Other Uses of Ornaments

 

Not everyone turns our ornaments into ornaments. Marilyn, who gives wonderful mini-stockings as engagement and wedding presents, had us turn this delightful sweater into a Christmas card holder. It sits on her table and is filled with Christmas cards as they come in. It's such a great idea we had to share it with you.

Where Has the Time Gone?

We've been busy at the store. Tony Minieri came on Monday to teach the first day of his four day class: Back to Basics: Bad Habits Broken Here. We ended up with 18 people in the class because I was unable to say "no" when people called at the end to register. It was a fabulous class. Tony has an incredible knowledge base and he is very forthcoming with his information. Although I've already taken the class, I still benefited from sitting through it a second time.

We managed to have almost all the supplies in the store that Tony recommends for a stitcher's kit. Our Dovo scissors came just in time. We are planning on kitting a "stitcher's kit" based on his recommended tools.

I embarrassed to admit that I forgot to take pictures. You'll just have to wait for pictures from the second class.

New Designer Scissors from Gingher

 

We just got in the new designer scissors from Gingher. This lovely red plaid is the newest pattern in the limited series scissors. We just loved the red plaid. Just think what great Christmas presents they would make in addition to gifts for other occasions.

Virginia's Ornaments

 
 
 
 

Virginia also had a large group of ornaments completed last week. Since she was giving them as gifts, she wanted them to be finished at the same time. Now she doesn't have to worry if she will make the October 1 Christmas finishing deadline.

We loved the breast cancer ornaments and the roses. Then, we seemed to pick the ornament based on our personal preferences.

We Love Our Eliza B's

 
 

This week, my new Eliza B sandals came back. Normally the design has a pink poodle but mine are an apricot color, the color of Marlowe, my standard poodle. When they came in, we decided that it was the perfect color for me since it coordinated with everything I wear. I had to go out to get a pedicure so the picture could be taken!

Last week, we also sent off all these four completed designs for Gretchen, Suzanne, Gail and Sally. Each one has stitched a belt and is having them made into Eliza B sandals. Can you guess who belongs to each canvas?

Vanessa's Ornaments

 
 
 
 

Vanessa fell in love with Petei's Nutcracker Suite ornaments. She completed the whole series and sent them off for finishing. Here is the finished set. They are truly a treasure. Vanessa enjoyed doing them so much that she has ordered the Peter Pan ones.

I have also seen these ornaments framed with matboard in between each item. That would be another great way to finsih them.

Stitcher's Mini Stocking

 

Our customer's have just loved this trunk show. It's very colorful and many of the designs make great travel projects. In addition, it's possible to finish them so that they can be given as Christmas gifts.

We've all been eyeing the Stitcher's Mini-Stocking. It just seems perfect for a person who loves stitching.

Ring Bearer Pillow

 
 

Jane selected this lovely ribbon design to stitch as the ring bearer's pillow for her son and his bride. She was determined to have it finished in time for their June 11 wedding. I know she struggled with it while on vacation. But she persevered and was able to give the fully stitched pillow as a shower gift. Our finisher was able to do her magic quickly. She even created straps for the ring bearer's hands so that the pillow will stay in place.

We wish the couple a great day!

A Collection of Designs Ornaments

 
 

When I think of A Collection of Designs, I do think of Christmas. They have wonderful ornaments with Santas and Snowman, Gingerbread houses and reindeer. But I don't always think of truly elegant ornaments. But they have some beautiful canvases inspired by the old-fashioned metallic Christmas tree ornaments. These canvases are stunning and will make wonderful additions to your collection of ornaments. One of our favorite stitches announced that she was doing one for herself!

As I look around the store, I am also struck by how many of the canvases can be stitched with one's stash. The canvases typically have so many colors that they just require little bits of each color.

Be Positive

 
Chris has a friend who's daugher is very sick. She had the word "Be Positive" with the picture of a bee painted on a canvas to be turned into a key fob. This is the finished result. We are all praying for positive results.

Teresa's Sagebrush Hoppers

 

Teresa has done a fabulous job on this delightful canvas by Maggie. She chose wonderful buttons to adorn the bunnies's sweaters. Each bunny definitely has his/her own style. I was thrilled to hear that Teresa had finished her project and was delighted that she brought it in to share with us.

Covered Bridge Canvas

 


I just wanted to share this new canvas with you. It's of an Amish couple about to go under a covered bridge. The artist did a great job on the trees? It's just a great canvas which will lend itself to fun stitching.

A Turkey for Thanksgiving

 

I've been working on this adorable canvas by Raymond Crawford with a stitch guide by Anne Thornton. It's a great piece with a variety of threads and some fun stitches. It's ideal for a beginner since there are many areas stitched with tent stitches.

My plan is to offer the class in the early fall. I'll be sending an email out soon with an early deadline for partipation so we can get the canvases on time. Then, as long as you get the stitched canvas back to us by October 31, you will be able to display the finished piece on your Thanksgiving table.

Susan's Tallis Bag

 
 


Susan wanted to make a special gift for her son-in-law who just became a partner in his firm. She chose this beautiful tallis bag which she stitched really quickly. She did a great job on it.

She also wanted to have his Hebrew name embroidered on the back of the tallis bag. Our finisher was able to do this.

This is truly a wonderful gift.

Jeanne's Jersey Girls

 

Jeanne was thrilled when her pillow came back. This is only her second or third project and she did a great job on it.

Jersey Girls is one of our favorites. It comes in pink or yellow; in addition, it comes on either #18 or #13 mesh. It's the perfect gift for a Jerseyite.

It's the first time we've had one stitched in green. It really came out well. Jeanne is really moving into the novice category!

Long Term Projects

 
 

Gretchen has been working on her Noah's Ark for a while. The finished piece is quite deceiving. It was a huge canvas!
She listed the Noah's Ark as one of her Resolution Projects. Not only did she finish it -- but it'was actually back from the finisher before the end of May!

She did a beautiful job stitching the piece. The ark is a Melissa Shirley design. Gretche is still working on its inhabitants.

Be Careful with Your Work

 
 

Teresa is a wonderful stitcher. Several years ago she stitched this wonderful Beau Geste canvas and took it to a local framer who is known for being creative. The framer claimed she knew how to finish needlepoint but over time, the framed piece sagged and Teresa took it apart. She was horrified to discover that the framer hot glued found objects onto her work. In addition, she had created large openings to secure addtional found items to the work.

Teresa now has to try to salvage her beautifully stitched piece. Fortunately, David McCaskill had some wonderful suggestions of how to stitch around the holes. We are in the process of finding more silk ribbon for her. But it is a cautionary tale. Make sure your framer knows that you don't want your work to be glued. Insist that they use acid free mats and make sure they use spacers so that your needlepoint doesn't touch the class!

Opening the Trunk Show

 
 


Today we received the box of canvases from A Collection of Designs. We are still putting them up but it's always fun to get a trunk show. We get to see all the canvases. It was great to see Sally and Gail ooh and aah over the canvases. In fact, we all loved the canvases, particularly the adorable mini Halloween ones. They are canvases of kids dressed up for trick or treating.

The notice should go out tomorrow or Friday but I just had to share.

Patterns of the Orient

 

Tony Minieri came to the shop on Friday to confirm the dates for his Back to Basics class. In addition, we wanted to set up dates for him to teach "Patterns of the Orient" at Ridgewood Needlepoint. At the time Tony first offered Patterns of the Orient, I was taking some technique classes with him. He was accepting registration for Patterns but it was considered an Advanced Class. Tony (with good reason) recommended that I wait to take the class. But I have loved the piece from the moment I saw it. So I am very excited that he will be teaching it at the store during the first four months of 2011. The dates will be posted on the web site soon. But I just wanted you to be aware of the exciting news!

Resolution Stitching

 

The Dog Walker is one of my Resolution Stitching Projects. And I am proud to say that I finished it last week and sent it off to the finisher. This was a fun project to do.

The painted canvas just has the dogs and the dogwalker floating in the middle of the canvas. But by adding a ground, they are now walking on the ground instead of flying in the air.

If you are working on Resolution projects, remember that the year is almost at the midpoint. How are you doing on your projects? Several people have finished one or even two projects, so they have been able to take advantage of the 10% discount on finishing and 20% off on a canvas purchase.