Tree Pictures

Below are some pictures of the Rockerfeller Center Christmas Stockings. Obviously, each stitcher works at her own pace. Some are much farther along than others. But we have been inspired by each other's work. Some have even gotten to the skating rink and the water fall. We are not meeting in February to give ourselves time to try to finish the sky.


The pictures below are just a sampling. Obviously the thread and the stitch make a difference. In the first three photos-MaryLynn, Gretchen and Mary, all three stitchers used Criss-Cross Hungarian. MaryLynn used a different color than the other two. But look at the difference between Gretchen's and Mary's. They both used the same stitch and the same color. The difference is that Gretchen left openings for the beads and varied the weight of the thread!










The next three photos show stockings all stitched with French Knots. Ignoring how far along we each are, look at the different effect. Nancy stitched her lights in French knots as she went along. Ellen added the lights later. I haven't decided whether or not to add lights.

Ellen used three different weights of Kreinik while I used mostly #16 braid, only using #12 braid on the outer edges.








I love seeing the differences. I can't wait to see how we all progress!

David McCaskill Classes

The Friday, March 23rd canvas enhancement class is already full and there is only one spot left on Saturday. Sunday will be the thread program. I'm really looking forward to that since I do believe that David is ingenious with how to get the most bang for the thread! He's not bound by the rules.

I'm trying to decide whether or not to offer a third enhancement class instead of the One Flew Over the Pumpkin Patch. I do love David's pieces. I have a couple of people who would like to do his potting shed piece. But I also know that we won't be able to get his enhancement classes.

Both Sally and I have been guided by David in the past. Below I have posted a copy of Sally's Red Sox Canvas(canvas by Needlepoint Broad. David suggested many of the threads and stitches. Isn't it fantastic?

Kathy Schenkel Trunk Show

The Kathy Schenkel Designs Trunk Show has arrived. Suzanne and I spend this afternoon checking everything in. Tomorrow morning, I hope to have as much of it on the walls as possible.

They are really fun canvases. Lots of Santas-sports, professions, monthly. Lots of Christmas ornaments including some cute ones that are finished as little boxes. And of course, there are her signature mini stockings with a small stuffed figure! Suzanne and I both loved the various baby signs and the tooth fairy pillows! There are also small cats and dogs in stars and dogs that can be put on purses.

Come to see her line. One of these things I love best about Kathy's designs is that she has a unique style.

David McCaskill

As many of you know, Ridgewood Needlepoint has been fortunate to have David McCaskill yearly. In fact, when he reduced his travel schedule, we still continued to have him.

This week, David told me that he is going to limit his teaching to the stores and guilds near his home. So unfortunately, this will be his last teaching engagement at Ridgewood Needlepoint.

We already have him scheduled to do two canvas embellishment/enhancement classes on Friday and Saturday March 23 & 24th. Right now we are planning on having him do a thread class. That class will focus on the use of overdyed threads plus how utilize other threads for unique enhancements. (I've always been amazed by David's use of threads. As those of you who have taken his classes know, David is not bound by the rules!)

I'm still hoping to do the "One Flew Over the Pumpkin Patch" class on Monday. We will be the first group to do this class after the Goddess weekend. But if there is an overwhelming preference for a third enhancement class, we could do that. One other possiblity is individual appointments with David. Please come in and let us know what you prefer or email us at stitches@ridgewoodneedlepoint.com.

David McCaskill

The group that was going to host David McCaskill on Saturday, March 24th has decided that they can't do it.

I am now trying to determine how to fill Saturday. I have thought of having both canvas embellishment classes on Friday and Saturday. On Sunday, we can do his overdyed thread class and on Monday the One Flew Over The Pumpkin Patch.

David's overdyed threads class is an excellent class on the techniques to use when using these threads. He's excellent at demonstrating how to use them most effectively.

Please call the store (201-612-7770) or email us at stitches@optonline.net to let us know what your preferences are!

Tomorrow's Annual Superbowl Sale

Our annual Superbowl sale is tomorrow. It starts at 7AM. In past years, customers were waiting to get in when we got there to get organized. Last year was the first year customers wore pajamas. It was really fu lots of canvases on sale. In addition, we have some truly great buys. Medici for 2 for a $1. Gutterman Seed beads are $1 per tube or 6 for $5!

Lots of canvases are on sale. In addition, sale canvases are 65% off the first hour and 60% off the second hour!

We have a small selection of books on sale - Father B's Stitches and Paint YOur Own Canvas.

We are looking forward to seeing you tomorrow!

David McCaskill's Classes

I can't believe that David McCaskill will be here in two months! He is scheduled to teach for three days at Ridgewood Needlepoint-Friday, March 23 and Sunday & Monday, March 25 & 26th. We have already started enrollments for his Friday embellishment class which is limited to 8.

Originally, I was going to schedule his Halloween Hat for Sunday & Monday. It's a great project with lots of great stitches and threads. It will cost $370 for the two days; that includes the complete kit (canvases, threads, stretcher bars etc.).




But David wrote to me this week and said we could be the first group to do his "One Flew Over the " project (It was done at his Goddess weekend.) It's a one day class for $230 (includes complete kit and teaching fee) and then he could do a second embellishment class on Monday -- again limited to 8 people.

I'm really torn. I love Halloween so either project works for me. Both projects look fun so the question is what you want to do. Please look at the pictures and email me at the store.

Don't forget to sign up quickly -- we have limited space.

Post TNNA

I just learned this week that I had won a prize from the pre Tnna preview Promenade! It was open to retailers who sent to the booths or classes sponsored by certain teachers or designers. I had attended classes by Tink Boord Dill and Janet Perry so I was able to enter. Janet Perry is the one who writes the wonderful review of TNNA.

So go to that web site www.yarnandthread.com to see who else has won!

In addition, some of the show orders have started to come in. We are working on the "New Jersey Girls Don't Pump Gas" sign. In addition, two fabulous canvases of shore houses from Maggie Co. arrived yesterday in addition to more outfits for the paper dolls! I plan to take pictures of those next week.

TNNA Review

Janet Perry of Nuts About Needlepoint (http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com)did a great review of the TNNA show. The Barbara Elmore designs were beautiful but pricey.

I'm including my response to Janet."Janet's review was terrific. I was intrigued by a couple of other things. Maggie had some beautiful houses that looked like the sun was just hitting them right. They would be great for stitches.

Maggie also had laminated paper dolls with an outfit for each month. Unlike the ones my grandmother kept for us to play with, these are middle-aged dolls! The outfits were fun. My favorites were the leopard coat and the May outfit-a gardener's outfit. I've ordered my doll and plan to do each outfit as a canvas of the month with stitch guides!

I've ordered the pendants and hope to be able to send my two pendants off by the beginning of next week.

There were also great stocking cuffs at Elizabeth Turner, Needlepoint Broad and Associated Talents.

Needlepoint Broad also had a great "Jersey Girls don't pump Gas."

In FACT, I've started to stitch it already. RIght now it's available in pink and green but it will be available in yellow and black (like the current license plate and in blue and yellow like the old ones.

Needlepoint Jewelry

I have been diligently working on two designs that will be turned into needlepointed pendants. They are quick to stitch and will be lovely to wear. They come in many different designs including initials. I'm hopint to send mine off before next week and should be wearing them in February. I'll post a picture as soon as it comes back.

Stocking Cuffs

I have stitched 16 hand-painted needlepoint stockings in my 30+ years of stitching. Currently, I am working on the Rockerfeller Center Christmas stocking -- stocking number 17!

But if you already have two + children or grandchildren (with others to come), it can seem like an overwhelming prospect to start stitching stockings for everyones. A great solution is stocking cuffs. You just stitch the top part and the main part of the stocking is created from fabric. At the TNNA show, Needlepoint Broad www.needlepointbroad.com, Elizabeth Turner, Associated Talents www.aneedlepoint.com and Beau Geste www.beaugestedesigns.com all had great stocking cuffs.

Below is the picture of a customer's grandson with his stocking and its needlepointed cuff.

There's loads of time before next Christmas to finish several if you need to!

Flying with Needlepoint

I am attaching the most recent guidelines of what you can and can't bring along for flying. Most disturbing is that supposedly clovers can no long be brought along. I will be getting some inexpensive blunt scissors for you to bring along. Hope this helps you.

Please note that it does depend on the security officer. In fact, I accidentally traveled to San Diego with a sharp metal laying tool. Ooops!

Transporting Knitting Needles & Needlepoint

Knitting needles are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage. However, there is a possibility that the needles can be perceived as a possible weapon by one of our Security Officers. Our Security Officers have the authority to determine if an item could be used as a weapon and may not allow said item to pass through security. We recommend the following when bring knitting needles on an airplane:

* Circular knitting needles are recommended to be less than 31 inches in total length
* We recommend that the needles be made of bamboo or plastic (Not Metal)
* Scissors must have blunt points
* In case a Security Officer does not allow your knitting tools through security it is recommended that you carry a self addressed envelope so that you can mail your tools back to yourself as opposed to surrendering them at the security check point.
* As a precautionary measure we recommend that you carry a crochet hook with yarn to save the work you have already done in case your knitting tools are surrendered at the checkpoint

Most of the items needed to pursue a Needlepoint project are permitted in your carry-on baggage or checked baggage with the exception of circular thread cutters or any cutter with a blade contained inside. These items cannot be taken through a security checkpoint. They must go in your checked baggage.

TNNA Show

The show itself was good. Much less crowded than other years with knitting much slower. I love to walk the show first to see what items stand out.

This year, there are collars and cuffs by L'Esprit de France (www.Lespritdefrance.com)
The collara and cuffs come in leopard, zebra, french country patterns and plaids. They are attached to your own jacket with velcro. They were fun and easy to do!

Some clever designers have designed cases for your Blackberry or IPOD. Another finisher can use your finished needlepoint as a flap for your computer bag.

There were beautifully needlepointed designs that were finished as jewelry. I'm working on mine tonight so I can have it converted into the pendant. This will be a quick project that makes a nice gift to yourself or others.

MAGGie & co has dolls that have changeable needlepointed outfits. The dolls are laminated and the outfits get attached through magnets. I want the whole series. There are 12 outfits plus a coat. Currently there are four or five dolls! We are going to develop a class to do six outfits in a year. I just loved it. I've order my doll with reddish hair!

Come see the pictures I've brought back.

The National Needlework Association Show

I arrived home early this morning (2:30am) after five days in San Diego. The first two days and three hours the next two days were devoted to classes: Kelly Clark & Janet Perry, John Waddell, Tink Boord-Dill. I learned some new beading techniques, diagonal laid fillings (you definitely need to do horizontal and vertical laid stitches first! I worked on two lovely canvases - one from Kelly Clark. Kelly's designs feature old-fashioned Santas plus lovely topiaries. She is also expanding into less holiday areas. She has a fantastic mermaid. Kelly Clark's trunk show will be at Ridgewood Needlepoint in June 2007!

The next class was Buckle UP taught by John Waddell. It's an adorable cowboy on a bucking horse. The two are framed by a horseshoe (check www.needlepointbroad.com for a picture. The owner is my twin sister). We did some fun techniques (a twisted cord for the reins). John will be coming to Ridgewood Needlepoint to teach in October 2008.

The technique classes were fun and the business classes were interesting.

I also attended a presentation by Kaffe Fassett. He's well know by knitters and quilters alike for his vibrant patterns. His color sense is excellent!

More later on the show itself.

Classes

We are in the process of developing our spring and summer formal classes. I'm thinking of a wild and crazy women class where we all work on Melissa Shirley's wacky women desings. I'm also intrigued by her stitching series. Other people want to take the City Snow which is a Maggie canvas of women bundled in coats on a grey winter's afternoon.

Let us know what you want to do. We can repeat Candy Village, Rockerfeller Center, add the above classes etc.

We are also starting to plan David McCaskill's classes for March 2007 and Deborah Wilson's classes for October 2007.

Rockerfeller Center Needlepoint Christmas stotcking

Yesterday, we had a great make-up class for the Rockerfeller Center Needlepoint Stocking. We had five stockings that were being worked on. It was incredible to see what a difference threads make. Three of the stockings were done in criss-cross hungarian. They look so different although in two of them the difference was that one stitcher varied the weights of the Kreinik braids used and the other did not. One stitcher used Kreinik 238 which gave the tree a much more green tinge. The criss-cross hungarian stockings looked much golder than the French Knotted one.

The trees done in french knots used Kreinik #307. But the dramatic differences were due to the use of three vs. two weights. Also, one stitcher used a dark green flair for the shading while the other french knotted the areas in overdyed Kreinik.

One stocking was French knotted including Coronet braid for the lights.

I hope to have pictures. It was very interesting to compare. Oh what a difference a thread and/or stitch can make.

TNNA Show

I'm getting ready to go to the TNNA show in San Diego. Although always fun to go to, the weather doesn't seem quite as attractive as 70 degrees in New York!

I'm beginning to get notices of new canvases and threads. A group of designers and teachers have put together a forum for the retailers to preview. It's also open to our customers to preview. It you are interested, please check out:http://www.yarnandthread.com. I'd love to know what you liked and also any other items you are looking for.

Although Christmas has just ended, stitchers need to think ahead. In December we received some lovely ornaments from Beau Geste. You needlepoint a small diamond and then attach the ceramic pin that is provided. The pins are very nice and include a polar bear, a bunny, candy canes, a heart (good for Valentine's Day, too), a snowflake, a package etc.

Come see them before they're all gone.

Rockerfeller Center-Needlepoint Christmas Stocking

The Rockerfeller Center Christmas stocking class are continuing to work on their trees. A few of us went in to see the Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree in New York City last night. We wanted to compare it to our stockings. The tree was beautiful. It does photograph redder than it looks in person but the stocking still is a wonderful rendition.

We were also struck with how the buildings reflected the city lights.

The rink does look white not icy.

2007

I'm looking forward to an exciting 2007. The TNNA show is early this year and I will be leaving in a little over a week! It's always exciting to see what is new.

I've also had time to look at some of my own personal gifts this year. My husband gave me a second set of Amy's Keeping Me in Stitches so I could keep it at our summer home. I really enjoyed leafing through the familiar chapters and enjoyed relooking at some of the newer chapters. I particularly liked the one on gardens.

I'm working on the Rockerfeller Center Christmas stocking. The tree is finally finished. It was done with french knots using Kreinik #307 in #16 and #12 braid. I'm now working on the sky using Vineyard Silk S-530 (a dark blue with a metallic mixed in). Now I have to work on Candy Village.

Working on these two Christmas items just after Christmas reminds me that it's never too early to start for next year. Some customers have already been in to select the ornaments they will do for their families for Christmas 2007.

Finishing

We were very busy in December with all the finished items coming back. We received beautiful stockings, ornaments, pillows, purses etc. I will be adding a picture of Helen's Summer Gnome in the next week. I'm sorry I didn't have my camera to catch her excitement as she opened the UPS box! It is beautiful and hanging in the store.