Why We Need To Borrow Sandy's Husband

If I didn't already envy Sandy Arthur her stitching talent and her energy, her latest blog posting has me envying her spouse as well.  Scroll down nearly to the bottom to admire her new storage unit—and he built her TWO of these!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2017/05/always-moving-forward.html

I'm staring at Beloved but since he is renovating the main bathroom here from the plumbing up, I guess I won't attempt a trade.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 20, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making a Presentation Box

Were you charmed by Shannon Grearson's little jewelry set in the May-June 2017 issue of Needlepoint Now?   If so, you are in luck as Shannon has posted instructions for making a presentation box coordinated to the jewelry set on her blog, Sewing with Bobbin and Fred.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2017/05/how-to-make-large-presentation-gift-box.html

The box would work for all sorts of gifts so have fun checking out the instructions and then planning how to box up those Christmas ornaments you made for the grandkids…

By the way, Shannon talks about how she got her designs into Needlepoint Now magazine.
https://sewingwithbobbinandfred.blogspot.com/2017/05/how-i-designed-and-got-my-sewing_31.html

If the French knitting bobbin caught your eye, here are more.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/289493813/vintage-wooden-french-knitting-doll?ref=market

https://www.etsy.com/listing/251824650/vintage-wooden-french-knitting-dolls?ref=market

http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Wooden-Toy-french-knitting-Doll-/332006116816?hash=item4d4d1b4dd0:g:RnoAAOSwmLlYBZb3

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 20, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Orna Willis' Work Purchased by Philadelphia

Orna Willis just revealed that three of her designs have been purchased by the City of Philadelphia for display in the Philadelphia convention center. What an honor!
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2017/06/news-i-have-waited-patiently-to-tell-you.html

It is much deserved.  Needlepoint is art, after all.  Congratulations to Orna!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 20, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Adjustable Stretcher Bars

Needlepoint Tool Time is stocking something new to me-adjustable stretcher bars.
http://www.needlepointtooltime.com/product/FAE-4008

These come in several sizes.  The size given is the maximum size the bars will adjust to.  The manufacturer's website explains how they work and that they are made in China for Frank A. Edmunds Company.
http://www.faedmunds.com/stretcher-bars.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Favorite Background Stitches

Charlotte over at Sweet Sundays has three favorite background stitches and she's willing to share!
http://www.sweet-sundays.com/home-main/my-3-favorite-needlepoint-background-stitches

A lot of folks seem to like Nobuko Stitch and t-stitch for backgrounds as well.  Here are diagrams I found online.  Nobuko is first.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2011/10/stitch-of-week-nobuko.html

And here is t-stitch.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2017/02/t-stitch.html

I don't have a favorite background stitch myself.  I use a different one with each canvas as they all seem to need something different.  Still, if you are stumped for a background, the stitches above all work well.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.