One of our customers, Helen Razenson of Unique Impressions in Bethpage, New York, won an award in the 30th annual Impressions Awards this year for a unique portrait she digitized and stitched out of her parents. Using a photograph of Mom and Dad in front of the fire station in North Merrick, NY, where her 88 year old dad is still active, Helen created an embroidered tapestry to emulate her parents. “My mom passed away three years ago,” explains Helen, “and this was done from a photograph of them that I admired. I did the background with the new matte finish thread (Frosted Matt). Most of the rest was Madeira’s Polyneon and metallic. I felt the matt finish on the background would make the image of my parents really pop out.” While our photo doesn’t do it justice, anyone who sees the actual stitchout at the ISS shows can attest to the obvious blood, sweat and tears…and love and creativity… that went into it. Helen offers embroidery, sign making, digital printing and screen printing at her shop, where she operates Tajima, Melco and SWF machines. For more information, visit www.uniqueimpressions.com or call 800 760-2889.