Come "Journey" with Margaret Bendig

This is just another wonderful counted needlework design by talented Margaret Bendig. Her classes are so informative and relaxed.
This class is March 22/23, 2013 from 10 am -4pm. You can chose your own colors which is always such a great stitching adventure!

Journey is a  design created by Margaret Bendig following her visit to a Frank Lloyd Wright building where she was inspired by the stained glass windows. The design is 11" x 11" on  18-count eggshell canvas. It can be done in cotton or silk  with metallics and an over dye thread. Stitches include Waffles, Rice, Woven Satin, Interrupted Waffle, Framed Scotch, Cashmere Brick, Log Cabin Mosaic, Framed Brick, Reversing Scotch and Wild Rice Stitch, to name a few.
 
Call the shop for details.

Needlepoint at the White House Christmas

The history and beauty of Christmas at the White House give one a lot of inspiration for stitching projects. I was fascinated to watch how they created different design elements for this year's decorations. They made a life sized model of  the White House dog , Bo out of pompoms. 20.000 black and white were used.  I just ordered tiny pompoms for embellishing at the store so will try these on a poodle canvas I need to stitch and show you the results. ( I think even you cat lovers will enjoy this picture and the process !) You can see some of the decorations from previous years including needlepoint ornaments .

Over her eight White House holiday seasons, First Lady Hillary Clinton showcased the talents of America's artistic communities. . The 1995 "A Visit From St. Nicholas" tree featured pieces by architecture students and members of the American Institute of Architects. Stockings by the American Needlepoint Guild and the Embroiderers Guild of America also hung from its boughs.

The Saintly Stitchers of St. Martin’s Episcopal Church in Houston, Texas contributed to the “needle work” tree of 1991. They created a needlepoint village and 92 needlepoint figures for a wooden Noah’s Ark built by staff carpenters. 
 

Here are two links to view the 2012 White House Christmas
 HGTV White House Christmas

  White House Christmas 2012 
     There is even a delicious recipe for the White House "Ginger Crinkles".



 

Meet the Material Girls

During this season of giving and receiving, I wanted to share the work of two groups with you.
Many of you who belong to an American Needlepoint Guild are familiar with the Kissing Pillows.

These are small keepsakes for children and loved ones of deploying soldiers and also for the departing soldiers. The loved ones kiss the pillow and give it to the departing soldier. Not only does the soldier receive a pillow, so does the family. The soldier kisses a pillow for each family member to hold onto until the safe return from war. It is a comfort for the entire family during the lonely times for the soldiers and for the families left behind.This idea started several years ago and was picked up by the American Needlepoint Guild, a national organization which has chapters and members in every state.
Your local needlework guild can provide you with information if you are interested in stitching these.

Another group creating comfort items are the Material Girls, a special group of ladies who have been quilting together for nearly 10 years . They meet each Monday and are stitching quilts for injured servicemen and servicewomen. Here is the link and do look at the slide show of three pictures that shows  other pictures of these patriotic quilts. Kudos to this group!!

Meet The Material Girls: Quilting for Injured veterans

National ANG Seminar Awards gallery

If you want to see some exquisite stitching , go to links below  from the 2012 ANG seminar. The website is  needlepoint.org.



Blair Chair

 The Blair House is the President's Guest House and among the home’s extensive furnishings is a wing back chair with needlepoint upholstery that originally done by President  Roosevelt’s daughter-in-law. In time, the threads faded and became worn by use, and house conservators approached the American Needlepoint Guild in August 2010 about recreating the upholstery.  Here are the pictures of the chair before and after . And also a wonderful article on ANG president, Pat Rogers and her part is this fine project.


  before restoration 

          

  after restoration

  article on Pat Rogers 
    

  The Best in Show Award went to this beautiful chair. It was stitched on congress cloth  in a summer palatte of blues and greens. Titled Summer Winds, this chair tells the story of the stitcher's life on Cape Cod . If  you are a guild member there are wonderful closeup pictures in the latest issue of Needlepointers. This is truly an exceptional piece of original needle art by Nancy Hellstrom.

Two's Class

        This will be a great class. You chose one of the "Two's" Designs to stitch in this class. It will be fun to see what the other ladies in class are working on as you stitch your own choice. This is a counted piece with the design size 4"x8" on 18 mesh canvas.  This class will be a series of 4 classes on January 15 and 25, Feb 12 and 26 from 1-3 . Call to register and order one 
or more of the eight designs. See you in class or do as home study.

 

      Two Barns                                                            Two Cabins                                                                      

                                   Two Cabanas    
               Two Cottages                                    Two Gingerbread Houses                                     
                              

   Two Haunted Houses
              Two Houses on the Shore                                     Two Light houses
 

Sampler Sunday- Growth Charts

I have had several requests for growth charts lately. There are many available,so here is a sample for you to choose from. If you have a theme in mind , we will be glad to look for one.
Size for each is about 6" side and 41" long on 13 mesh. These are a lot of fun to stitch and a treasure for any family !

Castle                           Galaxy

   Noahs Ark         Nursery Rhymes

Transportation

Happy Hanukkah

Thursday's Tip

Here is another questions I am asked frequently:

 How do I keep my tension consistent?

I think the hardest and most important thing to learn when stitching is tension.
Good tension comes with lots of practice and experience. If you tension is too tight, it will pull and distort the canvas. It it is too loose, there will be lumps on the front.  If there are no pulled areas or bumps and your stitching looks smooth,  your tension is great. 
Mood affects your tension. When you are frustrated or angry,  you will
pull harder. If you are too relaxed, your stitches may be loose. I find it interesting to watch stitchers as they stitch. The expression on their faces and grip on the needle, reveals what their tension will be like. So I like to take a deep breath,clear my mind and relax . I absorb myself in my stitching ,not other thoughts for the most consistent tension. Give it a try.

December Newsletter

 The December newsletter is online. Click below to read and Enjoy

           December 2012 newsletter

Melissa Shirley Trunk Show

The popular Melissa Shirley Trunk Show will arrive Dec 8. Here is the link so you can make your wish list before you come to the shop.
Here are a few picures of old and new designs.
Enjoy your shopping!


         Click here   Melissa Shirley New Designs

More finishing for Family

Here are the three other ornaments Barb stitched for her family.
My favorite is the winter scene but they are all wonderful!

The little bell we found for the bottom of the Santa ornament is just perfect.

I also think the bronze bell and ribbon we added to the winter scene  complimented the beautifully stitched piece. We added an edging that looks like snow to the  cute little skier.  Barb was pleased with the end results and said  her family would also love the pieces.  Each one was finished with care and special thought as is all our finishing. If you have a vision for your piece , we can create it or let us create a unique piece for you.  
One of our customer's  has a son whose  university dorm is the Mountain Dew Dorm so here is what she stitched for him. How cool is this!

 

Needlepoint Tapestry Yarn

Waverly Wool is a product of Brown Sheep Company, a well-regarded supplier of knitting yarn. Waverly Wool is Brown Sheep’s three-ply, Persian-type tapestry yarn for needlepoint. Compared to Paternayan wool, this yarn is less hairy and is more consistent in size so it covers the canvas more effectively . Only one ply is needed for 13/14 mesh so a skein of Waverly will

cover more canvas. Available in 482 colors, most Paternayan color numbers can be converted to an equivalent color in Waverly Wool.
Of special note is that Brown Sheep Company is located in Mitchell, Nebraska.They raise the sheep,sheer them, dye, spin the yarn and skein the yarn colors. So this is a Made In America product from start to finish. The Navajo rug makers use only this yarn when they do not use their own yarn .
So give this product a try when you are looking for needlepoint wool for your project.

Sampler Sunday - Mini Nativities

Here is a sampler of mini nativity designs.

Click here to view:
   Adorable Basket Nativity


 Thimble Nativity

  
Southwest Nativity
 

Stitching a large nativity set may just not work for you. So consider stitching
a mini version. Pieces in these sets are 2-2.5 tall and 1.5-2" wide. 
Some of the sets have backdrops if you wish to stitch these as well.So,
consider one of these for your stitching list for next year.