That Was Then…This Is Now!

I have been thinking for a while that some of my designs from back in the 70's and 80's could really stand to be updated. What was perfect for 1975, say, had begun to seem a bit outdated to me. So I have rejuvenated some of the "oldies but goodies" in my line. Here are a few before and after pictures:

Above - oldie;  below - updated version

 

Above - oldie;  below - updated version

Unfortunately, I must have gotten rid of my oldie picture of the Tropical Fish Brick, but here is the new version. The oldie was darker and less colorful.

I plan on updating a few more designs, whenever I can find the time.

* * * * * * *

All that being said, what amazes me is that quite a few of my "oldies" are still just as popular today as they were way back when. Here is a prime example - 42 years later, and it is just as enticing as it was in 1972, when I first designed it! Of course, back then, nobody did anything but basketweave with Paternayan wool. What makes a design like this ribbon pillow so more fun to stitch now is all the amazing fibers, beads and embellishments we have available to us, and the wonderful stitch books and diagrams that have been written in the past three to four decades.

As they used to say back in the 70's, "You've come a long way, baby!"

Janet Perry (Napa Needlepoint) is currently creating a stitch guide for this, which will really bring it into the 21st century. I can't wait to see it!

Happy Memorial Day Weekend!

I always think of my grandparents who served in "the war" and of my father who was an army paratrouper, though he was never in action in Korea. Both my father's mother and my husband's mother were army nurses the former in WWI and the latter WWII. Brave human beings all. 

Happy start of the summer season, too!

Finishing discoveries

It is so much fun to peruse Facebook and Pinterest and suddenly come across a finished example of one of my designs. Other people's ideas can totally transform the way I think of my designs. Here are two example I just came across, both from The Needle Works, in Austin, TX.

 I love the subtle colors used above, along with the jewels in the crown. I also love the beautiful background stitch, and the silk dupioni border. The choice of threads & fabric make this much more subtle than my original (below).

And how clever is this?! Stitched by Teresa C., my Tropical Mini Angel Fish has been finished to become a pet that never needs food (or cleaning the fish bowl).

...and here is how two different stitchers & their finishers interpreted my "Keep Calm…" Lilly Signature canvas:

Stitched by Dana Dickenson & finished by The Needlepointer, Everett, WA

Finished by Needlepoint.com, Raleigh, NC

…and I love these different ways of finishing my mini whales:

Stitched by Lisa Christensen Petersen

Stitched by Ann LaPlante and finished by Sue Parsons, West Coast Finishing

Back in the Saddle - San Diego & Beyond!

Hi all -

I have been way too busy to blog over the past four months, and here's why…

When I bought out my former rep in December, and started with the inventory they had had in stock, I thought I would be fine to fill orders written at the San Diego TNNA show in January. Boy, was I wrong! (Not that I'm complaining!!) The San Diego show was such a great success, that I sold out of the inventory I had purchased, and have been hand painting most canvases to order, as I slowly rebuild my inventory.

The best news is that I now have tons of inventory either on my shelves, or just about to be, so that in the future, my wonderful customers will (almost) never have to wait for their orders to be shipped.

I cannot thank all of you - shops and retail customers - who have been so patient over the past three months, waiting for your orders to arrive. You're the best!

Here are some pictures from the San Diego Show, which I could NOT have done, without the fabulous assistance of my cute sister, Liz Gardner. This was the first trade I had done since 1984 - 30 years! We had a ton of fun. The best part….meeting customers and Facebook pals in person.

My display at the Needlepoint "What's New" during the opening night cocktail party. What fun that event was!

Our booth finally set up

Our outside wall. We actually didn't have enough space to display everything we had brought.

 Everyone loved that Liz and I were color coordinated with our wares. I guess we'll make that a tradition from now on.

Shots taken with my iPhone - sorry for the garish colors.

The finished pillows were a big hit, as buyers could see the different stitches used. Now, three months later, I have finally finished all the stitch guides to go with them!

One of my extra display boards.

So what's next? Well, I'm still getting out the last of the San Diego orders, and have signed up for TWO booths at the Indianapolis show next month. I'm looking forward to meeting new shop owners, and seeing my new "old friends" again.

AND...I am going to try to post something at least once a week from now on, so stay tuned for more.

Exciting changes for us!!

Dear friends -

I am absolutely thrilled to announce that I have just brought full control of my needlepoint design business in-house. As of this week, my canvases are no longer being represented by CBK. I am now completely in charge of design, production, marketing and fulfillment of all orders, which means shop owners can talk directly with me about what they want, and commission special orders as well.

Because so many of you know me by name, I have changed my company name to Kate Dickerson Needlepoint Collections, but my brand new website is listed under both KSH Needlepoint Designs & Kate Dickerson, so it should be easy to find.

I am still selling wholesale to needlework shops only, but I love talking with customers too, to hear what your feedback and what you might like to see in future designs. If you don't know where to purchase my canvases, just check out my extensive list of retail shops - with links - on my website here.

I will be cataloging all of my designs on the website from now on. But continue to check this blog frequently for interesting articles and ideas related to needlepoint. Finally, don't forget to "Like" my Facebook page, where I will also be posting news.

Happy stitching!  Kate

Enjoy my new website!

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October 30 - Moroccan Tiles in Pinks, Oranges & Turquoise

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October 29 - Dhurrie Square with Medallions - Summer Melons Palette

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October 27-28 - Hawaiian Eyeglass Case & Ooh La La Fleur-de-Lys

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October 26 - Zebra Belt in Pinks

Breast Cancer Awareness Month - October 25 - Shells Tray with Pink Scallops

I was just over at my beloved mother's house and took a picture of this tray I designed, especially for her, back in 1985. I'm going to bring it back into my line in her honor.