Welcome 2012! Welcome two more purses to Susan’s needlepoint purse wardrobe!

Two new purses from the Elizabeth Turner Collection: one in my tried-and-true satchel style and one in the new opera bag style. You can see the finished version here It’s soft-sided with a shoulder strap..a petite thing for an evening on the town. I think I will change the dark red to black and possibly some of the metallic silver to metallic gold so the purse goes with more outfits. You can change the colors, you know! Don’t be limited to what’s painted on the canvas…be imaginative and creative!

As for the fun summer colors on the satchel bag, what color shall I do the background? On Point readers and Facebook followers, please vote! Things to keep in mind: this will be my everyday bag in the summer so I don’t want it to get dirty (so probably not white). I don’t mind stitching it black because black over white canvas will not be the nightmare that black on black is. I tried a bit of yellow and I think it looks snappy. I am using Silk & Ivory for the bright colors and Appleton for the background. Please also give ideas for a background stitch. I AM OPEN TO YOUR IDEAS!

Happy stitching!
Susan

A new canvas from the *inspired* Susan Battle Needlepoint line! I think these two dogs are absolutely charming…I love the folk art feel to the canvas. I actually finished stitching it recently and it should be back from the finisher soon. (No pressure, Debby!)

I used Appleton Tapestry wool for the background and Silk & Ivory for the dogs and the border. Once it’s back from the finisher, I’ll post a picture and let you know what stitches I used. (How bad is it that I can’t remember???)

The SIT canvas is available through The Point of It All (202 966 9898)…the cost is $104…it is on 13 mesh…and measures 12″x12.”

Happy new year; happy stitching!
Susan

How cute are these mini Wizard of Oz characters?! Objectively adorable! New from Kathy Schenkel. Make them into little tiny stand-ups or turn them into ornaments for your Oz Christmas tree…wait, you don’t have a Wizard of Oz tree…shameful!

Lots of opportunities to use different fibers…Fuzzy Stuff for the Cowardly Lion; Balger for the Ruby Slippers; Neon Rays Ribbon for Dorothy’s pinafore; Petite Peluche for Toto…oh so much fun to stitch!

I know I’m not supposed to take home every canvas that arrives at the shop but sometimes it’s soooo hard to resist. (Note to husband: Chris, honey, I’m really trying to restrain myself…but do NOT look in my lunch box tonight!)

Happy stitching,
Susan

Look at this unbelievable work of art! A wonderful customer, Dr. Milt Nichaman, stitched a Chuppah panel for his granddaughter’s wedding. A chuppah is a canopy under which a Jewish couple stand during their wedding ceremony.  I’ve read that a Chuppah symbolizes the home that the couple will build together. Dr. Nichaman and his lovely wife Rhoda actually have seven granddaughters so this needlepoint will be used again and again.

Dr. Nichaman stitched the panel on 18 mesh (yes, 18 mesh!) in less than a year. He designed the canvas with an Israeli artist and then Dr. Nichaman transferred her design onto the canvas by laying it out on the dining room table and carefully tracing. He used a combination of Appleton wool and perle cotton #5 (for the background). The lettering across the top reads “I will be betrothed to thee forever.”

It was a pleasure to work with Dr. Nichaman and see his vision take shape into a completed Chuppah. I look forward to seeing photos of the future brides with this magnificent heirloom.

Happy stitching,
Susan

PS I have a larger picture in the shop if you would like to see the incredible detail in this piece.

Hello stitchers! We have a wonderful trunk show from Whimsy & Grace…specifically her Napoleonic Bee Collection. All canvases are 20% off. If you see and need (yes NEED) any Napoleonic Bee canvases on her website, I would be happy to order them for you.

The trunk show will be at POIA until Saturday, August 20th.

Happy stitching!
Susan

FYI I am stitching the bee napkin rings (not yet pictured on the W & G website) in the coral and butter colorway, using Claret Trio (stranded) and vintage gold balger #12 from Kreinik. I’m doing 12 napkin rings and yes, I *am* crazy. I can’t seat 12 people at my current dining room table but I bet I’ll have a bigger dining room at some point and I need to be prepared!