TRUNK SHOW - HERE THROUGH THE 31st

MINDY TRUNK SHOW through NOV. 12

LABOR DAY

This image sums up our goals for Labor Day.
I hope you, too, have a wonderful day.

MORE TOPPERS!

TOPPERS TRUNK SHOW from STUDIO MIDWEST

IN THE WAY THAT MALES ARE PROUD OF THEIR EQUIPMENT...

these fellows are boasting about their tail feathers! These are ornament birds that come with the magnificent "equipment" and the clip to affix them to the tree, or wherever you wish. From top to bottom they are a PAINTED BUNTING, BLUE JAY, TOUCAN and CARDINAL.

The TOUCAN and the PAINTED BUNTING come with stitch guides by TONY MINIERI. Nothing beats coming to see them in person.

LA - D - DA

Leisure Arts has republished some of the charming designs of Lori Markovic, better known as the designer/owner of La-D-Da. If you missed these earlier, this is a chance to pick up several cunning designs in one publication. These were published and available in the $8 range. A couple of these are still available as individual purchases. Take advantage of getting all six designs.

GATHER YOUR CHILDREN

Basic embroidery is a wonderful way to introduce children to stitching. It can be used with children too young or too restless to do counted work. The first book would be perfect for a starter book. It gives you easy ways to transfer patterns, including a website with a video...for those of you who do not like to read directions. Super quick and very easy!

The second book has more advanced techniques. If it is not your thing, consider it and some fabric and fiber as a gift for someone who cannot see well enough to do fine counted thread or needlepoint.

A DELIGHT FOR A BABY

Isn't this darling? Chris knit this shop model using a DK weight kettle-dyed cotton. We have 10 colors, including this delicious "Dreamsicle" color.

FOR THE MAGPIE IN ALL OF US

These lovely stitch markers are available in two sizes and they come with a sweet little organza bag for storage. Treat time! We deserve it. Please click to enlarge.

ANOTHER DAY, ANOTHER CANVAS!

This is sooo New England with the homes and the barns scattered around and though the town green. There's one of the sheep hired to keep down the weeds on the conservation land. I've definitely clicked my heels and am no longer in southwestern Minnesota. Don't you just love the flower-marble tree? Makes my fingers itch to supervise someone's stitching of this.

New BOSTON canvas

My friend Lori (Expressions in NeedleArt in Canandaigua, NY) and I had been MOONING over the work of this wonderful folk artist and mutually decided that they had to be licensed in needlepoint and agreed that MAGGIE was the one to point in the right direction. Voila - it happened. Here is the Boston skyline and the Public Garden. The artist is Karla Gerard.

I'll post the other one tomorrow.

FALL IS COMING!

I had to tear myself away from my needlepoint projects, and told my other counted thread projects that they just HAD to wait their turn. It was time to knit for fall. I was thrilled to get this one on the needles and off in one week. Since it will be mine when the store is finished with it, of course it is brown! I'm not the ruffle type, preferring a more conservative look, but this is subtle. One hank of Mushishi and a set of interchangeable knitting needles and you too can have one, but you'll have a choice of colors.

ONE HANK OF HEAVEN...

and four free patterns that can be accomplished from one delightful hank of hand dyed yarn yumminess! They have taken 100% merino, a mohair/wool/nylon combo, Kid Mohair with Nylon, Silk/Merino, Superfine Alpaca and Superwash Merino. Then they are dyed together and you end up with 670 yards, sufficient to make one of either shawl or either little top. Feast your eyes!

COUNTED NEEDLEPOINT TRUNK SHOW

This trunk show of NEEDLE DELIGHTS items will be on display through May 21. You won't want to miss it as they are stunning!

NEW CREWEL

Brand new and premiered at the Celebration of Needlework in NH last weekend, four cunning kits. Each features a different fruit tree, bird and mammal. The models are here through May 21.

CREWEL ADVENTURES

At last, we have some oldies but goodies and then some brand new kits: From left to right are COLONIAL HERB GARDEN, BLUE MEISSEN and TREE OF LIFE.


Next post will have the new ones, since blogger refuses to cooperate with me this morning.

EVERY WOMAN NEEDS A GREAT BRA!

A really great bra can make it a good day! The other thing that helps is a visit to the hairdresser. Joyce's mermaid was still a work in progress for this photo opportunity, but since she was shortly going to be on her way to the framers and would have glass, I had to take the opportunity to do an informal portrait. Her corkscrew curls are thanks to DMC memory thread.
Be certain to click to enlarge. I forgot to ask Joyce if the wet one had been given a name.

TUSCAN MIDNIGHT

"PICTURE YOURSELF" in Chelmsford did their magic on my work. I was proud of my piece upon completion, but I had a jaw-dropping moment when I saw it framed. They put a beautiful burgundy silk mat on it and it has those gorgeous hand cut corners. I'm still gob-smacked. The frame is also spectacular, but you'll have to come to see it in person, as my photo skills are really lacking.

Now I can't wait to get my "Oh My Stars" back in the shop.

WONDERFUL BABY GIFT!

We've been watching Flo in class, whizzing through this adorable Princess and the Pea canvas. She has nearly finished and is scheduled for the framing, and then will be whisking it off to deliver it. I won't have an opportunity to see it framed, so I figured I should hurry up and snap a photo today. She also has the opportunity to care for her new grandniece for a few days. We're waiting to see how that works for her!

Please be sure to click on the image to see all the detail work. It is an adorable canvas and she is doing a beautiful job on it.

THE EARTH TILTED...

...and UPS and Fed Ex rushed to TWIS delivering surprises. Yes, I do remember ordering these tote bags and canvases, but the sudden convergence today still took me by surprise.

It does look as though I have a stitch commitment in the first picture, but until I get it done, it serves as a selling tool for a line of canvases whereby you can have a short name or expression spelled out for you in whatever style you like. I have another TWIS canvas from another painter that I will share with you on another day. The color of the tote is hot pink and the canvases shown on the turquoise bag could go on the pink bag.

The lime green bag with the flower canvas tied on the front is a lunch bag, or a small summer purse.

The red and black bags are from a different vendor and are self finishing for your canvas insertion. The vendor provided me with an updated catalog of needlepoint canvases that you might choose to fit in your bag. These two bags are different styles, and you need to come in and see the interiors.