From the looks of things at TNNA in Columbus Bargello is definitely making a big comeback.

I took 2 Bargello classes with June McKnight and those were loads of fun.  She has just published 2 new books on Bargello and as soon as they arrive I will be posting a book review as well as more information from her classes. 

Today I finally got to browse Janet Perry’s newest book, Bargello Reviisted and she has done a splendid job covering all the basics of Bargello and much more.  First of all, this isn’t just of compilation of patterns.  It is packed full of over 30 projects for stitchers of all levels and each project includes detailed instructions from where to start, to the handling of specific threads and even tips on finishing. 

The book begins with detailed instructions on Bargello techniques, moves on to common problems and how to avoid them, and offers a wealth of information on selecting threads. 

 My favorite segment was on color and color schemes.  I think that is one of the things that intimidates many stitchers, especially beginners, but Janet has laid out the fundamentals of color schemes in such a way that you’re surely going to have a satisfying project.  

With all the tips in Bargello Revisited, you’ll be able to head to your LNS confidant to start that new Bargello project, and I bet if it’s your first, it won’t be your last!

I was so inspired after reviewing Janet’s book, I e-mailed and asked if she would consider doing a Bargello Question and Answer series with us.  She was most enthusiastic!

*Tune back in* on Wednesday, June 25th and let’s talk *Bargello* with Janet!

Thinking of Stitching. . .

Caroline 

Greetings Fellow Stitchers!

It’s great to be back from TNNA in Columbus, Ohio and it was also a great show!
I took 2 wonderfully informative classes with Tink Boord-Dill and a class on classes by Gwen Bortner of Knitabilities, a professional knitting instructor and an all-around entertaining teacher.

Tink’s classes have me on the way with updating my web-site and starting an e-mail newsletter.  The new and improved web-site will be the first order of business, but we will announce when we are ready for newsletter sign-ups.  It will be an opt-in/opt-out process meaning you will need to go to the shop’s web-site to register.  (It will be a painless process, and one you are probably already familiar with.)

 from SajouThe class on *Classes* had tons of ideas for implementing classes, finding teachers, and better ways of promoting shop classes.    Hopefully this will help me get started again with more classes here at the shop.  It’s been kind of tough to keep regularly scheduled classes going, but there are a lot of *Sit & Stitch* or *Make It & Take It* ideas out there.

Findings at the show were fantastic.  I was able to add in some additional River Silk colors in 4mm ribbon.  I also added to my line of baby bibs and *hoody* towels by ordering the larger baby towels for cross stitching.  I also added basic white which I think will look great with the free charts STS is providing for the towel sets.  What a perfect baby gift!

Now things are really getting exciting.  I just received 3 more deliveries!  It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas at Caroline’s Thread and Canvas!

I haven’t had a chance to unpack the boxes yet, but there are new charts and books from Caron Collection, orthopedic gloves (I had to have a pair to bring home immediately) and if you are a collector-the reproduction, thread winders, thimbles, and needle packs are to die for!

Also just received copies Bargello Revisited by Janet Perry.  Will tell you more once I’ve had a chance to browse it.  These are autographed copies by the way and *hot off the press*.
Thinking of Stitching. . .
Caroline

It is absolutely great being here in Columbus at the TNNA show.  I’ve already spent one day in classes with Tink Boord-Dilll learning how to get up-dated with e-mails while not boring you at the same time

Tomorrow I’ll be *walking the aisles* checking out all the cool needlework stuff and deciding what to bring home.

I’m also taking 2 classes on Bargello with June McKnight. She has a new book out, by the way, on Bargello.  I’ll be ordering it for the shop I’m sure.

Janet Perry has also agreed to do a Question and Answer series on Bargello so if you have any burning questions about Bargello, be sure to e-mail me.  We’re targeting June 18th as our Q&A day!

Hope you’re enjoying your stitching!

Caroline

Just a few hours to go and I’ll be off to TNNA in Columbus, Ohio.  Sorry fellow stitchers I can’t take you all with me!

The good news is that hopefully I’ll find lots of new goodies for the shop. I’m looking forward to seeing the *Pebbles* and also what *The Bag Lady* has.  From the previews I’ve seen, scissors look outstanding.

I’m also awaiting our newest book on Bargello from Janet Perry of Napa Needlepoint.  Unfortunately she won’t be able to make it to the show, but her books should be arriving here at the shop during the time I’m gone. 

Will have lots more to update you later.

Thinking of Stitching. . .

Caroline

I was looking back over my past posts and realized May was a pretty empty month.

Now that I’m pretty sure my blog is working again, I can start keeping you updated on real needlework news.

The National NeedleArts market is *happening* in June in Columbus, Ohio!  At first I didn’t think I’d be going, but I can’t stay away.

The classes just look too enticing, and it’s always fun to meet new shop owners, share ideas, and visit the wonderful designers and teachers I’ve met over the years.

The summer market is also a good chance for me to see what’s going on in the counted thread and cross stitch department.  Dames of the Needle is just one of the designers who will be there.  She has an adorable Strawberry Pin Keep and a Garden Box Set which is precious which I can’t wait to see *in person*.

John James Needles has a new packaging system out called Pepples.  I can’t want to see these either.  Looks like the needles are packaged in color coded reusable containers.  I know these will definitely be on my order list!

Hope everyone is happily stitching!

Thinking of stitching. . .

Caroline

I discovered something VERY interesting while taking a peek at Jen Funk Weber’s website.

 If you’ve been following her bookmark challenge, you probably already know what a great web site she has.

Anyway,  one of the questions that kept coming up with customers was how to finish the bookmarks they were stitching.

Guess what, Jen has a Finishing Tutorial on her site!  It’s really great.  She has wonderful tips for how to add beads and how to finish when you have two sided designs.

 She also has photos of some of the bookmarks that have been submitted to my shop.  I received a really cute one yesterday that says “Bookworm”.  I’ll be sending her a photo of that one too.  It was stitched by one of our local American Needlepoint Guild members.

I’m getting ready to go on a short cruise with my husband to Bermuda and my biggest decision isn’t what to wear–it’s what stitching project to take!  Do I take one to finish or do I start a *newbie*?

I’ve been eyeballing this adorable 3 dimensional *Princess Puppy* from Sew Much Fun & my Silk and Ivory threads are begging for me to use them.  So I may be taking Puppy with me.  Hey, we’ll be at sea 2 days so there should be lots of stitching time. 

Hope you’ll be thinking of Stitching, too!

Caroline

In case you’re wondering why there hasn’t been any *new* news, it’s not been for lack of trying.

Somehow my blog program decided it didn’t want to cooperate, and kept sending my posts to drafts.  Don’t ask me why, and now I can’t find those wonderful posts.

My biggest news was about May being National Barbecue month.  You might want to check it out at The Armchair Chef.  I’m sure Tink Boord-Dill will have lots of yummy recipes. 

Being a good ol’ Virginia girl, I couldn’t pass up submitting an original barbecue recipe.

I’ll take a peek and let you know what sounds good, and I’m sure they all will!

For now I’m going to see if my posts want to post!

*Thinking of Stitching* . . .

Caroline

I was taking a look at The Armchair Chef and realized that May is National Barbecue Month. Guess what my friend, Tink Boord-Dill will be featuring on the Armchair Chef next month?!

You got it–Barbecue! My favorite! I just sent off my recipe to her. Don’t know if it will get posted, but I’m sure she’ll be getting some great recipes.

I can’t wait to see how many different variations there are. Being from Virginia, of course, I’m always curious to compare Virginia barbecue and North Carolina barbecue recipes. Oh, yes, there is a difference!

I do have to mention that we have a couple of great places here in Ashland for local barbecue and both are really close to the shop. If you happen to be traveling down (or up) I-95, both the Smokey Pig and Virginia Barbecue are within a mile of the Interstate and within a mile of the shop.

Bookmarks are coming! I’ll be getting photos off to Jen at Jen Funk-Weber Designs later this week. Be sure to take a peek at her website. It’s great to see what different stitchers are doing.

So in between sampling different barbecue recipes, hope you’ll find time to *Think of Stitching*

Hope you’ll think bookmarks, too. Even if you don’t participate in the Bookmark Challenge!

May 9th through May 17th, the Kenmore Stitchery Guild presents their 21st Biennial Needlework Exhibit.    Exhibit hours ar 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.  there is a $5 admissions fee for adults and $4 for students.

All entries are must be made with a hand-held, threaded needle.  Items exhibited will include blackwork, crewel, cross stitch, hardanger needlace, needlepoint, quilting, pulled thread, smoking and surface embroidery.

Historic Kenmore was built in 1775 as the home of Colonel Fielding Lewis and his wife Betty, sister of George Washington.   This house now serves as a museum and is owned by the George Washington’s Fredericksburg Foundation which also operates George Washington’s Ferry Farm in Stafford County, Virginia.

In 1983 the Kenmore Stitchery Guild was established with the purpose of promoting interest in historic needlework through demonstrations, workshops, lectures, exhibits, and sales of hand-stitched items.  Funds raised are used to acquire and preserve historic textiles for the Kenmore collection.

Entries can be submitted by mail between April 15 and May 1 or delivered locally on May 1 or May 2nd.  Detailed entry information is available at Caroline’s Thread and Canvas 804-752-6902.

Just got my catalog for The Needle Arts Market which will be in Columbus, Ohio in June.  I had almost decided not to go this year, but the classes got me so fired up that I may have to change my mind.

It seems like the needlepoint classes are really focusing on three-dimensional techniques.  I love the look, but am always a little intimidated to try it out myself.

That’s one of the nice things about stitch guides.  They can really give you a jumping off point for trying new techniques as long as you don’t get intimidated and worried about having to do it their way.

This makes me of think of a customer who came in recently looking for classes.  She’d been trying to teach herself to needlepoint starting with the basic tent and basketweave stitches.  After a little demo, it was clear she understood the technique of the actual stitches, but she was petrified of what intersection to go over when changing colors.

After a little *counseling*, I was able to convince her that there was no right or wrong answer.  It’s just one of those things you take a chance with and if you don’t like it you can always take it out before going on to the next stitch.

I frequently have to remind beginners that in needlepoint you are working on a grid so there is no such thing as a perfect circle.  I had to remind my husband of the same thing as he was stitching on his bookmark last night.

Charlie was following a graph for the letter R.  There was an empty canvas intersection at the top and it was driving him crazy.

So I suggested that he put in a stitch at that intersection and he immediately had his answer.  That one little extra stitch made the top on the R too straight.  By leaving it out, he had a nice rounded look.

Good thing he’s a quick leaner!  But he has encountered a new problem stitching his bookmark.

Our basset hound, Bennie, has taken a liking to sitting next to Charlie and resting his head in his lap.  Now trying to stitch with those big ears draped over your leg poses a challenge! 

I suppose moving the dog is an option, but think goodness it’s a small project so Charlie can handle both.

Thinking of Stitching . . .

Caroline