SHORELINE STITCHERS' SHOWCASE

Yesterday, Pamela & I made the treck into Palos Verdes to attend the Shoreline Stitchers' Showcase. I had planned to take my mother who lives in Palos Verdes for an outting but she didn't feel well. After a short visit to appease my guilt, we arrived at the exhibit. There were 254 entries. The entries were seperated into 8 categories with up to 7 Divisions in each catergory. We figured a third of the entries were under glass. (Had I known that was permissible, I would have submitted a piece.) There were a large number of entries in the Counted Thread Division (AKA cross stitch). There was also a Division for Charted Needlepoint. The Bead Division was interesting. Margaret Flemming entered a three dimensional bonsi tree created entirely of beads. As for unique finishing, someone had stitched 5 ornament size Kimonos. They were mounted on a beautifully finished Kimono shaped piece of wood. The stitcher used Shawl pins or hair picks to hang the Kimonos. My favorite new needlepoint technique was the beard on a Santa stocking by Liz with stitch guide by Susan Portra. The beard was long stitched in gray wool. White cord had been twisted and randomly couched in waves or curls over the long stitches. The hair was basket woven with a finer cord on top. The mustache was solidly packet twisted cord. The major prize winner was Rachel Watkins with her Silk/Metal work. There was also an exhibit of Jan Jellins thread paintings. The program had been printed after the judging so one can see the piece and any ribbon won. There were wonderful opportunity baskets and a botique. I was inspired and have been stitcheing ever since I returned home. Have a happy day! Tisha

New Slide Show

I had a computer tech here for two hours this weekend. He says I'm stuck with the computer jargon. Is that true Jane? The slide show features new & colorful items available at Needlepoint Tool Time. When I first previewed the slide show on line, it opened with a prayer. There's a place for that but not on my web site! I think I have resolved the issue. This was the first weekend for Coachella Fest. It's a musical event aimed at people with a questionable taste in music. They take over the Polo Fields in the lower valley. There are mutiple stages & large tents featuring various bands. They can accomodate 98,000 mostly younger, scantily dressed people. Traffic is a nightmare. Tickets are only sold as 3 day passes for $300. The event has been so succesful that they are running it for 2 weekends this year. It is followed the third weekend by Stage Coach which has a Country Western theme. Enjoy, Tisha

One of my friends just received her Lisa Krause/Maggie Chess Set. She sent pictures. Thought I'd share one with you.

I am still not seeing a photo, only computer gobbley gook. Enlarge the picture if possible. Enjoy, Tisha

GREAT IDEA

When visiting Marlene's Finishing, Marlene showed various finished pieces. She pulled out Donna's tray. Donna was so excited! Donna was stitching on a belt and her shop owner suggested she have the belt made into a

My gentle Father died earlier this month. He was 2 months shy of 93. I am off to Palos Verdes this morning. My sister has flown in from Houston. We are moving Mom (91) into assisted care this weekend. Mom & Dad were married 70 years. I am so lucky to have had them so long! Tisha tray. As most of us should no longer be wearing needlepoint belts, I thought that was a great use for a useless project. (If you can still wear a belt, I salute you)

The second floor of Needlepoint Inc. (3rd floor of the building) houses the finishing business, storage for Needlepoint Inc Silk and business office. The desk is placed so one an can look out over Union Square. It's a fabulous view.

Shelves of trim.

Rows of beads & spools of thread.

Ribbons

This was my favorite. The blocking is done on perforated sheet metal. Little brass nails were hammered into the holes.

The rug had just been received for finishing. It took the owner two years to stitch.

There were rows of storage for Needlepoint Inc Silk. Each color has it's own bin. I think Diane told us there were now 460 colors. Color cards with the actual fiber are available for purchase. If you use this silk, this would be great to have as local stores don't normally stock the entire 460 colors. I have uploaded the photos. When I transfer them to the blog, I just see computer jargon. Here's hoping this works! Tisha

UPDATE

I am having trouble loading photos with the new blog format or maybe it's my computer. I will eventually get back to the finishing department at Needlepoint Inc. I am too busy this week to deal with it. This is Fashion Week on El Paseo (Palm Desert's boutique shopping street). Two large tents have been erected on a vacant lot. There is a fashion show every evening for 7 nights. I was gifted with four tickets for every evening. Monday night fashions were from local stores were presented. It was fun. Last night, Lloyd Klien of Beverly Hills presented his line. The collection was called Purgatory -and it was. Every single item was black. It looked like he ordered a bolt of faux black leather & a dozen bolts of black jersey. Trim looked like black duct tape. Needless to say, the collection was not well received. I'm so glad that I didn't pay $50 for a ticket. Mr Klien is having a trunk show this morning if you need a funeral outfit. Tonight's show features the designers from the Project Runway TV series. The show is sold out. Tisha

A VISIT TO NEEDLEPOINT INC.

Friday afternoon, we were off for a visit to Needlepoint Inc.  Owner Diane Nerheim was very gracious in showing us her operation.  Needlepoint Inc. encompasses 3 floors in a building boarding Union Square.  The first floor is the retail store.  The second floor is devoted to finishing & importing Needlepoint Inc. Silk.

Needlepoint Inc
275 Post Street

Every inch of space has been used.
Some of the blank spaces you can see in the ceiling contained pillows.
Note the stacks of painted canvases.  There were stacks everywhere.

Purses frame the window over looking Union Square.

Christmas/ Halloween alcove

Needlepoint Inc. Silk
460 colors

I'll show you the finishing operation tomorrow.

Tisha