Friday, July 31, 2015

Common Thread by DMC

I've been receiving emails from DMC about their new Common Thread site, which seems to be a mix of charts, handmade items and DMC threads.  It looks like they are reaching out to folks interested in the maker movement who want to do it themselves.
http://us10.campaign-archive1.com/?u=76a30fd01cfc20abba91a789c&id=f52f588647&e=f7c1b12c64

Looks like it all went live last night.  None of their emails had a link to their new website but I managed to find it this morning.  Here's the link--
http://commonthread.us

Have fun exploring!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 30, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I've Been Enticed

Entice in Many Colors

Have you tried Rainbow Gallery's new Entice yet?  Entice is a rayon thread with a bit of matching metallic woven into the strand.  Here are the available colors.  The photo above doesn't have them all, just the first set that Rainbow Gallery kindly sent me for review.  Note there are many shades of gold, blue, green, and purple plus several reds and pinks as well as black and white and cream.
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/detail.cfm?id=1347

I don't really like rayon threads much so I am not that experienced with them.  Therefore I enlisted Pat Miller of the Needleart Nut blog to help me with this review.  My first thought was how does Entice differ from Twinkle and Silk Lame Braid?  Pat's used Twinkle, a similar rayon-metallic thread from Gone Stitching.  She says Twinkle has only one strand of sparkle so that the metallic isn't always on top when you are stitching.  There are 37 colors of Twinkle and only 23 of Entice right now.  (I'm writing this in July 2015.)  Twinkle doesn't unravel much at the cut end (Entice does that Big Time) , the metallic doesn't unwind, and Twinkle is about the same diameter as size 8 perle cotton.  I think Entice is a bit fatter, sort of larger than size 8 perle but smaller than size 5 perle cotton.  Twinkle has good coverage on 18 count and isn't hard to pull through the holes.  It doesn't snag on dry hands either.
http://www.gonestitching.net/new/index.php/supplies/threads/twinkle-threads.html


Close Up of Pat's Fiery Brazil

Pat says that Twinkle has less metallic than Entice does.  She used both on one of Leigh Designs' Jungle Heat pieces and loaned me a photograph that shows both of them.  The green stems and caps are Entice and the black leaves are in Twinkle. Pat says Twinkle does twinkle in the light but Entice is more generally shiny.  By the way, the bits of light pink flower petal in the upper left are Silk Lame Braid so you can see all three threads in Pat's photograph.  Here's a larger version from the Leigh Designs' website.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Mdl6303.html

Speaking of Silk Lame Braid, it is similar to Entice when it comes to the bits of metallic but the rayon of Entice is shinier than the silk in Silk Lame Braid.  Of course Silk Lame Braid comes in three sizes and Entice only one.  Entice is a bit fat for 18 count but if you use Silk Lame Braid you can choose a size. I imagine you can pull out a strand from both threads to make it smaller but I don't like to do that personally as the thread becomes unruly in my hands. (Other people do this successfully.  I am just clumsy I think.)   I discovered on 13 count Entice works very well, with little snagging and less unraveling at the cut end.  On 18 count I had more trouble with the unraveling.  I've not used my Thread Zapper to burn the end to see if that helps the fraying as mine died and I just replaced it, but if you use a large needle (size 18 or 20 are best) and short lengths, the fraying and unraveling of Entice as you work with it is minimized.  It's perfect for 13 count, though a larger needle helps here, too.

When it comes to sparkle, Entice looks like a softer version of Kreinik metallic.  On the sparkle spectrum, Kreinik has the most bling, Entice is next, with Twinkle and Silk Lame Braid bringing up the rear with a slight edge to Twinkle as the rayon is a little shinier than the silk in Silk Lame Braid (although there is more metallic showing in Silk Lame Braid).

I like Entice although I like it better for 13 count than 18 count.  I don't have any experience with Twinkle but hopefully Pat's experience and photographs will help you choose between these threads and Silk Lame Braid and Kreinik so you can find just the right amount of sparkle for your next project.

Many thanks to Pat Miller for her help with this review!  Do visit Pat's blog for more stitching fun!
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Turkeywork Tip

Twice in one week I've heard people saying that Glad Wrap's Press'n Seal was the perfect thing to put over you canvas before trimming turkey work stitches.  I'd never even heard of Press'n Seal, but I found information about it online.  Next time you are grocery shopping, you might pick some up for that fur trimming in your future!
https://www.glad.com/food-storage/plastic-wrap/press-n-seal/

By the way, the video is hilarious.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 23, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Take one Milliner's Needle and Add Beads....

Mary Corbet once again shows off fun ways to combine embroidery stitches and beads. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/07/beaded-cast-on-stitch-tutorial.html

I have to confess I'd never have thought to combine a cast on stitch and beads but it looks great!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

18th Century Sampler Cyber Class Information

Susan Johnson of SJ Designs just announced that her 18th Century Sampler will be available as a cyber class, probably starting in early September.  Use the side arrow to see the smaller version of the "18th Century Sampler" which is shown on black and suitable for #18 mesh instead of 24 count Congress cloth.
https://www.facebook.com/100217680025450/photos/pcb.859514007429143/859513797429164/?type=1&theater

Want more information?  Email Susan at susan@sj-designs.com and put "18th Century Sampler Class" in the subject line of the email to ensure a quick response.  I'm hoping information will go up on her website shortly but it looks like her SJ Designs Facebook page will have the latest first.
http://www.sj-designs.com/pages/home.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 22, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Introducing the Rolaframe

Danielle has just purchased a Rolaframe to use for her larger canvas pieces.  She stitches in hand instead of using a table or floor frame, and wanted something lightweight and easy to use.  She really likes it.
http://stitcherista.blogspot.com/2015/07/rolaframe.html

The company is in Huntsville, Alabama but they don't have a website, just a Facebook page.  It is full of photographs, though, so you can see all the products they carry, then email them at RolaframeHSV@gmail.com for more information.
https://www.facebook.com/RolaframeHSV

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

Liz Shows Off Her Studio UPDATED

Liz Morrow moved last year and has set up a studio for herself in the new place. You are going to love it.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/my-studio.html

This is the Chandler Creations website, the storage options page.  The website also has videos showing how things are assembled and a page of photographs of their tables and storage cabinets used by various customers.  It's all very inspiring!
http://www.chandlercreations.com/store/1406927/page/629006

UPDATE:  Chandler Creations is having a sale and some items are forty percent off.  FYI!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips on Photographing Framed Needlework

Michael Mixon of Hanging Around Hoover, a custom framing shop in Alabama, posts frequent photographs of his framed needlepoint on Facebook at the large Needlepoint group there.  Recently I started to wonder how on earth he manages to get good photographs of his framing.  When I take photographs of framed pieces, glare off the glass is always a problem.  So I asked Michael and here are his tips:


"1. Shot with no glazing on the piece or 2. Use museum or AR glass or, 3. Set up two strobe lights at 4 and 8 o'clock positions to drown the piece with light and cancel out any room glare. - Option 1 is the easiest, and a polarizing lens filter also helps."


He makes it sound easy!  Thanks, Michael.

You can see Michael's framing on the shop Facebook page or...

---you can go straight to the shop website.

Have fun exploring!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Retreat's on Fire!

It's July and you know what that means--plenty of classes and retreats! Shops often have retreats this time of year when the weather's good and folks can get a little time off from work to indulge themselves in a great class or two.  Ruth Schmuff had an embellishment class with ten students working from the stitch guides she devised.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/07/embellishment-by-ruth.html

The Enriched Stitch invited Meredith Willet to come teach.  She's the one who suggested Suzie bring a candle and matches....
http://astheneedleturns.com/burn-baby-burn/

Pocket Full of Stitches had Laura Taylor come teach a Needle Deeva piece to the entire class.  It looks like a good time was had by all!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2015/07/stitching-retreat-with-laura-taylor.html

You can browse the tab above to see if a class, retreat or exhibit will be held near you. Or click on this link.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/p/classes-and-retreats.html

Don't forget the matches or the fun!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, July 27, 2015

Needlepoint Unwelcome for Jury Duty

Thanks to Jo Christensen who mentioned this on Facebook, I have a story that will amaze you from England.   (The needlework pictured appears to be cross stitch but that might be what she was working on when the photograph was taken.)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3174777/Former-aide-Charles-barred-taking-needlepoint-jury-service-case-uses-weapon.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 26, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Small Space Stitches

Mary at the Whimsical Stitch blog has started a feature she calls Small Space Sundays. She plans to list stitches that work very well for small spaces on her blog on occasional Sundays. Here is the first--a shortened version of encroaching gobelin stitch.
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2015/7/12/small-space-sunday

The nice thing about the article is Mary talks about various uses for the stitch and what threads she thinks work particularly well for it.  I'll update this article as Mary talks about other stitches that work well in tiny spaces.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, July 26, 2015

A New Freebie from Laura

Fans of Laura Perin's counted canvaswork charts have reason to cheer this week as Laura has released a new free chart!   It is called "Little Flower Basket #1" which I hope means there will be others in the series before too long. Thank you, Laura!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2015/07/a-little-free-friday-fun.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlepoint Church

I've pretty much stopped posting photographs of finishing since so many blogs are doing it now but Ridgewood's latest batch of photos of customer pieces has an amazing dimensional church. There are some very cute ducklings and candy canes, too, but the church is outstanding.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/07/finishing-friday_10.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, July 25, 2015

Kelly Clark Demonstrates a Needle Felted Bee

Kelly Clark is stitching her bee skep club that shops are offering and she posted a lesson on how to create a needle felted bee for the fifth canvas (the bee skep in the stone wall) on her blog.
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2015/07/stumpwork-bumble-bees-needle-felting.html

It's a great tutorial on making bees and wings whether you are interested in her club or not.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Belt Without a Background

Needle Paint experiments with belts whose motifs only are stitched.  No backgrounds!
http://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2015/07/09/quick-stitch-custom-needlepoint-belt-kits/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 9, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, July 24, 2015

The Sheep Wore Overdyes

Lorraine of Colour Complements posted a photograph of some of her threads used in a Brenda Stofft design of a sheep.  Denise's stitching is wonderful and so is the original piece, so I knew you would want to see how she used some of the Colour Complements threads.
http://colourcomplements.com/2015/07/needlepoint-27.html

The full design can be seen on Brenda Stofft's website. It's "Sheep with Wreath,"  fourth row from the bottom.
http://www.brendastofftdesign.com/#!spring-and-easter/camp

If you are a threadaholic and must have some to play with, here is the Colour Complements website.  I have a few precious skeins in my stash waiting for a project I might get to next year. Lovely stuff!
http://colourcomplements.com/shop

Lorraine also has an Etsy store.  Please don't drool on your keyboard!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/colourcomplements?ref=em

Thanks for the share, Lorraine. I love Denise's sheep!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Gadget Queen UPDATED

Danielle talks about her favorite gadgets.
http://stitcherista.blogspot.com/2015/07/gadgets.html

UPDATE:  More fun tools!
http://stitcherista.blogspot.com/2015/07/more-gadgets.html

If you are into tools the way Danielle is, check out the latest things available from Needlepoint Tool Time...
http://www.needlepointtooltime.com

...and from Needle Little More.
http://www.needlelittlemore.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Plus if you need help collecting cool and useful things, Ruth's got a club for that.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/07/gadgets-gizmos-and-great-inventions.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 9, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 23, 2015

Copyright and Deviant Art

DeviantArt.com is a website devoted to art, so of course they are very interested in intellectual property rights and protecting an artist's works from theft of various kinds.  Recently they posted a discussion (with many links for further reading) about copyright and the Internet, and much of this pertains to needlepoint designs.  You can see their presentation here.
http://protectart.deviantart.com/journal/The-Art-Theft-Discussion-544490149

We all know the impact that cross stitch designers have felt from rampant copying and distribution of their work.  They have lost thousands (and even tens of thousands) of dollars from this practice, and it has driven many designers out of business.  Needlepoint designs have also been impacted by copyright violations but in a different way.  The most obvious similarities to what has happened to the cross stitch world are the copying of stitch guides and charts to be sold on eBay and Etsy or handed out among friends.  I think the rampant copyright violation of unlicensed logos and brand names may catch up with some painted canvas designers and cause them great financial harm eventually.  But that is my opinion only.  Needlepoint is under the radar to some extent and that may protect the law breakers from being noticed by those they are ripping off as long as they stay away from Disney and Harry Potter items.  (These companies are well known for having legal teams dedicated to protecting their intellectual property and prosecuting violators.)

Regardless of all that, it is smart for all of us to educate ourselves about copyright and what's legal and what isn't.  The best discussion of copyright I know that talks directly about copyright in the world of needlepoint in the United States is on the Needlepoint Now website.  If you haven't read this, you probably should.
https://www.needlepointnow.com/advertising/copyright/

Thanks for staying legal and ethical!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Frank and HIs Needlepoint Pillow

Frank's Bathroom with Needlepoint Pillow

While doing something totally unrelated I stumbled across the announcement that Frank Sinatra's Villa Maggio in Calfornia is for sale. What is it that makes us stop and stare at celebrity homes?  Whatever it is, I'm glad I looked because I found a needlepoint pillow.  The motto on it says 'One Can Never Have Enough Dogs" and there is a paw print border and three pooches in the center with the lettering.  Now I have no idea if Frank Sinatra actually owned dogs (many of these homes are styled to make them sell) but I liked the pillow and wanted to share it.
http://www.lonny.com/Frank+Sinatra's+California+Compound+Is+For+Sale?utm_source=yaho&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Yaho-LN-US-Desktop-Specials-Home-Frank-Sinatra

The house is in Pinyon Crest in the Coachella Valley and is selling for just under $4 million.  It was built in 1970, but since several people have owned the house since Frank had it built, this probably isn't really his pillow.  I did find a photo of his bedroom in another house and there are four needlepoint pillows there.  The two blue ones both seem to say "Frank" while the chair pillows say "You Dirty Rat" and "Don't Get Mad Get Even."
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/93027548523048208/

Fun!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 9, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 22, 2015

Looking for a Fun Project?

If you have lots of leftover threads and bits of canvas you can't bear to throw away, how about using them in a Christmas ornament project from Susan Portra? 
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2015/07/holiday-ornaments-by-susan-portra-72015.html

It would be a great learning project for a new stitcher and a great project for a local guild to have fun with, too, particularly if you want to decorate a library or stitch for a fund raiser.  All you need are copies of the magazine and a pile of extra supplies to use up.

Many thanks to Brenda for showing us how much fun we can have with leftovers!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: 2 the Point is Closing

I just spotted this posting by Terry Christoper Costello on Facebook: 


As many of you know I have been trying to sell my store. The last 17 years have been very rewarding but I am closing my store on August 29th. During the last several years I have found myself concentrating on teaching, stitch guides and retreats. It is with this in mind that I will be opening a teaching studio in Jan 2016. 
All of my shop models will be sold in a Silent Auction starting July 22 with final bids awarded on August 15th.
Additionally, all canvases, threads, etc are 30% off from July 22nd-Aug 1.
Our last sale will be 40% off from Aug 4th -15th. Any remaining product will have to go by Aug 29th.
Thank you all for your support and friendships. I look forward to seeing you in my new endeavor.

I can't wait to see what Terry plans next!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

A Paternayan Update From Yarn Barn

Got a note over the weekend from Enid who owns the Yarn Barn in San Antonio. She gave me an update on Paternayan and permission to repeat what she told me here.

Enid says, "We own a shop in San Antonio that used to be a main distributor for Paternayan so I still have quite of bit of the older inventory of Paternayan along with the new stuff. In my honest opinion they are very close. The big plus I have to say is that every strand is equal diameter, making it so much easier to work with. They have worked hard to match the sheen and texture of the older Paternayan, and I really think they have done an excellent job.

I realize this is an older post but just a little update Saco River Dyehouse is chugging right along and has just about all the colors in the Paternayan color palette. Back order wait times have significantly shortened, since they increased the number of pounds they dye per week.

They are also working on updating the color cards. Which I hear will be available soon. At this point they have professionally printed cards. We carry Paternayan in quarter pound hanks (approximately 160 yards, 4 oz), or small twists (approximately 8-10 yards, 0.25 oz). The small twists are either skeins that we created ourselves or the small twists that Saco River makes it is basically one continuous 8 yard strand. "

http://www.yarnbarnsa.com/needlepoint-threads/paternayan-yarn/

Thanks for the update!  By the way, folks, Yarn Barn of San Antonio Texas has a Facebook page if you'd like to keep an eye on the latest there.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Inc. Moved in June

Needlepoint Inc. has moved to a new location.  If you aren't familiar with the shop, you'll love the photographs.  Heck, you'll love the photos if you ARE familiar with the shop.
http://hoodline.com/2015/07/needlepoint-inc-s-diane-nerheim-on-her-big-move-to-jackson-square

You will love their website, too.  They distribute Chinese silk in lovely colors and also design their own line of painted canvases.  It's a full service store, with finishing and teaching, too.
http://needlepointinc.com

This is one of the Must See sights in San Francisco for stitchers!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, July 20, 2015

Abandoned and Wistful

This sad little portrait reminds us our stitching lives on after we've finished it.  It often has adventures we never could imagine.
http://needlepointofview.com/2015/07/19/the-abandoned-needlepoint/

I sometimes wonder what will happen to my stitching after I'm gone....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Separate Threads...

How to separate threads using Puffin and Company's strand separator. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FJiJC9gx-28&feature=youtu.be

These come in a variety of designs, too.
http://www.puffinco.com/thread-floss-separators

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, July 19, 2015

Clip On Magnifers

Ridgewood shows off a set of clip on magnifiers that come in four magnification strengths. This might be the perfect solution to your stitching needs, depending on whether you wear glasses and like different magnification strengths for different tasks. 
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/07/clip-on-spectacle-magnifer.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 18, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Now For a Little Stitching Music

Althea DeBrule, who is now the About.com guide to needlepoint, although she is was well known for her Bargello site before she took up with About.com, has posted something really fun--a sample of the music she likes to stitch to.
http://bargelloneedlepoint.com/relaxing-favorite-bargello-stitching-tunes/

Being pretty tone deaf, it never occurred to me to have a stitching play list but I bet it is something really fun to do!

By the way, if you haven't visited About.com recently, check out all the fun things Althea is doing with it.
http://needlepoint.about.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, July 18, 2015

Tip for Perfect Buttonhole Stitches in a Curved Area

If you have ever struggled to fit buttonhole stitches into a perfect curve, you need to read this. 
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2015/05/30/loveday-crewelwork-little-brown-sparrow/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 30, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, July 17, 2015

Bells

Ridgewood posts photos of their finishing for customers each Friday. It's always fun to look at their work, but this week's episode has a wonderful finished dimensional Christmas bell you need to see.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/06/finishing-friday_26.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 26, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 16, 2015

DIY: Portable Bead Tray and Container

Mary Corbet is always coming up with great storage ideas. This time she shows us how to make our own tacky bead container. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/07/bead-embroidery-make-your-own-portable-bead-tray.html

Of course if you are not handy or just short of time, you can pick up a Tacky Bob.  I really like mine, although they do collect pet hair over time.  You can wash them off which helps but the sticky isn't quite as sticky after a bath.  It still works, though.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZ2AWUoZX9A

http://www.123stitch.com/item/Flying-Needle-Tacky-Bob/123-8795

If you like dual use tools, Accoutrement Designs has a bead and needle case combo that has a magnet on one side and a tacky sticky area for beads on the other.
http://fobfriends.blogspot.com/p/beadneedle-and-needle-cases.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 6, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Choosing a Printed Canvas

What do you do when you see something fabulous like this amaryllis canvas?  Once you stop drooling and realize that it is printed on needlepoint canvas, I mean?
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/shop/Kits-/Museum-Art-Needlepoint/p/Museum-Art-NeedlepointBRPiet-Mondrian-Amaryllis-x7585055.htm

Printed or silk screened canvases have a bad reputation but they vary in quality.  Some are very good and some aren't, and often you can find both types from one company.  It all depends on the design you fall for.  Let me explain.

What are the best strategies for picking a printed design that you will enjoy stitching?  If you are a person who has a lot of trouble with canvases where it isn't crystal clear what color goes where, it's best if you walk away from a printed or silk-screened design.  But if you are tempted by the lovely designs and the prices (which are usually lower than painted canvases),  you can check out websites whose pieces are usually very well printed such as Patt and Lee Designs.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-3102/cat_needs_his_coffee_needlepoint_canvas.html

Look for a design that is simple or stylized, like this elephant from Baba Yaga, that has large blocks of color...
http://www.baba-yaga.net/needlepoint-canvas-elephant

...instead of this very beautiful, detailed and realistic fairy from the same company which is going to be much more difficult to stitch, even all in tent stitches.  If you are feeling very brave, though, try to choose a detailed canvas that comes in 18 count so you can stitch in the small areas you will need to convey the essence of the design.
http://www.baba-yaga.net/needlepoint-canvas-fairy-tale-of-night-had-known-as-n-sokolova

Pick a canvas where you can tent stitch the main area and use fancy stitches for the background, like this little bird and teacup canvas from Chelsea Needlepoint.
http://chelseaneedlepoint.com/products/the-daredevil-deidre-wicks

It usually is good to avoid a canvas with faces which are often hard to stitch.  If you really want to do a figure, though, look for a more stylized one like this piece.  Her fingers will be a little tricky but having the design on 13 count might help there.
http://www.baba-yaga.net/needlepoin-t-canvas-lady-the-waltz-of-pink-petals

You can also use open stitches to cover a piece completely with pattern.  Look at this reproduction of a Japanese print--
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/shop/Kits-/Museum-Art-Needlepoint/p/Shoal-of-Fish-By-Hiroshige-sku-70363.htm

Brenda Hart uses simple open stitches to cover a design with pattern and her technique (seen in the link below) would work well on the fish piece above.  You could pick a wavy stitch to mimic water and end up with something very pretty, although this sort of stitch is best for something you plan to frame, not something that will have some wear.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/06/the-mind-is-scary-place.html

There are plenty of strategies to help you pick just the right printed canvas.  Going back to our original Mondrian amaryllis piece, pick a lovely open stitch for the background so that the beautiful blue shading shows through, then work another open stitch in long random horizontal straight stitches for the bottle, work random verticals for the stem, and use one ply of silk in needle shading for the petals with slightly more solid stitches in yellow for the centers and tent stitches for the streaks.  It would be stunning, trust me!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 26, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 15, 2015

DMC Color News

DMC colors are changing again, spurred by new European Union rules that mean certain dyes are banned, so some colors are being discontinued and some will have distinct dye lot changes.  When my friend Pat explained this to me I didn't understand it but seeing it all written out on Quail Run's Facebook page, I think I get it.
https://www.facebook.com/QuailRunNeedlework/photos/a.339586356091534.93299.326583717391798/961447030572127/?type=1&theater

Melita posted this photo of the discontinued colors and the shades that are very close to them.
https://melitastitches4fun.files.wordpress.com/2015/07/dmc.jpg

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Velvet Beard

Suzanne is a big fan of Velvet Stitch for Santa beards.   When you see how wonderfully her latest Santa beard turned out, I think you will want to bookmark this and study her tips carefully before starting your next beard.
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2015/06/velvet-stitch.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 29, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

A New Finisher (Averyclaire) UPDATED

Thanks to Facebook, I learned about a new finisher. Let me introduce Averyclaire.   It's fun to browse her website and get to know her as she posts about finishing, her quilts and needlepoint and cross stitch, and more.
http://averyclaire.org

UPDATE:  I just heard from Avery Claire herself.  She wrote:  "Just to let you know, I do not do finishing on larger needlepoint pieces such as pillows. I consider that "home dec" and I prefer to keep my finishing to small pieces. Thank you!"

So if you need a pillow made up, AC isn't the place for you but send her all those cute ornaments and stand ups you have stashed under your bed.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Are You Shopping for a Slate Frame? UPDATED

Most needlepointers do not use slate frames (they are more common in England and for Japanese embroidery) but in case you are in the market for a new one, consider asking Rachael Kinnison to make and decorate one for you.
http://ladysrepositorymuseum.blogspot.com/2015/06/painting-my-new-slate-frame.html

http://ladysrepositorymuseum.blogspot.com/2015/07/made-to-order-slate-frames.html

UPDATE:  Mary Corbet talks about Rachel's frames and slate frames in general.  She also lists places where you can get them in the USA.  If you are in the market, you'll want to hear what Mary has to say.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/09/tool-talk-custom-slate-frames.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 28, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, July 13, 2015

A Lifetime of Dedication to Needlepoint and God

Deborah Gray just posted photographs of Ilana Limoni's work on Facebook.  Deborah says Ms. Limoni is "a needlework artist like no one I've ever met. 150 scrolls of psalms, books of holy scripture. Works 10-17 hours every day for years. It's her passion. She needs an exhibit in a museum! She lives in oyster bay New York if anyone can visit! She's modest and solitary. At age 78 her family is concerned her tapestries will not be recognized." 

Use the side arrows to see the photographs Deborah posted. She went on to add, "What you can't see is the embellishments all around the lettering. She adds beads and texture as well. It's beyond comprehension."
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153073559183212&set=pcb.883855645024928&type=1&theater

It's an amazing body of work.  I'm hoping Deborah is able to arrange more displays of the incredible stitching Ilana has done.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 30, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Candy Bars -- With a Twist

Charlotte Bailey of Hanging by a Thread has been embroidering candy bar wrapper designs for a while now and has quite a collection of them finished.  Since painted canvases of candy bars are quite popular here, I thought you'd like to see her work, even though they are embroidered or in goldwork, not needlepoint.  And they aren't quite what you would expect....
http://beautifuldecay.com/2015/06/25/subverted-embroidered-candy-bar-logos-reveal-darker-side-sweet-stuff/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 26, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, July 12, 2015

Isn't He A Doll?! UPDATED

Ridgewood Needlepoint shows off some of the dimensional dolls from Sew Much Fun that customers have stitched.  The rabbi is a real cutie as are the two Christmas elves.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/07/rabbi-and-elves.html

If you aren't familiar with Sew Much Fun's canvases, you'll have fun exploring their website.
http://www.cindysneedleart.com/Sewmuchfun.html

UPDATE:  Ridgewood just posted more photos of Sew Much Fun's dimensional dolls.  These are all Halloween or Thanksgiving pieces.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/07/fun-ornaments-and-canvases.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sandy Arthur Talks Laying Tools

Sandy Arthur talks about laying tools and how to use them on her blog. She even shows off her favorites and there is a video of one in use for the visual learners.  Thanks, Sandy!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2015/06/glorious-sunday-morning-in-central.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.co
© Copyright June 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, July 11, 2015

A New Adorn

Orna Willis has redone her website!  Now you can download instructions for her charts as PDF files.  You can buy a kit, or sign up for one of her cyberclasses.  You can look at her jewelry kits only, or explore her more traditional geometric designs.    You can even buy thread or ribbon assortments or jewelry findings or pieces of Ultrasuede. You can do it all here.
http://adornbyorna.com

And every step of the way you can enjoy Orna's unique and brilliant color combinations.  When it comes to color, she is definitely Kaffe Fassett's little sister.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jenny Goes Vintage Shopping

Jenny Henry shares some of her great vintage finds on Etsy. 
https://jennyhenrydesigns.wordpress.com/2015/06/20/vintage-needlepoint-round-up/

If you want 1960s Bargello, this is the place to browse.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, July 10, 2015

Julia's YouTube Channel

Julia's YouTube channel has lots of videos of needlepoint.   You can admire DJ Design's New Orleans stocking, two videos of two versions of Kathy Schenkel Designs' little Nativity set (one finished and one with the stitching underway), and an interesting video of frog and turtle beanbag canvases showing them unstitched and made up.  It's a fun way to see finished and unfinished pieces. Thanks, Julia!
https://www.youtube.com/user/homespon/videos

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 25,  2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kisses at the Beach

Barbara Bergsten has lots of different "kisses" canvases that are finished by making them into a cone that looks a little like a big Hersey's kiss.  But seeing the unstitched canvas isn't nearly as much fun as seeing them made up and hearing a little about how they were done.  Thanks for sharing this customer's ideas, Barbara!
https://theavidpen.wordpress.com/2015/06/14/by-the-seashore-a-needlework-finisher-guest-post/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 15, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 9, 2015

I Hate Rayon Thread But

Helen is creating a red rose using bullion stitches for padding and to create the curve of an opening bud.  The trick is to use DMC's rayon thread to create the bullions.
http://hgotts.blogspot.com/2015/06/dimensional-rose.html

I don't mind doing bullion stitches but I loathe rayon threads.  Still, this looks pretty durn good....

I never would have thought to try rayon threads for bullions.  Or covered padding with what appears to be blanket stitch to make the petals.  Very creative, Helen!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 25, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 8, 2015

The Tree of Hearts

One of Ridgewood's customers is working on a series of heart shaped ornaments, each with a one word motto, for display on a tree. Aren't they lovely?
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/06/finishing-friday-hearts.html

I don't know who the original designer is, but they did a lovely job and the finishing is very nice as well.  Good job, Vanessa!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 19, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hug Me

Pocket Full of Stitches is having a trunk show of Hug Me bags. These are project, tool, and storage bags that are made in a variety of sizes in many fabrics so you can pick and choose what you need in colors that appeal to you.  There are even bags that drape over a fat couch or recliner arm to hold various tools and threads.  The photographs PFOS posted include some interior shots, too, so if you are in the market for a new tote, you'll want to explore Hug Me.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2015/06/hug-me-bags.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 11, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Needlepoint at Kips Bay, the Movies, and Elsewhere

Folks who pay attention can spot needlepoint in the wild in the most amazing places!  One of Ridgewood's customers spotted a great needlepoint pillow at the Kips Bay Decorator Show House.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/06/this-pillow-was-sighted-by-judy-at-kips.html

I stumbled across this article on favorite movie posters that claims the movie poster for the Coen Brothers' Fargo was done in needlepoint.  It looks like cross stitch to me but I am unable to find out for sure, which means we can add one more mystery to all those you find watching the film.  There are a ton of cross stitch diagrams to reproduce it available here and there online.
http://toddritteronline.com/blog/?p=468

Carolyn Hedge Baird found this fabulous wicker and needlepoint chair in what appears to be an antiques store in Texas.
https://www.facebook.com/nestndlpt/photos/np.1435237967485522.1277706333/987846491259970/?type=1&notif_t=notify_me_page

So what needlepoint sightings have you made lately?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Whimsical Stitch Celebrates Wednesdays

Mary Legallet of the Whimsical Stitch posts a new stitch diagram each Wednesday.  Here is the Woven Ribbon Stitch...
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2015/6/24/tiu68vj3cefk7t2z5pdi1ck8y5ti9a

...and here is another woven ribbon stitch with variations.
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2015/6/27/more-woven-whimsy

Mary doesn't just post stitch diagrams, she talks about how to dress a stitch up (or down) and various places she's used it.

Better bookmark this blog to see what Mary does next Wednesday!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 25, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, July 6, 2015

Three Elves (Eye Candy)

Ada Hayden shows off three stitched Kringle Belles from her latest Christmas series on her blog. 
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-kringle-belles-stitched.html

Picture Santa's elf helpers in Eye Candy colors, in both 10 inch stand ups and small ornament versions.  Cute as Christmas, as they say!
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/08/a-christmas-story-end-or-is-it.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, July 5, 2015

Eight Days at The Royal School

Katherine is in London, studying at the Royal School of Embroidery in Hampton Court.  She is doing the "canvaswork" section, which is what we call needlepoint.  Here is what she has done after eight days.
http://katherinediuguid.blogspot.com/2015/06/rsn-canvaswork-progress-after-8-days-of.html

If you want to read her earlier progress reports, click on the header and then scroll down to read about  earlier classes and see progress photos for them.

Looking good, Katherine!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The 2014 Exemplary (NAN)

The 2014 Exemplary award winners are up on the National Academy of Needlearts' website. NAN gives multiple first place ribbons in each category but if you click on the little photos you will see why they have trouble picking only one winner.  Everything is amazing!
http://www.needleart.org/Exemplary14/

I suggest you pick a quiet time to browse, savoring each wonderful piece, all of which are technically excellent and often outstanding designs.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 12, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, July 4, 2015

A Chain of Beaded Daisies

Did you ever make a daisy chain? Mary Corbet has instructions on how to make a beaded daisy chain from beads and chain stitch on her blog.  I can see all sorts of decorative possibilities!
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/06/beaded-chain-stitch-blossoms-stitch-tutorial.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Choosing Colors with Confidence

This three part essay on choosing colors is by Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes of Beautiful Stitches in Australia.   It's worthy of careful study.  Don't miss the resource links at the very end.
http://beautifulstitches.com.au/choosing-colours-with-confidence-part-1/

http://beautifulstitches.com.au/choosing-colours-with-confidence-part-2/

http://beautifulstitches.com.au/choosing-colours-with-confidence-part-3/

Hope you enjoy these words of wisdom from Australia!

By the way, Terry Dryden is picking colors for a new project.  I thought you'd like to see how she does it.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2015/5/31/developing-a-colorway.html

Terry's a master of color.  To see some of her designs, click on anything in Current Portfolio while on Terry's website.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, July 3, 2015

No Flying Monkeys: The End (or is it?)

No Flying Monkeys, Complete with Flying Monkey Magnet (Accoutrement Designs)

I hope you've enjoyed watching me blog-stitch this fun Point of It All Designs piece.  It's off to the designer to be finished but I don't know yet what it will be made up as.  It will debut at the Destination Dallas show in late September.  Once I have photos, I'll show them off here.

The stitch guide is ready and sent off to the designer as well. It will be available as a free guide for any purchaser of the canvas.  If you have the No Flying Monkeys canvas in your stash, not to worry.  Just send me your email address (I'm chilly hollow at hotmail dot com) and I'll send you the guide as a PDF file at no charge.  The same deal applies if you are a shop with this in inventory.  Let me know and I'll send the PDF file for you to print out and include with the canvas when you sell it.

Thanks for coming along for the adventure!  Here's hoping the flying monkeys stay in their cages in your castle.  And before I forget, many many thanks to Hyla Hurley of Point of It All Designs for allowing me to blog-stitch this piece here.  It was great fun, Hyla!

Remember, I collected the links as I blog stitch this Point of It All Designs piece and posted them in a tab on the CH Stitch Guides blog. You can catch up on what you missed by going there--just click on the flying carpet photo to magically be transported to my other blog and then back again once you are ready to return.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

No Flying Monkeys: The Writing on the Wall

When we last looked at the No Flying Monkeys canvas, I was planning to add the finishing touch to the area where the background "wall" and the background "footstool" meet--a couched length of Silk Lame Braid SL125 (medium dark blue) over the area where the wall and footstool meet.  I used a ply of the medium dark blue Splendor S916 as the couching thread.  Then I turned my attention to the writing on the wall which I decided to bead.

I used one ply of black DMC cotton floss to attach black round beads but the clear beading thread used on the martini glass bubbles works as well. I used size 15/0 (sometimes written 15°) beads for my letters. That’s actually a little small for size 13 canvas where usually size 11/0 beads are chosen. I’ll explain why I picked what I did in a minute. When you choose your beads, you may go with either size, just make sure all the colors of beads you use are the same size.

I like to use reverse tent stitch to bead small letters. Work a letter at a time, going back through the beads with one long stitch after you finish a letter to help pull them into a straight row. Look at the chart below.



The gray ovals stand for beads. The yellow boxes stand for the painted lettering on the bare canvas. The top right side of the chart shows various ways of attaching beads—with a reverse tent stitch, a cross stitch, or with a long stitch through a line of beads. What I do with skinny letters like the T is use reverse tent stitches for horizontal or vertical rows. Once I finish the reverse tent stitches for the top of the letter T, I run a long stitch through the holes of all the beads I’ve attached. This helps pull them into a straight line. (That’s why I am using only one ply of my DMC cotton, so I can go through the beads 2-3 times.) Beads are wiggly things and you may have one that keeps jumping out of the straight line until you add the long straight stitch. 

The letter T is done in four steps: reverse tent stitch for the top horizontal bar, then a long stitch through all the top bar's beads, reverse tent stitch for the vertical base of the T, then another long stitch through the vertical row of beads. It takes a while but your beads will be straight and true.  So what do you do for letters like S that have both rows and individual beads? You do reverse tent for all the beads, then go through the rows with the long stitch and finish up with a regular tent stitch / for single beads. That means a single bead is attached with a cross stitch. A row of cross stitches is suitable for attaching single beads like the dots after the word Day where you don’t want to go through the row with a long stitch because it might show behind the beads.

I didn’t use all black beads for the lettering. For the words “flying monkeys” I added a few red beads to highlight the words slightly, mixing in a sprinkling of red among the black beads. This is optional. If you decide to use red beads as well, try to find beads approximately the same size as the black ones you are using. When you have all the letters done, check the placement of each letter one more time to be certain they are all as even as you can make them. 
 

No Flying Monkeys is Done!
No Flying Monkeys is finished!

I have written up everything I did in more detail for Point of It All Designs to use as a stitch guide. I think the guide will come with the canvases ordered after this point, but if you have this canvas already and would like a copy of the guide, I can email you a PDF version to print out if you will email me at chilly hollow at hot mail dot com and explain you need the guide for your canvas.

Many thanks to Hyla Hurley of Point of It All Designs for allowing me to blog-stitch this fun canvas for you.  Once the canvas is made up, Hyla has promised photographs.

Remember, I am collecting the links as I blog stitch this Point of It All Designs piece and posting them in a tab on the CH Stitch Guides blog. You can catch up on what you missed by going there--just click on the flying carpet photo to magically be transported to my other blog and then back again.

Now I need to turn my attention to my next canvas.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 29, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Detailed Look at the Cover

Fans of Annie Lane's designs will be thrilled to see detailed photographs of her "Finding Agnes" canvas which Vicky DeAngelis stitched for the cover of Needlepoint Now magazine.  This is the July-August 2015 issue which is just now coming out.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/im-a-cover-girl/

If you don't already subscribe, you can easily sign up via their website or pick up a copy at a needlepoint shop near you.
https://www.needlepointnow.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 30, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Nimble Needle Offers Trips to Paris

Are you in love with Paris? If you have always wanted to visit or need a souvenir of a recent trip, Nimble Needle is dreaming of Paris and has you covered with a variety of canvases from several designers, all of which will bring Parisian style to your stitching nest.
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/dreaming-of-paris/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I Want to Pet Jan's Bear

Jan at Thread Medley has been working on one of Brenda Stofft's Santas, the ones that are riding various animals.*  Her bear is so soft looking, I want to pet him!  I love the gathered Flair snow around his feet, the lovely tassel and the fabulous background.  The bunny and the blanket are pretty durn cute, too.
https://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2015/06/15/stoffts-santa-on-a-brown-bear-finale/

https://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/santa-on-a-brown-bear-the-final-finale/

*If you aren't familiar with this Santa Rides series, check the larger ones out here--
http://www.brendastofftdesign.com/#!christmas/c2269

and the smaller ones here where the three Santa's Wild Ride clubs use the smaller sizes.
https://www.bethsneedlepoint.com/clubs.html

Nice job, Jan!  Thank you very much for sharing.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 16, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 1, 2015

Basic Ornament Finishing Instructions

Just Cross Stitch magazine has published simple instructions for finishing small ornaments from their popular Christmas and Halloween ornaments issues.   If you want a flat finished ornament or one that is padded into a miniature pillow shape, this can help you do it yourself.  There is even a tutorial for making twisted cord for the edge and a loop hanger.
http://www.just-crossstitch.com/newsletters.php?mode=article&article_id=5175&key=JCXN&tp=i-H43-6o-9bH-yPJpV-1o-PE45-1c-yPGN0-bZCOS

Finishing is not hard but it does take practice.  Why not pull out those little ornaments you've stitched but never sent to a finisher and practice doing it yourself?  It will give you a new appreciation for professional finishers and help you explain what you like and what you don't the next time you use a pro.  And you might save a little money and enjoy something that is totally made by you start to finish.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Linda Goes to Pitt

Like so many of us this time of year, Linda's making the trek to college to get one of her fledglings signed up for next fall.   And like many of you visiting Blog, she hit as many needlework shops as she could find during her trip to Pittsburgh.  First stop was at The Porcupine Needlepoint Shop in Sewickley, Pennsylvania.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2015/06/15/h2p-part-i/

http://www.theporcupineneedlepointshop.com

Linda's second shop visit was with Needle Point Breeze which is in the Point Breeze area of Pittsburgh.  They don't appear to have a website, just a Facebook page.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2015/06/16/h2p-part-ii/

And her third stop was at Beehive Needle Arts in Mt. Lebanon, another Pittsburgh suburb.  Their website is the second link below.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2015/06/25/h2p-iii/

(Between the time I wrote this article and when it published, the link to the Beehive shop website has gone inactive.  Hopefully it will be back up soon!)
http://www.beehiveneedlearts.com

By the way, Beehive has a book I've never even heard of--dede Odgen's "The Basics for Needlepoint."
http://www.beehiveneedlearts.com/shop/Books--Accessories/Books.htm

Thanks so much for the armchair travelogue!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 16, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.