MERRY! MERRY!

Things at the Stitchings Studio have been hopping!! I LOVE seeing all the beautiful finishing coming back and the happy, satisfied faces of our proud customers! It is such a great feeling to see your hard work become something real!

For those of you still in need of gifts, don't forget all the great options we have for the stitcher or nonstitcher. The locally made gifts in our boutique are awesome. Suzy's jewelry pouches, in such a beautiful array of fabrics, make it hard to choose just one. And our jewelers have outdone themselves this season. Kathy Karmolinski and Andrea Danner Shultz have brought us spectacular new pieces. And Andrea's little oil paintings are so refreshing, a breath of Spring in the Winter months ahead!

Oh, and how about the HOT SQUEEZE! It is so yummy, the men love it--a great stocking stuffer! So see, we can accomodate just about anyone on your list!!

As for what we are all up to at the shop...not much stitching. There has been some subversive, ahem, knitting going on, but (hopefully) they will soon be picking up smaller needles!! Having finished 2 stocking cuffs, Lisa is plugging away on one of Kelly Clark's tassels. These are challenging pieces, not for the feint of heart. As for me, when I am not busy with the business, I am trying to finish a BABIES sleeping sign, for my niece who delivered identical twin boys, 7 wks early! Wesley and Joshua are both home and thriving, thank the Lord. And big sister Abby is as proud as she can be! You would think SHE labored for a week with them, instead of her mother. Yes, it was a trying time in our family. God is good.

Kathy Schenkel Trunk Show is here!

WOW!!! Is this great or what...there must be over 1,000 canvases in the shop, from Kathy! She is so talented. As Leslie commented the other day, "Kathy gets better with age!!" Her International Santas are amazing...as stand ups, they come with the flag of the country they represent. She has large stand-up Santas in various motifs, the baubles are very popular, especially the alphabet series. Most popular seems to be the holidays series with mini figures and a backdrop for each scene. We have 2 Christmas scenes, Thanksgiving, Halloween, Noah's Ark, The Nativity, and even The Wizard of OZ! How fun would it be to stitch the yellow brick road!! I have the perfect stitch for it! Come on in and enjoy Kathy's remarkable talent at 20% off retail prices. Don't see what you want? We can order it during the trunk show and you will get the discounted price. We hope you can come in soon and enjoy this delightful visit from a most talented designer.

Better Late Than Never!!

WOW, have I dropped the ball!! It is supopsed to be my job to update our blog, but as you can see, I have not been good about this. I pledge to do better.

AND, I really have so many fun things to share, that you might get tired of all my new posts!! But I hope not. We have been having so much fun here at TSS...we celebrated our first anniversary, thank you to all who have made that possible! We've had some dynamite trunk shows, Kathy Schenkel starts this weekend! And, we continue to make new friends through stitching.

I have recently had the privilege of taking classes from two wonderful teachers, both highly respected in the world of needlework. Joyce Lukomski taught a laid fillings class here in Richmond for the Regional EGA meeting, and Ann Strite Kurtz taught a counted thread project in Culpeper. The EGA group there was gracious to invite our group from here to join them. I hope to have my sand dollar finished one of these days, so you can all see it. I learned so much from both of these wonderful ladies. It was exciting to break away from orders, inventory check ins, finishing to process etc, etc, and just stitch!! I really need to do more of that.

Home Again, Home Again, with THREADS!!

Kathy here!  Yes there are PLENTY of canvases coming, but wanted to let you know how much fun we had and the new threads we have chosen to carry at The Stitching Studio.  WOW!!!  We will now have Watercolours, Wildflowers, Gloriana Floss, YLI Overdyed wool, perle cotton, and new colors of Memory Thread and Kreinik Hot Wire. It is SO hard to choose when they are all lying there before you!!

It was great fun to have Jennifer with me for the first time.  She took three stitching classes (mom was relegated to the ipad class, the social media class...) but it was such fun to share my passion with my daughter.  We have MANY events, classes, workshops etc, planned.  I hope that you will find something in the class schedule that suits your time.  If not, please let us know and we'll adjust.  HAPPY STITCHING!!!

Creepy Characters from NeedleDeeva

These adorable club characters will be available in September, and we are taking orders!  They are 4.5 inch triangles on 18 mesh and the FUN, colorful stitch guides are available from designer Robin King.  We've seen them and they are FANTASTIC!  Call the shop to order!

News from Market!

We have had a fabulous time at Market.  It is exhausting, but so inspiring to see all the latest and greatest tools, techniques, threads, and canvases.  We've ordered from some of your favorites (including Shelly Tribbey, Kelly Clark, and Alice Peterson) and some new things will be coming to round out our selection of Rainbow Gallery, Kreinik, and Painter's Thread.  We've learned about "messy beading", wired thread use (which is everywhere!), and heard new ideas for finishing.  Stop by soon and ask us to share!

Photos from Market!

DMC Memory thread was used to bring these flowers right off the canvas! 

Shelly Tribbey cupcakes - absolutely amazing!

From Market in Columbus...

We are having a fabulous time in our classes and can't wait to bring back some new tips and products! We're experiencing some technological difficulties uploading the photos here, but we have managed to get them on our Facebook page. So check that out! Memory wire, new canvases, and a really COOL gadget (pun intended!). Hope to check in again tomorrow night - we are thinking of each of you as we shop.

To Market, To Market...

Hey, all!  Kathy here to let you know what's up at the Stitching Studio...To Market, to Market, to buy more canvases...Jennifer and I are preparing for the trip to Columbus.  Market is always a terrific experience!  This will be Jennifer's first...ah...the deer in the headlights!  The TNNA Market, is an opportunity not just to see new things and "buy", but to connect with designers, vendors, fellow retailers and teachers oin many levels. 

Each of us will be taking 3 classes, aiming to bring new ideas and techniques back to you.  I will be taking an accounting class(UGH), but one that will only help us continue on our road to bringing you the finest needlepoint experience possible.  It's the ugly side of owning your own business!! 

WATCH for Market updates, through the weekend.  We will try and send you a note each night, letting you in on the latest.  PLEASE let us know if anything inspires you...we'll order it!!

Big NEWS at the Stitching Studio!

WOW!  IT's been too long since we have sent you a hello!  I pledge to be better!  Much is happening at the shop right now.  The Amanda Lawford Trunk Show is, well, to die for!! She is SO talented!  Her canvases are painted with very clear colors, bright and exciting, many traditional, some, funky!  She does great crabs, Christmas ornaments, mermaids, and beautiful traditional pillow designs.  Amanda represents Constance Coleman, who is one of the best when it comes to painting dogs.  Come see...if your favorite breed is not there, we can get it for you!  Anything ordered from her line, during the trunk show will receive the discount.  ALL TRUNK SHOW CANVASES ARE 20% off retail.  She will be with us through next Saturday, the 21st.

We have had a delightful time with our Derby Sale!  Thank you to all who got in the spirit and wore their hats in!  And no, you don't have to KEEP it on once in the door!  Today is the last day for the extra 5% off. 

CHANGE OF PLANS!!  We have decided that May is such a month of celebration and honor, for so many folks, that we are extending our congratualtions by continuing our sale!  In honor of moms, grads, brides and babies, those who served...all of our wonderful customers...we will have 20% off in stock canvases for the rest of the month!!!!  NO gimmicks, no hats needed, just come on in and shop the finest selection of canvas in the area! 

One of my favorite new designers is Elaine from The Little Shoppe Canvas Co.   Elaine has captured the attention of stitchers with her unique 3 dimensional designs.  We are excited to have her trunk show for a couple of weeks.  It will start next week.  Come in and see what you can do with needlepoint these days...flowers, candies, chocolate covered strawberries, pears, fun new items to enhance your home decor.  She also has fun ornaments for the tree!  My goal is to have a beautiful old cake plate, that was my grandmother's displayed with fun little "edibles"!!  What fun would that be!!

Now is the time to be thinking about the Christmas deadline too.  Our shop deadline will be late September, in order for us to get everything to the finishers. (More on that later.)  Their deadlines are Oct 1st.  Keep this in mind when planning your summer stitching!  Come in and sit-n-stitch with us for added light, energy and support!!
Hope to see you soon!!  Kathy

Happy Spring!

It is really starting to look and feel like SPRING here in Richmond and we are happy to be celebrating the season!  We are shopping today for some outdoor furniture for our lovely patio!  We hope you will join us for one of our Stitch-Ins and come enjoy some fresh air while you share your appreciation of the art of needlepoint with fellow stitchers.  On-going Stitch-Ins: every Thursday, 10-12 and the Second Saturday of each month, 1-4.

April is bringing many exciting events to The Stitching Studio and Gift Boutique including a trunk show by The Canvasworks, "A Taste of Silk" thread-tasting party, a Designer of the Week, and a canvas embellishments class.  Email, call, or check our website for more information.

jennifer@thestitchingstudiova.com
kathy@thestitchingstudiova.com
804-269-0355
www.thestitchingstudiova.com

Do you follow us on Facebook?

During the month of March, we are celebrating the Luck of the Irish by having a LUCKY Facebook Fan every day!  Each winner receives $5 off their next Stitching Studio purchase.  And don't worry if you are out of town - we will be launching our website any day now! 

Congratulations to our first 5 winners:
Alison Brennan
Maureen O'Connor
Debra Krey
Austin Davidson
Connie Martenstein

You could be next - go to Facebook and "Like" The Stitching Studio and Gift Boutique!
Happy Stitching!

It's Christmas in February!

Between The Princess and Me Trunk Show and the new canvases arriving from my trip to Market, the shop is bursting with exciting designs.  Come plan your Spring stitching project with something new from Barbara Russell, Maggie and Co, Ewe and Eye, Lee Designs, Kelly Clark, Barbara Bergsten...to name a few!  It's like Christmas!  We are anticipating arrivals from Ruth Schmuff, Elizabeth Turner Collection, Associated Talents, jude designs, Strictly Christmas,The Artist's Collection, Kathy Schenkel...wow, the list is long!!!  And wait until you see the candy colors of Kreinik #12 braid!!  The new Fyre Werks Soft Sheen and Neon Rays+ colors are pretty cool too!

Ordered at Market... new from Kreinik

Kreinik Hot Wire threads...perfect for embellishment that jump right off the canvas!

Kreinik Candy colors...aren't they beautiful?!

From Kathy - at the TNNA market in Long Beach, California

I have had a blast here in Long beach, connecting with old friends and making new ones.  The volume of canvases presented here is mind boggling.  I have tried to guess what our customers want and hope I have made some choices that will excite and encourage your needlepoint pursuits.  Come in and see us soon.  New items arriving daily.  The trunk show schedule for 2011 is just about set and it is exciting!!  Watch for more news coming!