Temmy's Floral

 

Temmy has been working on this beautiful floral. It is really quite spectacular. She took it to Framed in Ridgewood. Jan did a fabulous job framing it.

New York City Bellpull

 

Cathryn brought in her wonderful NYC bellpull. She has been working on it diligently for the past 6 months. She is giving it to her nephew for Christmas.

She did a beautiful job. She used a stitch guide by Tony Minieri. Cathryn also did some research so she knows what all the buildings are!

The Planners

 

 

 

 

As you are rushing to finish your ornaments, stocking or belts for the holiday finishing deadlines, remember that there are people who completed their projects way ahead of time! So at the store, we are balancing between those ornaments that are returning from the finisher's and those that we went to get to the finisher before the deadline! It reminds me of college when I was always struggling to get my paper in before the 8 AM deadline; my sister had hers finished weeks before.

Vanessa's Belt

 

Vanessa found this beautiful antique buckle in a button store. She asked us to see if it would work with her delightful woodland animal belt. It's just charming.

If you are struggling to finish a belt for Christmas, the finishing deadline is October 15. So hurry.

New Canvas

 

I ordered this absolutely stunning canvas at the January show. It was used by Amy Bunger in her DVD on light stitching. The canvas is gorgeous but just think how much fun you will have following Amy's DVD! IT's a great way to experiment with light stitching.

Finishing Deadlines are Looming

 

 

At this time of year, it is great to see our customers bring in their just completed projects. Vanessa has been working on the Petei Peter Pan ornaments for a while. But because they will be on the same tree, we recommended that she have them all finished at the same time. So she brought in all of the Peter Pan characters this week. She did a great job stitching them.

I have always loved Nana so I have included a close-up of that ornament. So if you are working on an ornament, remember the deadline is October 1!

New Colors from Vineyard Merino & Silk

 

 

I love it when new colors arrive. They look so luscious as we spread them out before we hang them on the wall. We just received a huge number of new Merino wool colors. It's a wonderful thread to stitch with (I don't usually like wool) that it's great to have a wider selection of colors. And I do love Vineyard Silk so I was delighted to receive more colors from them, too.!

Hooked on Bags

 

We are really hooked on Lee's tote bags. Suzanne had our letterer copy the initials on Suzanne's signet ring. Then Suzanne stitched it quickly (she is our speed stitcher.) And she has been wearing it to work everyday.

Gail had our letterer copy the monogram on her stationary. Her letters are stunning, too and will enhance her carmel colored bag.

I ordered a burgundy bag. Today, Christine delivered my initials. She was able to copy the way I used to sign memos with just my initials. I'm thrilled with it -- in fact, I plan to stitch it tonight!

Karen's First Good Night Moon

 

When Karen went home with her first Good Night Moon canvas, her two teen-age sons asked her to do one for each of them. So Karen bought two, and has just finished the first one. She did a great job using lots of stitches but saying very true to the book's illustrations.

If you read our blog, you know that this is probably our favorite juvenile canvas. So for Good Night Moon II, Karen is going to try some different stitches. I'm sure it will be fun!

Meredith's Beginner's Sampler

 

In the past year, sixty stitchers have taken the Beginner's class. One of the unexpected pleasures was the opportunity to see the different samplers completed. Meredith was the first one to have her canvas installed in our canvas tote. It's a great use of the sampler and I'm sure she'll get lots of pleasure from it.

Our first fall session of the beginner's class starts on Monday morning with the second section starting a week from Sunday. If you have thought of taking the class, we will be taking registrations for the sections that begin in November.

Sunday Stitch & Chat

 

If you are thinking of coming to the Sunday Stitch and chat, I want to encourage you to come. We need you to let us know by the time the store closes tomorrow at 2 pm.

The Christmas finishing deadling is October 1 for most items. In addition, most of the finishers take a break after they finsihed thousands of ornaments so it's a push to get things done in time for Easter. In fact, I just sent in my Easter egg so that I could get it back in time to display. So we encourage you to get working on your projects!

More Watchbands

 

 

 

I realized that after I posted the picture of the watchbands that I had three pictures. So I thought you would rather see them all together.

Watch Bands

 

Our current trunk show, L'Esprit de France has a wonderful selection of watchbands. You get to choose the pattern of the watchband, the color of the backing and the watchface. The range of patterns is unbelievable. There are preppy designs, Christmas designs, animal skins, plaids, plus theme based designs. Then there are gold and silver watchfaces with and without crystals. There are great large watch faces (perfect for those of us who can no longer see our watches without our glasses). The most unique one is a heart shaped watchface. Do come to look at all the choices!

A Favorite Thread

 

 

 

Sometimes, on a beautifully painted canvas, angel's wings can present a real challenge. One approach is to use stitches and threads to make the wings more bird-like. Another is to use Candlelight by YSL and just stitch over the painted wings with a basketweave stitch. The Candlelight lets the paint come through. We've been using it quite a while and love the way it looks. Suzanne (who stitched the angel stocking) has declared it her new favorite thread.

The finished Melissa Shirley angel was done by Chris. Cappy is working on hers now. The close-up is of her wings.

A Wonderful Gift

 

Joyce has been working on this lovely gift for a friend. She had our custom painter paint a canvas of her friend's house. She has done a beautiful job choosing the threads and stitches to make the canvas come to life. I can't wait to see the finished canvas. It will be made into a stool.

Linda's Sampler

 

Linda came in with her finished sampler this past week. I love her color combination. She did a great job on the stitching, too.

Betty's Finished Labradoodle

 

Unfortunately, I was away when Betty came in with her framed Labradoodle. We referred Betty to Framed in Ridgewood. (This shop used to be called Framed by You but they moved to a new location on Chestnut Street and a new name.) They did a stunning job. Bettie loved the way it was displayed in her shop so she also bought the easel the framed piece was standing on.

Although I missed seeing the finished piece, I hear that the recipients were thrilled.

Beautiful Pillows

 

 

 

 

Although L'Esprit de France is known for its wonderful functional items (watches, bracelets, shoes etc), it also has wonderful pillows. We were so lucky to get such beautiful finished pillows -- they clearly show how finishing is important!. In addition to large, dramatic florals, there are pillows with great plaids in wonderful colors. I also love the provencal prints.

Most of these canvases are on larger mesh so they will stitch up quicker; many will make large, dramatic pillows.

Fabulous shoes

 

 

 

When I returned from my trip to look at colleges with Emma, the store was filled with L'Esprit de France's canvases. I was absolutely thrilled to see all the beautiful canvases displayed. THe shoes are too die for. I particularly like the ballet flats - perfect for my wide feet! They are truly stunning.

Sally loves the leather shoes with canvas inserts. They actually had to explain to me that the two triangle shaped canvases were the canvas inserts-not scissors cases.