can get it on the website, I'll announce it on the blog.

International Santas, Golfer and Boarders

I'm leaving for Tucson today at noon but I wanted to let you see a few of the finished Kathy Schenkel Santas.

Kathy has a delightful series of International Santas. There are about twenty Santas that include some cities (Venice, Paris, New York, London) and some countries (Australia, Spain). Below, I have posted a picture of three of the Santas. Gretchen did two of these.



Then, for the sporting people in your life, Kathy has a large Golfing Santa. It's terrific.


Finally, she has smaller stand-ups for the boarders in your life. Helen did these for her sons. One is a surfer and the other is a snowboarder.

New Project Bags

At the show we found these great new project bags. The flat sacks were designed to carry needlepoint canvases on frames. They come in three colors (red, blue and black) and two sizes (large and medium). Perfect to carry your larger projects.

We also bought some project bags to put your threads in and some smaller bags for your needlepoint tools. Suzanne and Helen both thought the bags were great when we opened them today.

Looking forward to warm weather

Maureen has a new house at the beach and she has been stitching for it. This lovely group of umbrellas really came out great. She used different threads and stitches.

Can't you imagine how great it will look at a beach house?

Kathy Schenkel Designs Trunk Show

Yesterday and today we checked in the Kathy Schenkel trunk show. Her line has a very wide range of subjects although the majority of items are smaller -- think ornament size. But she also has a great series of lighthouses.

Kathy has many designs that are finished as 3-D ornaments. In addition, there is a wide price range.

I must say that I really enjoyed checking this trunk show in. I loved the Thanksgiving scene. Today, I fell in love with the 12 Dogs of Christmas and Meow Christmas. Either set would be lovely for the dog or cat lover in your life.

Kathy's designs are easy to stitch since they are stitch-painted.

You Tube Fans

One of the most popular You Tube videos is of the Bulgarian Idol singer with her interpretation of the Mariah Carey song. There is a small needlepoint canvas immortalizing her singing. It's a hoot for You Tube Fans.

New Items Are coming in

We've started to receive the first items from the show. The fabulous watchbands from L'Esprit de France have arrived. In addition, we have some lovely provence inspired canvases from them. Come to see them soon since one or two have already sold!

We also have Lee's ID tags, two black jewelry cases (either one would be a great gift for a man). You could just add initials and you'd have a great gift. We also got the yellow and cranberry gift boxes from Lee that go perfectly with two Lani designs. Either one would make a great gift and are quick projects.

For the cat lover, we have a Barbara Russell Maine Coon Cat who is sitting up on a quilt. Even though I've ordered these, it's always a treat to get the new things.

Spring Classes

I just wanted to let you know that I am also working on the email newsletter concerning classes. We are just trying to tie down all the classes, costs and dates so we can provide the classes that are wanted. If you are interested in our classes, please let us know which ones you particularly want to take.

Because classes take so much planning and coordination (we need 6 weeks to let the distributor know that we need the canvas etc.), we are also trying to be proactive about our summer and fall classes. This winter just seemed too brutal to attempt classes. We thought we would end up cancelling them. But we are ready to start in March.

If you are not already on our email list, you should sign up so you will get our class notice.

A Snowy Day

New Jersey has been closed down by the most recent storm or so it seems. It snowed early this morning; it is now sleeting and the roads are treacherous.

Our policy is to close down when the Ridgewood Schools close down. So we are closed today. I am working on my Valentine's Door. I just love the way the pink Silk Lame looks on the canvas. It really reminds me of a pink cake. I haven't taken a picture yet but will soon.

Back from TNNA

I came back from TNNA early on Tuesday morning so it's taken me a while to get back in the swing of things. But the canvases have already started to arrive!

Given all the excitement over the inauguration this week, I couldn't resist the picture of the Washingon Monument, the reflecting pool and fireworks by Needlepoint Broad. It's a fantastic canvas. I hope to add a picture soon.

The Kelly Clark designs from Sample It are lovely; Suzanne already bought the mitten to stitch for her tree.

Customers have loved the Canvas bag ornaments that look like LL Bean bags. I loved Dede's Santa face with its wonderful beard and All about Stitching's Easter bunny. Come and see before they are sold.

The TNNA Show

Today, I continued to take classes and to walk the show. I think I walked 5 miles yesterday and today inside the convention center. TNNA has done a breast cancer walk the past few years. This year they let us just sign up at the beginning of the show and we were given pedometers.

Of course, in addition to the fun of shopping, there is the fun of seeing the various designers. I had dinner with Dale of DJ Designs and Emily of Chandall Needlepoint in Houston.

It's fun to see how some of the designers pull their booths together. Hyla Hurley's The Point of It All has fabulous red walls which set off her fun canvases. Shelly Tribbey's canvases are beautifully finished with lots of whimisical women.

I was saddened to learn that Gene Plummer of HP Designs had died in August. I may not see these people often but I do look forward to seeing them at the shows.

The National Needlework Show-Day Three - Class and Show

Today, the actual show opened at 10 am. But first, I took a class with June McKnight. She is the author of all those small books (sort of index card size) with spiral bindings. The books are great but the class was fabulous! It was on borders.

The book is organized by the size of the border you need to stitch. June's sample is a belt sized canvas with a sample of each of the borders in the book. It's a wonderful reference and done on #13 mesh. I'm looking forward to teaching this class so let me know if you are interested.

I then went to the show itself. On the first day, I try to walk the entire show. I didn't quite make it but I only missed a couple of vendors. They are first on my list for tomorrow. The Point of It All has a wonderful London needlepoint belt. Rebecca Wood has a football canvas similar to her Baseball canvas. I also loved Treglown's Football play. It would be a great pillow for the football player in your life.

Treglown also had a purse used belts as the purse's strap -- a very clever idea. I also found another vendor for project bags.

I also got some wonderful stitched samples from The Princess and Me. I loved the graduation snowman -- easy to personalize for the graduate in your life.

I'm still sorting through everything I saw.

Tomorrow I'm taking another class from June McKnight on shading. We all know that it's not my favorite but still important to do.

The National Needlework Show-Day Two of Classes

I arrived in San Diego yesterday. Today, I took a great class with Amy Bunger on Melissa Shirley's Pretty Peasant Dress. Amy had us do lots of stitches including a colonial knot rose! Wait until you see that technique! We also did lots of Jessicas. The class was fun and also reminds me of how much slower I stitch when I'm in class.

At the National Needlework Association (TNNA), we have to order items. But there is a Sample It! event the night before the show opens. It means that I get to come home with a few canvases. Lani had two lovely canvases for the Lee jewelry case. A couple of the vendors had new Christmas ornaments. Kelly Clark had some new socks and mittens plus a new Santa. I was able to get those in #18 and #13 mesh. There is a new designer who had canvas bag ornaments. I have six of those. Another vendor had Christmas ornaments in the shape of old fashioned lights and a happy birthday sign. I was also able to get 6 new kids kits.

Tomorrow, I take a class from June McKnight on Borders. Then, it's on to the show and all the new designs.

Finishing

It's so satisfying to finish a piece. Just before Christmas, a couple of customers came in with their finished and framed pieces.

Judy worked with David McCaskill (remember he's coming back April 18-20th) to develop stitches for this lovely Victorian lady. She also decided to make some thread changes as she worked. This picture just doesn't do the piece justice but it's a start.

To Market, TO Market

I leave a week from Thursday for The National Needlework Association trade show in San Diego. First, I must admit that I particularly love the market when it's in San Diego. There is something wonderful about leaving cold and grey New Jersey and arriving in beautiful and normally sunny San Diego. The reality is that once I'm there, I don't get out much except walking back and forth from the hotel to the convention center. But it's just the idea that I'm there!

I always take classes. I'm very excited since I am taking Amy's Bunger's class on Melissa Shirley's Pretty Peasant Dress. It's bright and fun and Amy is a great teacher.

Of course, I'm there for the show, too. SO if there is anything in particular you are looking for, please let me know. I always go with a shopping list.

And in order to accomodate the news threads and designs, we have lots of canvases and threads on sale at the store. They are going fast so hurry!