Non-Needlepoint Items Used for Needlepoint

The most frequent non-traditional item I use for my needlepoint is the nut pick from my nutcracker set:  it's perfect as a laying tool for flat ribbon-like threads.  But I'm an amateur compared to Stitched with Ellen who uses all sorts of interesting things for her stitching--a kitchen cabinet from Wayfair, a geode rock stand for her 4 inch ornament, a picture frame holder, fishing line, a rolling cart, jewelry bags to hold threads, fun tacks, a small jewelry case used for orts, a needle puller, a tackle box, lights, 

https://www.instagram.com/p/DansOZ-z-af/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DbXDdJvz0pZ/

https://www.instagram.com/p/DbHUpRLTg8-/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Da2ontjTwHx/

https://www.instagram.com/p/Da0CBcczm7W/

If you are intriqued, you can find most of these at Ellen's Amazon storefront.  (Note if you buy, she gets a small commission.  Just FYI)

https://www.amazon.com/shop/ellenaustin?ref_=cm_sw_r_cp_ud_aipsfshop_39YRY0PFESWQGECFEERZ&ccs_id=2a9b3fc9-2b1b-439e-8975-f323c5a9423e

By the way, if you find a kitchen cabinet you like on Wayfair, read the reviews and if you can pay to have it assembled, it might be worth it.  We've bought from Wayfair over the years and find the instructions for assembly are often not clear and sometimes are outright wrong.  Study the pictures and read the description for hints on build quality, too.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sell Your Stash/Buy Someone Else's Stash

Rittenhouse Needlepoint in Philadelphia has started their Rittenhouse Destash program.  You can sell your unneeded items to Rittenhouse for cash or store credit.  You can also shop other people's unneeded items through Rittenhouse Destash.  Read all about it on their Instagram page-

https://www.instagram.com/p/DYmgvKNAGS3/

Here is the Rittenhouse Destash website.  You can buy and sell through here.  How the program works is clearly laid out on the home page.  Just select "Shop" or "Sell" and get started.  When I wrote this article there were 18 pages of bargains to browse if you are buying.  The retail price and discount price if you buy from Rittenhouse Destash are clearly marked.

https://destash.rittenhouseneedlepoint.com/about/tradeIn

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 24, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Rehoboth Beach Museum's 14th Annual Needlework Exhibit.

Beth reminds us that the 2026 Rehoboth Beach Museum's Annual Needlework Exhibit will be September 11 through November 1 in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2026/05/rehoboth-beach-museums-14th-annual.html

Exhibitors can drop off their work at the museum August 23-29.  Registration forms are now available (July 2026).

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1486131113555346&set=a.461612179340583

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 14, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Christmas (Beards) in July

Carolyn Hedge Baird is celebrating Christmas in July with some great beard stitch ideas on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/nestndlpt/posts/pfbid07qLF4R77RsJH8d1sLaN1zCeERRuMkvx3j9mEqtjTMpL2sBXPLojCB1X8NSsSrJwWl

For those without a Facebook account, Carolyn recommends these stitches for Santa's beard, all diagrammed in her book Merry Easter Eggs.

1. Parisian stripe with wool and filled in with 2 strands Fuzzy Stuff or 3 strands Wisper

2.Criss cross Hungarian filled in with a French knot

3. Rows of chain stitch doing gray first

4. Brick stitch

5. Long and short

6.French knots on stems

7. Wrapped lazy daisies using whole strand of Lorikeet

8. Turkey tufting

Merry Easter Eggs has a lot of great ideas in it.  Shop around if your favorite shop doesn't have a copy, though.  Prices vary a bit for this older, but still fabulous, book.

https://www.barbarasneedlepoint.com/products/merry-easter-eggs-book

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 25, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NJNA News for July 2026

The New Jersey Needle Artists chapter of ANG is at it again with their bi-weekly newsletter.  Besides the normal ANG news, there is plenty about new designs and products.  It's a Don't Miss for sure!

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2026/07/11/whats-happening-at-njna-7-11-26/

The second posting for July has a lot of ANG news.  There's are new shops, a new needle minder, Morgan Julia's shop in NJ needs full time help, mahjong designs, a new color in Rachel Barri's pouches, a new project bag and a new light that attaches to the Lowry floor stand plus a recommendation for a cheap effective tool to remove thumbtacks from your stretcher bars.

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2026/07/25/whats-happening-at-njna-7-25-26/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow 

logging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.co

© Copyright July 12, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.