Christmas Ornaments

I have approximately 100 needlepoint Christmas ornaments which I have made through the years.  Last year, I was out of town for Christmas.  I didn't want to fool with the big tree but, I wanted to display the ornaments as I was entertaining.  My solution came from Solutions Catalog in the form of a rod iron tree.  The ornaments that didn't fit on the tree hung from the garland on the circular stairs.  This year, I did the big tree in red and silver but kept the ornaments on the rod iron tree.  After Christmas, my daughter informed me that they liked the needlepoint ornaments on the big tree better as it made it more colorful.  Lesson learned: Don't fool with tradition.

Needlepoint Tool Time Sale

Needlepoint Tool Time is having a Thank You Sale  for a great 2010.  Anything on the web site is 20% off.
Sale starts now and runs until we return from TNNA Market on January 10th.
http://www.needlepointtooltime.com/

Opps, granddaughters have arrived for dinner & a sleepover.
Tisha

STITCH AND PLAY GETAWAY

Needlepoint Tool Time is sponsoring a Stitch & Play Getaway in San Francisco March 10 - 13, 2011.  I decided that I didn't need another new project to feel guilty about not finishing.  Everyone is to bring something from their stash to work on.  We have arranged excursions to Marlene's Custom Finishing & Needlepoint Inc.  The Getaway will be held at the Triton boutique hotel which is across the street from the Gates of China Town & within walking distance to the needlepoint store & Britex Fabrics.  There is an option of a 2 or 3 night stay or a commuter option.

Gina Wearin at Getaways By Gina is taking reservations.  Contact her at #541-610-6719 or gina.wearin@getawaysbygina.com.  Further details are available on the Needlepoint Tool Time website.

Come join in the fun!
Tisha

NEW MOVIE

I have been blogging away and it's going no where.  Seems I somehow have two blog sites so I've been talking to myself.

Back to the topic of the Blog.  I have loaded a new movie onto my web site.  A computer tech who calls himself Ace talked me thru the process of posting the movie myself.  Ace was also a salesman as he talked me into a toll free number.  We put that on the site.  I needed a large glass of wine to recover!

http://www.needlepointtooltime.com/

Tisha

RAILROADING

I learned a new tip from Kathy Paterson of Bongo Design.  When using 2 ply, you lay the thread in the direction of the stitch, place your needle between the two ply, and then sink into the hole.  This lays the stitch without  having to use a laying tool.  I am doing wome basketweave with 2 ply wool.  I can see the difference between the area that was stitched with a laying tool & the area that was railroaded.The railroad stitches are puffier.  Once I got the rythium, I could do this quickly,  I liked the result.

Tisha
Needlepoint Tool Time

STITCHSMART FLOOR STAND TIPS

I took my StitchSmart Stand to Portland.  The last day of the class, we had to check out of the hotel so took our luggage to the classroom.  When class finished, I opened the suitcase and put my stitching supplies & floor stand on top.  When I arrived home, I discovered that Southwest had ripped the handle off my suitcase and put a small dent in the light weight  stand.  My advice is to pack it in the middle between clothes.
My second discovery is that the pole has a slight curve which should be curving toward the stitcher.  It has something to do with gravity and keeps the stand from falling over backwards.  When I got to Portland, I was in a hurry and put it together with the curve going the wrong way which is why it kept falling backwards.

We have just finished the first week of November.  The desert temperature has been in the 90's.  One TV weather man said the temperature will "plummet" next week.  Another predicted a dramatic drop in temperature.  It's suppose to be in the 80's.  We don't have  much weather to report here.

Kreinik's Holographic Metallic

I am using some of the new Kreinik Holographic Metallic thread on my ANG Stitch of the Month project.
The thread unravels..  It became enough of a nuisance, that I went for my Thread Zap.  I heated it up and used it like scissors to cut a length of thread.  It seared both ends of the fiber as I cut thru it.  End of frustration.  The Thread Zap can be purchased from http://www.needepointtooltime.com/.
Tisha

ETERNITY

This is the Eternity canvas that Kathy Paterson designed for the Stitch in Bliss weekend.  The Kanji character in the center is worked in Japanese seed beads alternating with black Silk Serica.  I will comment another day on Silk Serica.  Other fibers included Silk Mori, Silk Bella, Splendor & bugle beads.  The piece above was stitched by Carol Wallace.  She had more stitched than I did.  Kathy did a great job teaching the class.  The beginners managed to needlepoint. Kathy unveiled  next year's piece.  It's a companion piece with a Ginkgo leaf in the center.  It's more colorful. Gina Wearin organized the retreat.  She managed beautifully.  She was able to get us extra lights and large white napkins to make stitching on the black areas easier.  More importantly, she had the wine delivered to the stitching room.  I was not lonely in my suite as the hotel provided a goldfish as a companion.  I was also able to cuddle up in the hotel provided cheetah print bath robe.  Tough decision between cheetah & zebra. 

I have added several magnets made by Kathy Paterson to the web site.  www.needlepointtooltime.com 
The Perfect Stitch Laying Tools are once again available.

Tisha

Answer to a Question

I had a question about where to purchase the canvas clips & what type of frame I was using.
If your local store doesn't stock the Canvas Clips they can be purchased from me at http://www.needlepointtooltime.com/.   The stretcher bars are Evertites, also in stock.

Tisha
Needlepoint Tool Time

Stitch in Bliss Retreat

I have been delayed in posting as I encountered I-Pad drama. The young man at the Genius Bar at our new Apple Store must have been a genius in training. He was able to get my e-mail to send. When I got to the hotel, nothing worked. A woman in our class fixed it for me. Stitchers can do anything!

We are staying at Hotel Monaco a fabulous boutique hotel which is part of the Kimpton Hotel Group. There was a cancellation for the class so I have a suite to myself. I'm happy stitching in my room.

Class started at noon on Friday. Kathy Paterson of Bongo designs is teaching her Eternity design. We have two brave souls in the class who have never done needlepoint. That evening, Needlepoint Plus hosted a very successful cocktail reception for the class. Someday, I'll share the canvas I purchased. We continued on for a group dinner.

Class started at 8:00 AM on Saturday. We were given two and a half hours for lunch and shopping. The Playful Needle is within walking distance (more refreshments for us) as is the Button Emporium & Ribbonry. It was overwhelming! We didn't seem to notice that it was drizzling. Portland is known for it's gourmet food carts. We saw several blocks of carts but, they didn't look gourmet, just wet. We settled for inside dining. The Hotel brought their happy hour to us so stitching and show & tell could continue.

Elizabeth Bozievich, publisher of Needlepoint Now, joined the group today. She says that the printer sends out the magazine across the country in waves. You will eventually get your copy; no need to call.

I-Pad had another drama so I couldn't post until I returned home.

Tisha

OfF ON ANOTHER ADVENTURE

I seem to be doing more playing than stitching.  I'm packing for Portland to attend the Stitch in Bliss retreat.  Kathy Paterson of Bongo Designs will be teaching her piece Eternity.  I have packed my StitchSmart Stand which weighs four pounds and my MultiFlex (6 Led) Work Light.  One of my customers wrote a review of this stand for the ANG Yahoo group recently.  She mentiond that it broke down into 3 pieces.  I thought it was only two pieces.  We learn something every day.  I have unpacked my winter clothes for this trip.  It was still 100 degrees last week.  We've had rain for two days this week.  First rain for the desert in 8 months. We were so excited!  I have a new I Pad so I will be able to blog from Portland.  Class starts on Friday.

Tisha

Needlepoint Tool Time

This is a photo of the Witch canvas rolled and using the small black canvas clips.

PFOS PROJECT

When choosing my canvas for the PFOS Retreat, I wanted something small as I didn't have time for another project.  The second requirement was for the subject to lend itself for a stitch guide.  I searched many artists on line and finally settled for a Witch by Sundance Designs.  It was a cone shaped canvas; it appeared to be ornament size.  Imagine my horror when Megan informed me the week before the retreat that the canvas was 18" x 28"!  With a canvas that big, I'd need my own table!  I finally moved into an acceptance mode and figured out how to resolve my dilemma.  I took 18" Evertites and rolled the remainder of the canvas.  I secured it with the new canvas clips.  It worked great.

THE BEGINNING.......

This is m first post on this new Blog site.  Here goes!
I attended the Halloween retreat at Pocket Full of Stitches the last weekend of September.  We could choose any Halloween canvas.  Julia Snyder did the stitch guides for our canvases.  It was such fun as everyone was working on a different canvas.  Julia did a great job.  The atmosphere was relaxing.  The Pockettes are so hospitable and very knowledgeable.  Megan & Anna are doing a great job as the new owners.  The store is still wonderful but they are slowly adding their own stamp.  I suspect they are the youngest store owners in the country.  It was a fabulous three days.  Tomorrow, I will show you canvas I choose.
Tisha
Needlepoint Tool Time