Self-Finishing for Ornaments: Three Inches Versus Four Inches

This fall I bet a lot of folks are thinking about self-finishing items for ornaments.  I'm just talking ornaments, now, either round or square, that fit inside three inch versus four inch self finishing items.

If you have a three inch round item, your choices are the Lee purse, 

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Crossbody-Bag-Navy-Leather-Self-Finishing-3-opening-x36321354.htm

…the Lee leather needle box…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Leather-Needle-Box-Red-3-Insert-x35454725.htm

…the Lee leather gift box…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Self-Finishing-Gift-Box-Black-4-w-3-opening-x36997694.htm

…the Lee cosmetic bag (available in several finishes)…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Self-Finishing-Cosmetic-Bag55x753-opening-x51899916.htm

…the Lee leather snap tray…

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/small-square-snap-tray-assorted-colors/

…or the Lee luggage tag.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Luggage-Tag-Fucshia-Snakeskin-Self-Finishing-accepts-3-round-x36165587.htm

If your item is three inches square, Planet Earth has square leather coasters.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/products/leather-needlepoint-coasters?variant=31694603944033&ml_subscriber=1528191788588734418&ml_subscriber_hash=w7j9

Some coasters for the three inch square design come in sets of four.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Blue-Coasters-Set-of-4-Self-Finishing-Canvas-area-3x3-x33169093.htm

Planet earth also has boxes that are for a three inch square design.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Leather-Jewelry-Case-Bellflower-Blue3x3-opening-x50489034.htm

If your ornament is a four inch round, this Lee leather box might be just right.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Gray-Leather-Round-Case4-design-area-x41461397.htm

I'm not sure which company offers these for four inch round designs.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/round-leather-case-assorted-colors/

These silk boxes are also for a four inch round design.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/round-silk-self-finishing-case/

If your round is a bit larger than four inches in diameter, this Lee leather coaster that has a magnetic back and a loop to hang might be just the thing.  

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/coaster-magnetic-ornament-assorted-colors/

This large snap tray will also handle a four inch round or even one that is four and a half inches round.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/large-square-snap-tray-assorted-colors/

If your piece is four inches square, Vallerie Needlepoint Gallery has two styles of coasters, both with a glass insert to protect your stitching.

https://vngcanvas.com/self-finishing-coasters-and-designs/

Whether your ornament is three inches or four (or even a bit larger), shop around once you settle on your preferred style.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Halloween Design from SJ Designs

Susan Johnson of SJ Designs has released a free Halloween ornament chart that is totally beaded.

https://mcusercontent.com/35aa40000a83a7d7f36608669/files/965eec61-9ef2-46f1-9b16-81028f7adad0/Boo_2_You_2020.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2rwaNbVXq93jeatlUos5pBIp-scOz_VCVWxfCn7xKJpFdlaBVmhK9AGp8

If you aren't a bead person, though, rummage in your stash and pick threads in the right colors and use those in tent stitches instead.  You'll need black, white, gold, purple, green and orange.  

Thanks, Susan!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 20, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stretcher Bars Versus Stitching in Hand

Megan and Melissa talk about using stretcher bars versus stitching in hand.  It's a fun discussion that also touches upon using tacks versus staplers to put canvases on stretcher bars, speciality tools you might want to consider and tips that help keep your canvas clean.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZeK6m78MZSA

The magnetic wrist band that Megan and Melissa show is called a Maker's Keep magnetic slap bracelet.  If your favorite shop doesn't carry them, you can talk to The Wool and the Floss in Michigan or to Needlepoint Club House in St. Louis to order.  You can see the five colors available here.

https://cocoknits.com/products/makers-keep

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 27, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sue Hawkin's Dimensional Needlepoint

Looking for something a little different?  How about browsing Sue Hawkin's website to admire her dimensional houses, camper vans and beach shacks?

https://suehawkins.com/shop/

Sue's in the United Kingdom, so the little houses are all English-style sheds and cottages.  They are worked from charts.  I'm told Sue ships very quickly so you can have a camper van ornament ready to hang on your Christmas tree by early December if you raid your stash.  Her sewing box with fobs is a little more elaborate but it's charming.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 7, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Shadow Stitching Cyberclass

Registration has just opened this week for Laura Perin's latest cyberclass, "Daylily."  It is a class on shadow stitching, which means light coverage stitching over a design printed on needlepoint canvas.  The printing will show, creating an interesting interplay between the light coverage stitches and the pattern you won't quite cover.

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2020/10/daylily-shadow-stitch-cyber-class.html

You can sign up for this at Laura's website with a choice of two color ways, making this an interesting way to learn this technique on a small design.

http://www.laurajperindesigns.net/ljp-cyber-classes.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 23, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.