Cash's (sometimes called J&J Cash) is a UK company located in Coventry, England. Cash's has been producing silk embroidered bookmarks, luggage and clothing labels and name tags for over 150 years. You might assume something as ubiquitous as a clothing label would not merit museum level custom framing.

But you would be wrong.

Cash's produces a product that is clearly motivated by quality and pride in craftsmanship. It is genuinely a work of art, much in the same vein as a beautifully machined watch. A labor of love, so to speak.

This is a silk embroidered horned owl, which is part of a limited run of coniferous forest animals Cash's produced. Other varmints include a peregrine falcon, an otter and some wood ducks. Each piece is about the size of a business card and each will have their own frame.

Cash's is currently producing a series of Beatrix Potter silks, which is a perfect visual for the embroidery medium. And the price is very, very reasonable.

Many years ago, a very good framing customer brought in this beautiful antique jigsaw puzzle to be framed. It was from the turn of the 19th century and the construction itself is a work of art. The pieces are scroll sawed and several pieces themselves are shaped as children's toys (monkeys, toy soldiers, etc.). It is a remarkable example of craftsmanship.

The only problem was that a single piece of the puzzle was missing. This seemed very tragic and because of the depth of the puzzle, it was as obvious as a missing tooth on a beautiful model in a toothpaste ad. But, it is what it is, and since it had been in her family for many, many years, it was decided to frame it up regardless, as is.

Jump ahead several years to the present...the customer removes a drawer from a dresser and low-and-behold the missing puzzle piece reappears from behind the drawer.

There is something very therapeutic in knowing that the missing puzzle piece will soon be reunited with its brothers and sisters and now the picture is complete.

The Lord works in mysterious ways.

This time of year creates some beautiful opportunities for panorama photography. The light is becoming longer and the trees are just beginning to turn color. The Mississippi River in particular is a good panorama subject in this area because there are plenty of river bluffs to capture the wide expanse of the river.

The photo above was captured at Buena Vista Park above Alma, Wisconsin. It is a spectacular overlook. The weather was borderline inclement, which creates wonderful atmospheres for the camera lens.

This is a 4:1 print. Large format printing is ideal for a very narrow print like this. In order to really appreciate a print like this, it does require some height to the image, which means it will grow very wide, very fast. A 12" high print becomes a 48" wide print. Add some mat (typically 3" all around) and some moulding, the overall image is nearly 5 feet wide. This is a 'high drama' image that demands attention as soon as you walk into the room.

Red Wing Framing Gallery scientists have been quietly and diligently working very hard since the beginning of 2009 on a number of new products. With the advent of 'digital everywhere' technologies, customers have been insisting on using their own images to decorate their environments in a fashion that mirror both their lifestyle and taste. Our challenge is to meet this expectation with innovative and unique products.

Two products are nearing introduction. The first product is a 'Gallery Panel' and is targeted to the contemporary customer who wants a unique and fresh way to present. The Gallery Panel is elegant with old-school details, but also has a very bold and progressive presentation. Very ebony and ivory (?).

The second product is a bit further behind in introduction. It is code-named the 'Image Sandwich' or I-S for short. The I-S will be a transmissive image that will allow light from behind and lay flat on a wall. The early prototypes are promising, but there may be some practical size limitations that need to be determined. I-S Version 2.0 will also be a PDA. :)

The European marketplace tends to be more aggressive in pushing image technology. The irony is that some of the best ideas come from organizations in Europe that have been in the image business since the middle ages. We are not above learning from our European brethren, but it is very important to be both unique and creative.

Product announcements as they warrant and teasers are always free and unsolicited.

And please disregard any misinformation.

Another restaurant opened in Downtown Red Wing. Stewy's on Main will serve breakfast, lunch and dinner and provide a full bar offering.

Stew approached us a month ago and gave us free reign (with his final approval) to design attractive wall images . It was decided to focus on local iconic scenes, with a focus on both sides of the Mississippi River.

Panel Prints are used. This is a print on hardboard and mounted with a reverse frame to create a wall stand-off and laminated with a linen finish. The beauty of this product is that it is very contemporary, pool table flat, no glass is used and it creates a very nice drop-shadow effect. Each image is either 40"x40" or 27"x40".

The first grouping of three are all Downtown Red Wing photos, with the common denominator of the violin-playing model. These were printed with a brown sepia tone.

The second grouping is from the Maiden Rock Flood Run in 2004. Same image tone, different effect.

One wall is all about elegance and grace and the other wall is all about machines and chrome.

Yin and Yang. Joanie loves Chachi.