Sunday, February 23, 2014

New Stitch Guides, new canvases, new tools always something new

Japanese Tea House by Leigh, made special with stitch guide by Jane Wood (thee Jane of Chilly Hollow). Piece is 8 1/2" x 4" full of delicacy, attention to detail, technique and color. Having a guide by Jane is like having Jane by your side leading you step by step. A lot too read, a lot of clarity appropriate for the advanced beginner with some determination to the most experienced. I'm in the process of getting a thread kit together. Pardon me if it sounds like a cliche but stitching something by Jane is like owning a piece of fine art.

Japanese Tea House Canvas by Leigh Designs Stitch guide by Jane Wood

Stitch Guide for Japanese Tea House

Colorful fan by Sophia, what a great opportunity for textures with sky, clouds, paper and wood.

Fan by Sophia

Ling Ling by Leigh

A nice botanical by C Leong for Julia's Needleworks. I see layering of stitches for the branch, silk for the leaves and all the attention on the hibiscus with silk ribbons, beads or sparkling metallics. Open stitch for the quiet background (which is more sage than grey).

Hibiscus by C Leong for Julia's

A classic white hydrangea, perfect for silk ribbon or simply done in Silk n Ivory. With the right thread for coverage it would be striking with a navy or black background.

White Hydrangea on 13

A project than can be completed in one sitting and its useful too. Don't scoff at who can be bothered sharpening their needles. Think of it as cleaning them, remember we couldn't do what we love without a needle; don't they to deserve a little TLC?

Rococo Strawberry Emery Kit

Rococo Emery Kit

Thrilled to have these back in stock so quickly. Customer's love them for the hard to tame threads such as those from Renaissance, I like them for keeping my nice silks such as Gloriana 12 ply, Gumnut Stars, and Pepper Pot in nice condition.

Nimble Needle Rainbow Thread Cards

Great fun these ornaments are and their on 13 count to boot. More on their way, for now here's Baseball and La Crosse

Baseball Sweater and thread kit

La Crosse sweater and thread kit

Really happy to see Brenda has a guide for this piece. Its full of shading and intimidating, but so bold in its presence. Brenda spells out in a user friendly way how to broaden your stitch vocabulary using intermediate level stitches and threads.

Charro by Leigh Designs, Stitch guide by Brenda Hart

Stitch guide available with canvas

Love the boldness, love the tie to another culture it just adds so much more to the story. Here's two in a series by Leigh.

Moondance Mask by Leigh Designs

Dzoonakwa Mask by Leigh Designs

A stash buster? a sampler of different stitches, or just a fun piece. Stitch painted by Sophia on 13 count.

Collage by Sophia on 13

Sunday, February 16, 2014

What's New?

Here's a sampling of some new items. Yes a bit a mix but that what the selection of things is like at the shop. The most often heard comment is there's things here that they haven't seen anywhere else. Welcome to a new designer here BB Needlepoint. You'll see her Kiwi pillow below, canvas includes the stitch guide. Stay tuned for more on her, there's also a seahorse, a starfish and a floral piece with stitch guide available too from her. Enjoy...

Shore Bird, a Heron? gorgeous colors and composition $169.

A gay and colorful rendition of Paris, reminds me of a mid-century children's book illustration. Was available as a kit through Ehrman now available through Sally Corey. I have a silk n ivory thread kit selected for this piece with bits of glitter. Please ask if interested.

Tour de Eiffel by Sally Corey on 13 count

Pea's on Earth, I love the painterly quality of their designs. Here's a nice size take along piece to be finished as an eye glass case.

Rose Eyeglass Case, 2 sides $98.

BB Needlepoint Kiwi's. Yes its kiwi's but its also just a great graphic piece, comes along with stitch guide so you too can finish a pillow such as this one.

Kiwi by BB Needlepoint INCLUDES stitch guide $122.

Owl's seem to be forever popular. Fun and whimsical as only Maggie knows how.

Hootie Owl by Maggie & Co. $132 .SOLD

A small elegant piece by Sandra Gilmore for Once in a Blue Moon. Would finish into a nice insert for a small pillow, a nice insert for a vanity tray, purse flap or small clutch.

Peony Design by Once in a Blue Moon

Love this one by Tapestry Fair, always a source for the unusual. Thanks Peggy!

Painted Horse and Friends $145.

For the contemplative folks, very serene and peaceful expression.

Buddha $124.

And in stark contrast to a Buddha from Peter Ashe comes a great clown. Clowns, one of those controversial personalities!

Happy Hobo Clown ON SALE

Ending with something sweet. Just the designers name Lilli Violette, I don't know if I want to smell this, drink this or just be amongst Lily's and Violettes. Yes one the cute side, but sincere and sweet. Designs from Italy and charted in DMC floss.

Flower Girl cross stitch chart 11.

The Good Life by Lilli Violette, cross stitch

Too bad the finished pieces are so tiny, did the best I could with the postage stamp size image. The one piece is appliquéd onto an apron.

Sunday, February 9, 2014

Brach Lavee part II (20% savings too)

United Jersalem $158.00

Julia Needleworks was kind enough to forward additional canvases from the Bracha Lavee trunk show that were previously out of stock. Perhaps one of these is the one you've been waiting for? Often intrigued by artists I've done a little more homework about her original work. The needlepoint canvases are based on her original tapestries often constructed on felt, silk and satin. Interestingly these are 3 different textures I often try to incorporate in needlepoint through thread selections. Felt (matte) Silk (sheen) Satin (shine). With todays threads I think few could resist the addition of sparkle. For matte appearance velvet, burmilana, or other fine weight wools are options. Silks ~ well we could go on for days about the abundance of silks. For those who haven't been to the Nimble Needle we have Splendor, Gloriana, Pepper Pot, Vineyard, Grandeur, Elegance, Gumnut stars, Trebizond, Au ver a Soie, and a few Waterlillies, Belle Soie and Silk n Colors. To achieve shine I prefer Trebizond silk which is a flat silk, but there is Neon Rays too; or any rayon will do if your willing to put up with it. (sorry rayon's still annoy me). I will be adding some Soie Ovale to my next order with Access Commodities as this to is flat silk and I think would be lovely for stems, fine china, or candy canes when you want a very slick appearance. Well I've strayed far enough, back to Bracha Lavee. Last but not least, all trunk show canvases are 20% off. For the full offering (in alphabetical order) click here http://www.thenimbleneedle.com/servlet/the-Trunk-Show/Categories

New Vizion Tallis Bag $162.00

Pray for Peace tefillin $125

Touch of Torah $158.00

To see more of her original pieces look here: http://www.bracha-lavee.com/originals/

Monday, February 3, 2014

Bracha Lavee Trunk Show

Now through the end of February the Nimble Needle is pleased to be hosting canvases by the artist Bracha Lavee distributed through Julia's Needleworks. Enjoy 20% savings off canvases! Click on the caption for more information (size and canvas count) and or to purchase. If your interested in threads as well please send me an email. Given the amount of white stuff we've had here in the northeast (and elsewhere) relish her explosion of color. Below are just a few, to view the full trunk show visit http://www.thenimbleneedle.com/servlet/the-Trunk-Show/Categories

Beautiful Jersalem $158.00

Bracha Brym-Lavee

Bracha was born in Poland in 1948 and moved to Israel in 1957.

Her use of felt in bright colors allows her to express her themes dramatically. Felt also allows her to capture the warmth associated with tapestry and the attention to detail typical of painting.

The city of Jerusalem and stories from the Bible provide her with endless sources of inspiration.

For Bracha the Bible and the Holy Land are not just historical curiosities, but a vigorous and meaningful part of contemporary life. Bracha's works have been sold widely in Israel, North America, Western Europe, Australia, South Africa, and the Far East. Julia 's Needleworks and Bracha have a meaningful business relationship that allows stitchers to interpret Bracha's art through the painted canvas.