Where has the time gone? I have been here since Thursday afternoon and it is already very early Monday morning…and I mean very early and I am just turning my Mac on for the first time! In a few short hours market will wind down and it will be time for breakdown and saying our goodbyes. For some of us, this will be the last market of the year.

These canvases are some of Raymond’s newest designs. I just love them and I could easily stitch just about everyone of them! Which one is your favorite? I don’t think that I can decide. I snapped this picture during early morning setup as I needed to pick up the canvases from Raymond for classes. Back to the hotel to get the kits together.

Getting the threads ready for classes! Thank you again to our thread donors…Kreinik, Planet Earth Fiber, Crescent Colours, Rainbow Gallery and Sundance Designs.

Ready to go! Time to head back over to the convention center to find out where the class is, where is the booth for Needlepoint Now and see what everyone else is doing…

Found the class locations!

Tony Minieri, Suzanne Howren and Beth Robertson are busy helping Meredith set up the Elizabeth Turner Collection booth…okay but where is Meredith? They had all been here in Columbus as it was time to come up with amazing ideas for our classes at the Fab Four Class at A Stitch in Time in a few months. I can’t wait! Why so far ahead you say? well first I am sure that they had to work it into their busy schedules and also this will give Alison time to order our threads and beads!

This is the registration area where everyone checks in for show badges, show books and all sorts of information.

Needlepoint Now booth is set up and the magazines and everything are safely tucked under the table. Nothing much to show you now as it is just the table and banner. More later!

Classroom is setup and now I have lots of time to head over to North Market and then some sneak peaks at the new canvases!

I was trying to decide on what to have for lunch and just couldn’t get pass up Jeni’s…life is short, eat dessert first! Isn’t that what they say? So I did! Salty caramel mixed with whiskey pecan. OMG! and that was all I needed for lunch.

Two new amazing designs from Sandra Gilmore of Once in a Blue Moon…and no I didn’t order either one of these!

The very anxious shoppers waiting for Sample It to open! open! open! I was able to do some stash enhancement shopping.

Well it is time to get ready to head to the show floor. I like to head in the doors early as you can really look in the peace and quiet. I have lots more pictures yet to share with you. and until next time…keep on stitching

The Summer Solstice is right around the corner! It begins June 21rst at 1:04am and is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. The most daylight for stitching and the official start of summer! While Googling Summer Solstice, I found many interesting facts and celebrations from years past and many current solstice happenings surrounding this day. For me it will be all needlepoint related as I will be at the TNNA Summer Market in Columbus. How hot will it be there this year?

This canvas is by dede and it has always been one of my favorites! Oh what fun with a variety of beads and stitches that I could have! Looks like Belle Soie 3 Alarm Fire to me. If this canvas is too big for you, dede has now done the 4 seasons faces in a much smaller size.

My favorite…lemon ice!

Mooch and Earl have the right idea!

Sylvester is making sure that everything gets packed. I am bringing my laptop with me and hopefully I will have time to blog from market. and until next time…keep on stitching!

Did you know that Wednesday, June 19th is National Martini Day? well of course this drink would need it’s own special day! I think that I need this Keep Calm Canvas by Unique New Zealand. According to Punchbowl.com…

“although the exact origin of the martini is unknown, this iconic drink has earned a permanent place in the pantheon of classic cocktails. The first printed recipe for a “Martinez” cocktail appeared in a bar-tending manual published in San Francisco in 1887. However, historians disagree whether the beverage actually originated on the West Coast or not. In 1911, a New York City bartender named Martini di Arma di Taggis began serving a cocktail made with gin, vermouth, orange bitters and an olive garnish. The martini gained widespread popularity among Manhattan socialites and has been associated with New York ever since!”

That was then and now…wow there are so many types of Martini’s! Lemon Drops, Appletini’s, so many more in all colors, sizes and flavors made with so many of these specialty Vodka’s that are available now…

Speaking of Martini’s there is an absolutely wonderful restaurant named Martini’s that is right across the street from the convention center in Columbus. I will be headed there shortly after I arrive! They make a mean Martini that I love and they garnish it with blue cheese stuffed olives.

This is the new thread from Kreinik called Easter Grass…

a clear oppalescent thread with chameleon qualities that I will select one to stitch the glass with! Look at all the sizes it comes in…1/8″ and 1/16″ Ribbon, #4, #8, #12 and #16 Braid and last by not least Blending Filament.

Of course you need the right magnet when you are stitching on this martini canvas!

AlleyCat is again working on her suntan! and until next time…keep on stitching

Stash enhancement comes in many forms…there are canvases, bags, scissors, bling, threads and ooh so much more!

After you find that perfect scissors that feels just right in your hand, then you need to add that special fob for it. How about one of these from Paprika Pi…I think that I will just let Joey, the artist behind this explain them best to you!

“Our beads are handcrafted and combined with other findings to create your special item. Beads are created in very limited quantities, which means your purchase is unique, just like you. Paprika Pi beads are limitless, just like Pi.”

“if you just gotta have one they can be purchased only at The Needle Works, Austin TX! Call ’em at 512-451-6931. Limited availability!” or what I would say one of a kind…

How about some of these Fab Flowers by Sundance Designs? I have an idea for some of these…but I need a white or a clear flower. Cassie is going to bring me some to market next week!

How about some new thread? This is Diamant, which is a metallic embroidery thread made by DMC in Japan. It has brilliant effects and I would compare it to the same as 2 strands of Bijoux twisted together. You could strand it if you only wanted a single thread. It is made up of viscose and metallic polyester. It is soft and keeps it twist when used and is available in 6 colors. Would be great for darning patterns or a light background.

I have an idea for this thread too! and with my test stitching with it, it was quite an enjoyable stitch, so I would be happy to use it on a larger project…or a little project for that matter.

I am wondering if this is a replacement for Fil or Clair or Fil Argent Clair? Do any of the shop owners know that?

I never did get myself motivated Saturday morning for breakfast and some retail therapy in La Jolla. It was chilly and with a heavy marine layer which hid the sunshine, I just started doing some much needed things around the house. And before I knew it, it was time to settle in for stitching time.

I was pouring through my books searching for stitches and of course somebody had to see what I was up to! and until next time…keep on stitching

Susan Portra asks “Why Needlepoint? What’s it all about…this medium we call needlepoint?” 

Read the answer on her new website, Susan Portra.com. She tells me it’s been live since November and I am just finding out about it now? Susan says that it is still a work in progress…but is any website really ever finished as new and exciting items are always added?

I have been taking with Susan for about 3 years now at Newport Needlepoint, but actually our relationship started years ago (even though she probably doesn’t remember) when she owned her own shop in Huntington Beach “My Friend and I.” Here was a shop that had classes on Sunday and I would drive up there on my sometimes only day off of the week with this ooh so talented lady to learn all about needlepoint.

I am one of the lucky ones as she still teaches right in my backyard…well sorta kinda as it is just a short  90 mile drive. But by California standards that is just a hop, skip and a jump! Susan travels round the country from Florida to Ohio to St Louis to Northern California and back again. This year I made a New Years resolution that I was going to make a point to schedule time for privates with Susan every month…and this is one resolution I have been  keeping so far!

The last 3 months we have been splitting my time for projects for the Needlepoint Now magazine and time for moi. A new project that will start in the July/August issue and we have also been reworking the thread lists for some of her very popular ornament series since some of the threads are no longer available. They will be in the magazine too!

We talk about life, all things stitching, now her website and the love of her life, Kody which you can see him pictured with Susan!

She is teaching this years Aristea’s retreat at the Ritz-Carlton in Laguna Niguel. 3 glorious days of stitching bliss. The food is amazing, the ambiance is 2nd to none and can you imagine having this view right out the windows of your stitching room?

I have attended the last 2 years, but unfortunately this year conflicts with other things. I am sorry to say that Aristea did not check with me before they selected these dates… this year that they have scheduled a party bus on one of the evenings to take everybody shopping at Aristea! How fun will that be?

Or how about sailing along with Susan and Diane on their cruise to New Zealand and Australia? A stitching cruise is high up on my bucket list! What could be better than that?

Off for a little breakfast this morning at The Cottage, a bit of retail therapy and then home to stitch for the day. I need to try and remember all the things that Susan shared with me on Wednesday and apply them while it is still fresh in my mind. Make sure you check out her website and if you ever have the opportunity to take from her…don’t think twice as her classes fill up fast!

Sylvester was waiting for me to settle in and start stitching! and until next time…keep on stitching

Today, June 14th is Flag Day. This is a Tony Minieri design, Washington DC Teapot, which I know that I have shared this with you before. At one time he designed a new teapot for every ANG seminar city. There was Atlanta, Kansas City, Albuquerque and Washington DC…well maybe not in that order, but you get the idea.

I love this piece and I took this class with him at the ANG seminar in Washington DC on September 9, 2001…so you can see that it has very special meaning for me.

Toady, we honor the flag and all it stands for and all it has gone through. What I didn’t realize is not only is this Flag Day, but is also Flag Week as declared by the President.

This is always a favorite happening of mine at Petco Park when they unfurl the big flag before the game on opening day or other special games.

There are a lot of wonderful flags in needlepoint, including this one which you will soon see in its entirety! It is part of a bigger canvas and will be in the July/August issue of Needlepoint Now and follow up with 2 more issues.

I started a little stitching on the flag the other night, which will be stitched in basketweave using 5 shades …or is it 6? of Neon Rays. It is really not one of my favorite threads and I may change it to silk or floss as this is a big area. You need to enjoy what you are stitching and stitching with…as why bother?

AlleyCat is working on her suntan! It always amazes me as she emerges from the darkest recesses of her bedroom in time to soak up the sun. and until next time…keep on stitching

You probably think that I am talking about Christmas? well not really…but I do have lists and am always checking them more than once. Imagine my horror if we got to class and I was missing a thread? Shudder the thought!

Thank you to Kreinik for their thread donations for Raymond Crawford’s Trick or Treat class that I will be teaching next week at the TNNA Summer Market…

Thank you to Crescent Colours for the Hand overdyed floss and to Planet Earth Fiber for their Pepper Pot Silk.

and to Rainbow Gallery for their thread contributions. Sally how are you doing? you will be missed at market, but you will be there in spirit, I know it!

and thank you to Sundance Beads for the bead contributions! Sylvester is thinking that he is coming along? or is he just giving it his paws of approval? All I have left to do is bag up some Delica beads which are used on one of the letters on the “Treat”

and thank you to Raymond for donating the canvases! and notice that I pack the needlepoint stuff first, and the clothes come later?!

and until next time…keep on stitching

At the last 2 markets of this year, Rainbow Gallery introduced a lot of new colors in their existing lines of threads. If you are like me, Petite Silk Lamé, Silk Lamé for 18 and Silk Lamé for 13 are probably your new favorite threads!

I was helping a friend pull threads the other day and we found a perfect color of Silk Lamé Braid for 13, but the trouble was the canvas was 18 mesh. No problem, just pull out a few strands of the Splendor base and thin it down to the size that you need. Between the 3 sizes of Silk Lamé Braid, over 4 dozen new colors were introduced to the market, making it ooh so easy to find just the right one.

Along with that, how about 7 new colors of Fyre Werks Soft Sheen and 3 Neon Rays Plus. Pictured here are 2 shades of Fuzzy Stuff – Dove Gray and Chocolate Lab. A Glow in the Dark Silk Lamé Braid, A Glow in the Dark Treasure Braid and Petite Sparkle Rays in Chartreuse…and where were those threads when I stitching on Raymond Crawford’s Trick or Treat canvas?

The new laying “Harlequin” Laying tools from Rainbow Gallery. A unique one of a kind laying tool with acrylic handles and a wooden tip. I have been working with these trying each and every one as I get ready to send them to Needlepoint Now for their product reviews. I favor the shorter one and I like how they feel in my hand. They are so pretty and who doesn’t like collecting all the new toys?

Let me introduce you to Sally from Rainbow. I just love this picture…and it speaks volumes as to Sally’s over the top personality. I asked Sally too if I could use it on my blog and she said yes! Thank you Sally for making sure all of our Rainbow Gallery orders get processed accurately and out on the UPS truck in a timely manner for all of us anxious stitchers. She is the one when you place an order and say Splendor such and such a number, and she says that’s a wrong number…maybe you need this instead? She is the one when you are looking for a discontinued thread that you absolutely have to have…well what could we use instead? and she always has the right answer.

Thank you to Sally and to Rainbow for getting our threads together and shipped out for our classes at TNNA. Do you know that they donate all those threads? Well there are a lot of other thread donations too and I will thank everybody in the upcoming days as I get ready and pack for market.

It was a good stitching day yesterday as I am to the point where I wanted to be on my canvas that I am working on the for the magazine. I am already on part 2 and I wanted to have certain elements stitched so that when I go to see Susan Portra on Wednesday, she can answer all my questions!

So I rewarded myself with a little stitching time on Bastet. I need to rework her amulet, so the beading that I had already done was ceremoniously unbeaded. I figured if I was going to dust and vacuum today…that I should make the mess before rather than after!

AlleyCat is wondering what is all that noise going on down there? and until next time…keep on stitching

p.s. Speaking of Sally she just posted this on Facebook

“One week no FACEBOOK, so lets get caught up. Last Sunday I fell in the parking lot of the local supermarket. Long story short, broke my HIP, surgery, 3 days in the hospital,
home and today I start Physical Therapy. I am walking around with a walker and I am doing good. I do miss work but now I will have lots of time to STITCH, the question is
which canvas to pull out. I think I will start on my Labors of Love cranberry perfume bottle, pictures to follow.”

Oh no Sally…hurry back!

I can’t think of a better way to spend a Saturday afternoon…can you? Stitching away with  friends and The Divine Miss M at A Stitch in Time in San Marino, California. Catching up on old times and making new stitchy friends, getting wonderful new stitches and being inspired! What could be better? well not much, unless instead you were in a class with Brenda or Susan or Tony or Suzanne or Beth or any of these amazing teachers that work the circuit. Sharing their knowledge and imparting wonderful techniques into our stitching repertoire!

Meredith was demonstrating needlefelting onto this Leigh canvas using this amazing over dyed wool. It was going to create these wonderful one of a kind leaves.

now who would thunk that? This is the class when Meredith showed me the needlepunch Turkey work on my Santa.

For any of you who are signed up to do the Fab Four class here in San Marino in August… you are in for such a treat! I know I can’t wait and this will be my 4th time. Guess I love this class? Lots of room in the shop, 4 amazing teachers, great light, wonderful ambiance, an amazing owner Alison. What more can I say… except it is going to be so much fun!

Meredith was taking a breath as she entertained us and thought of what to have Christine do next. She was doing woven picots for her headdress! I think that this is her 4th showgirl of Leigh’s that she has worked on with Meredith. You can see 2 of them that just came back from New Creations Picture Framing in the background.

Meredith is demonstrating on the Cooper Oaks canvas “Cat in a Hot Tub” with a technique called repoussé to create a realistic looking shower head. I originally learned that from Tony Minieri, a few years ago, so I want to give him credit. Not sure who brought it to the classes first?

Wow that Needlepoint Now frameweight sure gets around allot. I love that color and it is my new favorite!

Repoussé is wrapping around a base of threads, making it very dimensional and it will be just purr~fect when finished!

AlleyCat is posing for her closeup! and until next time…keep on stitching

What is a darning pattern? According to Wikipedia “a darning pattern uses parallel rows of straight stitches of different lengths to create a pattern.” This pattern that I selected creates a Christmas tree.

I might go onto to add that you can work a darning pattern as an individual stitch, which then it would no longer be considered a darning pattern. For this canvas I Love a Man in Uniform that wouldn’t work as this design was too small. I knew that I wanted to do a Christmas tree or something Christmassy and it was time just to sit down and pour through the stitch books.

I found this one that makes a little Christmas tree, which is what I had in mind. It was just finding the one I liked best! The great thing about a darning pattern is that they don’t use awhole lotta thread…but they make up for it with awhole lotta counting. It is the spaces between pattern to pattern that can sometimes throw you off.

It should look almost the same on the back…The negative space looks creates the tree. The thread should always be brought down to the end of the canvas and turn the corner in the margin of the canvas. Since you do see the thread behind the canvas, you want to make sure that you always see the thread. If you have some missing voids, it will look different.

You can see that I bring my thread down in the margin to turn the corner. I also stop and start my threads there by making a secure little box with my thread, leaving the waste knot on the back. I am not a fan of all those threads and stitches there…but ooh the sacrifices that you must make for your stitching!

Again not my best picture…Sylvester and I were playing fetch the other day. He absolutely loves this along with these little catnip mice! It must be the male cat thing in my house as Felix loved to play fetch too! As for AlleyCat, well you must be kidding…

and until next time…keep on stitching