Finished Pillows

At the store, we see a lot of finished items. Some of them are done at our more expensive finisher. She does a fabulous job selecting fabrics and trimmings for items. But of course, that takes time.

Other pillows do not require such fancy finishing. But sometimes, a customer wants a very decorative pillow but doesn't want to spend as much as the top end finishers cost.

This weekend, we had several wonderful examples of pillows that were finished by our regular finisher. She did her normally great job of finishing the pillows. But the end product was definitely enhanced by the customer's outstanding choice fabric and trim.

I thought you would enjoy seeing two of these pillows. One was done by Ellen. I don't have the other customer's name here at home. Both pillows are outstanding!

Tussie Mussie

I just caught up with Terry this week. She took the Tussie Mussie class at Deborah Wilson's Cabin Fever. She said it was a really fun piece and very doable in two days.

So let us know if you are interested. We are taking registrations now for the class being held on Sunday and Monday, October 26 & 27th.

Melissa Shirley's Web Site

Melissa Shirley just emailed me the link to her website: /www.melissashirleydesigns.com/

Remember I missed the show, so it was fun to look at the just released designs in addition to those from January. I love the egret designs from the winter show.

For those of you who love butterflies, there are some beautiful ones.

Melissa went crazy for gardens this spring. She has bird houses, butterflies and formal gardens in addition to just wonderful garden scenes. I also loved some of the flowers.

Take a peak. We'll be glad to get you what you want.

I Hate Being Sick

I'm still home with the flu but I was able to spend a little more time on work related items. I've ordered some Threadworx, the new company whose threads are replacements for Needle Necessities. I'm looking forward to getting these threads in.

I'm planning on doing some stitching tonight and hope to be at the store tomorrow.

People are definitely planning what canvases they are bringing to David McCaskill. I've ordered the Autumn Girl and have a discontinued Great Dane that I want to do for my daughter Emma.

Upcoming classes

It's not too late to sign up for the City Snow class (or as we call it, the Coat Ladies. I need to order the canvases by April 1 so if you haven't registered and want to join us, call the store. The class is being held on three Sunday afternoons. It's the perfect class to use some of your stash up if you choose. I will also have a kit available if you want to replicate what I did.

Cathryn is teaching David McCaskill's Stitcher's Purse over 3 sessions. They will be held on Sunday mornings. I have 6 people registered so there is still room for one more.

Finally, the Stadium class in also scheduled for three times on Sunday afternoon. I think one date is being changed but it will start on April 13. You can see pictures and more information on our web site.

OOPs, I forgot. There may be one or two openings for David McCaskill on Saturday, April 26th. Call if you want to save that place. 201-612-7770

We are really excited about these classes!

My last blog didn't post

I do try to keep current with the blog. Sometimes, I'm better at it than others. But this weekend, I posted a blog that somehow never made it the the blog page itself.

I was thinking that this Easter we did so few eggs. It's hard to know if it was because Easter was so early this year. But it means we can get back into the egg swing next year.

I've been home with the flu so I don't know exactly what's going on at the store. I've been trying to work on my designs for the Design for Embroidery class with Mary Shipp and my next design for the NAN certification program.

In between, I have done a little stitching on the Old World Stitching Santa. Kelly Clark outdid herself with this piece.

Easter in early March

Fortunately, Easter is rarely this early. In fact, only those 95 and over have ever observed an Easter this early and the next one this early won't be for over 100 years.

In the store, we did far fewer Easter eggs. Somehow, no one seemed to realize that it was this early until it was too late! I'm working on the Old World Stitching Santa and it doesn't seem out of season yet.

Of course, I am enjoying the forsythia we bought. I love the bright and cheery flowers -- they seem to promised that spring is coming. I was thinking that I haven't seen a canvas of forsythia although it would make a great canvas for embellishment.

I also had a chance to look at the classes for The National Needlework Trade Show in June. There are some great technique classes that I am looking forward to taking. Sign-up is tomorrow so I'll be waiting at 10 AM.

Calendar

We are trying a new calendar. We had one once before but you couldn't see what was written.

Go to the events sections. There is a trial version of the calendar. Dates with an event will be highlighted. You bring your mouse over the date and it gives you the information about the class.

Let me know what you think.

Stitching the Old World Stitching Santa

I've been enjoying stitching the Old World Stitching Santa. I love seeing it take life. For those of you who want to take a mini class in it, I think it would be best to just do the plaid shawl and the basket in a class. So far, most of the other stitches are familiar. The complicated part is the shawl and the basket.

I'm Back

I got back from the National Academy of Needlearts Seminar late Tuesday night. I planned on posting from there but I had limited access to the internet there so it just didn't happen.

I have now completed my Teacher Certification year in Nan. Helen has almost finished her year, too. We will both be embarking on Level I of Teacher Certification. We both have a lot of stitching ahead!

The NAN exhibit of needlepoint was lovely. I felt quite honored to have the Right Facing Camel get an honorable mention award.

Traveling

I'm in Tucson right now and have managed to get to two of the local stores. I love to go to different stores to see what I might have overlooked at market.

I always manage to find something that I think is intriguing. I've been looking at some new books to add to our offereings. There is a small project book that could be useful to take along. In addition, there is another new book by June McKnight on Bargello and one by Sue Higgons (Higginbottom?) focusing on just 52 stitches. I plan to order these as soon as possible.

New Clases and a New Judaic Trunk Show

I just wanted to make sure that you've checked the new classes list. All new classes currently scheduled on listed. We are missing a couple of pictures but I will fix that when I am back from Tucson and Kansas City.

Our Judaic Trunk Show should be set up this coming week. It's a great opportunity to see the designs of a number of designers on the same theme. Come and take a look.

New Brick Covers

It's always great when a customer has seen something I don't know about. It's an opportunity for a search.

Last week, a new customer asked about a log or lake house brick cover. Although I couldn't find one while she was in the store, I managed to find it.

There are several of these wonderful brick covers! There's a great one of a New Orleans House and a lake house. I can't wait to see them in person.

Hydrangea Sampler Class

On Sunday, the current Hydrangea Sampler Class met for the last time. It was great to see again how just changing the colors change how a piece looks. Nancy was particularly brave -- she even changed the mesh size. I'm including a copy of the works in progress. Only Mary's is missing.

This was a great class. Helen will be repeating it soon.

Snow Day

Today was the perfect day to stay home and stitch. I'd like to tell you that was what I did but unfortunately, I'm still putting the last minute touches on my requirements for the National Academy of Needle Arts. The assembly meets a week from Wednesday and I need to send out my design books etc. But I am planning on stitching tonight and tomorrow!

Last night I did finish the August outfit for the Paper doll. It does look great and involves a slightly different thread and stitch.

I haven't been able to stitch on Rockefeller Center in a while. But I'm planning on it tonight.

I leave on Tuesday for Tucson and have to make sure I have enough stitching to do. I'm planning on taking the Ridgewood Exclusive outfit for the Paper Doll Club and also the Old World Stitching Santa. It would be great to have something almost done.

Old World Santa

I got my Old World Santa this week. I can't wait to start stitching him.

I don't always like to use someone else's stitch guide but this one is just fabulous. I'm including a picture since the painted canvas pales in comparison. We have ordered all the threads so you can replicate it exactly.

Old World Stitching Santa & Classic Stitching Santa

We just received the fabulous stitch guide from Kelly Clark for her Old World Stitching Santa! What a great piece and what wonderful stitches. I've ordered one for me and hope to teach it as a class this summer. The picture is just of the canvas. The finished piece has a three dimensional plaid cape and a three dimensional basket.


There is also a new Stitching Santa called Classic Stitching Santa. Obviously, this Santa has been to some of our stashes. He's carrying lots of either finished or unfinished canvases.


I may have to have both. Check out the pictures!

Westminister Dog Show

Do you have a favorite breed? I am partial to several and love to see them at the Westminster Dog Show.

But if the Standard Poodle who won the Best of Breed last night wins, his owner will be wearing a custom Poodle Cumberbund. It was fabulous looking but I forgot to take a picture. But if you're watching, look for someone wearing a poodle cumberbund.

Stitcher's Purse

Cathryn has confirmed that the first Stitcher's Purse class will be held one Sunday morning a month. The dates are Sunday April 13th, May 18 and June 8th. The kit will cost $90 which includes the canvas, the threads and stretcher bars. The three classes will be $100. (In the event that a fourth class is needed, there would be an additional charge of $25.) The purse can be stitched with two different overdyes -either a rose or a turquoise.

We will need a minimum of 5 students to hold the class. We need to have your commitment no later than the end of February in order to get the canvases.

Cooper Oaks Trunk Show

Helen managed to hang most of the Cooper Oaks Trunk show today. I haven't seen it all together for a while. In looking at the canvas, it's remarkable how many are a manageable travel size. For those of you going away in February, you might be able to find the perfect travel project.

They have some great designs. There is a new series of letters that are just charming. They belong in a child's room but aren't babyish.

I had forgotten that Cooper Oaks also has some fun signs. One group of canvases is obviously influenced by country french patterns and themes.

Although many of the beach scenes are on 18 mesh, most of the flowers, signs etc are on 13 mesh.

Come see them soon. As always, there is 10% off on Cooper Oak during the trunk show. It will be up the whole month.