Wouldn't YOu LIke This On Your Thanksgiving Table?

 

The finisher just sent me a picture of the finished Larry the Turkey. I just had to share it since it is beyond what I expected. If we get your stitched canvas back before October 1, we can have your turkey ready for Thanksgiving.

We have a class scheduled for Sunday, September 12 and can also schedule one for Monday, September 13 if there is enough interest for two classes. It's a fun piece. The stitch guide uses both threads and stitches to get the effect. Approximately half the areas are stitched in basketweave or continental.

Fran's Armadillo

 
 

Fran chose this canvas about two years ago. It is a large piece with lots of background. She worked consistently over the past two years and now has a lovely stool in her living room. The stool was custom made to fit the piece. She chose tall legs so that someone can sit on it comfortably.

The cherry finish is really stunning as is her needlepoint!

Merry Sue's Snowman

 

Merry Sue was thrilled to get her snowman back. She had decided to let the threads do the work so she basically stitched the snowman in the basketweave stitch. She grounded the snowman by stitching ice and a sky. She used lots of Kreinik since it is an ornament. (Ornaments show up better on the tree when they are sparkly).

What a lovely job!

What Can You Do with An Old Finished Needlepoint?

 

Jane came in a couple of weeks ago with an old needlepoint that had been finished as a purse. It was stitched by her mother's sister. Jane wanted to turn the piece into two pillows for her mother and her remaining sister. She was sure that they would cherish an item stitched by their sister. But how could a purse be turned into two pillows.

We picked a velvet for each that would coordinate with the needlepoint and the recipients house. In addition, we requested that our finisher find pretty cording.

We were delighted to get the finished pieces back from the finisher. The pillows are lovely. What a lovely gift!

Great Canvases for Beginners or Decorative Stitches

 
 

We are always looking for canvases that are appropriate for a beginner. Beginners need canvases with blocks of colors so that they can learn stitches beyond the tent stitch. In addition, it's best if the canvas is on #13 or #14 mesh and not too large. It's very important that a beginner can see the end in sight and know that the piece can be finished. (Of course, that's true for all stitchers but more seasoned stitchers can play games and reward themselves for finishing a section.)

I love these two canvases. Needless to say, they both have subjects that I like- camels and birds. But in addition, their graphic quality lends itself to great stitches, fun threads and an enjoyable project.

Sally's Santa

 

Sally V. was on a cruise. When she returned, she was delighted to find her finished Kelly Clark Santa. She loved the elegant finishing and it will join her other Christmas themed items.

Marilyn's Witch and Halloween Finishing

 

Marilyn has had this Halloween witch for several years. She added it to our Resolution Stitching List and recently, she finished it. (I hate to admit it but I think I have the the same witch in my stash of unfinished projects!). But due to her persistence, her witch will decorate her house for Halloween.

If you are stitching a Halloween piece, you need to get it in quickly in order to have it back in time for Halloween. I'm not sure why the majority of holidays are bunched together just before the finishers are inundated for Christmas. We are checking with our finishers to see if the Holiday finishing dates have moved up. But it's always better to have the items in ahead of schedule

Helen's Outdoor Shower

 

Helen is on her summer vacation at the beach where an outdoor shower is a way of life. She stitched this delightful Cooper Oaks design and then had it framed. She dropped it by to show us before the framed piece goes to live at the beach. I think it's great.

Cooper Oaks' Hippos

 
 

We had a customer who ordered these charming canvases of Hippos gardening. Sally, Amy and Gail were so taken by these canvases that they had me order the set for them. I do think they are delightfully whimsical and will be great fun to stitch!

Woman at the Theater

 

Do you remember when people used to dress up for the theater? I do. I love how elegant this woman appears as she goes to sit down at the show? Or is the show over? This canvas can suggest so many stories. In addition, it is a wonderful canvas for stitches because of the blocks of color.

Eliza B. Flip Flops

 
 
 
 


We just received a shipment of four pairs of Eliza B. flip flops. Unfortunately, they aren't for our staff (except for my starfish flip flop (it was sent ahead of our mass shipment). The three pairs were stitched by Joan Y. Joan is an amazing stitcher who completes an incredible number of canvases. The flip flops are for her daughters and granddaughers. I think they are such a great gift == and so personalized. She did a bathing suit for one, cats for antoehr and flower for the third. Vogue has been really terrific about getting these back quickly so we can wear them all summer.

Noah's Ark

 


Every once in a while, we get in a canvas that everyone in the store falls in love with. Well, this Noah's ark may be our new favorite juvenile canvas. We just loved the animals going up the ramp to the Ark. It's just such a delightful scene and different from so many of the Noah's Ark's that we have seen.

Painted Canvas

 

When I write a stitch guide, I always wait for the actual canvas to come in. It seems extra cautious until they come in. Although I've stitched the canvas that the ones from the copy artist are based on, I've found that there is always a difference.

Recently, we received two of the same canvas at the same time. I was struck how different the colors were. The sky and the robes of the canvas on the left are much brighter on the one canvas. I don't get to see the difference all the time. I love painted canvas but they are done by hand -- hence the variations!

Betty's Labradoodle

 


Technically, the labradoodle belongs to Betty's Son as will the actual needlepoint. But Betty came in several months ago looking for a labradoodle. At the time, we had the wonderful Tapestry Tent trunk show in. Betty found a canvas of a Brindle Scottish Terrier that she thought looked like her son's dog except for the ears. The challenge was to make the canvas look like the photo of the dog. We basted an area for the hanging ears on the canvas and tried different threads. Vineyard Silk's Tone on Tone almost matched the dog's color perfectly. Betty stitched the dog using random short and long. Isn't it a stunning job!

This week, Betty came in for the background. We decided to do the tartan plaid in Vineyard's Merino wool. The colors were perfect and it seemed so appropriate. In addition, it is truly lovely to stitch with.

IT's About the Fringe

 

Somehow, I don't seem to have the photo of the front of the canvas. But I wanted to show you the lovely fringe on this newly finsihed pillow. OUr finisher uses this wonderful fringe and fabulous dupioni silk. (Of course, she has many more, too. Seeing just this little bit of the finished project makes me want to finish some designs quickly.

Woman Having Tea

 

We like to have great canvases of women. This wonderful canvas just came in. It's of a woman having tea. There are lots of areas for stitches and bright colors. It's also on #13 mesh so although it's a large design, it will go quickly. Just think what you can do with it. The best canvases for stitches are those with blocks of color so you can really see the stitches.

Eliza B. Sandals

 
 
Evidently, although I did originally post a picture of the four belts that we sent off to Voila! to be finished, the picture isn't appearing. Realistically, it's easier to post the picture again then to correct the blog.

So, these are the belts that Ridgewood Needlepoint's staff sent off to be finshed into Eliza B. flip flops. We know to order one size up than our regular size (or order the Eliza B. sandal you usually get). There was great discussion about which belts to make into the flip flops. We are anxious awaiting the return of the flip flops. For those of you who know our staff, can you figure out which belt was done by Suzanne, Gail, Gretchen and Sally?

I have been wearing my poodle flip flops almost every day. I do alternate with my other flip flops but I particularly like the poodle ones! They match Marlowe, my apricot standard poodle.

Other Uses of Ornaments

 

Not everyone turns our ornaments into ornaments. Marilyn, who gives wonderful mini-stockings as engagement and wedding presents, had us turn this delightful sweater into a Christmas card holder. It sits on her table and is filled with Christmas cards as they come in. It's such a great idea we had to share it with you.

Where Has the Time Gone?

We've been busy at the store. Tony Minieri came on Monday to teach the first day of his four day class: Back to Basics: Bad Habits Broken Here. We ended up with 18 people in the class because I was unable to say "no" when people called at the end to register. It was a fabulous class. Tony has an incredible knowledge base and he is very forthcoming with his information. Although I've already taken the class, I still benefited from sitting through it a second time.

We managed to have almost all the supplies in the store that Tony recommends for a stitcher's kit. Our Dovo scissors came just in time. We are planning on kitting a "stitcher's kit" based on his recommended tools.

I embarrassed to admit that I forgot to take pictures. You'll just have to wait for pictures from the second class.

New Designer Scissors from Gingher

 

We just got in the new designer scissors from Gingher. This lovely red plaid is the newest pattern in the limited series scissors. We just loved the red plaid. Just think what great Christmas presents they would make in addition to gifts for other occasions.