It's Not Your Grandmother's Needlepoint

WWBD?

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Mon, 05 May 2008 20:31:00 +0000

What Would Brenda Do?

We have just finished another wonderful weekend of classes with Brenda Hart. I've said it before, and I'll say it again. She's amazing.

Each teacher has their own style and even when several teachers teach canvas embellishment they teach it differently. We see different things in a canvas and use different threads and stitches. I think the coolest thing would be to have the opportunity to take classes from all the talented ladies and men out there and learn from them all.

I'm fortunate in having Brenda as a friend. We have very similar styles. We both like a lighter coverage to the threads that allows the beautiful painting on the canvas to show through. We're not afraid to try something that might be a little unconventional.

I'll post photos of class pieces as different canvases are completed and return from the framer or the finisher.

Until Brenda returns in September I just need to say to myself WWBD? The answer will come to me and it will be gorgeous!

Tickled Pink

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 01:31:00 +0000

How much fun would it be to have a pink feather tree for Christmas? Or a pink feather tree for all year round?

Well, being a pink kind of girl I had to find out. I have recently collaborated with fellow designer Ada Haydon of EyeCandy Needleart to design a series of oh so fun ornaments. Fourteen in all!

Each ornament is more fun than the next. There are hearts, and trees and wreaths and vintage drops all in a retro glam meets Lily Pulitzer kind of style. You are going to love stitching these gems and who says they need to go back in the box after the holidays?

Ada designed the canvases and I did the stitch guides. I started with a pile of threads in luscious shades of pink, lime, orange and red. The thread alone are yummy. Then I added a healthy dose of bling. Sequins and rhinestones. The finishing of course is the icing on the cake, or should I say feather tree. The finishing takes them to a new level.

Christmas in July, here we come!

Get Ready to Sign UP!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 17:32:00 +0000

Our new ornament club is about to be unveiled. It is wonderful. The ornaments just arrived back from the finisher and I can't stand it. They are just so cool.

I don't have pictures yet, but will within a week or so. You know I will post immediately. This is a joint collaboration between Ada Haydon of EyeCandy Needlearts and myself. When you see them you will know it's a match made in heaven. We are kindred spirits.

That's it, I'm being a tease. I just wanted you to know they are coming so if you are bored and need a new toy, one is on the way. I'm sure you will love them! More news to follow.

Ruth

Little Project Big Impact

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Sat, 19 Apr 2008 02:52:00 +0000

Got to love little projects with big impact! Who says instant gratification is a bad thing?

This wristlet uses a 2" square canvas with a single initial as the starting point. Stitch it up double quick in your favorite threads. Add a little bling, just because.

The finisher does the rest adding a twist, appliqueing it to ultrasuede and machine embroidering the rest of the story.

Stitch your initial and have the rest of your name embroidered.

Or create a one of a kind project bag.
Threads
Stitches
Pens

Wouldn't it be cute to do Front and Back on both sides of bag.

The bag is lined in a coordinating print for the perfect finishing touch.

Let your imagination run wild. Happy Creating.

Great Customers and Friends

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 03:39:00 +0000

This post started just as a way to say hi to a few very special customers who were in this week reminding me that I need to post more regularly. I need to not plan so much what to write. I need to just write.

So, to each of you, I am sending a heartfelt hello and thank you for your business and support.

Looking back over the past year I have to say that one of the best things about owning a shop is the people. I have met so many great ladies and husbands and kids and men who stitch and even a few new puppies! It's great getting to know each and everyone of you. I love learning your likes and dislikes in stitches and threads and styles.

I'm doing my best to find great projects and threads to delight you and planning new classes and clubs. We do this because we love it. It's fun. So, if you have anything on your wish list or ideas you want to share, I'd love to hear them.

My store is your store. Let's make it the most fun it can be.

Until next time.
Ruth

Thank You

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:32:00 +0000

It's been a year since we opened the store. I can't believe how fast its gone. Twenty years from now I'll be looking back saying the same thing (I hope).

Yes, I love the store. Yes, I love all the wonderful people that are involved with it from my customers, to my staff to all the vendors with the beautiful threads and canvases. To all of you I say a heartfelt THANK YOU!

I thought it would be fun to have a piece of needlepoint that will always make me remember this time in my life and the people I share it with. I talked to Sandy Gilmore and asked her to design something for me. (I was too close to the subject) I love Sandy's canvases and thought she would be a perfect choice. She said yes!!!!

I wanted something that I would love looking at for a very long time. It actually took me a while to come up with the concept and I'm convinced Sandy thought I was nuts when I told her what I wanted. But here's the story. When I opened, the store was filled with flowers. Big beautiful flowers. It was gorgeous so I thought it would be cool to have a floral canvas that represented all of my friends in flowers.

There's lime green hydrangea for Karl and his family; calla lilies for Missy, my dearest friend and right hand; orchids for Lisa and purple tulips for Brenda Hart. And then I needed a tree frog for Linda who collects frogs, a ladybug for Rachel, a heart for Harriet and finally a bumble bee as it is part of my logo. (Oh and the lily is just because I love lilies!)

Somehow Sandy managed to tie all of this together into one big beautiful canvas. And now Brenda Hart is writing the stitch guide for it! How wonderfully cool and full circle is that. This is a piece I will always treasure as I will always treasure the friends who have made the store what it is today.

I love you all.

When In Doubt.... Dots!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:43:00 +0000

Another project stitched and off to the finisher. This is the large version of my santa with stars ornament. I knew I wanted him to be a stand up Christmas present type of box but that's really all I knew.

I also knew I wanted to stitch him differently than the ornament. So, after months of brain gridlock he is finally finished. He was all stitched and ready to go when I thought he needed something. Something silly. Something that would add - yes more color. Never enough color in my world. I apparently don't do subdued well.

So, the question was what to add? I could add button stars and that would be okay but no, it had to be more whimsical. I have these great pink and yellow sequins in a variety of sizes. They were perfect! Now its snowing dots on santa. How cool is that?

Somehow, I think dots are the answer to everything. :-) Happy Stitching.

If you can dream it.....

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 00:18:00 +0000

If you can dream it, we can probably build it. :-) Michael Stoebner is one of the artists that I represent. His designs are positively enchanting. I want to stitch them all!

The beauty of the plan is that there is usually someone you can team up with and make the magic happen. I started stitching the reindeer on skis on a whim. He's cute. What more can I say. From there I started dreaming of a ski jump. Well, the magic happened.

Sharon Hall of Mountain Shadow Studios built him a ski jump with a wonderful spring to make him jiggle and jump. Now I have visions of all kinds of canvases mounted and jiggling. Maybe it was too much jello as a child. No that can't be true jello wasn't my favorite. Who knows. It's a fun idea and it worked.

Another Santa!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 21:45:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I mentioned that I had been working on Strictly Christmas's Squatty Santa with Cats. At first I wasn't sure what I wanted to do with him to make him special. Ultimately I did decide what to do and it all worked. He is darling!

I started with the basics. Santa's face, his shoes, his mittens, the cats. All the no brainer stuff. Then came the rest. His coat is a darning pattern of fish. Subtle but cool.

I loved the stitching the snow on his hat. It's row beaded, but somehow that looked too straight, so then I went back and beaded some more on top of what was already done. Lots of beads crammed in in no particular order. It looks sparkly and encrusted with snow. I'll be doing that again.

The other part I really enjoyed was the trim on his coat. It's Nobuko but worked on its side. It gives an entirely different look than nobuko stitched in the traditional manner. It's stitched in 2 ply Cashmere from Gloriana. Now there's a yummy thread.

Santa is off to the finisher. More pics when he returns.

Great Finishing makes all the hard work worthwhile!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 03:21:00 +0000

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Really great finishing takes the cake!

There is nothing more exciting than receiving a box from a finisher and opening it to see your beautiful needlework transformed. It is now neat and pressed and blocked and trimmed and embellished and GORGEOUS! You love it all over again.

I had to show off these two pieces by two of my customers.

Wicked was stitched by Jane in California and will soon hang on her theater wall in her office. How cool is that? The stitching is superb and just look at the cool custom frame designed by Sharon Hall of Mountain Shadow Studio. The handpainted canvas is "Wicked" by Raymond Crawford. What a great way to remember a night at the theater. (By the way, if you haven't seen Wicked, it's a must see. I was so impressed by the writers twisting and turning a story we all think we know!)

Allison stitched this simple Halloween piece by Renaissance Designs in no time at all. Great threads, great stitches and now a great frame also by Sharon Hall of Mountain Shadow Studio. Now we just have to wait for Halloween.

Happy Stitching leads to Happy Finishing!

Stitch Box by Raymond Crawford

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 02:27:00 +0000

Talk about a treasure box! Raymond Crawford designed this happy canvas for all of us stitching fiends. It was great fun to stitch in all of it's Lily Pulitzer colors - pinks, yellows, lime and just a touch of purple.

I went to town using a variety of different stitches and threads. There's a bone ring covered in buttonhole stitch and a real skein of floss appliqued to the canvas. Buttons and cool crescent stitches really bring it to life.

The stitched canvas is 6 x 6 but I enlarged the design area making a bold statement. The box is custom built and approximately 14" square on top. It's big enough to hold all of your stitching treasures. I could have used an HP lacquer box and it would have been equally striking but I had this vision. (There's my downfall - the vision of how cool it could be!)

Now to decide where to display it...

Start with What you Know and the Rest will Follow

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 01:33:00 +0000

Last year when the issue of Needlepointers came out that featured all the award winners from seminar I fell in love with a piece designed and stitched by Rosalyn Cherry-Soleil. Flight of Fancy.

Not only is this piece gorgeous, but it is a tour de force of stitching techniques and innovative ideas. I offered it to you last year as a cyber class and do so again this year.

What is most fascinating about this piece is the glimpse into the way a designer's mind works. Rosalyn interprets painted canvases in a very unique way. On the first page of the stitch guide to Flight of Fancy she admits that she selects her canvas and is at once exhilarated and apprehensive. Can she do this; is it stitch-able? We all face the same challenges.

She doesn't plan the entire piece at one time. Instead she begins with what she knows and the rest will follow.

I have been thinking about this statement lately, and while obvious, it is so true. I am currently working on another Strictly Christmas Squatty Santa. The one with cats. Okay, he's cute, but how to make him fabulous? The stitching santa is fabulous, so I find I do what I know and the rest will follow. It works. He is almost finished. I'll post his picture next week. You'll see what I've done. I wasn't sure for a long time that he was really going to be special, but today I decided....he is.

Chocolate for Valentine's Day

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 15:09:00 +0000

I love chocolate. All kinds of chocolate. Chocolate cake being my favorite. So, what better time of year to design a chocolate series than just before Valentine's Day.

The finishing on this box really brings it to life. I wanted something soft and sort of squishy but still a box that could be filled with chocolate. The box is all finished in chocolate and lilac ultrasuede with wonderful ribbons and beaded trim. The finisher did a beautiful job.

This is just one of a series of new chocolate themed designs.

We have:
Chocolate is My Life
A Balanced Diet is a Chocolate Cookie in Each Hand
Chocolate Isn't a Vegetable?
Forget Love, I'd rather fall in Chocolate
and Coffee, Chocolate, Men. Some things are just better rich.

Happy Valentines Day a little early.

The Fashionable Witch

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:20:00 +0000

Anyone who knows me, knows I have a thing for shoes. Now around the house I never wear shoes but if I'm going out, I love cute shoes. if you want to see my favorites, go to www.bettyemuller.com. Way too cool! But I digress.

When we were planning the American Needlepoint Guild festivities for last August I talked to Melissa Shirley about launching a new design at Bedecked and Beadazzled. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box to find Witch Shoes, Witch Hat and Witch Dress. How cool! She knows me!

Of course I had to stitch them. I didn't get to them until after Brenda Hart came to teach in November, but I'm glad I waited. Everything I learned from Brenda came to life in these pieces. They are just way too cool and painted on 13ct they stitch in no time. I think I did them both in about 2 weeks. The background is a big open stitch that allows the pretty gold painted canvas to show through.

Then I sent the little gems to the finisher and voila! They came back as the cutest ever pillows. I can't wait for Halloween!

Stitching Santa

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 14:05:00 +0000

I know, I know, I've been promising the stitching santa photos and stitch guide for way too long. This was just a canvas that i really, really wanted to stitch myself. Which means we were all at the mercy of the rest of my life.

He really is finished and at the finisher's now. I'll post his photo again when he returns home. I have big ideas for his finishing.

I had the most fun with this little guy. I took it one section at a time and thought what would this look like in real life. I'm very proud of him. I love the stitch and thread combination for his robe. It's quick easy and looks oh so cool. Did you notice the teeny tiny half glasses and his little scissors. That's jaceron curved to make the shapes.

For those of you that have been patiently waiting for me to send out the guides. They are due back from the printer tomorrow, so they will finally be on their way.

Now you have plenty of time to stitch him and get him finished for next Christmas!

Deborah Forney Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:58:00 +0000

Deborah Forney is coming to teach April 10-13, 2008. She is a wonderfully vibrant teacher. If you have the opportunity, I hope you will join us.

Deborah has taught for the American Needlepoint Guild seminar most recently in our fair city of Baltimore. One of the classes she taught there - Blue Crab Blues - filled immediately. She will be teaching it here for us this Spring. Oh what fun!

She will also be teaching Gypsy Butterfly which while you can stitch it exactly like hers, you can also modify the colors and create your own unique interpretation. Branch out, play with different threads! Create your own one-of-a-kind butterfly.

All details can be found on our website by clicking news and events.

Check your calendar and sign up soon. Class registration ends March 1, 2008.

Classes

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 15:51:00 +0000

Anyone who knows me, knows that one of the main reasons I wanted to open an honest to goodness storefront was my love of classes. I will teach anyone anything I know one on one, but put me in front of a room full of people and it just isn't pretty.

I love taking classes. Now, that isn't to say I loved school, because I didn't. But, a class that is art and technique and I'm in my element. That I love.

So, I invite all of the talented teachers in our industry to come visit for a weekend and share their magic.

We have had Brenda Hart come teach and will be having her back many more times. She is truly an amazing teacher. She works with each student's canvas individually to bring it to life, picking stitches, creating stitches, selecting threads that without her we wouldn't have thought of. As our projects get finished, I will post photos here.

I will also post details of upcoming classes as they are planned. You may also visit the news and events page of our website at anytime to see what's happening.

Merry Christmas and Happy Crab

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Mon, 24 Dec 2007 23:09:00 +0000

No, I haven't been drinking, but I did just receive some great new pieces back from the finisher. One of which is the checkered crab frame weight designed exclusively for us by Squiggee aka Gail Hendrix.

Gail's canvases are all beautifully painted making them a joy to stitch. This crab frame weight is funky and fun. The flowers were quick and easy to stitch in long stitches of Petite Sparkle Rays or silk ribbon embroidery. Of course I had to make a run to the fabric store to find big crystal buttons for his eyes. He's a cutie.

I'll post more pictures as soon as possible. It's always fun to see finishing. Besides all of our new designs that will be released at market in 2 weeks I have also completed stitch guides for 2 new Melissa Shirley canvases and the Strictly Christmas Stitching Santa. So, stay tuned. More to follow.

Happy Holidays.

Brenda Hart is Amazing!!!!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Sun, 18 Nov 2007 19:40:00 +0000

We have had a great weekend at the shop. Brenda Hart has been here for 3 full days working her magic with canvas embellishment!

Everyone has a different canvas and Brenda is developing stitches and selecting threads on the fly for everyone. There are Maggie canvases and Melissa Shirley canvases and a few of mine. Her ideas are just amazing. Most of the stitches Brenda selects are patterns made up out of her head. She looks at the canvas differently and brings it to life in a way you can't imagine.

She will be back May 2-4, so if you are in the area, or want to come for a visit it will be a great time! Call us or watch the website for more details.

New Series

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 04:04:00 +0000

I thought it would be fun to create a series that isn't a series. Well, it's sort of a series, but it's not a club. It's just a group of ornaments that are loosely related in that they are all designed to look pretty together.

These are a few of my favorite things.

The first ornament in the series is the Baltimore Crab. Crabs are my favorite food so that's a good place to start! Each ornament in the series is handpainted on 18ct mono and comes complete with a stitch guide. The ornaments will be introduced one a year. They will be painted as a limited edition. So, if my favorite things are your favorite things, grab the ornament while you can.

I hope you enjoy them. I had such a great time designing and stitching the Baltimore Crab that it inspired me to start the series.

We're growing!

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 23:42:00 +0000

Thanks to you, I am pleased to announce that business is strong in Cockeysville, Maryland. We've had a great summer and are looking forward to finally seeing some fall weather. Maybe soon.

We had a great time with everyone who came and visited during seminar and miss you all. I wish you lived here. Perhaps we will plan a reunion so that you can come back and visit again soon.

I would like to mention that we are growing and are looking for qualified part time people to join our family. If you are interested and live within commuting distance please email me your resume at sales@bedeckedandbeadazzled.com. This is your chance to work in a needlepoint store filled with beautiful threads and color! what could be more fun!

We're also looking for needlework teachers so if you are interested send your info. You know my dream is to turn bedecked and beadazzled into a shop filled to the brim with learning and creativity. We're getting there.

Can you believe the doors only opened a little over 6 months ago?

Happy Stitching.

It Was Baltimore, Hon

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 14:48:00 +0000

It's only been two weeks but it feels like so much longer since all my new friends left Baltimore. The American Needlepoint Guild Seminar was exciting and a wonderful way for us to meet so many of you. We had a great timeand truly appreciate not only your business, but your kind words about our shop.

This is a labor of love and we all love it. My staff is the best - they are supportive and creative. You, our customers are the best we could want - patient as we grow and willing to try new things. It's all good, and it's all fun!

We are still putting things back in order and filling the requests you left behind just as fast as we can. I still have lots of new items to add to the website.

It's Baltimore, Hon is one of our favorite commemorative designs. It can be finished as an ornament or as a note holder for your desk. The design is 4" x 6" and is stitch painted on 18ct mono. It comes complete with a stitch guide to recreate this Hon in all her beehive glory. You can see more details on our site by clicking on the title above.

We hope you will come back and visit us soon!

Maryland is for Crabs

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 14:57:00 +0000

I admit it. I love steamed crabs. I actually love anything crab. Which is perhaps why I can't decide which of the 5 crab frameweights is my favorite.

Since I love crabs, Old Bay Seasoning is a very important part of my world. I grew up on this stuff. If it's not available in your part of the world you really need to find some. It's a mixture of spices (maybe a little too much salt to be healthy) but boy is it good on steamed crabs, steamed shrimp, crab cakes you get the idea.

It comes packaged in a metal can just like pepper - so it's square.

Now, imagine that grown up and stitchpainted on 13ct canvas. What could make a cuter summer purse for going to picnics and just hanging around.

Exclusive Crab Frame Weights

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 13:10:00 +0000

I admit it. I went a little overboard creating exclusive designs to introduce at the American Needlepoint Guild seminar. I just couldn't stop myself. This is something I always thought would be fun to do and I was right. So watch for many more exclusive designs to come not only in the next few days but as time rolls on. Periodically I will design something just for you that won't be available in any other shops. How cool is that?

Allow me to introduce you to my family of crab frame weights. I worked with Gail Hendrix of Squiggee designs to develop these cutie pies. She did all the hard work, I just told her we needed a crab frame weight. Well, one became two, became three, became four, became five exclusive too cute for words crab frame weights. Each one is perfectly stitch painted on 13ct mono so they stitch in a flash. You can applique them to a tote or a jacket or do as we have done and finish them as frame weights. I can't tell you who is my favorite as I love them all!

We have all of our trunk shows in stock. I think there were 10 at last count. There are canvases everywhere. It's an amazing sight.

If you do not live locally, and are coming to seminar we do hope that you will come visit and see what makes our store different. For one week from August 25th throug the 31st we will be running shuttles to and from the host hotel.

For my local ladies, if you are planning on using our shuttle to get to seminar for the day please send me an email (sales@bedeckedandbeadazzled.com) so that we can confirm your spot. There are very few spaces left.

Thanks for listening to my chatter. See you in Balamer, Hon!

Exclusive Squiggees

noreply@blogger.com (Ruth Schmuff) — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 22:25:00 +0000

Thanks to all the excitement that is building for seminar my brain is a bit addled. (I'm not really sure how to spell addled but that's beside the point.)

It was pointed out to me today that I forgot to mention that Gail Hendrix the genius behind Squiggee Designs was left off my list of designers who were gracious enough to design pieces exclusively for us.

What was I thinking? Obviously, I wasn't thinking. Gail has designed several wonderful pieces just for us. Her canvases are all whimsical and perfectly stitchpainted. Many are on 13ct canvas so you won't believe how quickly they will stitch!

You will have to be patient a little longer before you can see them but believe me they are worth the wait.

All of the exclusive designs will be in the store in time for seminar and on the web as soon as possible after that. I totally understand that real life gets in the way and we can't always attend seminar. So, for those of you attending in spirit only you can still join in some of the fun and see what's new and exclusive here.

Happy stitching.

Ruth