Liz is the designer that made me fall in love with needlepoint.  Every canvas is so beautiful.  I have been collecting her canvases for years.  And even managed to finish a number of them.  Some have never been started.  Some are mostly done.

I never got to stitch a Liz stocking.  I had ordered one for Trip as soon as I found out I was having a boy.  Unfortunately, the stocking came in 18 months later.  Clearly I had stitched his by then. This design is by Melissa Shirley.

(P.S. I did write a stitch guide for it)

This is the one I had planned to do.  Oh, well.

I’ve stitched her nativity.

Here’s a few others I have in my stash (before I owned a shop)

I may have to add a few more. that I have been coveting for years (or just unearthed in the trunk show)

I definitely have to have this one.

I’m hoping that I can spend the day in the Barbara Elmore embellishment class.  Hopefully the girls can man the shop and I can play for a day.  I would LOVE to see what she does with this.

I think I might have to stop there.  We’ll talk about the marches from her daughter, Ashley, tomorrow.  My favorites!

All Liz canvases are discounted 20%.  Full sets of nativities will be discounted 25%!

You better grab your sunglasses!

 Here’s a taste of Aggie’s upcoming Bling Workshop that she will be teaching at the retreat in October.

She has been busy coming up with one wild idea after another.  Every Saturday she brings her “bling box” to the shop with her when she comes to work.  She pulls out her doodle canvas, bubbling with excitement to show me her newest creations.  She had so many ideas worked up.  I told her she had to narrow it down to five or six.

This is definitely the show stopper.  Twisted bugle beads . . who knew?

Rhinestones outlined wit sparkly thread.  Oh what beautiful jewels these would make on some lucky ladies’ gown.

Turkey Work with . . .it’s a secret.  She won’t let me tell.

This is from a Whimsy & Grace ornament that she just stitched for a class. I’ll keep you posted on that.

Some sort of wrapped something.  Aggie just blows my mind.

Memory thread, anyone?

I always refer to Aggie as “The Ribbon Master.”  Maybe she needs a new nickname.  Hmmm . . . I’ll have to work on that.

We will be offering this as a class in the shop at some point.  Have to try to squeeze it into the crazy schedule.

One of my favorites, Rebecca Wood,  has taken over the shop.  I’ve stitched so many of her pieces over the years.

I stitched this for my mother a few years ago.  Can’t find the picture anywhere. Great nativity piece because it’s three in one.  Doesn’t get better than that for finishing!

Currently, I’m working on a banner of Santa in the needlepoint shop.

Here’s some of my favorites from the trunk show.

I’m pretty sure that this one with the boat isn’t going back to Rebecca.  Just need to decide if I have to have it on 13 or 18 mesh.  I’ve been coveting this canvas for years!

I may have to have this one too.  I need a pair for both sides of my wood stove.  Doing one would only throw off the balance of the room.  Can’t have that!

Call me crazy, but I think this series (you don’t need all of them) would be adorable ties together on a string, hanging like a banner.  Or, three or five of them set into a bolster pillow. All you have to do is add a border around to square them off.

Even better yet, make a wreath entirely out of Rebecca ornaments. That would be AMAZING!

The Rebecca trunk show is here throughout the month of September.  More pictures to come or check out her website.

All trunk show canvases and special orders from the trunk show are 15% off.

http://rebeccawooddesigns.com/

OK. . .I’ll confess.  I have two Thanksgiving sets, and now I want (have to have) another. I don’t even host Thanksgiving.  I just get to do the cooking for 20 people.  The upside is, I don’t have to clean up.

Debbie Mumm, from Melissa Shirley Designs, has created the most adorable Thanksgiving series.  And they are really tiny.  The size of the thimble nativity.  The little people measure 3.25 x 3.5.  Teeny weeny!

How cute is the squirrel holding  the pie?  That’s my favorite one.

How can something be so cute and so annoying at the same time?

Aggie will be stitching this series.  You can stitch along with her.  This might make it on next year’s club list.  Stay tuned . . .

I’ve come across a few new series that are just TO DIE for! Perfect for a club.  I can hear the sighs as you’re reading this.  You’re thinking, “Not another club.” I agree.  Monthly clubs are just too overwhelming.  We start on the first few canvases working furiously to get them done before the next one arrives.  It’s not just stitchers who find it hard to keep up. It’s a lot of work to get all of the right threads, pack up the kits and ship them out.

So, I have a solution.  We are currently offering the Melissa Prince birdhouse club, which ships every other month.  A 4 inch round is totally doable within two months. But, wouldn’t it be nice to finish a piece, work on something else, then have the next installment of the club arrive.  So, we will be offering two clubs next year.

Both of these clubs will ship quarterly, every THREE months.  Plenty of time.  No pressure.

The Four Seasons by Machelle Sommerville

Winter

Spring

Summer

Fall

Of course I’ve put a few stitches into the Winter canvas.  Who could resist? I can imagine these four pieces framed together, one big frame, not four individual ones (they never stay straight on the wall).  They go together to form one tree. How cool?

The other adorable series that didn’t even hit the shop floor are these bunnies by Melissa Shirley

I started with the “girl one” as my son called it.

Trip definitely preferred the blue bunny, as any five year old boy would.

The 4 Seasons club will start in January.  The bunnies will begin in February.  Call the shop or email for more information.

Pictures of progress will come. I promise.

203-210-5107    enrichedstitch@gmail.com

The amazingly talented and creative Barbara Elmore will be making a RARE appearance at The Enriched Stitch on October 4th, 5th and 6th!  Don’t miss this!  Every time I see something she posts on Facebook, I am blown way. How does she do that?  That’s the question that always seems to come out of my mouth.  So, naturally, I had to ask her to come teach at the shop.  Whenever I find myself saying “What did she do?” I think to myself, “Guess I have to have her come teach at the shop.”

October 4th: Canvas Embellishment/Enrichment Experience  $150

Bring a canvas of your choice to watch Barbara work her magic on.

http://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/collections/classes-1/products/barbara-elmore-embellishment-class

October 5th: Sparkles Workshop

$175.  Includes all materials

http://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/collections/classes-1/products/barbara-elmore-sparkles-workshop

October 6th: Black Cat Class  $250

We will be working on the canvas.  The frame is available separately.  If we have enough people interested, we will offer the cat class in the morning and the frame in the afternoon.

http://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/collections/classes-1/products/barbara-elmores-black-cat

You’ll get what I’m talking about from these pictures.

This is from her design Princess Chandelier. It looks just like Cinderella’s ballgown.  How does she do that?

More from the Princess Chandelier.  That’s a wig on the right.

What you can do with Sparkles. . .oh my

She will be teaching this piece next year at the ANG seminar.

So this is a new concept. . .Barbara stitched over a photograph.  How cool?

A rose made of Sparkles

These are the toes of a pair of shoes. I think I’ll steal that idea for a basket.

A butterfly made of Sparkles

Clearly Barbara has a thing for shoes.  A girl after my own heart!

Give us a call or send an email to sign up. You can always register online.  Be sure to select “in store pickup” at the checkout to avoid shipping charges.

The kit for the Black Cat will be available for those who cannot attend the class.  Email for more information.These classes are not offered via Skype.

I have a penchant for nativities.  I have no idea why, since I’m not a religious person.  Maybe it’s because I was dragged to church every week growing up. This should make mother happy.  I’ve stitched the classic set by Liz and am currently working on the Hawaiian nativity and the series from Mile High Princes.  Here’s another one I might have to have.

Mary

Joseph

Blue Wiseman

Purple Wiseman

Green Wiseman

Baby Jesus

Shepherd

Angel

Nativity Star

Palm Tree

Lamb

Cow

Backdrop

This is available for pre order.  It will be about 8-10 weeks for delivery.  Do I really have to wait that long?

Painted Pony will now be distributing Petei designs.  These adorable pieces have been selling on ebay for WAY over market value ever since Petei announced her retirement.  The line will be introduced slowly, starting with a few snowmen, about thirty Santas, the nativity and sorority designs.  Let’s start with the Santas.

Canvases are available for pre order.  Expected delivery about 8-10 weeks. Call or email

010 Flower Pot Santa

029 Woodsman Santa

032 Country Santa

103 Greek Santa

115 Western Santa

271 traditional Santa

315 Patriotic Santa

316 Cowboy Santa

377 Sinttrklass

320 Father Christmas

322 Kriss Kringle

431 Royal Purple

445 Scottish Santa

450 Victorian Crazy Quilt Santa

486 English Santa with Wreath

487 Santa Behind Bag of Toys

538 North Country Santa

540 Green Santa

542 Flower Santa

560 Peace on Earth

563 Workshop Santa

578 Knight Santa

581 Ghost of Christmas Past

586 Norwegian Santa

613 South Pole Santa

622 Birdhouse Santa

659 Plum Puddin’ Santa

663 Baker Santa

668 German Santa

696 Swiss Santa

714 Paint Pony Santa

743 Train Santa

751 Gone Fishing Santa

806 Decorating Santa

843 Santa on Burro

I just love them all!  But I really have my eye on the nativity.  Stay tuned . . .

Holiday finishing deadlines are coming up quick!  Ornaments and standing weighted pieces must be in by September 7th.

All other finishing has later cut off dates.  Check the website for more info.

http://enrichedstitch.com/finishing-deadlines-2/

Stitched by Debbie Fink.  Finishing done by Marlene’s. Ewe and Eye canvas.

Stitch by Nancy Taylor.  Finishing done by Needlework Center. Raymond Crawford design.

Stitched by Mary Susan Muirhead.  Finishing by Needlework Center.  Whimsy & Grace design.

Another beauty stitched by Mary Susan Muirhead.  Finishing by Needlework Center.  Whimsy & Grace design.

Stitched by Lee Macloud.  Design by Amanda Lawford.  Finishing done by Pillows by Evelyn.

Stitched by Kathy Levin.  JP designs. Finishing done by Pillows by Evelyn.

Stitched by Suzie Vallerie.  Finishing done by Pillows by Evelyn.

Stitched by Suzie Vallerie.  Finishing done by Pillows by Evelyn.  I see a class on this piece in the future!

Stitched by Suzie Vallerie.  Finishing done by Pillows by Evelyn.

Stitched by Debbie Fink.  Finishing done by Marlene.

Becki has worked her magic on another witch by Melissa Shirley.

 She will be teaching the class in September 28th and October 12th from 12:30-3.

You can sign up by calling the shop or online.

http://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/products/gunilda-the-witch-class

It is available as a kit, as well, for those of you who can’t attend.  You can always join us long distance on Skype.

I’m not sure I would like her hairdo, but from a needlework standpoint, it’s a beautifully styled work of art.

Look at the goo on the cauldron.  Sometimes I can even teach Becki a thing or two.  Usually it’s the other way around.

Becki blew my mind when she taught me the stretchy flair technique.  The last witch class she taught called it “ensnared flair.” I love it!

A pumpkin beaded to perfection!  But that’s Becki’s style.  A stickler for technique and is happy to tell you how to do it.

Ever played with Gimp by Threadnuts?  She tacked it down with an overlaying pattern.  Quite a fancy dress for a witch.

Becki is an inspiration at the shop, feeding the fire of creativity every time she walks in the door.

Canvas: $130

Thread Kit: $186

Stitch Guide: $75

Class Fee: $40/class