Summer Purse

It's almost summer but there is still time to stitch a small canvas and add it to a bag.This customer did just that. She used a Silver Needle ornament and then had us add it to a summer purse. It looks great and will be a wonderful summer bag.

Renovation

The HVAC guys finished a little later than planned. That meant the painter didn't get in until today. Unfortunately, we can't start truly putting things back together until tomorrow night because the paint has to dry. We will be open on Tuesday but may be slightly disorganized.

The best laid plans of mice and men and needlepoint stores.

Jersey Girls Don't Pump Gas

We got our finished pillow back. I love the way it looks! It's so much fun. We have it in the store and the picture is below. If you have to do it for someone or yourself, it comes in the pink and green and yellow and black (because of the NJ license plate!). In addition, it comes on #18 mesh but we will also be able to get it in #13 mesh. It look great as you can see.


It was stitched using Trio and Vineyard silk. The background is done in a Nobuko stitch. It was fun to stitch but even more stitch to have.

Girl Scout Troop Pictures

This past week the store has been closed due to the addition of a new heating and air conditioning system. I finally got around to emptying the pictures on my camera and found the pictures of the Girl Scout Troop. These pictures show Helen Haydon teaching this group of 5th grade girls. On Monday, April 9 we will teaching a second Scout Troop.

We now have a slightly smaller project so that there is more of a possiblity they will finish once they get home.

Hearts

We will be teaching a girl scout troop on April 9. The girls will be working on a small heart. We enjoyed working with the last troop. It's wonderful to be teaching kids how to stitch! Hopefully, I'll be able to do the pictures this time.

Getting Ready for a New HVAC System

We will be closed for a week starting on Monday. It's a first for us but we really needed a new heating and air conditioning unit. We were lucky to make it through the winter but want to make sure the summer will be tolerable.

To prepare, we've taken things off the walls. But tomorrow will be the big put away and cover up day!

I'm hoping to use the week to get more pictures up, to work on Stitch guides and to work on my projects for Nan Certification. I also want to do some stitching!

I'm looking forward to the stitching time. I'm still working on the Rockerfeller Center Christmas Tree Stocking and I also have to work on Candy Village. I've also started to work on the May paper doll with a stitch guide by David McCaskill! It's been fun and I hope to get it done soon.

National Assembly of NeedleArts

Helen and I enjoyed the Natioanl Assembly of NeedleArts. We both learned lots of techniques for teaching and are excited to learn more. Helen took a class with Debbie Stiehler and I took two days of a class with Shay Pendray. I got to work on the canvas from Shay's "Stitching Towards Perfection" while learning a little about Japanese embroidery.

Kansas City was lovely.

Of course, I now have lots of work to do. But I am looking forward to expanding the stitching == and teaching it.

David McCaskill's Visit

We've just finished four great days of classes. David McCaskill did three canvas enhancement classes and one thread program. He came up with fabulous stitches for at least 24 canvases using great threads. I was particularly impressed with his approach to Susan B's roosters. His treatment of the sun was fantastic.

Thirteen people were able to attend his Thread Program Class. He addressed overdyes and how to work with different threads. It was amazing what he did with the threads. I can't wait to try them on my own canvases!

National Assembly of Needlearts

Helen and I are leaving on Wednesday to attend the National Assembly of Needlearts. We have both been accepted in the teacher certification program. On Thursday and Friday we will be immersed in sessions on teaching. On Saturday and Sunday, we are each taking a class.

Rockerfeller Center Stocking

On Sunday, the class met again. We had the opportunity to discuss possible stitches for the buildings. In addition, we had the chance to admire the progress people have made on the stocking. Gretchen V. has done some of the buildings with a burden stitch. Diane B. has done the sky, the moon, many buildings, santa and his sleigh and the bridge and the trees. It looks great. Her trees were stunning and she used basketweave for the blue building behind the trees so that it does recede.

Next month we will be doing a work session to give us time to stitch.

Circle of Hearts

I taught the Circle of Hearts Class today. It was fun to see the piece come to life with other people stitching it. I had finished the background last week using a heart pattern from Dede's chapter in Amy Bunger's Celebrity Chefs. I used Designer's Dream and 1/16 Kreinik ribbon.

The backgrouns really made the circle stand out. I promise I will take a picture.

I was lucky to have that canvas for the class without restitching the whole thing. About three weeks ago, I realized that I couldn't find the canvas. I searched the store and home. Finally, I drove out to Shelter Island to look again. I still couldn't find the canvas so I had to ask my husband to look again at home. He couldn't find it either but did find all my works in progress! Finally I found the canvas tucked in the back of another canvas on a frame.

Then on Saturday, one of our customers accidentally took the canvas home! Fortunately I had it back later that day so I could do prepare for class.

I definitely will teach this class again but might split it into two sessions.

Circle of Hearts

The first Circle of Hearts class meets in less than two weeks. I still have to stitch the background! It is a very pretty piece and ideal for learning shadow stitching. We hope to repeat it again, perhaps as another one day class and also as a multiple session class.

Trunk Shows

We are taking down the Kathy Schenkel trunk show today. I'm sorry to see it go because it is such a great line for learning new stitches. The pieces are not overwhelming so you can actually see yourself finishing it. I'm always amazed at how interesting it is to have many of a designers canvases up on the walls. Kathy's work is fabulous to learn new stitches because she has large blocks of colors.

Rockerfeller Center Christmas Stocking

This weekend I saw several stokcings. Karen P. is doing her tree in French knots but has combined 4 or 5 different kreiniks. The tree is beautiful. Ellen B. has almost finished her sky. Gretchen V. has completed her sky, her tree, and her rink. She did a burden stitch on the blue buildings which looks great. Our class meets on March 11th -- I can't wait to see the progress everyone has made.

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!