Recipes on The Armchair Chef

I'm looking forward to October. Tink's blog - The Armchair Chef (www.TheArmchairChef.com)will be featuring Halloween recipes. We all know that I love this season. I even submitted two recipes myself.

I can't wait to see what other people are posting.

Doug Kreinik's Class

What a great class! Doug Kreinik gave two great classes today on metallic and silk threads. I learned a great deal and had fun doing it.

For those of you in the Rockefeller Center Class who missed the class, there are two threads that I think would work for the angels -- ombre and petite facets. We'll have to explore. There were some other great embellishment ideas!

We also have a number of Kreinik's delightful silk gauze kits. I was surpised because they really aren't that small. There are some wonderful Christmas designs plus some lovely dogs (golden retriever, german shepherd, yorkshire terrier, poodle). There are some lovely cross-stitch kits also called "Remember the Ladies." A number of them feature a cat in front of a quilt.

We also have Kreinik's metal thread book and a book on silk threads. We'll have the product for at least another week. Come in and see them.

Jersey /Oregon Girls don't Pump Gas

Did you know that there only two states in the country where people aren't allowed to pump gas? New Jersey and ...... Oregon! We've so enjoyed the canvas Jersey Girls Don't Pump Gas that we convinced Needlepoint Broad to do one for Oregon. These designs are done in the color of the state license plaste. New Jersey girls also comes in pink and green. What a hoot for those of us who hate to pump gas!

Doug Kreinik's Class and Trunk Show

Today, I started to unpack the trunk show from Doug Kreinik. These are items that Doug brought along for his class on metallics and silks class on Sunday. So even if you aren't registered for the class, you will get the chance to see a great array of Kreinik products.

For those of you who are regretting that you didn't sign up, we still have a few places on Sunday afternoon, September 30th from 2-5 pm.

New Class Scheduled with Barbara Jackson

I'm so excited! I've just arranged for Barbara Jackson to teach at Ridgewood Needlepoint on Sunday, November 11th from 2pm-5pm. Barbara is a nationally recognized teacher who is famous for her short and long stitches. So she is going to do a class for us on short & long stitches. There will be a small kit.

Short & long stitches are very appropriate for needlepoint. I'll post more information as soon as I have it.

Rockefeller Center Stocking

I've been so focused on the paper doll outfits (Thanksgiving is posted on the blog and I'm working on the leopard coat), my beginner's needlepoint course for the National Academy of Needlearts plus the other requirements for the teacher preparation year, that I've just not gotten to the stocking. Tomorrow, the class is meeting after two months off.

So I pulled the stocking out. I love the way the Christmas tree looks done in Kreinik threads. I also like the moon done in Rainbow Gallery's new patina. Now, I have to move on. The angels are still the challenge since I don't want them to take away from the Tree.

I'm also anxious to see how other people are doing.

Fall & Fall Recipes.

I'm making a trip out to Shelter Island tomorrow to take advantage of the glorious fall. It's still early for the real impact of the leaves changing but I love the quietness of September. At the store, customers are beginning to pick up their Halloween ornaments. Others are dropping off their Christmas ornaments.

There are lots of great recipes to take advantage of the fall season or to celebrate Halloween. Tink Boord has asked me to contribute a recipe for her blog -
www.thearmchairchef.com. I've submitted one of my favorite fall recipes - a plum torte.My recipe can also be used with apples and cranberries. But I can't wait to see what other people are submitting. I'm looking forward to an influx of new ideas.

THE QUILT LINE

As some of you may remember, I am enrolled in the 3 year teacher certification program of the National Academy of NeedleArts. One of the requirements is a 12-hour beginner's course. The final draft is due on Saturday and I've just about wrapped it up. I hope to mail it off tomorrow.

I designed the piece and wrote the stitch guide. I thought you might be interested in a picture so I'm posting it.

Kreinik Trunk Show

We will be receiving a trunk show from Kreinik prior to Doug's visit. We expect to receive it on Monday, September 24th. We will be giving the 10% discount on all Kreink items during that week through Doug's visit on September 30th.

Christmas Finishing Deadlines-OCTOBER 1, 2007

I can't believe it's almost the middle of September. But that means we need your Christmas items very soon. In order to guarentee Christmas delivery, we need your stitched items by October 1, 2007

The Petei Trunk Show

Did you go to the Designer Showcase of New Jersey last year? If you did, you probably rmemember the adorable story characters that were stitched and framed in one show room.

We are going to carry these wonderful needlepoints. We were able to snag a couple of the storybook characters for this trunk show in addition to a wonderful collection of Santas. I love the Santa on the moose and the Santa in the canoe. The story characters include characters from The Nutcracker, The Wizard of Oz, Peter Pan and Alic in Wonderland.

The needlepoints are small - perfect for carrying around with you while you wait at the doctor's office or for the kids. Check her website:http://www.petei.com. We will honor the 10% discount on orders while the trunk show is here. It leaves on September 25th.

Doug Kreinik Class

The Doug Kreinik classes are filling up rapidly. He will be presenting his_Metallic and Silk Mystery Tour" at Ridgewood Needlepoint on Sunday, September 30 from 10am-1 pm and again from 2-5 pm. It should be a great class and will enhance your stash.
Contact the store to reserve your place. 201-612-7770.

I'm Back

I just realized that I haven't posted since I returned from the ANG seminar in Baltimore. First, I took two great courses on Design. One by Carole Lake and the other by Janet Mitchell Fisher. I learned a lot in each one. As you may know, I thought they would both help me in my background information for the NAN teaching certification program.

At seminar, Gretcher V. won a second place ribbon for her Candy Village. A picture is posted below in a previous blog.

When I got back, I got exciting news. A Patchwork for Peace is going to be republished. We've been unable to get copies for a while. If you want to pre-order, please call the shop. The book will be $60. But it's a great book with fabulous color photos and diagrams.

I've been consumed with my NAN beginner's course. It's due on September 15. Tonight, I just need to do the sample beginning and ending techniques and proofread all the pieces. I hope to mail it out by Thursday!

Anyway, I promise to be more regular.

My Red Truck

Everyone once in a while, there is a canvas that I cannot resist. Right now at the store, we have a fabulous rug called "My Red Truck." It's the truck that every boy and man (and perhaps some women and girls, too) wants to have. I don't know if you have a grandchild, child or significant other who wants a rug truck-this may be the solution.

Although I think the rug is to die for, the design now comes in pillow size on #13 and #18 canvas.



Don't you agree that it's great?

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.