For the love of Needlepoint

Not having much time to stitch before the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace, I have done nothing but for a while afterwards.  I'm always inspired after a show and this year my thoughts were on needlepointing my "Stitch for a Cure" Cancer Ribbon design.
The cross stitch model was for my Mom, but to needlepoint it into a pillow is pure me.

First I converted the thread colours of the pink ribbons to wool, and once they were stitched I hit a little snag.  The cross stitch model was stitched on 32ct Lugana "Pink Whisper", a beautifully pale hand-dyed pink.  In needlepoint the background needs to be filled in, and there is no wool colour close to that fabric colour.  To further complicate things, the palest pink wool shade available I had already used.  So I decided to turn my attention to the border, until  I could sort my background dilemma.  This then made me think about the words - Mother, Sister, Wife....  When I first started this needlepoint I thought of using a Perle Cotton #8 to backstitch the words, but backstitching over the Continental Stitch is not the easiest.  So the idea of charting them into full stitches and stitching them around the perimeter as the border hit me,  but I also love the existing interlocking ribbon border. 
The interlocking ribbons are to signify all of us interwoven with one another in supporting those in our lives conflicted with cancer and in our combined efforts, prayers and hopes to finding a cure.  So because of all these options tumbling around and fermenting in my head I have not been able to put needle to canvas.  Awww the torment!!!! - will I ever get this all sorted and actually get back to stitching.


As a result of all of this, this is how my needlpoint looks today, and has done for a few weeks,   I think I  have it almost all figured out -  and I can finally get back to stitching.

I'll keep you informed on my progress, if you wish?

I wish an Angel for you!

Many of you may have seen me wearing this pendant at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace last month.  I had designed and stitched this Angel in secret, as I wanted it to be as much as a surprise for my mother as it was to be for our Gitta's Getaway 2012 attendees.  (The hinged pendant is available at Gitta's)

It all started with a Christmas card my mother received from my cousin in Germany.  Inside the card my cousin had inserted a poem "Ich wuensch einen Engel fuer Cich" by Annemarie Wagner .  My mother was greatly moved, both by the sentiment and the poem.  So much so that she asked me to translate the poem into English as she wanted to share it with everyone at our (at that time) upcoming GG Retreat.  With the already large workload and plans for the Retreat my mother was quite accepting of the fact that I may not find the time.  However, the closer we got to our Retreat and many of the plans being completed, I found myself thinking more and more about the poem.   So I translated the poem, charted and stitched the Angel all in secret.  Then with the help of my daughter, we laminated the chart and the poem into a bookmark, and presented it to everyone at the Banquet Dinner.  And it being Mother's Day tomorrow, I wanted to share it with all of you.

On the front of the bookmark, on a feathery cloud,
was a photo of the pendant with the poem. 

 This is the poem translated into English:

I wish an angel for you
to protect you always,
with all its love and goodness
through the day and through the night

I wish an angel for you, 

to sooth your soul 

through all your pain and sadness,

 now and for eternity

 I wish an angel for you
to be by your side always
when you are in the darkness
and guide you to the light

On the reverse side of the bookmark was the chart with stitching instructions.

I wish an Angel for each and everyone of you. 

 Take care and  have a great Mother's Day

Awwww......it's over!!!!!

Over the two days of the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace almost 300 stitchers came from far & wide to enjoy a show that was tailored just for them.
They were greeted with a show guide and a free handout of the Collaboration Sampler's border and layout.
They then visited each designer boutique (hotel suites),  shopped, viewed the designers fabulous models and products, collected all the portions to the Collaboration sampler ( one from each designer), and generally had a great time.

This, and the photo just below on the left are of Gitta's Suite.   In our Suite, we exhibited most of our own designs as well as featuring 2 models from a NEW designer Snow Dragon Designs.  The photo below & on the right is of another designer that also exhibited at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace, X's & Oh's.

In total 15 designers exhibited at the Market, each bringing their own unique flair.



The Collaboration Sampler was your free gift for visiting the NeedleWorkers MarkePlace.  The border pattern that you collected at the entrance then indicated all participating Designers and where within the sampler their free pattern was inserted.

In the Collaboration Sampler the border is stitched with Gloriana Silk #180, Tulip Festival.  It is a variegated silk, and it is the colours within this fibre that unites all the designs, each as unique as its designer.  Starting from the top left, that Butterfly was contributed by Alma Laidlaw of Sew Fancy Inc.  The top right is by Jeannette Douglas.  On the next row the Islandic Poppy was designed by Roxann Blazetich-Ozols of the Beadaddict and could be found in the suite she shared with Black Tulip Designs.  Next, the Canvaswork pattern was designed by Carolyn Mitchell.  The three Tulips were available from Birtstitch. The sentiment was designed by Joanne Gatenby of X's & Oh's, and the Iris is Brenda Franklin's creation.  The Swedish weaving band very obviously is from Christine Allan's Swedish Weaving.  The Butterfly is from Linda Lachance of Northern Pine Designs, and the Celtic Dragon is thanks to Laura Dickson of Enchanting Lair Designs.  And lastly the Hummingbird is my design - Kathrin Ellison of Gitta's Designs.

I  had also prepared an accessory pack, available for purchase, which included everything except the fabric and the DMC floss; it included 6 yards of the Gloriana Silk, the 28 Swarovski 4mm bicone crystals, the Bee button, and the Kreinik metallic threads.

The Sampler was a big hit.  

I'm already working on the layout and border for next year's Collaboration Sampler.  So if you missed out on this year's,  make plans for next year's Market to collect the 2013 sampler.

 Mark your Calendars - the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace for 2013 is planned for either April 5th & 6th OR April 12th &13th.

Stitch for a Cure

Although, I have been working on new  designs for Gitta's Getaway and the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace next weekend, I also managed to finished my "Stitch for a Cure" design.  I designed it for my Mom, and all the women in our lives that live with cancer.  My mother is a breast cancer survivor (15 years) and then two years ago, just before Christmas, she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.  My mother, being my mother and not wanting to spoil everyone's Christmas, had kept this to herself.  My mother is a fighter;  as well as suffering through chemo and radation therapy, she searched out alternative medicines to boost her immune system.  She is a constant inspiration; never giving up.  Today her cancer is receeding and she is getting stronger.
I will release this pattern at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace.  It will be $20.00 (cash please), and the entire $20.00 will be donated to the Credit Valley Hospital Cancer Centre, where my mom received her treatments.  The nurses there are exceptional, and this is our ( my mother & my ) way of giving back.   
 The chart will also be available at the shop and through our website.

Preparing for Easter, the NWMP & Gitta's Getaway

What a glorious week!  The weather was wonderful, with sunny and exceptionally warm days.  I also got much accomplished in the shop - finishing the kits for my Make-it & Take-it demo at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace, decorating the shop for Easter, and finalizing the games and oraganizing (with Margaret's help) all the donations from our suppliers for our Gitta's Getaway Retreat. 

My mom & I spent most of Monday decorating the shop window and the front counter.  At first I wasn't in the mood to haul everything out of storage, but I'm really pleased with the results.  The window looks great - fresh & Springy, just in time for Easter.

Over the front counter we hung some greenery (fake of course) with many of our stitched Easter ornaments.  The rest of the ornaments will be hung next week onto our Pussy Willow bouquet. 







Having received our canvas order this week, I was also able to finish the kits for my demo at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace.  The kits will be $10.00, including all threads, canvas and charm, as well as a blocking board and magnetic backing to finish it into a fridge magnet.  I will demonstrate the Continental/Tent Stitch twice each day.  With limited spaces, there will be a sign up sheet for each session.  Purchase a kit, sit and stitch, and see just how easy the Continental stitch can be. 

In the evenings I also managed to finalize the games for Gitta's Getaway Retreat.  The games, with a bit of fun and some friendly competition,  are intented to help us get to know one another and... of course to win prizes.

At stitch night this past Wednesday Samantha surprised me with the leaflets of her first two published designs.  I was so excited for her.  She is an avid and talented cross stitcher and although she has designed for her personal use for many years, these are the first she has published.
Samantha has been a regular in the Gitta's community since she was a teenager.  Her and her Mom first came into the shop in the mid 1990's, and even with 2 young children she rarely misses Stitch Night.



 Inspired by my 15 sided biscornu, her first 2 published designs each have 15 seasonal specific motifs that can either be stitched as a sampler or finished into a 15 sided biscornu.  They are both adorable and a Fall and Summer version are soon to follow.

Having attended every Gitta's Getaway Retreat with her mom, Samantha has enjoyed meeting other stitchers and sharing her love of stitching.  For this year's Retreat  she has kitted her first design, "Winter Sampler", to make it her gift to everyone attending Gitta's Getaway Retreat.






Gitta's is proud to be the first shop to carry Samantha's designs.  Her patterns are now available for sale in the shop and through our website    Drop by to see her stitched models, and on April 14th and 15th, 2012 you can see them on display in Gitta's booth at the NeedleWorkers MarketPlace

Butterfly Conservatory

This past week my Cousin and his family from New Brunswick visited with us for March Break (their March Break is the week before ours).  His wife and kids have never been to Niagara Falls, and I have never been there in the Winter.  So off we went.  We spent the morning in the Butterfly Conservatory - what a wonderful place!  It is filled with butterflies from all over the world.  As you walk through the conservatory, the butterflies are everywhere in abundance, landing on all the exotic florals and on you.  We all had a fabulous time.

At the entrance to the conservatory is a giant iron sculture of a butterfly.  When I saw it, I couldn't help think that it would look awesome stitched - and here is the chart.

We then spent the afternoon by the Falls, behind the Falls and in a new attraction, Experience Niagara's Fury.  Aside from the weather (although the day we were there the weather was not bad), the Winter is actually a good time to visit the Falls.  There's  not that many people, no line ups, and no problem finding a parking spot.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Click here to view the photo album.                              

Have a great 

March Break!!