The Quail s Quill News From Quail Run Needlework June 2011 Specializing In Custom, Innovative Finishing Mercardo del Lago Center 8320 N. Hayden Rd Suite C112 Scottsdale, AZ 85258 480-551-1423 480-551-1425 (fax) 800-635-9750 (toll free) www.quailrun-inc.com Email quailrun@quailrun-inc.com Hours Monday-Friday 10:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturday 10:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Closed Sunday Owner Susan E. Barlow From Susan s Desk We are off to a great start for the summer with great kids classes and Beat the Heat Classes. There is a discount coupon for finishing these projects included with the class. Don't forget the adorable angel canvas being taught in our June Ornament of the Month class. With all our new threads, beads and embellishments, it has been fun putting together classes that teach new techniques. I m excited to introduce new beads to the shop. They come in size 8, 11 and 14. My favorites are the triangles in a wood tone that I have used on houses and trees. The multicolor tubes come in great mixtures good for seasonal projects. Southwest projects are enhanced by the new turquoise beads. Plus, gold tone embellishments can be used for door handles of cars and doors. I had fun incorporating beads into the bracelet featured in this month s newsletter. I am working with a jewelry designer to create pins as well as pendants and bracelets. The canvases to chose from will include geometric, floral, holiday and southwest designs. I have been asked to do a pin for a group so if you have a school or group who would like a design in their colors, let me know. Next month look forward to a preview of the new Quail Run Designs that will be offered at the Summer Market. The designs are done, now I am busy stitching. When these are displayed, look for some creative finishing to complement the designs. Lots of other new items arriving daily including summer beach treasures from Susan Roberts stocking cuffs "OMG", "LOL" and "BFF" canvases from Elizabeth Turner new Dovo scissor styles and new purse designs from Melissa Prince to list a few. Linda Lahm's colorful pinwheels, as seen in Needlepoint Now, are here with a beautiful French beaded flower for the center and accessories for finishing. I have a wonderful 'Wall of Fame digital picture frame on the counter by the register. I enjoy adding your wonderful stitched projects to this gallery. If you have framed or finished pieces you would like me to add, please email a picture. I would love to show your work! This will be a busy and creative summer. There are many new projects to line up for the fall, as well as, our Quail Run and national teacher class schedules to finalize. Stay cool and happy stitching! Susan
New From Dallas Market The shop is overflowing with new items from the Dallas market. Below are a few more that we couldn t squeeze in last month s edition. Angels are always a popular theme for canvas work and Susan Roberts gets very innovative with her new designs. Angelic 3-D heads grace the finished canvas to make these angels very sweet indeed. Threadworx produces this premium hand overdyed Kreinik metallic in 45 brilliant colors. 10 yard skeins come in size 4, 8 and 12 braid. Spanish Olives, Chili Peppers, Shortcake, Wild Poppies are just a few of the gorgeous colors to chose from to bring sparkle to your canvas. For charted design enthusiasts, Laura J. Perin Designs brings us the American Quilt Collection. Painted Pony bring us a second angel this one celebrating our beautiful Grand Canyon State. I m going to stop punishing my children by saying, Never mind! I ll do it myself. ~ Erma Bombeck
Featured Featured Stitcher Stitcher The staff and students at Quail Run are lucky that Deborah Lundgren often chooses to frequent The staff the shop. and students Deborah at is Quail an avid Run stitcher are lucky who that has mastered Deborah the Lundgren art of needlework. often chooses Her canvases to frequent are diverse, the shop. each stitch Deborah perfectly is an executed, avid stitcher and who her selection has mastered of fibers the and art of stitches needlework. creative Her and artful. canvases She s are excited diverse, about each the stitch art of perfectly needlework; executed, and to and all that her selection know of fibers her, and Deborah stitches openly creative shares and enthusiasm artful. She s and vast excited knowledge. about the art of needlework; and to all that know her, Deborah openly shares enthusiasm and vast knowledge. When Quail Run asked me to be the featured stitcher for the newsletter, I was flattered and honored to be chosen from among so many other talented stitchers I have met here. It has been a joy to see all the wonderful ideas springing forth from beautiful canvases. When Quail Run asked me to be the featured stitcher for the newsletter, I was flattered and honored to be chosen from among so many other talented stitchers I have met here. It has been a joy to see My history as a needlepointer starts with learning the craft from my maternal grandmother. As with most of all the wonderful ideas springing forth from beautiful canvases. us, the hands of our ancestors were always kept busy. Yiayia (Greek for grandmother) was multi-talented My history as and a needlepointer she shared these starts talents with learning with me the starting craft at from age my 7 with embroidery. She had started to maternal needlepoint grandmother. a piano bench As with cover most but of after us, she the finished hands of all our of ancestors the flowers in the piece, she became allergic to were the always wool. My kept mother busy. started Yiayia (Greek on the background for grandmother) but soon was gave up on it. We can all relate! After Yiayia s multi-talented death in 1965, and I made she shared it my mission these talents to complete with me the starting piece. at It age is now 7 at it s rightful place at my mother s with square embroidery. grand piano She still had in started my to needlepoint a piano bench cover but grandmother s after she finished home. all of the flowers in the piece, she became allergic to the wool. My mother started on the background but soon gave up on it. We can all relate! After Yiayia s death in 1965, I made it my mission to complete the piece. It is now at it s rightful place at my mother s square grand piano I continued still my to stitch grandmother s with friends home. of Yiayia s until they talked me into opening a shop. In 1976, The Needlepointer was born in Reno and my grandfather was mortified because he said I would never meet a I continued to stitch with friends of Yiayia s until they talked me into opening a shop. In 1976, The husband in the needlework business. At the first Market I went to, I met Kent who was the first rep for Needlepointer was born in Reno and my grandfather was mortified because he said I would never meet a husband Sunset Designs and after buying his line we married! in the needlework business. At the first Market I went to, I met Kent who was the first rep for Sunset Designs and after buying his line we married! In In those those days, days, we we were were just just starting to to use use decorative stitches but but only only using using Paternayan wool. wool. I had I had met met a a forward thinker who who taught me me to to think beyond the the continental stitch and and I learned I the the beginning versions of of the multitude the multitude of different of different stitches stitches we use we today. use today. Needlepoint has been my passion to learn, experiment, share, and develop. It is my life and it is my greatest love after my family of course! Needlepoint has been my passion to learn, experiment, share, and develop. It is my life and it is my greatest love after my family of course! Look for Deborah s stitching guidelines in next month s newsletter. Look for Deborah s stitching guidelines in next month s newsletter. Quail Run thanks Deborah for accepting our invitation to be our Featured Stitcher. She graciously shared her thoughts and opened her home so we could photograph her work and write write this this piece. piece. Thank Thank you. you. Susan Susan
Featured Stitcher A few of Deborah Lundgren s finished works. This great geometric design makes a perfect insert for this functional bag. What better way to carry needlework back and forth to class and stitching sessions. The garden chair is beaded to bring it to life & capture the eye. Flowers are 3-dimensional, some done in picot, others in ribbon, and yet others are metal models, with just the right amount of beading to accentuate. An exceptional embellishment is the perfectly scaled lace that serves as a hand cloth and drapes the edge of the table. This framed Sharon G canvas captures what Deborah does so well combines the perfect stitch with a striking, unusual thread all the while executing a perfect blend of colors! These two pieces are beautifully paired to create a focal point above the family s living room s fireplace. The rich colors and dimensional stitches make the country side design look lifelike. While the fruit has an appealing dreamy quality.
Not To Be Missed The May trunk show came from Waterweave, and with it some great finished models. Although no longer in the store, we like to include Not to Be Missed which displays the finished models sent by the designers along with their trunk shows. At times we get a glimpse at how a seemingly ordinary canvas can become spectacular! At other times, we are inspired or gleam a finishing idea for our own projects. Susan
Alice s Wonderland of Needlework Alice Hall is always a wealth of information and ideas. Last month she gave us three wonderful techniques for beginning and ending threads. This month, Alice shares a couple more. Hello Fellow Stitchers: When beginning where there is existing stitching use a "Bargello Tuck", as known as a "Lock Stitch". On the underside pull the thread gently under existing stitches until the tail is buried, then take the needle back in the opposite direction first going over the top of a thread or two of the stitched area and then back under threads. This will form a "U" shape with your end of your new thread and when pulled on will lock itself in place. With rayon threads you should repeat this tuck one more time. If you could see it, it would now look like an "S". The "Bargello Tuck"/"Lock Stitch" is the best way to end your threads, it will not come undone. When ending threads always cut the thread close to the canvas, for a neat back. Also, you will not catch the "spaghetti" with you new thread and pull it to the front and into your stitching. One more thought on beginning and ending threads on your canvas when stitching Basketweave. Always - always begin or end vertical or horizontal, never on the diagonal. Basketweave is a diagonal stitch and if you run your needle and thread through the back of the basketweave on the diagonal it will cause a very noticeable "dimpled" line on the front of your canvas. Happy Stitching until we meet again. Alice What s New We have new accessories arriving weekly! What better way to display your handiwork than to wear it. These jewelry pieces pin, pendant & bracelet come in different finishes and are designed to be fitted with your stitched piece. This is a Quail Run exclusive! Beads, beads & more beads. You can choose from a selection of matching embellishment beads. Or if you re looking for a single one-of-a-kind bead, that s available as well.
June Trunk Shows Marie Barber is the designer behind Colors of Praise. She is a trained artist which is evident when you see the beautifully designed canvases she creates.
Beat the Heat Classes We re all challenged when it comes to surviving Arizona s 100+ degree summers. To help you make the most of the season, Quail Run has scheduled summer classes. We invite you to sign-up for a project class, bring a friend, learn something new, and stitch to your heart s content all in the cool comfort of our air conditioned shop. June 17th July 15th & August 19th Twas the Night Before Christmas is a fun canvas from Strictly Christmas. The class is a great way to learn different ribbon stitches and bows, as well as beading techniques. Your project can be finished as an ornament, standup, or small pillow. 10% Off This Heart Bordered Santa is a sweet canvas by Emily Garcia. In addition to the fun of stitching, you ll learn how to use overdye thread in great stitches, a quick beard technique and a darning pattern for the background. With each class, you ll receive a coupon for a 10% discount for finishing the class project. Please call the shop to sign-up or to obtain more details. (Projects shown are works in progress. )
Jill Rigoli, Danji Designs In April, Quail Run was fortunate to have Jill Rigoli, of Danji Designs, share her needlework expertise with students at a Saturday enhancement class. Along with her she brought two completed models Halloween mice, by Danji designer Lainey Daniels. She also shared a Laurel Burch canvas that is her work in progress. The beading adds a great touch! The combination of fabulous threads and stitches make this work in progress absolutely stunning. Kids Stitching With summer break just around the corner, Quail Run has scheduled summer needlepoint classes for children. Saturday, June 11th Saturday, July 9th Saturday, August 13th Class Time: 10:00 to noon Each child must be accompanied by an adult throughout the class. Sign-up early, seating is limited. Christmas in July HO HO HO It s never too early to start thinking about holiday decorations at least not for to a needlepointer. We all know that with the fall season comes the deadline for finishing holiday pieces. Well, the shop is throwing out a little nudge and offering a discount on finishing for pieces submitted early. So get stitching and look for the details in next month s newsletter. Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.~ Russel Baker
The Shop s Bookshelf We love to keep our bookshelves stocked with new, as well as tried and true, needlework books. Some help us with basic stitching, while others address specific subjects and types of needlework. Regardless, they all serve as great tools for the serious and amateur stitcher. SharonG s Needlepoint SENSE (Simply Essential Needlepoint Stitch Explantions) By SharonG Anyone who has been around needlepoint for even a short time, knows the name SharonG. As a needlepoint designer, she provides us with some of the most beautiful and creative canvases on the market. Fortunately, she has taken her talent one step further and put her needlework experience into words. Everything Blackwork is New Again By Julia Key H. Snyder We always hear that all things come around. Apparently so, evidenced by the resurgence of Blackwork. Blackwork embroidery is a counted-thread technique that can be traced back to the 16th century (and per some accounts, much earlier). Stitches were used to create complex and intricate designs, often employed to embellish garments or household items such as bed linens. Today, Blackwork has found its way to the needlepoint canvas. At times, it is employed to allow the canvas to show through; and at other times, it s stitched over other stitches for contrast. It has a place in backgrounds and borders alike. Regardless of the application, it serves as a great enhancement. SharonG s Needlepoint SENSE is an easy to use guide. At it s basic level, almost 70 stitches are clearly described and diagramed. What elevates this book is the categorization of those stitches which helps stitchers decide when and where to use them. Categories are: Stitches with very low texture & minimal pattern Allows the stitched area to recede. Stitches with medium texture and no diagonal flow Useful for areas w/ no diagonal flow. Many lend themselves to the inclusion of beads. Stitches with a well-defined diagonal flow Creates motion and can be enhanced with the use of different thread within the pattern. Armed with the knowledge of which stitches adapt to which areas and applications, makes the stitcher s job easier and ensures a finished project that will be beautifully executed. SharonG tells us in the book s introduction that this is just the first in a series. We can t wait to see what follows!
Upcoming Ornament of the Month Classes Ornament of the Month classes are held each month. They are a collection of unique projects employing a broad variety of needlework techniques. Projects are designed to be quick and easy to complete. June July Holiday Angel June s angel is a Quail Run design and comes in 3 versions. One angel is dressed in blue and is playing a mandolin, another has purple clothing and is holding a garland, and the third is draped in blue and holding a basket of poinsettias. Quantities vary per design so students will select their choice on a first come first serve basis. Stitch guides for each are by Alice Hall. Canvas size 8x10. Mini Shopping Bag How sweet and festive are these mini bags! The Christmas tree design will be used for our class project. Use your bag to present a special holiday gift, or hang it on the tree. The chart will have designs for 6 different bags. These bags come from designer Carolyn Mitchell. Canvas size is 9x11 on white opalescence canvas. August Susan Portra is a nationally known needlepoint designer who focuses on geometric designs. This particular Portra design is number 13 in a series, entitled Cabochon. This charted needlepoint piece measures 8x10. Ornament of the Month classes are held the 3rd Saturday of each month. Canvas, fibers and instructional material are included in all classes.
Quail Run Needlework Calendar June 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 2 3 4 10:30-12:30 1:30-3:30 Canvas Enhancement 9:00-noon & 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Closed 10:30-12:30 1:30-3:30 Children s Class 10:00-noon Private Lesson 10:00-noon & 1:00-3:00 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Closed Private Lesson 10:00-noon & 1:00-3:00 10:30-12:30 Beat the Heat Project Class 11:00-3:00 Ornament of the Month 9:00-noon Canvas Enhancement 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 Closed Private Lesson 10:00-noon & 1:00-3:00 10:30-12:30 Japanese Embroidery 10:00-4:00 1:30-3:30 Japanese Embroidery 10:00-4:00 26 27 28 29 30 Closed 10:30-12:30 Private Lesson 10:00-noon & 1:00-3:00 : : Private Lesson: Come join fellow needlework enthusiasts for a few hours of stitching. Bring a new or old project to life with a wonderful array of threads and amazing stitches. A one-on-one experience is the perfect way to get started learning the art of needlepoint. Canvas Enhancement: Receive expert instruction and creative ideas on the threads and stitches to employ on your current needlepoint project.