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!

I'm still a little behind

I promised that I would have the email out and the information on the The Doors up in early January. I have started to work on the email which will then go up on the site but I still have to take one more picture. I went to take the picture and one of my children borrowed my Nikon battery! So the picture will have to wait.

Of course, when I get the battery, I might also take a picture of the Christmas door "in progress."
It's really coming along quite nicely if I say so myself. Although I had hoped to finish it this week, I think I will be able to get it done by next week and then start the Chanukah door. So for those of you who are wondering, the first door in the series will be the holiday door. (You can choose Christmas or Chanukah or both).

I am enjoying the Christmas door a lot. It's been fun to figure out how to get more depth through stitches and threads.

Happy New Year

I forgot to wish you all a Happy and Healthy New Year. Remember that stitching helps to reduce stress!
Eileen

The End of 2008

I just realized that I haven't posted a blog in over two weeks. I have been busy with the store and of course, celebrating the holidays with my family. Somehow, it always seems that I'm in a crunch just before Christmas-so much shopping to do and cards to write etc.

In case you don't know, we have started our January Sale early. Relatively new canvases are 20% off while the older canvases are 40% off; sale canvases are 75% off the original price. In addition, since Anchor has discontinued its pearl cotton #3, we are selling it for a $1. a skein. In addition, in order to make room for new threads, we have reduced some threads to $2. a skein (Trio, Elegance, Shepherd's Silk, Ty-Di Threads). There are some other threads on sale too - sparkle braid, felicity's garden etc.

We are very excited about this new wool that is coming in from Wiltex threads. I love their Vineyard Silk so I was very excited to sample the new wool. It's lovely. Suzanne loved it too and she loved Medici!

It's snowing here in Ridgewood. In fact, although Sally and I made it in the roads were terrible. So we closed at noon and went home. It's a very pretty snow but tough to drive in.

I'm busy working on the Christmas door for our Door series. I am also working on the email announcement so please be patient!

Audubon Pictures

Yesterday, I had the pleasure of working with a customer as we kitted her beautiful canvases. The design was originally an Everglades bench (think birds) by Ann Cram. Carol loved the piece but wanted two needlepoints for her Florida home. Ann painted the design to meet Carol's needs.

The birds are lovely (and as some of you may know, since I am a birder, I am particularly fussy about my birds). Carol is going to do the pieces in basketweave. We spent some time choosing the perfect colors from The Caron Collection's Impressions.

It was fun to pick out the beautiful colors. I can't wait to see the finished project.

Evelyn's Pillows

Evelyn has been working on this collection of animals for about two years. She carefully chose the individuals in her menagerie. I think they are wonderful.

We don't usually get to see a customer's work all together so we really appreciated that she brought them in back in for us to see!

Christmas Ornaments/House Tour

Although it's rainy outside, I must say that I particularly look forward to coming into the store during the season. Everyday we get to open boxes from the different finishers. Our customers have done beautiful ornaments, stand-ups and other things this year.

Below I have posted pictures of some.

We have these wonderful Santa's and Snowmen that can be personalized with a school's colors and name. Below I have posted two of Mary's - Elon and Davidson Santas.


Sports Fans really like to have their teams represented, too. Below is a Mets Jersey.



The beautiful Melissa Shirley angel was stitched by Chris. It's on display at the Ho-Ho-Kus Auxiliary's House Tour that benefits Valley Hospital.


Chris put her beautiful angel on top of her living room Christmas Tree. I was lucky enough to see all of Chris's ornaments displayed as she got ready for the tour.
The stitched ornaments and holiday treasures really make her house an absolute treat.

What Should You Get For a Stitcher

We have lots of things for stitches in a wide range of prices. We even have a book that can be bought in chapters so your children can get what you want! We have a fabulous collection of books, DVDs and CDs. We can keep a wish list for you, too.

We have quilted bags for projects in addition to our clear vinyl bags. There's also a stash bag that will hold threads and your tools for that project.

Of course, needlepoint involves lots of gadgets. Amy put together a little stitcher's kit with a scissors, laying tool, needles and the new bling magnets. We also have some wonderful decorative magnets.

Of course, you can buy a gift certificate so the person can choose herself (or himself) or you can suggest one as a gift for you.

Come search for the stitcher in your life (or for yourself).

It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas

At the store, Helen started decorating. The garlands are up, wreaths are on the door and the Christmas window is half done. We've started our daily holiday drawing and have already had three winners. Two have already picked up their gifts. In order to be in the drawing, you have to make a purchase. At the end of the day, we cut up our copy of the receipts and draw a name. So the more you come, the more likely you are to win!

Christmas finishing continues to pour in. It's like Christmas every day as we get to see the finished canvases. I know I promised to post pictures. I hope to do that later this weekend.

Come to the store to get a respite from the holiday craziness. Join us for a Stitch & Chat!

The Weekend After

I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We had a small group for dinner but it was very enjoyable. We even got to sit by the fire for a while. We've used some of the Thanksgiving leftovers recipes that we have traditionally used. In addition, when making the Thanksgiving stuffing, I found that turkey sausage is moister so you need much less water.

Of course, as a retailer, I can help but read the stories about Black Friday and the hordes going to the mall. At Ridgewood Needlepoint, we had a lovely day with our customers who came in for stitch and chat. Kappy came in to pick up a delightful pillow. I promised to post that picture with some other finished items later in the week.

This week, we expect the Christmas finishing to really start coming in. I know that we will be receiving two tree toppers and three Old World Santas this week. I can't wait to see them.

Thanksgiving Joke

I've never posted a joke before but I just love this one. So rather than emailing it to everyone I know, I thought it would be appropriate for the blog.

I do wish you all a lovely Thanksgiving!

Eileen Aird

A young man named John received a parrot as a gift. The parrot had a bad attitude and an even worse vocabulary. Every word out of the bird's mouth was rude, obnoxious and laced with profanity. John tried and tried to change the bird's attitude by consistently saying only polite words, playing soft music and anything else he could think of to "clean up" the bird's vocabulary. Finally, John was fed up and he yelled at the parrot. The parrot yelled back. John shook the parrot and the parrot got angrier and even ruder. John, in desperation, threw up his hand, grabbed the bird and put him in the freezer. For a few minutes the parrot squawked and kicked and screamed. Then suddenly there was total quiet. Not a peep was heard for over a minute. Fearing that he'd hurt the parrot, John quickly open the door to the freezer, the parrot calmly stepped out onto John's outstretched arms and said, "I believe I may have offended you with my rude language and actions. I'm sincerely remorseful for my inappropriate transgressions and I fully intend to do everything I can to correct my rude and unforgivable behavior." John was stunned at the change in the bird's attitude. As he was about to ask the parrot what had made such a dramatic change in his behavior, the bird continued, "May I ask what the turkey did?" HAPPY THANKSGIVING! J

The Armchair Chef Rides Again

Tonight, I went through my Thanksgiving list of items to do. I know I need to go food shopping and thought the stores might be less crowded tonight. Consequently, I am trying to decide what we really will have for dinner. Alison is making pumpkin pie. I am going to have her check out the recipes at www.TheArmchairchef.com. The had a whole lot of pumpkin pie recipes to celebrate pumpkin pie day which was November 21st.

Tink will also have celebrity chefs for Thanksgiving leftover ideas. I know I will be checking it for ideas. I often make turkey soup and turkey salad but it's nice to have new ideas.

Sandra Gilmore & More Trunk Show

Last week, we kept waiting for the Sandra Gilmore trunk show to arrive. It turns out that it was sent out late so we didn't receive it until Tuesday.

It's now hanging up and it is lovely. We have her lovely room scenes, her beautiful flower scenes plus some of her large figures. There is a sweet child dressed for Halloween and a wonderful Santa.

We also have a number of judaic designs from Sandra and another artist in the Fleur de Paris line.

We requested the Trubey NewYork City BellPull. Come see the trunk show. Also, remember that we will be closed Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday before Thanksgiving.