Fabulous Pillow

Bobbi did a fantastic pillow for a friend who was graduating from college. The mascot is adorable but so much more fun in his animal print pillow. I can understand way the recipient loves it. What a great gift!

Cooler Seasons to Come

When I went to my car today it said it was 100 degrees! Although I love the summer, this heat is way to much for me. Look at our new skiing needlepoints and see if they can cool you down. I'm posting both -- I hope.

Lighthouse Box

I know lots of people are about to take off for beaches with Lighthouses. We have a delightful lighthouse box that's a perfect beach project. It's little but will help make a great reminder of the summer during the months to come. I've posted a picture of the box (it's put together but not stitched). Of course, yours will look better because you will stitch it.

We also have a great Halloween hat in case you are ready for the cooler days of autumn.

Gretchen V.'s Candy Village

Gretchen V. did a beautiful job on the Beau Geste Candy Village piece. And she was the first in the class to finish it. We sent it off to the finisher a few weeks ago. The piece is being sent directly to the ANG seminar but we have a sneak peek to share with you. It's absolutely fabulous. It makes me want to get to work on mine.

Traveling This Summer

Even before I owned Ridgewood Needlepoint,I always loved to look and buy at Needlepoint Stores when I traveled. This summer, I'm going to Baltimore and Seattle. I'll be using The Needlecrafters' Travel Companion so that Bruce and I can sneak away to look at the needlepoint stores in Seattle. And I'll bring it so I can find the stores need ANG seminar in Baltimore.

If you have a wider needleworkers'interest, you could use The Knittters's, Needlepointers's, Crocheters's, Weavers's and Spinners's Travel Guide 2007-2008.

Both books provide maps, store hours, and descriptions to make your travel shopping easier. Of course, we're interested in what you saw that was different!

Fall Classes-National Teachers

We received Deborah Wilson's canvases for two of her classes. The Gilded Butterfly is just beautiful. You really should come into the store to see the finished canvas. The picture just doesn't do the workmanship justice! Deborah will be teaching that class on Tuesday, October 30th. We are taking reservations now for all of Deborah's classes.

We have also received her completed sample for the Gilded Hydrangea. It is just beautiful. I can't wait to stitch it. I just love Hydrangeas! Did anyone read Martha Stewart's Living this month? The magazine says that Martha is responsible for people looking at hydrangeas with an enlightened view. I've always loved them and never thought that they were overblown beach flowers. But of course, I've never been to a beach community that I didn't like!

New Canvases & Threads

The June National Needlework Association Trade Show has been over for almost two months, we are beginning to see some of the new canvases! Yesterday, we received two fabulous canvases with a skiing focus. One looks like a travel poster with a woman skiier. The other canvas is a mountain scene with a round skiing lodge. Both are fabulous. What a great canvas for your ski house!

Raymond Crawford has sent us a delightful lighthouse box. The sample is in but three canvases are on their way in. I'd recommend placing your order since one is already spoken for.

The "Jersey Girls Don't Pump Gas" is the most popular in pink but the yellow and black one (based on our state's license plate) is also very popular. We even had one made that says "Jersey Boys Don't Pump Gas". It's the perfect project for the beach. Not too complicated but still lots of fun.

We also have some very sweet Kelly Clark mini socks and mittens. They are also great traveling projects and there's still time to complete before Christmas!

The Weeks Dye Works threads arrived yesterday. We haven't put them up yesterday but hope to get them in soon. But at least you can purchase them now.

Dottie's Needlepoint

Almost two years ago, Dottie came in with her granddaughter. Dottie decided they were going to learn to needlepoint together. Dottie had picked this bride and groom needlepoint for her granddaughter's Hope Chest. It was done with love and talent.

Last week, Dottie came in with the framed piece. (You can probably see the reflection of the class in the piece.) Dottie learned lots of new stitches doing this piece. She is now working on another wedding piece. But I wanted to share this one with you.

School Santas and School Snowmen

I finally got a picture of a sample school Santa and School Snowman. These delightful ornaments can be done for virtually any school. Let us know the abbreviations you want to use and the school colors.

These are a great travel project. See the pictures below.

November Outfit for the Paper Dolls

My first paper doll club outfit is almost finished. I've padded the turkey and done the final layer in a Weeks Dye Works floss.The little white caps on the turkey legs are finished, too. I just have to finish the black and white checked border on her apron and her gold buttons. If I really concentrate, I could have it done by this weekend!

I was really nervous about the turkey but I'm so pleased with it. I can't wait to get if finished so I can have my paper doll dress.

I loved working with the conjoined creations soy silk for the skirt. Basically, I love red but I must say on this piece, I loved the apricot sorbet from The Threadgatherer even more. It's just perfect.

See the picture below.

November Paper Doll Outfit

I'm almost halfway done with the November outfit. I love the color of the sweater.

The biggest challenge is going to be the roasted turkey. I'm planning on using a Weeks Dye Works floss combined with a bijoux. I havent' decided on the stitch but I think the turkey definitely needs to be padded!

School Snowmen and School Santas

We have just received adorable Santa and Snowmen ornaments. They are painted with the school's names and the schools colors. We've already sold quite a few of the Ridgewood ones. We can get more and get also the school you want.

They are very sweet.

July 4th Week

Although the store will be open on Thursday, July 5th, I won't be back until Sunday, July 8th to teach the make-up class on Rockerfeller Center.

I'm spending the week stitching on Shelter Island. Okay, I'm also swimming, reading, lazing about but I have done some stitching. Mostly, I've worked on The Quilt Line. It's the beginner's class I'm working on. It's part of the required work to complete the teacher preparation year in the National Assembly of NeedleArts.
In addition to designing and drawing the canvas, I've stitched about 1/2 of the canvas. In addition, I've completed the course outline and now need to work on the lesson plans. Part of the requirement is to prepare stitch samples.

I miss my painted canvas. The design is a line-drawn canvas. So, sometimes I've had to change threads or stitches to get the desired coverage.

It's coming along. I've done two of the quilts, one mountain, most of the ground and sky. Perhaps, I'll add a picture for you to see in the new future.

In addition, I'm supposed to be working on my Rockerfeller Stocking and the November (Thanksgiving) paper doll outfit. But I still have several days of stitching ahead.

I'll let you know how I progress.

The Ridgewood Stable

Our exclusive Ridgewood Ornament will no longer be sold after Saturday, June 30th. We have one in stock and will accept orders only through Saturday.

The ornament is a view of the snow-covered Stable at Christmas. You can see the picture at www.ridgewoodneedlepoint.com. Then select kits.

Paper Doll Club

I'm placing the order for the paper dolls this week. So if you've been hesitating but want to join the club, this is the time to let us know. It's interesting. The most popular dolls have been Roz and Liz.

I'm waiting for one potential embellishment to come in before I start stitching the first outfit of the club - November. Your doll will be wearing autumn colors as she brings the roasted turkey to the table.

Candy Village, Cording and Doug Kreinik

We had our last Candy Village class yesterday. We spend most of the morning learning how to create our own cording. It was a lot of fun and much less intimidating than I thought!

When Doug Kreinik comes on Sunday, September 30th, he will be including cording in his sessions. Cording is a great embellishment on certain canvases. It can really give an item a very finished look when you create your own cording based on the threads you used.

New Gingher Scissors

Just in time for July 4, Gingher has released their new pattern in their designer series. It is a red, white and blue scissors. It's perfect for stitching and celebrating the holiday.

New Silk & Ivory Colors

We just received the new silk and ivory colors. They are beautiful. Two of these colors belong to the pink cocktail colors. One is called Singapore Sling and the other is Sangria.
The next color is clover and it is a bright light green. Ann of Brown Paper Packages says it belongs between Killarney and Kelly.

Finally, there is a new flesh tone called Porcelain. It is lovely. I can't wait to use it.

Deborah Wilson's Classes at Ridgewood Needlepoint

I've confirmed with Deborah Wilson and Beau Geste her teaching schedule for Ridgewood Needlepoint. Her first class will be the Gilded Hydrangea. It will meet on Friday and Saturday, October 26th & 27th. The second class will be Neptune's Sentry. It will meet on Sunday, October 28th & Monday, October 29th. Finally, on Tuesday, October 30th, she will teach her beautiful butterfly.

We should be receiving the models soon. I can't wait.

Kelly Clark Trunk Show

If you haven't been in to see the Kelly Clark Trunk Show, you can view her designs on her web site:www.kellyclarkneedlepoint.com. They are wonderful. I particularly love some of the vintage Santas and the mini socks! I'm having trouble deciding which ones I want to stitch. I'm already working on the Santa and Farm Friends. But I love the Nordic mini stocking and its matching mittens!

During the trunk show, all her designs are 10% off our normal price. So check out her website.

Of course, they are even more fantastic in color.