Brickcovers and Door Stops

 

A brick cover or door stopper can have many uses. I can keep a door open or a door closed. It can also prevent a door from constantly opening and slamming shut. But it can also be very attractive. This door stop is one of the prettiest ones we've seen. The designer also makes other ones such as a lake house and a lobster shack. It just seems like the perfect decoration for a summer house.

Dragonfly Purse

 

It's been a great week for getting finished items back. Antoinette was very patient waiting for her dragonfly purse but it was worth the wait. This purse is just fabulous. And the theme is so perfect for the summer. I know she will enjoy it!

Cathryn's Ornament

 
Cathryn's South Carolina ornament also came back this week. We know that she enjoys vacationing in South Carolina so this is a lovely memento. We didn't want to unwrap the tassel but could tell that it was just beautiful. Lucky Cathryn.

Ann Wheat Pace

Ann Wheat Pace came to the store yesterday. We had a lovely time and she met some customers. I was delighted to hear that she will be making more frequent visits to the area since all three of her children will be living here.

I had planned to take some pictures of Ann with her designs but my camera battery died so I was unable to take them. She brought her finished pumpkins with stitch guides. They really make very nice fall decorations. Autumn decorations seem so valuable since they can be used for several months. I will take the pictures next week and post them.

Sweater Ornament

 
 

Marilyn often needlepoints an ornament for a wedding gift. She chooses the ornament carefully and then has the finisher embroider the initials and the date on the back of the ornament. This one happens to be one of my favorite sweater ornaments. It's a lovely gift!

Ann Wheat Pace's Trunk Show

 
 

Right now, our store is covered with canvases by Ann Wheat Pace. There are lovely florals, many beautiful crosses and lots of other themes. I particularly love the Easter eggs that are finished with small woodland scenes on the inside. They remind me of the sugar eggs we used to get as kids. They are quick to stitch; pick one up now and you have it back in time for Easter.

Ann sent wonderful finished items with the canvases so you can get inspired by the finished pieces! We also love the Easter tree filled with ornaments and its lovelyt ree skirt.

Tony Minieri's Back To Basics Class

 
 
 

We had the second session of Tony Minieri's Back to Basics Class on Monday. It's absolutely one of the best classes I've every taken. Even though I just finished taking it in April, I am enjoying it so much. It has caused me to think about why I am following certain stitching pathways.

We have been really packed for this class since I didn't want to turn anyone away. But everyone has been anxious to learn. Tony also shared some of his canvases with us. Nancy B. showed us her finished Kimono from the ANG 2009 Stitch of the Month. (I should have taken a picture of it but didn't remember until it was too late.) Tony also showed his Batik collage based on African Fabrics -- the next in his series of collages based on regional fabrics. It's beautiful and is going to be done in two colorways. Needless to say, I love the bright one.

I'm determined to try some of his stitch suggestions for canvas embellishment.

Of course, I still haven't finished my stitching for class on Wednesday.

New Colors from Planet Earth

 

One of the fun things about working in a needlepoint shop is that almost everyday is like Christmas with packages to open. We love to see the new canvases and the finished items. But I think getting new threads is also great fun -- particularly when it's from Planet Earth, Silk & Ivory or Wiltex Threads (Vineyard Silk and Merino). Although lots of companies name their threads, these three companies have really great names. And the names are on the tags, too. Of course, I love seeing the new colors, too but the names even make a group of greys fun!

City Needlepoints

 
 
 
 

In the past couple of years, we have had several customers stitch these wonderful canvases. Gretchen had done Manhattan; we've seen both Paris and London done, too. We were thrilled that more cities have been added to the selection. Right now, we have in stock London, Washington DC (new to us) and Jerusalem (a new one). We thick they are great projects that also make great gifts.

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.