November Paper Doll Outfit

The finisher just emailed me a picture of the finished Novemeber paper doll outfit. I am so pleased with the way it looks. So here's the picture.

ANG SEMINAR

I leave August 24th (or early on the morning of August 25th) for the seminar. I'm taking a design class with Carole Lake and another design class with Janet Mitchell Fishel. I thought both of these courses will tie in well with my National Academy of NeedleArts certification.

I am also looking forward to the auction and to Expo night. Ridgewood Needlepoint will be participating in Expo night on Wednesday, August 29. We will have samples of the paper dolls and at least one finished outfit!.

We also have some canvases geared for Baltimore including a canvas of Camden yards.

If you will be at ANG, please come and say hello.

End of Summer

August 15th always strikes me as the beginning of the end. As a kid, I remember staying with my grandparents. Usually, that was the first day that it was a little chilly in the morning. Maybe it wasn't always so but that's how I remember it.

We are going to close at 5pm on Thursday, August 30th so we can enjoy the last few days of the summer.

I've been working on my canvas for the National Academy of Needlearts so my other projects have taken a back seat. I'm hoping to work on the Rockerfeller Center stocking this weekend and the leopard coat for the paper dolls.

Deborah Wilson' Classes at Ridgewood Needlepoint

We have started to take reservations for Deborah Wilson's classes. The butterfly has been really popular but a couple of you wanted to know if you can change its colors. It's possible we just need to know ahead of time.

I can also get the hydrangea painted on a different color canvas. We just need to know ahead since it will take a little time.

Do come in and see the canvases as soon as possible so we can make any changes you need!

New Threads

We have put up all the Weeks Dye Works threads. The colors are beautiful! We have the more natural colors in floss, pearl 5 and pearl 3. Come and see them. Everyone has liked them so far!

Finishing

One of the things we love best at Ridgewood Needlepoint is to see the projects come back as finished items. Unfortunately I was out last week and didn't get to see Janet and Lynn's finished pieces in person. But I was lucky that Rob had taken a pictures so I could share them with you.

Janet's elephant is fantastic. She did a great job. Look at all the wonderful detail and the wonderful border.


Lynn did a great job on the tool belt. Framing a belt is a wonderful idea for a belt canvas. Click on the picture to see it bigger.

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.