Day One: Walking a Mile, or two, in Peggy's Shoes

This was my first full day EVER to walk the floor at a needlepoint market.  Never thought I'd see this day.  Thanks, Amy!  It would have been so wonderful to just wander aimlessly from booth to booth in a dreamlike trance. But there had to be a plan. We started on the highest numbered booth (1723) to the lowest (128).  Just imagine seeing wall after fabulous wall of nothing but needlepoint canvases. You just stop in the aisle with your mouth open, till the next person bumps into you.  I really tried not to act like a newbie, but sometimes I just couldn't hide it.

Here are some of the folks I met along the way. Leigh Richardson (Leigh Designs) with her new Waterbabies,  Ruth Schmuff with her picture of Tigger,  Ada Haydon from EyeCandy Needleart, with her heart piece which was in the recent Needlepoint Now,  Barbara Russell with her incredible dog canvases,  Sharon G with her new trilogy canvases, Susan Roberts & Liz/Tapestry Tent, and, of course, Melissa Shirley.

Here are the 3 new canvases coming from DJ Designs. (Can you guess which one is Robin's favorite?)

DJ Designs C002 • Orchid •  14x14 • 16 mesh •  artist, Marilee Childs

DJ Designs C003 • Moth •  14x14 • 16 mesh • artist, Marilee Childs

DJ Designs DL145 • Lint Brush Required  • 12x12 • 13 mesh

We saw some precious new pieces from The Princess and Me.  My favorite was the Pea in the Pod.  And we just HAD to purchase the new Dog and Cat. You can see how cute they are by looking at the finished model seen on the left of each grouping.

The Princess and Me • C622

 The Princess and Me • C620

 The Princess and Me • C621

I saw so many scissors, and lots of needle work toys at the Lacis booth.  NeedleDeeva has some wonderful pieces including the piece that Robin taught this morning to rave reviews, by the way.  NeedleDeeva Heart #150G is now available with Robin's guide.

Look at these new Canvas Candy canvases which come with Blown Glass ornaments. Aren't they fun? We are going back for more. Here's what we've got coming so far.

Historic Route 66 • Canvas Candy • CR 006 

Blue Vespa Scooter • Canvas Candy • CR 010

Lani's booth was luscious.  We made some great purchases.  Here are some of the new Lani canvases coming: Chinese Lanterns, Tahitian Collage #2, Wine Country Collage, Dark Green Mask, Gold & Black Mask, Gray Damask Mask.

Lani 699 • Chinese Lanterns • 14x14 • 18 mesh

Lani 995 • Tahitian Collage #2 • 15x15 • 13 mesh

Lani 992 • Wine Country Collage • 16x16 • 13 mesh

Lani 1014B • Dark Green Mask • 11x13 • 18 mesh  

Lani 1014 C • Gold & Black Mask • 11x13 • 18 mesh

Lani 1014A • Gray Damask Mask • 11x13 • 18 mesh

 We also reordered Beige Nautilus Collage because Amy already has a Custom Stitch Guide for it.

Lani 955 • Beige Nautilus Collage • 15x15 • 13 mesh

Elizabeth Turner Collection has some great new Needle Buddies and a great new light.  I think it is really nice and may have to get one myself.  It gives you light and magnification but on a small scale.  It will clamp nicely onto your stretcher bars.

MagniFlex • 2X Power Flexible Arm • Lighted Hand-Free Magnifier

Colonial Needle, who purchased Lee's Needle Arts has continued some of the wonderful Lee leather products, and has come up with some great new ones too.  They are continuing lots of the kimono canvases too.  Kelly Clark's booth was filled with her models.  They are unbelievable.  The Susan Roberts booth featured a couple of favorites, Halloween Parade and Christmas Parade.  Amy had guides for both of them.  Kreinik is featuing the new Holographic braid.  They had some stitched pieces which used some.  What a great punch.  Sharon G has used some in one of her models.  It is perfect for effect.  I want to stitch almost everything in JP's line, and Rishfeld's canvases makes you want to stitch right away.  Colors of Praise and Dream House Ventures have great stuff.  We will be returning there tomorrow.

And last, but not least, (it was actually the first place I wanted to run to when the doors opened), was Melissa Shirley.

Four new Wild Women from Melissa Shirley Designs

There are new Wild Women:  Mae West, The Queen of Hearts, Glinda the Good Witch from Oz, and Coco Chanel.  Melissa said the new pictures of the rest of the new spring collection should be up on her website this weekend.

We walked the entire floor, finishing around 5pm.  Amy, Robin and I trecked back to the room to take our shoes off.  I went through all of the catalogues I had picked up.  And then we had ROOM SERVICE DINNER!  Cocktails were well deserved.

We have so much to do tomorrow.  We will narrow down some decisions and begin making the purchases.  I'm sure I will still be in awe.  It is a wonderful experience. Needlework people are so wonderful. Everyone smiles and everyone is happy.  Hope you enjoyed walking in my shoes. Until tomorrow... Peggy.