How did this get here?!?

The video speaks for itself......

Jake's visit to the Bronx Botanical Gardens to the Train Show this past Saturday.

Denise

The Nativity Is On The Mantel

It is just a wonderful feeling looking at the Nativity. From the majestic Elephant to the humble Donkey each piece takes on a life of its own. As I unwrapped each piece, I was amazed at all the stitches and techniques used in each piece. I know that a year was a big commitment but when I see what I accomplished, it was well worth it. The Nativity is truly an heriloom that I hope will be passed down from generation to generation. I cannot wait for Jake to meet each piece when he comes tomorrow. He is going to be so excited.

Linda

Sneak Peep

I know that it is early to start decorating for Christmas but I just had to do my mantel. The garland I ordered came and Jill was kind enough to send out my December kit early so I could have my finished Shepherd and Lambs. I have missed seeing my Nativity pieces that I just had to get the mantel up. I just took a picture of one part of the mantel and on Sunday when it is complete with all eleven pieces ( missing one the Camel), I will post a picture of the completed mantel. I just love Christmas and cannot wait to see all my cherished pieces. This year is going to be very special because of Jake. This morning when he came I showed him the mantel but did not have the garland turned on. After we said good morning to the Shepherd, lamb, donkey and elephant, I told him I had a surprise for him and turned on the garland. The look of delight on his face brought tears to my eyes. It is going to be a real gift to see Christmas through his eyes.

The last picture is of three decorations I ordered from Grandin Road and just had to post them since I think they are the cutest things. They are part of the holiday Dash Away Reindeer Collection. One of the reindeer, Donna, was damaged so I have to send her back and they are putting a new one in the mail. I will have four pieces altogether including Santa. Now to find a special place for them. Thinking of looking for a narrow long rectangular mirror tray to put them on with snow. Now I have to find it.

Off to try to get some stitching done tonight.

Linda

Dr. A Is Finished

It took me quite a while to finish Dr. A but he was worth all the time it took. I am so proud of him. Amy did a magnificent job with her thread and stitch selection. There are so many areas of this canvas that I love that it is hard to pick out one so I will have to pick a few. Dr. A's face is just spectacular. I love the spider webs especially the large one. The candelabra is just magnificent with the wax dripping down the candles and of course the handles of the coffin.

The handles of the coffin were a challenge but I think I mastered them. It took me about a hour for each section of the handles but it was worth all the time and effort. After I finish each piece of either the Halloweenies or the Nativity, I think well Amy cannot top this but she always proves me wrong.

Dr. A will be put away until after Christmas for his trip to Memphis. Hopefully the Bride and Groom will be joining him on this trip. Last night I started the Bride and once she is done I will do the Groom.

Jake is just waking up from his nap so I have to run.

Linda

Ponza Door Complete

The last of the Ponza canvases is finished. I have really enjoyed this series by Sharon G, particularly because I know each & every location she so beautifully stitch painted. Since Sharon created these canvases from my photos, I have an intimate connection with each canvas. I have no favorite; I love each of them for a different reason. This one was a lot of fun, since it was so different from the other three canvases.

The stitch guide was prepared by Tony Minieri, and there are colonial knots & french knots galore. I think it looks so realistic....I don't know if you can tell the depth & perspective from this photo, but in person the perspective is right there.

I am now going back to another Sharon G canvas, the Positano canvas I worked on with Amy this spring.

I think Linda will have a post for you shortly, too, as she was successfully conquering the beading on Dr. A earlier this evening.

Denise

Progress on Dr. A

I am finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. I only have Dr. A's bow tie, hands and handles on the coffin. The handles have me a little nervous. I know that several people have had a very difficult time on the handles. I hope that I can do the handles but if not I will just have to accept it and do something else.

I received my copy of Needlepoint Now on Friday and it is full of great ideas. I love the new club that Needle Nook of LaJolla is doing. It is called Twinkle Toes. The canvases are by A Collection of Design and stitch guides are by Julia Snyder. They are the cutest little stockings and are very similar to the All that Glitter ornaments that I did. So of course I had to sign up for this club. I asked Denise if she would want to split the club and we agreed that she would take odd months (since her birthday month is odd) and I would take even (since my birthday month is even). Denise and I have so much to stitch that doing six ornaments each really works well for us.

I ordered the perfect garland for my mantel from Frontgate. Hope to get it this week. As soon as it arrives, I plan on decorating my mantel. I have missed my Nativity and cannot wait until after Thanksgiving to see them again.

Hope to get a finished picture of Dr. A up during this week but with Nana Day Care it might be difficult.

Quick update on Jake. He now has four teeth - two on top and two on bottom. I am now buying size 18 months for him. Cannot wait until he goes for his 9 month check-up to see what the big guy weighs.

Off to try to finish up Dr. A.

Linda

Wonderful Opportunity

Amy is doing two Home Studies for 2011. Each one will run between four and six months. This is the perfect opportunity for any one who wants to do a Home Study but does not want to commit to a year long project. Both Home Studies are fabulous. The first one is the Creche, designed by Kelly Clark, to the Nativity series. The best thing about the Creche is that it will go with any Nativity you have already. How wonderful it would be to have this beautiful Creche as a backdrop to an heirloom Nativity set you already have. The second piece will be Melissa Shirley's Thanksgiving Banner. What a fun stitch this piece is going to be. I cannot even imagine the magic Amy is going to work. I can see this on my mantel with a few Pilgrims in front of it. Thanksgiving is usually a lost holiday as far as decorating goes in my home but with this beautiful Thanksgiving Banner I will have something to admire between Halloween and Christmas.

I cannot recommend Amy's Home Study Classes enough. Having done the Nativity and now the Halloweenies I know the quality of Amy's stitch guides and the time and effort she puts into every piece. Her choice of thread and stitches is just amazing. You can truly see the pieces come to life as you stitch them. They are truly a work of art. I have learned so much from them and look forward to getting my new piece every month to see what wonderful magic Amy has created. I find the Home Study Classes addictive. I cannot see a year going by without taking one.

I know a year is a big commitment but this time the commitment is only 4 to 6 months. Trust me you will not be disappointed once you take a Home Study. You will probably ask yourself why have I waited so long.

Today Nana Day Care is closed due to the holiday. I just finished cleaning and now am going to sit down with Dr. A . I am very close to finishing him and hope to do so today.

Linda

Oh My!

We had, of course, a great time in class with Tony. The days flew by. The depth of Tony's knowledge is just a wonder, & he is eager to share what he knows with his students. Taking a canvas embellishment class is just a whirlwind of information, sights & textures & techniques all over the place.

Linda's canvas is a lovely Liz canvas. I know exactly where Linda should put this in her house. I can't say where this is in her lineup, but I know it's there.

I made some nice progress on my canvas. Do you just love the peach flower? This canvas is on 13 ct, so despite its size, when I come back to it, it should move along nicely. My plan to make this a pillow won't work, I think, and Tony suggested a shadow box. I think that's exactly what I will do. I will put it under glass, which will disappoint Tony infinitely but will allow me to sleep at night. I know the glass violates all needlepoint rules, but the needlepoint still has to live with me.

I am now back to french & colonial knots all over the Ponza door. I hope to show you a finished product.....forthwith.

D

Today: Tony

Today Linda & I are taking a canvas embellishment class with Tony Minieri. I have had a very hectic month, between work and....work. I have been stitching sometimes at night, and in fact am almost finished with the Ponza door. Today I am doing a large floral piece by Kathy Sharpe, who distributes through DJ Designs. Here's the (corrected) link to the piece.

http://www.designsdj.com/images/NKS007C_Euro_Flower_Mart.jpg

I love big canvases; I think they make such a grand statement about the craft, especially when there are lots of stitches to show off, as I am expecting with Tony's stitch guide this morning. On the other hand, there's very little instant gratification; I would like to dedicate next year to small, quick pieces.

Later! Denise

Jake's First Halloween

Here is a picture of Jake in his Halloween costume. Jen got his costume in Pottery Barn. He made such a cute Sweet Pea. Denise, Frank and Ashley came over for breakfast and to see Jake for his First Halloween. We had a great time visiting and catching up on everything and of course everyone enjoyed Jake. Frank, Denise's husband, said that he is built like a linebacker. He really is a very big boy. No little baby anymore.

There has not been a lot of stitching getting done in my house. This will be my second week of watching Jake with no day off. Seven days a week is just too much. In addition I had him sleep over on Saturday night. I got him big boy pj's and he looked soo cute. Next week will be better - I will only have him for three days. This Sunday and Monday I am taking a canvas embellishment class with Tony Mineri and Thursday is Veteran's Day. Jen will take a personal day on Monday and is off on Thursday.

I am still working on Dr. A. Very close to finishing just have to be awake enough to stitch.

Check out Amy's November newsletter. She announced her 2011 Home Study Classes.
The Creche Scene for the Nativity is just magnificent. I am going to do it since I have the Nativity and want to have the perfect backdrop for all my pieces. I cannot even imagine the magic Amy is going to work on this piece. The second Home Study Class is Melissa Shirley's Thanksgiving Banner. What a fun piece this is going to be to stitch.

Linda