I’ve always wanted to stitch a piece from Jennifer Brinkley, an artist distributed by Maggie Co.  I’m trying to up my silk ribbon skills.  Slowly but surely I’ll catch up to Aggie’s skills.  (If I’m lucky)

When I started this piece, we had just gotten Silken Straw in at the store and I was DYING to play with it.

So what’s the first thing I try to do with a new thread? Turkey work of course!

Silk wrapped Pearl Purl is another challenge I’m undertaking.  You can do so many cool things with it.  It adds so much dimension to any piece.

Meet Kip the Bun! Isn’t he cute!

This piece was TOO much fun!  And quick!  I started it on Tuesday afternoon and finished it on Saturday night.  Well, I’ll be honest, I finished it Sunday morning because I forgot to stitch his whiskers.

I tried my hand at some new ribbon techniques.  Not my strong suit when it comes to stitching.  But I like how these flowers came out.

What we we do without the fabulous thread Wisper?

The background is from the fabulous book “Stitches a la Carte” by Linda Richardson.  These open and graphic backgrounds give a piece so much interest without overpowering a piece.  One of my favorite books.

I’ll be writing up the stitch guide today.  And we can always put a kit together for!

This canvas is distributed by Melissa Shirley Designs.  Artwork by Vicky Sawyer.

Who doesn’t love Annie Lane canvases?  Each one is funnier than the next.  They just make me smile

When Vicky DeAngelis came to teach at the shop in October, we did an embellishment class with just Annie Lane designs.  Of course I had to jump in on the fun.

I love my wine.  Though I’m a white wine drinker.  I’d love to have this finished  framed and attached to the door of a wine fridge some how.  We’ll see how that works out.

This stitch was a happy accident.  I started doing Alternating Continental over four.  By the end of the first row, I decided I didn’t want the diamond look.  The wavy look was working.

I know most people run from Turkey Work.  But I love it.  Get yourself a pair of curved scissors for cutting your Turkey Work.  It makes the task SO much easier.

Birdie is going to be adorned with big pearls.  I found ones that are used for scrap booking that are only a half of a pearl so I will be able to put something that large on the canvas.

She’s too much fun!

If you have never taken a class with Susan Portra, “The first lady of needlepoint” as she was referred to by someone, you are missing out.  Perfection in her stitching, timeless creativity, and a good time to boot!

Susan will be teaching at the shop May 14-17.

May 14th and 15th she will be teaching private lessons all day, from 9-6.  Bring a canvas of your choice, or whatever you would like to work on with her.  Problem canvases, improving your technique, a little art and perspective theory.  Whatever you want to learn, she will teach you.

Please call the store to schedule your lessons.  You can share your time with a friend if you’d like.  Lessons are $150/ hour.

On May 16-17 Susan will be teaching this beautiful piece by Associated Talents.  The really cool thing about this class, is that the canvas design comes in three varieties: Christmas, Birthday or Hanukkah.  Susan stitched the Christmas version, but the stitch guide will totally translate to the other canvases with a different thread kit that will be provided.

You can sign up online or by calling the store. Let us know which canvas you plan to work on. Please sign up by March 6th.

Kits will be available, as well.  We are working on pricing.  Please or email for details.

Oh Melissa Shirley, how do we love you? Let us count the ways . . .

Between myself, Becki, Aggie, Jinny, we have stitched a TON of Melissa Shirley canvases.

All of these canvases have stitch guides.  We are working on plenty more.  I’ll keep you posted when they are released.

Stitched by Suzie Vallerie

Stitched by Becki

Stitched by Aggie

I can’t find pictures of the rest of the Thanksgiving club.  But she’s stitched those too!

Aggie has a few other Melissa Shirley pieces almost wrapped up.  I’ll show you as soon as she’s done.

Stitched by Virginia of Stitch Style

You can read more about it on her blog

I’m sure there’s many more that I can’t remember right now or don’t have pictures of.  I speak for all of us at The Enriched Stitch, “Thank you, Melissa Shirley!”

With all of this snow, I’ve been doing a lot of stitching lately.  I’ve been working on a lot of vibrant and colorful pieces, trying to fight these winter blues.

I just finished the first chick in our new club and couldn’t wait to share this little guy.  Be sure to sign up by February 16th to ensure that you will be included in the first shipment in April.

Such a quick stitch!  I used Vineyard Strandable Wool for the first time.  What an easy and lovely thread to work with!

For all of the stitching I have done, I have never stitched a mushroom.  I thought about doing trapunto, but I think I might leave that to the finisher.  Did you know some finishers will do that for you?

It’s like Silken Straw was made for Vicky Sawyer canvases.  I just LOVE that stuff!

You can sign up online or by calling the store.

Stay warm and happy stitching this holiday weekend!

This one is definitely going to be finished.  And sooner rather than later!

Melissa Prince designed this gorgeous canvas exclusively for The Enriched Stitch.  I think it will make the most beautiful bolster pillow on my bed.

A simple trellis background is all that is needed.

I twisted ribbons together and tucked a little something underneath to get them to puff up.

Let’s see if these gathered stitches work out.

You can call and preorder your canvas.  Kits will be available in late spring.

Order online or call the store 203-210-5107

I have had a love affair with this canvas for many years.  Amanda Lawford paints the most magnificent canvases.

When Amanda came for a visit last year, somehow we ended up with the 30 inch version of this canvas.  WAY too big.  So, when the 20 inch canvas was still there at Christmas, I decided I’d been a good girl this year and deserved a present.

The robe is a lot of area to cover.  So, I laid a long diagonal stitch with Sparkle braid and couched it down with Soie d’Alger.

Ignore the stitch on the robe here.  I still have to rip that out.  I don’t always get it right the first time.  I’m trying my hand at needle painting.  Always gotta try something new.

I have been waiting six months to stitch this new series of bunnies from Melissa Shirley.  Someone had posted on Facebook last summer that they hoped that Melissa would paint fall and winter bunnies.  I read that and talked with Melissa about it. I said “If you paint them, I’ll stitch them!”

The Enriched Stitch is offering the entire series as a club.  But, you can also order one if you want. I know everyone has so much they want to stitch and we can’t do everything!

I basketweaved the entire background.  I know . . . You just fell off your chair in shock that I did that much basketweave.  But sometimes, it’s just what is called for.

Colonial knots, needle painting, buttonhole on a bar, woven trellis , , , this canvas is packed with so many techniques your bound to learn a few things.

The club starts in May 2015.  You can sign up online or call the store to sign up.  Be sure to sign up by March 1st to be included in the first shipment.

I’m feeling generous . .  .I love flash sales.  Most canvases in the store are 31% off on the 31st of January.  Any canvases you see with a green dot are 20% off.  Some of that is BRAND NEW inventory.  The sale will continue during our Super Bowl Stitch In.  So if you can’t reach us on Saturday, we’ll be in the store on Sunday from 12-4.

The CBK trunk show canvases are 20% off.

Check out our boards!  Call or email to order.  Online store excluded from sale.