Victoria's Bag

 

Victoria's beautiful bag came back yesterday. The design and finishing are both by Boots Bailey. Victoria did a beautiful job stitching the bag; the finishing is also beautiful.

Green Leather Bag

 

We just received this lovely green bag from Lee today. (We actually ordered if for Suzanne so it may already be gone. But we can get more.) The color is closest to Vineyard Silk's Elephant. Gretchen describes it as a mossy green. These Lee bags are beautifully made. In addition, since there's only space for a small monogram, you could be wearing yours in a matter of days.

Let us know if you want a green one or a brown one. Both are lovely!

My Favorite Needle

 

Although I love to stitch and I certainly have canvases that I adore, I am more likely to rave about books than accessories. I have always carried a variety of needles but to be honest, I couldn't really tell the difference. Recently, I have been using lots of #26 needles while I stitch Tony Minieri's Footsteps of the Pharoah. Somehow I ran out of the ones from the class, and ended up using the Bohin needles. What a difference! I just love the feel of these needles.

Of course, I recognize that we all have our favorite stitching tools. I also carry Platinum needles for those whose hands produce lots of acid. I also carry Piecemaker needles. Since we spend so much time with a needle, you should try different ones to see if you can tell the difference. I can and I now just want to stitch with that one.

Great Gifts for Yourself or Others

 
 
 

It's that time of year when the stores are filled with fall clothes, plant stands are carrying chrysanthemums, and back to school sales are on. (I even saw a tree with its leaves turning!) But if we are beginning to see signs of fall, can Christmas or Chanukah be far away? This past week, we received two great gifts that you can quickly stitch. They are supposedly self-finsihing (although I can never finish anything.)

The first are stunning leather totes. In each bag, there is a small circle for a needlepoint canvas. You could use one of Lee's initials or we could have our letterer extrordinaire do a mongoram or single inital for you. At the store, we are fighting over which one of us will choose brown, red or black.

Then for the kindle lovers in your life, Lee has also come out with leather covers. There are lots of canvases that can go with these. I've shown a red one alone. In addition, I've pictures a brown cover with a golf themed canvas.

If you know someone who has a Kindle or who will be receiving one, these make great gifts. I'm plannin on getting the red one.

Kappy's Thistle Pillow

 

Kappy has just finished two beautiful thistle pillows. She stitched both pillows the same way and had them finished the same way, too. Above is a picture of one of these absolutely stunning pillows. The simplicity of the designs combined with the finishing makes them absolutely elegant.

Using a Frame Weight

 

Sometimes when you are stitching, you really need two hands. Now if you are using a stand, that's no problem. But you may not want to make the investment in a stand, or may be making a quick trip. That's when a frame weight comes in. These weights will anchor your frame on a table so you can stitch two handed - great for knots, using your laying tool.
We just got in a beautiful assortment of frame weights so come early to make the best selection!

Animal Crackers

 
 

We just got back our first finished animal crackers ornament. Isn't it great? Gail did such a lovely job stitching it. As you can see, she used a combination of threads and stitches to create the effect. Notice that there is some glitter on the box. I think Christmas ornaments really need some metallics so they show up on the tree.

You can see both sides of the ornament. Wouldn't it make a great ornament for a new baby? you could add the baby's name and birth date of the top. Of course, I think it would also be a great ornament for just about anyone. There is also a London bus that is along the same lines. There is still time to stitch either one of these ornaments before the Christmas finishing deadline.

Our Eliza B's are back

 

It's funny how with several different woman, we occasionally show up in very similar outfits. Yesterday, it seemed as if a memo had been sent out. Three of us (well actually, two of us and a customer) showed up wearing khaki pants and orange t-shirts.

Everyone who worked at the store was wearing their Eliza B sandals! Above is the picture of Sally, Gail and Suzanne wearing their sandals. Aren't they great?

We work on a ceramic tile floor, Everyone was raving about how comfortable they are. I hope to get a picture of Gretchen's sandals, today.

Eliza B's

 

I hadn't seen Gretchen in several weeks since our vacations overlapped. It was raining a little this morning, so I thought I probably wouldn't have the opportunity to take a picture of her flip flops. (I had taken the picture of everyone else in theirs yesterday. It will be posted a little later than this one.) But once again, all of the store's staff were wearing their Eliza B.'s. Gretchen loved the job Voila did on her flip flops. In fact, she is almost finished stitching another belt so she can turn them into Eliza B's.

A Letter Sweater

 

Sally is working on this charming "letter sweater ornmanet" for her son; the sweater was done in his school's colors.
What a perfect gift for the athlete in your life. We can do colors for any high school or college.

Lucy's Stocking

 

I meant to post several pictures before I left for a brief vacation. Lucy's was one of the photos I had in my camera when I returned.

Lucy did this wonderful Melissa Shirley stocking for her son. Didn't she do a fantastic job? She also working on a stocking for her daughter-in-law.

Brickcovers and Door Stops

 

A brick cover or door stopper can have many uses. I can keep a door open or a door closed. It can also prevent a door from constantly opening and slamming shut. But it can also be very attractive. This door stop is one of the prettiest ones we've seen. The designer also makes other ones such as a lake house and a lobster shack. It just seems like the perfect decoration for a summer house.

Dragonfly Purse

 

It's been a great week for getting finished items back. Antoinette was very patient waiting for her dragonfly purse but it was worth the wait. This purse is just fabulous. And the theme is so perfect for the summer. I know she will enjoy it!

Cathryn's Ornament

 
Cathryn's South Carolina ornament also came back this week. We know that she enjoys vacationing in South Carolina so this is a lovely memento. We didn't want to unwrap the tassel but could tell that it was just beautiful. Lucky Cathryn.

Ann Wheat Pace

Ann Wheat Pace came to the store yesterday. We had a lovely time and she met some customers. I was delighted to hear that she will be making more frequent visits to the area since all three of her children will be living here.

I had planned to take some pictures of Ann with her designs but my camera battery died so I was unable to take them. She brought her finished pumpkins with stitch guides. They really make very nice fall decorations. Autumn decorations seem so valuable since they can be used for several months. I will take the pictures next week and post them.

Sweater Ornament

 
 

Marilyn often needlepoints an ornament for a wedding gift. She chooses the ornament carefully and then has the finisher embroider the initials and the date on the back of the ornament. This one happens to be one of my favorite sweater ornaments. It's a lovely gift!

Ann Wheat Pace's Trunk Show

 
 

Right now, our store is covered with canvases by Ann Wheat Pace. There are lovely florals, many beautiful crosses and lots of other themes. I particularly love the Easter eggs that are finished with small woodland scenes on the inside. They remind me of the sugar eggs we used to get as kids. They are quick to stitch; pick one up now and you have it back in time for Easter.

Ann sent wonderful finished items with the canvases so you can get inspired by the finished pieces! We also love the Easter tree filled with ornaments and its lovelyt ree skirt.

Tony Minieri's Back To Basics Class

 
 
 

We had the second session of Tony Minieri's Back to Basics Class on Monday. It's absolutely one of the best classes I've every taken. Even though I just finished taking it in April, I am enjoying it so much. It has caused me to think about why I am following certain stitching pathways.

We have been really packed for this class since I didn't want to turn anyone away. But everyone has been anxious to learn. Tony also shared some of his canvases with us. Nancy B. showed us her finished Kimono from the ANG 2009 Stitch of the Month. (I should have taken a picture of it but didn't remember until it was too late.) Tony also showed his Batik collage based on African Fabrics -- the next in his series of collages based on regional fabrics. It's beautiful and is going to be done in two colorways. Needless to say, I love the bright one.

I'm determined to try some of his stitch suggestions for canvas embellishment.

Of course, I still haven't finished my stitching for class on Wednesday.

New Colors from Planet Earth

 

One of the fun things about working in a needlepoint shop is that almost everyday is like Christmas with packages to open. We love to see the new canvases and the finished items. But I think getting new threads is also great fun -- particularly when it's from Planet Earth, Silk & Ivory or Wiltex Threads (Vineyard Silk and Merino). Although lots of companies name their threads, these three companies have really great names. And the names are on the tags, too. Of course, I love seeing the new colors, too but the names even make a group of greys fun!

City Needlepoints

 
 
 
 

In the past couple of years, we have had several customers stitch these wonderful canvases. Gretchen had done Manhattan; we've seen both Paris and London done, too. We were thrilled that more cities have been added to the selection. Right now, we have in stock London, Washington DC (new to us) and Jerusalem (a new one). We thick they are great projects that also make great gifts.