Holiday Finishing

Our finishers outdid themselves this year as did our stitchers. Our customers had their finished items i in before October 1 and we got all the items we sent out back by this past week. Items were beautifully stitched and finished.

I just thought I would share these last two items with you. They were stitched by Jane and Nancy.

Of course, it's never too late to start stitching for next year. And we want to encourage you to pick those items that you have struggled to finish. Record them in our Resolution Stitching book and get a complimentary Stitch and Chat. Finish an item, and recevie a 20% discount on any item plus 10% off the finishing.

I haven't decided what to add to my list this year. Should it be my Melissa Shirley witch. It's huge and I've done so little. Or perhaps I should commit to finishing the various Stitch notebooks
I've started. But of course, there are new things to stitch, too. I want to do the Animal Crackers ornament and finish the Girl walking the dogs.

So many canvases and so little time!

It's Almost Winter and Really Kind Acts

Although it's not officially winter, it certainly feels like winter. We had to cancel tomorrow's beginner's class because of the projected snow. (I'm actually relieved it's really coming down since I made the decision before the snow started. I just thought that participants would really like to know ahead what they were doing.)

The weather tonight made me appreciate being in a warm house. In this economy, we have had a few more homeless people in Ridgewood. The other day our neighbors at Epiphany Cafe, Caroline and Rocco provided food to a homeless woman. She asked them where she could go to get her hair washed. They asked Tapestry, the hair salon if they would take care of her. Not only did Sandy the owner wash her hair, but she gave her a great haircut, too. I was so impressed by their generosity and kindness.

Jersey Shore Mini Stocking

I couldn't get the picture of the NJ mini stocking on the previous post. But certainly, this is perfect for the Jersey shore stitcher. Again, we have three canvases with stitch guides in stock.

Mini Stockings with Stitch Guides

If your family and friends are asking for suggestions, we just got in some Kathy Schenkel mini-stockings; because we've stitched our own, these come with stitch guides. We have two of the elephants available, three NYC mini stockings and three NJ mini stockings. These canvases make great traveling projects and can certainly be finished before Christmas 2010.

In addition, we have some lovely scissors, new threaders and other accessories. Our DJ trunk show is still going on so just let us know what you want to get for your stitching buddies. Or we can set up a wish list for you.

Renee's Pillow

We just got back Renee's pillow today. Isn't it charming. The finisher continued the whimsical nature of the pillow with the outrageous fringe and pom poms. I wish this was going to be in my living room!

Helen's Stocking

Helen really focused on finishing this lovely stocking for her new daughter-in-law. She changed the colors so that the cuff has the colors used in Erika's May wedding.

The ornaments are stitched with really incredible stitches. Look at the beautiful ribbon! In addition, Helen twisted her own cord.

Football Fans

I know football season is rapidly coming to a close. This lovely design by Rebecca Woods is now available at our store. You could be stitching this so that it's ready for next football season. And you could enjoy stitching it while you watch all the college bowl games and the Superbowl.

Nativity

Pam didn't think she would get this done in time to have it finished for Christmas. Not only did she finish it, but the finisher had it back three weeks before Christmas. This lovely design by Rebecca Woods is simple but elegant. Pam did a beautiful job stitching it. It shows how beautiful the tent stitch is.

New Colors for Silk & Ivory

Silk & Ivory has four new colors: Straw, Onyx, Smoky Quartz and Pewter. The straw is a soft yellow while the Onyx adds a strong gray to the line. Smoky Quartz is a grayer blue and Pewter is almost an ice blue. Think what you will be able to do with these!

Bruce's Stocking

Although I haven't gotten the actual stocking back yet, I wanted to share the picture with you. I am very pleased with the finished stocking and can't wait to actually have it in hand.

Once again, you are seeing it before the recipient.

We are still receiving finished items back from the finishers on a daily basis. So I should be posting more pictures to show you what magic our stitchers and finishers have created. Enjoy.

Rockefeller Center Christmas Stocking in Green

My friend, Sue shared this picture of Carol B's Christmas stocking. Carol has just sent this beautiful stocking off to relatives in New York City. Isn't it a great gift!

Carol was kind enough to grant permission for me to share this picture with you. Although I have seen quite a few of this stocking in progress, this is the first one I've seen with a green tree. I thought it was quite lovely. Carol told me she used floss (4 strands) to stitch the tree.

It is beautiful.

It's possible that you've seen it before the recipient.

The Importance of A Downtown

I have just returned from Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. The town is in a lovely setting by the lake. Because I had free time, I spent some time walking up and down the charming downtown. It made me realize again how important a downtown is to a sense of community.

In Coeur d'Alene, the stores were fun to visit. And they help to make the town a vital community. So many people today ignore their local stores, and go to the mall or the internet. But local storea make a difference for a community.

The Ridgewood Chamber of Commerce has encouraged its members to publicize the 3/50 project. The project highlights the economic returns for supporting local stores. Independent businesses contribute significantly to the local area. Check it out.

Dj Trunk Show

I'm back from my trip to Idaho but somehow I haven't managed to get to the blog until today. We still have the Designs by DJ trunk show at the store. One of the designers is Mary Kay Crowley. I've posted pictures
of two of her designs. Yesterday at one of our classes, people were admiring the fireplace scene below. Gretchen had also picked out the mantel scene. Although these canvases are large, they are on #13 mesh so they should be relatively easy to stitch.

They are stunning designs. We have lots more so make sure you get in to see them. You can also check out the designs online and then place your order.

Star ornament

Josephine did four of these lovely ornaments. They are really sweet and should look great on the tree.

Dreidel

It's easy this time of year to think that everything coming back is for Christmas. But we actually continue to get regular finishing back plus items for Chanukah. Nancy was delighted with her finished dreidel. It's very pretty. We actually finished two this year but I didn't get a chance to take a picture of the Sandra's.

Bruce's Tag

I really didn't think I would finish the tag for Bruce's stocking before Christmas. But I picked some stitches that went relatively quickly. It's hard to see the purple building on the right but I found a great stitch. It's the horizontal buttonhole gobelin stitch. It moves quickly and provides lots of movement.

Anyway, if you have been following the information about the Midtown Manhattan Stocking (we call it the Rockefeller Center Stocking), you know that we've been creating custom name tags for individuals to stitch. There really isn't room on this stocking for the name in a traditional cuff. Of course, one advantage of a tag is that the stocking can be handed down! After three years of work, I want it to be an heirloom.

We will be doing two name tags based on St. Patrick's Cathedral; we've done one of the Botanical Gardens and one of a Barnegat Light. I did this one because Bruce has worked at Rockefeller Center for almost 28 years. At least once a year, he sees a camel being walked outside. (The camels come from the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show.) I just thought it would be fun to make this part of his stocking.

Diane's finished stocking

Just before we closed for Thanksgiving, we received Diane's finished stocking back. It's beautiful.

Diane had some really lovely embellishments. She embroidered Christmas New York in script on top of the needlepointed sky and moon. Her moon is lovely with a diamond shaped embellisment and she beaded her waterfall.

It was so interesting to see the same canvas done so many different ways!

School Snowman

We love these school Snowman. ( They can also be done with a Santa). Ali did a great job with her snowmen. The hats look warm enough to wear and I love the pompoms. In addition, she beaded the pennants!

Our finisher was able to then use the same beads in the twist for a glittery effect!

Don't you wish you were getting these for Christmas?

My Rockefeller Center Stocking is Finished

After a little over 3 years of work, I finally finished my Rockefeller Center Stocking. I am giving it to my husband who has worked there for over 26 years.

It has been a labor of love but also an incredible learning experience. I beaded the sky and the tree. I played with different threads. It is fascinating to watch the same design appear so different because of the threads and stitches used.

I am delighted it is done.

DJ Trunk Show

The DJ Design trunk show arrived yesterday. Although it's technically not supposed to be up until the 27th, we have hung many of the beautiful canvases.

We love this trunk show because there is such a wonderful variety of items and themes. This picture is of a beautiful shell canvas on #13 mesh. It's really stunning and has a coordinating piece.

Dale's line includes some wonderful designs. There are feminine and masculine designs plus American Indian inspired geometrics. It's just fabulous.

I will be sending an email out - hopefully this weekend, but I thought you might want to get your name in first on your favorite piece. Of course, if we don't have it, we can get it for you. All DJ designs are 10% off during the trunk show. And we will release canvases before Christmas if it's a holiday gift.

Suzanne's Stocking

Although I've been working on my stocking for almost 3 years (or maybe it is 3 years), Suzanne bought, stitched and had this stocking finished all within 3 months. We think it took her less than 2 months to stitch it -- and it's big! She did a beautiful job on the beauty!

Although I don't want to hear Christmas music before Thanksgiving (today we heard Christmas songs on the radio), I love receiving the finished items back. At this time of year, most of what we get back is Christmas. It's lots of fun to open the packages and see how lovely the items are.

I'll be highlighting various items over the next few weeks.

New toys

Since Christmas and Chanukah will be here soon, we wanted to make sure we had great stocking stuffers for you. On the top left are the new needle threaders from Zecca. Easy to use, you may want one for your tool case.

We also have snip-tipz so that you can cover the point of your sharp embroidery scissors. We haven't had them in a while but you asked us to carry them again.

Finally, we love the needle vials with their pretty tops.

These make perfect holiday gifts for teachers, co-workers and for your own stocking!