A brighter outlook, maybe

Well, maybe things are brighter.  Blogger just informed me that it no longer supports my browser.  That sure doesn't sound good.  I think I need to consult my computer gurus since I don't think my laptop is that old.  I certainly don't want to replace it for another few years.  Of course, this past week I wanted to add a sale page to the blog and managed to insert a caption on the top right.  But blogger wouldn't let me do anything else.  I'd like to take a page from Ridgewood's Needlepoint Shop by listing some sale canvases, but I would like to keep them separate from my regular entries.  Of course, the middle of season is not the time to do something mentally challenging--I should save it for summer when I'll have lots of free time. 

My shop stitching has been for customers.  I finished stitching the dark motifs on the belt for one customer and started the black background on a Christmas stocking for another customer.  I'm doing a variation on the basketweave using black impressions.  The pattern is 3 rows of basketweave, then a row of slanted gobelin over 2 threads, 3 rows of basketweave, keep repeating.  It looks great, but the photograph isn't very clear.  I'll try for another when I have more stitched.

And even better news, Adele and Helen finished stitching on this rug for a customer.  Monday Helen will make the Paternayan cording to go around the finished edge and then I'll ship it to the finisher.  The customer is delighted!  We've been stitching this in the shop since last summer. 

This canvas, designed by Edie & Ginger, was purchased from Needle Nicely about 22 years ago.  The customer feared she wouldn't live to finish it and wanted to see it done, so brought it to us.  As an aside, she had purchased extra of the border yarn so we have an uncut hank to use to make the cording for the edge.  Otherwise, we might have been stymied.  They are still yammering about the sale of Paternayan.  I just wish they'd get on with it.