Unannounced Trunk Show-Deborah Wilson

The Melissa Shirley Trunk Show is off the walls and being sent back tomorrow. So if you were first to order a canvas, you can come to pick it up. Orders will be placed tomorrow when two people wanted the same canvas.

It was a beautiful show.

Because Deborah Wilson is returning to teach November 9 and November 10th, she has sent many of her beautifully stitched samples. We can take orders on those so stop by to see her incredible work. In addition, we do have the sample for the Gilded Jacobean Fruits and Flowers. It is gorgeous. It includes some unusual stitches and some goldwork. The background isn't stitched since it is on gilded ecru canvas.

Deborah Wilson Class

We had a great class on Sunday and Monday. Deborah Wilson taught her fabulous Tussie Mussie. She is coming back on Sunday November 9th and 10th to teach Gilded Jacobean Fruits and Flowers. It is a beautiful piece with a little goldwork and fabulous stitches. The sample arrived at the store on Monday. You have to see it in person -- once again, the photo does not do it justice.

We still have some openings so let us know if you are interested!

Melissa Shirley Trunk Show

We have spend the last two days checking in and hanging the Melissa Shirley Trunk Show. It is gorgeous. The designers represented are wonderful -- and distinctive.

One of the things I like best about this line is that there is such an incredible range of canvases. There are charming Christmas ornaments and scenes including a lovely pink and white gingerbread house. We are alway selecting our favorite stocking.

Then, there are beautiful birds. Some of the canvases are of the birds alone. Others include the birds with beautiful floral arrangements. There is a spectacular large canvas of egrets in a swampy area. IT is stunning. There are fabulous shore birds and shells and a to die for black and white chicken.

Again, the line has an enormous range of color from more muted tones to vibrantly colored canvases.

We have the show until Sunday, October 26th so there's just a week to select your canvas. IT's hard to choose just one!

The Armchair Chef Continued/ Serious Stitching

I keep checking the Armchair Chef (www.thearmchairchef.com) to see if my recipe has been posted yet. Today, a cross-stitch designer posted her recipe for apple pie. I also went back through other posting and was intrigued by a recipe for beet bread. I'm tempted to try it just because it sounds different.

My daughter Alison shared her favorite recipe for Halloween cookies with me so I might share that, too.

Oh well, onto Needlepoint. I am now working on my Intermediate submission for my NAN certification. So far, it looks pretty good and I should be able to get some serious stitching in tonight during the debate. I'm hoping to either finish the windows of the building or the stucco wall -- but it's unlikely I'll get to both.

C-up Bra Canvas

Helen has been working on C-cups while Donna was doing hers. Helen finished first and is letting us keep hers on display.

Helen's bra is one of a series of bra and panties from Sharon G. They're are all types of themes including Halloween, Las Vegas, Martinis, hearts etc. Framed the bras and panties make great decorations for your bedroom, bathroom or dressing room. I've also seen them finished as a purse!

Helen used a darning pattern for the background.

Karen's Been Busy

I know sometimes it feels like we never finish anything. And then suddenly, several pieces are finished at the same time. In the last few weeks, Karen has finished three things.

First, we saw her lovely hydrangea purse. The flowers were beautifully stitched.

Then, this week we saw her charming English cottage and the Fifi's Grooming Salon. Of course, it should really be called Monty's Grooming Salon.

I alway think it fabulous that one person can do such different pieces. Karen is an eclectic stitcher.

Halloween Hat

This painted canvas is one of my favorites since I love Halloween. I love fall colors and it is such a happy holiday.

Marianne finished her delightful hat in time to showcase it for Halloween. I'm so envious.

Raymond Crawford has at least one other hat design. It's not too early to start for next year! We have one in stock.

The Armchair Chef

I just checked out www.thearmchairchef.com for Halloween Recipes. In fact, many needlework people will be participating in this annual event. The most recent posting is for a tomato pie that uses the last tomatoes from the garden. It sounds great.

Since I love the fall, I'll be looking often. I particularly love plum cake or plum torte. I always cut those recipes out so I'm thinking of posting that recipe.

Tussie Mussie Sample Has Arrived!

If you haven't been in the shop the past few days, you've missed the incredibly beautiful Tussie Mussie by Deborah Wilson. The picture on our website just doesn't do it justice. The flowers are just beautful. I particularly loved the inside portions of the flowers. I can see lots of applications.

There are still a few openings, so call as soon as you can.

Books

Everyone once in a while, someone asks a question that I should know the answer to but can't remember which of the two choices is the better one. (Right now, I'm talking about stitching but it happens other times, too.)

As some of you know, I love owning books and I own a lot. But as a storeowner, I think it's my responsibility to suggest books that you will find really valuable. Thus, I often special order books but keep in inventory a relatively small selection. My recommendations also depend on what level stitcher you are. For example, I think established stitchers should have The Needlepoint Book, Stitches for Effect, More Stitches for Effect, and Even More Stitches for Effect and the Stitches To Go books. My favorite book is Amy Bunger's 3 volume Amy'sCookbook for Stitchers. But I do recognize that it is more of an investment.

I also discovered that what you like depends on where you are in your stitching. I really like Linda Corriosis Stitch Embellishment Books (two volumes) now and Susie Murphy'ss books but didn't depend upon them as much when I was new. The books mentioned are my daily tools but I also use other books regularly. And now I have found two more.

Recently, I purchased two small books on needlepoint, both by Susan Sturgeon Roberts.
The first one, The Thread, Canvas & Needle Handbook for Needlepoint is truly a Reference book. It suggests needle size and appropriate threads and number of strands for different size canvases. Of course, if you are a very tight or very loose stitcher, it may not be right for you. But it is a good starting point. And very easy to use.

The second book should be in everyone's library. Tips & Techniques for Needlepoint. I may not follow everything, but I should. And if I don't agree, there are just differences of technique.Susan Sturgeon Roberts answers many questions. I'm going to order more for the store so let me know if you are interested.

By the way, Susan Sturgeon Roberts is also the author of a very good stitch book called The Complete Needlepoint Guide. We are sold out of that book but I can certainly get more.

Happy New Year

I just wanted to wish many of our customers A Happy New Year.

I Just Finished!

It's beena momentous week for me. I finally finished my jean jacket and dropped it off to have a lining put in. In addition, I finished Kelly Clark's Old World Stitching Santa and will be sending it off today to the finisher. I just made the deadline.

For those of you who are busy stitching away, we can still take ornaments through Tuesday, October 7 but that's the final date. Full-size stockings can come in as late as the end of October.

I know this means that many of you will be stitching away in the next few days.

Have fun.

Old World Stitching Santa

We finally had our class on the basket and scarf on Kelly Clark's Old World Stitching Santa. Several people wanted to have their canvas in before the finishing deadline of October 1. Hopefully, they will make it. (I know Judy will because she decided to just do a three-dimensional basket and isn't going to do the three-dimensional scarf).

I have finished most of mine except for a few colonial knots and the candy canes so I may be able to enjoy mine at Christmas too.

Actually, the weaving technique looks more complicated than it is. It's mostly in the set-up.

My New Bag

My finished Elizabeth Turner satchel came in just before I left for ANG seminar. I left it with the matching shoes for all to admire at the store but in case you haven't been in, here's a picture.

It's the perfect project when you just want to stitch without thinking.

I can't wait to start using it!

Fall Classes

Our Stars Class started on Sunday and we finished the City Snow/Coat Ladies Class. We are now taking sign-ups for the Potting Shed, The Background Sampler and City Snow. In addition, there are still openings for Deborah Wilson's Tussie Mussie and Jacobean Fruits and Flowers. Both classes should be lots of fun.

This Sunday, the Old World Santa class will be meeting to do the scarf and the basket.

ANG Auction

I forgot to write about the ANG live auction. As always, there were some beautifully stitched and finished items. I particularly loved an Easter egg finished like one of the old fashioned sugar eggs where you could peek inside the egg. Unfortunately, it was auctioned off before I arrived.

The Mr. and Mrs. Claus stitched by the Tucson chapter were fabulous.

I particularly loved a beautiful tote bag that was finished by Pat Mazu. The bag was just stunning.

Finally, there was an American Flag stitched by the Houston Chapter that generated the highest bid. I've ordered the book by Michelle Roberts for the store. It was lovely!

American Needlepoint Guild

I had planned on reporting back frequently from the ANG seminar. But somehow the time slipped by me. Getting here was a nightmare - Cathryn and I arrived approximately 10 hours after we were originally scheduled to get here. Then our bags didn't arrived for another 24 hours!

But my classes have been great. I took two of three days of Lois Kershner's Stitching for Perspective. It's a notebook class and I learned a lot. I plan to finish the notebook so I can use it in the store; it's a great reference.

Then, I went on to a color class taught by Janet Mitchell Fishel. We've been tinting and shading colors for two days and creating a color book. Both Amy and I have enjoyed it a lot and also learned a lot.

Expo night was fun last night. I enjoyed seeing people from last year and other times, too.

The exhibit is wonderful. I am always amazed at how incredibly talented people are. I'm also excited about classes for next year. I'll be waiting for the sign up!

Some of our classmates are from Texas and are of course, concerned about their families and homes -- and how they will get home. I hope that the hurricane does as little damage as possible. It also means that getting out of here may be more difficult due to messed up airline schedules.

Stitch & Chat Thursday Night

It was a small group of stitchers on Thursday. But it gave me a chance to get to know Merry Sue and to catch up with Nancy and Helen. The latter has just returned from her sojourn at the beach and her 10 day hike of the Appalachian trail. While at the beach, she finished David McCaskill's Potting Shed. It looks great and she can't wait to teach it.

Helen and Nancy were admiring two new Asian Designs that just came in from Danji. Jill of Danji rewrote the stitch guides for these two beautiful pieces by Janice. They are line-drawn canvases of a fan and kimono. They will make absolutely stunning pieces!

They both also admired my new satchel purse that just came back from Elizabeth Turner. IT's a gorgeous needlepointed purse of a jungle scene. I'm taking it to ANG.

Going to ANG Seminar

I'm in a panic since I leave on Sunday for the ANG seminar in Palm Desert, California. I'm still not packed and also have to pack the items I'm bringing for EXPO night. Ridgewood Needlepoint has a table where we will be selling: scissors fobs, chatelaines, bags and other accessories for stitchers.

My assignment for NAN is overdue. I've finished the first draft of the Student Booklet but I still have several hours to go on the piece itself. I had hoped to finish it before I left but it's looking doubtful.

We are waiting for the next shipment of paper dolls. I'm hoping that we will be shipping them the week of September 14th.

Dewey Beach

Nancy finished this piece in time for it to be enjoyed this summer. This fun piece was designed to be the base of a beach tag holder -- a very important item for Jersey beaches that require beach tags.


But this one is just a fabulous decoration for Nancy's sister.