Rockefeller Center Stocking

Today, Helen found all my missing stitches. I now have to stitch those and then bead the stars and spread some beads around the tree. It really is like building a house. It looks like it's almost done but then all the little details take forever to finish.

I don't like to rip. I basically believe that whatever you stitch in five years time will look better anyway, so why not just note how you would change it the next time. But I ran out of the dye lot for the orange thread used for the Chrysler. So I had to rip and then I ripped more. Now my Chrysler building is done all in metallics; it looks so much better. It really looks like the light is reflecting.

Oh well, on to stitching and beading!

NJ Mini Stocking

I thought I was finished but I didn't like the way the seagull looked against the way sails. So this afternoon, I ripped out the stitches and restitched the area in petite peluche. I'm much happier with it.

Even though I don't like to rip, this was worth it.

School Santas

We love these school Santas and Snowman. Allie did a wonderful job stitching hers. She beaded the names of the school. And then our finisher incorporated the beading into the trim!

Don't you wish you were getting one of these for Christmas!

Trip to Winterthur

On Saturday, Bruce and I drove down to Winterthur, the DuPont Estate just outside of Wilmington, Wilmington, DE. We've been talking about visiting for years but just never got around to it. We really wanted to go to see the antique furniture but I was pleasantly surprised to see bits of DuPont's tapestry collection. Evidently, Henry Francis DuPont collected the largest antique fabric collection in existence.

Included in his collection were several needlepoints. Their was a needlepointed chair cover (the needlepoint for an entire wing chair) that had been done in the late 18th century. I also learned that needlepoint kits have been around since the late 17th century. Typically, the kit included a pattern, the threads and the material. There were early examples of completed painted canvases, too.

New Scissors

If you are looking for a new scissors, Gingher just came out with their Elena scissors, pictured below. The scissors has a very impressionistic look to it. This scissors is in Gingher's Design Collection, so if you are collecting them, take note.
Perhaps, you are just looking for a new embroidery scissors. Why not try these?

Almost Finished

I've been hoping that my Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Stocking would be finished very soon. Each night, I get closer and closer. At this point, I have just two buildings to finish, various missed stitches and the beading to do.

It's amazing that the final stitching takes so long. It must be like building a house where the framing happens so quickly but the inside finishing takes forever!

I am very excited to be so close! I can actually taste it. I looked for a picture of my stocking but can't find one in my files. I promise to take one before I send it off.

In trying to decide the fnal color for one of the buildings, I actually xeroxed the stocking in black and white. The black and white image clearly demonstrated to me that the canvas artist had chosen light colors to keep that section light. So although I am moving off the original colors a bit, I will still follow them somewhat.

Featured Retailer & Thanksgiving Reminder

Ridgewood Needlepoint is the featured retailer on www.theworldofneedlepoint.com The article describes what we do and has some new pictures. Take a look.

I also wanted to remind everyone that we will be closed for Thanksgiving from Saturday afternoon, November 21 through Thursday, November 26th! We will all be preparing for Thanksgiving with our families.

Vote for Ridgewood Needlepoint

The political elections are over but 201 Magazine is having its readers choose the best of Bergen County for 2010. Unfortunately, they don't have a category just for needlepoint. But you can still let them know how much you enjoy Ridgewood Needlepoint. Submit Ridgewood Needlepoint as the best shopping destination and the best kept secret in Bergen County.

To vote go to: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=DSug0VStJbDGDxDnltopTw_3d_3d

It's also an opportunity to vote for other favorite stores in Bergen County.

We appreciate your support.

Shoe Fetish

I just love this canvas. I know so many people who just love shoes. So many choices to choose from.

Jane's Stocking and Tags

Jane's Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree Stocking has returned from the finisher. In addition to stitching the stocking, she stitched two tags for her son and his fiance. Bryan chose a New Jersey Light house as the theme for his stocking while Casey chose the place where they will be married.

What a wonderful gift! Jane is making sure the stocking and tags are protected. They will be placed in a shadow box that can be opened to take the stocking out for Christmas!

Cheri's London Santa

We love this time of year since we start getting back the finished items for Christmas. Of course, these finished items are generally for the stitchers who dropped their items off way before the October 1 deadline.

Cheri has been stitching a series of these international Santas. They come with stitch guides and are just great!

Greg's Cummberbund

Gretchen stithced this delightful cumberbund for her husband, Greg. She definitely has a plan since the Junior League Festival of Trees is on November 21st. Greg will be wearing his penguins.

Notice that in the bottom picture, the penguins are holding martini glasses. These weren't on the original canvas but Gretchen embellished it a little. Aren't they fun?

Jane of Chilly Hollow's Rabbit Geisha

Jane of Chilly Hollow has just posted pictures of her just finished Rabbit Geisha. She did an absolutely stunning job. If you haven't been following her progress, treat yourself by going to her blog: http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2009/10/presenting-brenda-stoffts-rabbit-geisha.html.
Of course, if you absolutely have to have the Rabbit Geisha or the companion Cat Geisha, we would be glad to add it to our order with Brenda Stofft.

Brick Covers

We don't do brick covers all the time but two came back at the same time. Karen W picked up her Rutgers brick yesterday. At the same time, we had received another customer's bear and canoe brick.

World Series -Game One

For those of you who aren't following the games, the Philadelphia Phillies won tonight. Since I have posted pictures of the Yankee brick and both the old and new Yankee Stadiums, I thought I should post two canvases relating to the Phillies. First, there is the wonderful brick cover featuring a catcher. Then there is the old Phillies stadium.

I will post the new Stadium when the series moves to Philadelphia.

Belts

We just got some great belts in. Belt canvases are great for traveling since they are so portable. And although I do everything on some type stretcher bar or scroll bar, lots of people do belt canvases in hand.

Above, I have pictures of three of the canvases. One is a Scrabble belt, perfect for the person who loves to play (and win) at scrabble. The second belt is a NYC subway belt, perfect for a commuter or former commuter. The last belt is a cigar belt -- do you know a cigar lover who would enjoy this one?

Sally's Purse

We've seen this purse done a couple of times. We just love it.

In the past, our customers have stitched the little squares in Scotch Stitch. But Sally V's canvas came with a stitch guide that had many of the circles done in spider stitches. So Sally followed the stitch guide, and her piece looks fantastic. It looks so great she's not even complaining about working on black canvas!

Animal Crackers

I'm afraid this picture is a little small. It's an ornament we just got in based on the box of animal crackers. It's just adorable. It can be finished as a 3 D ornament.

It's fun to be in the store when I canvas comes in that Gail falls in love with. She loved this one and even had us buy animal crackers to put by it.

I can't wait to stitch it myself. I think the yellow background should have an effect like a screen -- perhaps a 4 way continental.

The Yankee License Plate

Well, I thought the Yankees would definitely be in the World Series but there is still hope.

I promised to post a picture of the Yankee license plate. I didn't realize how appropriate it would be!

Of course, it can be done with different states and different teams. So if you want to stitch something for the fan in your lift (including yourself), why not stich a license plate. It's on #13 mesh so it will be easier to stitch while you are watchng the games.

World Series Yankees?

Well, the Yankees were selling tickets for the World Series today on-line. Evidently, the fans snapped whatever was available in 7 minutes! If you are planning a cozier viewing of the World Series watching the Yankees (I hope), you can also do some stitching to demonstrate your support.

On the right, there are three canvases for Yankee fans. The top one is the new Yankee Stadium. Wouldn't it be great to be stitching this when they win their first series in the new stadium?

The middle photo is a Yankees brick cover. It also makes a great bookend. I happen to love the player.

Finally, there is a small Yankee jersey that becomes a Christmas ornament. A perfect gift for the fan in your life.

We also have the old Yankee Stadium for the sentimentalist and a license plate that says Yankees.