Dede Trunk Show

Last call for Dede Trunk show which goes back to Fleur de Paris on Monday.
Discount is 20% during the trunk show.

 Click here to view all of Dede's Designs.
                      Dede Designs

News about the Old Crow Series Class

The Old Crow series by Leigh Richardson, Leigh Designs are so great it is hard to chose just one . The original plan for the class was to have Sandy Arthur
teach "Night Cap" but after several questions about other designs from ladies 
taking the class , two of the other designs will also be offered for this class.

          Night Cap                                  Fast Friends                            Squashed                                                                                                         

You can take the class and chose from one of the three designs above. 
I collect scarecrows , so I will be doing Fast Friends. See you in class or also available as home study. Class is Feb 5/6 , 2013 .
Call the shop for details- 480 551 1423.
            

A Tour through the DMC Factory

DMC THREADS   How are they made?

When it comes to threads, we all know the name DMC. It’s the most widely available embroidery thread and used in many kits and charts. conversion options for DMC thread.
"The video gives you an insiders view into how DMC textiles and threads are manufactured and made in Mulhouse France. This detailed look inside the historical factory gives you a front row seat into DMC’s patented skeining process, dying process and the rich history of DMC."

   Click here

Tour the DMC Factory

Ornaments for Grandchildren

It is always so much fun to see what the gals who work in the shop are stitching. There has been a flurry of activity the last while to get projects stitched and finished for the holidays. One of the gals. Barb stitches an ornament for each of her five grandchildren each year . Here are two just finished. A perfect ballet shoes charm was found and a snowflake charm was added to the other piece. Her families have wonderful trees where her ornaments are proudly displayed and enjoyed by all.

Stitches for Letters

A frequent question I am asked it what stitches to use for letters. Your choice will depend on whether you want a quick stitch or something more detailed.
I enjoy detailed work with intricate stitches but it is nice to have a quick and easy stitch as times  with so many models and class projects to stitch for the shop.

                    Here are the stitches used above: 

                      1. Baby Brick
                     2. Checkerboard Cross with silk and metallic
                     3. Tied Brick with silk and metallic
                     4. Slanted Cross with Frosty Rays and beads
                     5. Diagonal Mosaic with metallic

As you can see you can mix silk, metallics and beads. Of course ,if the letters are small it is best to use continental with an interesting thread. 
Other stitches that I like for letters are
                     1. Horizontal Lattice
                     2. Double Hungarian
                     3. Alternating Satin
                     4. Open Romanian.

You can experiment on the edge of your canvas with different stitches until you find the one that you like the best. 
                    

             

Small Business Saturday Thank You

Thanks to all who shopped with at Quail Run Needlework , making Small Business Saturday a great success. We appreciate your business and look forward  to helping you with all your stitching needs in the future. Enjoy the rest of the weekend and the spectacular weather we are having in Arizona!

Small Business Saturday Nov 26, 2012

Today is Small Business Saturday, so plan to get out and celebrate our neighborhood businesses and shop local.
Shopping locally supports our local businesses and you never know what you might find that isn’t available at your typical big-box store. With the gorgeous  weather we’ve been having, it’ll be a great day to get out, walk the neighborhoods, and visit  shops and restaurants; a nice break from leftovers!
Another reminder, some of our local businesses are going to have special offers.

Shopping local is really what makes a community what it is, especially in the way of employment and taxes. For every dollar that’s spent at a local store 68 percent of that goes to the local community through taxes and payroll.
So, I  encourage you and your friends to Shop Small on Nov. 24.

Happy Thanksgiving



From all of us at Quail Run Needlework and Quail Run Designs,
have a wonderful Thanksgiving.



Nine Lives

Nine Lives was title given to this piece by Bun Lamb Borrowdale, a spunky 92 year old gal. when she finished the stitching.

She only stitches on 18mesh as she prefers the detail. Each cat was stitched with a different thread to give unique character as you can see in the closeup.

I have a great group of stitchers in their 90s. They all have the same words of advice-stay active mentally and physically, learn something new everyday, don't be afraid of a challenge- oh yes and a bit of the bubbly is good for you.

 I need to live a long, long time to stitch through my stash so I am going to heed their advice !

Landscapes

Lois Kersnher has a unique approach to stitching landscapes. Once you take a class from her you look at the surroundings differently- you look at perspective, color and dimension.  Here is a collage of her teaching pieces including Sedona , the class at the store this past weekend. 
                            

Here is the link to Lois's website  http://loiskershner.com/
Every stitcher's library should have a copy of Threadscapes by Lois.

Painted Deserts Event and Exhibitin

This is a wonderful exhibition at the Phoenix Art Museum through December and a special event at noon today.

The nation's newest and most distinctive Western American art event is an exciting exhibition and opportunity for patrons to collect exceptional works of contemporary Western art. The Sale takes place Friday, November 9, and the exhibition is open to the public Sunday, November 11 through December 31 -- all at Phoenix Art Museum. Presented by the Museum's Men's Arts Council, The West Select unites 35 leading artists from across the country to present an expansive take on the great diversity of the American West. Featuring more than 110 paintings, drawings, sculptures, watercolors and photographs, the selected works will reveal iconic landscapes, still-lifes and wildlife; genre scenes of the historical and modern West, as well as depictions of the "New West."

Painted Deserts

Nov 17, 2012, 12pm

Gather inspiration from the second annual The West Select to paint a desert landscape! Discover more about the southwest with presentation

                                   by thePhoenix Zoo at 12:30 & 1:30pm.

Phoenix Art Museum

1625 N. Central Avenue Phoenix, AZ 85004-1685
(602) 257-1222

See you there!

Sedona, A Threadscape Class

Just two more days until the Sedona class with Lois Kershner, a great national teacher certified by the National Academy of Needlearts.
The class is full and we had a long waiting list- so book early next year for Lois's class!.
Here is what Lois writes about her designs-

"An enjoyment and appreciation of the beauty of nature and natural forms is the motivating inspiration behind my designs. Essentially I paint with thread, creating the illusion of light, shadow, perspective, and texture through thread and stitch selection and placement.
In my 'threadscapes' I use canvas embroidery to record memorable places and experiences much as others use travel journals, photo albums, and sketch books.

My study of Ikebana — Japanese flower arranging — for nearly twenty years has influenced my Sashiko pieces which feature both traditional motifs and contemporary designs."    

 

 Click here for more about Lois's new book, Threadscapes

          

OOPS- Did you miss this sale!

                                                ROYAL SCHOOL OF NEEDLEWORK
                                                           Grand Fundraising Sale!
                                                9 & 10 November 2012, 10am to 4pm

  Everything for the embroidery and craft enthusiast including fabrics, wools, lace, threads, beads, needlework collectables, embroidery frames, books, vintage clothing & accessories and more. All the proceeds will go towards our training programmes.

           Entrance is via the RSN Shop on the East Front - just follow the signs to the Formal Gardens.

Click here for RSN website

November Newsletter

Great stitching tips, fall canvas suggestions and  new classes in the November 

Newsletter.

Enjoy!

Click here 

November Newsletter