How to Grow a Hydrangea

Patricia Sone has posted a fun tutorial on how to create a hydrangea on needlepoint canvas using silk ribbon and beads. 

https://www.facebook.com/reel/916992911443459

It's very easy to do, although you do have to juggle two needles:  one with the silk ribbon and one with the beading thread.  Note that Patricia used 7mm width silk ribbon and size 11 beads. Her flower is also rather large--probably 3+ inches in diameter.  For a smaller hydrangea you'll need narrower ribbon and size 13 or 14 beads.  Also note that the ribbon color and the bead color are slightly different, which helps with the effect.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Smart Cookie Finishing Idea

18in.meeshndlpt on Instagram just won the Smart Cookie Award for July with her clever use of a shell lei from a trip to Hawaii as the cording on her hibiscus ornament.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DSeI0FHjFbl/

If you want to try this yourself, vintage shell leis are fairly cheap on Etsy.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 23, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bedecked and Beadazzled's Makeover

Ruth Schmuff has had a needlepoint store of some kind for 25 years.  How does she celebrate?  She gives her website a makeover!  I suggest you start exploring here where you can see how a Halloween cruise can go terrible wrong, watch the robots rebel, check out Cleopatra's blonde era, and admire a 1920s Art Deco movie star.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/most-loved/

But don't stop there.  There is a lot to see and much temptation to avoid!  Plus Ruth has a Tips and Techniques page you do not want to miss.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/not-your-grandmothers-needlepoint/tidbits-and-techniques/

Congratulations on 25 years of needlepoint, Ruth!  Here's to 25 more!!!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com 

© Copyright September 10, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pumpkin Harlequin: Margaret King's Mystery Class

Ruth Schmuff has started her Fall 2026 mystery class, with Margaret King's "Pumpkin Harlequin."

As Ruth says, it's "not your average pumpkin."

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/07/trick-or-treat/

The Harlequin Pumpkin has a harlequin-patterend blackwork pattern for a background, matte yellow beads on the letters, and the cutest nose and cheeks!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/08/he-has-a-nose/

Mr. Harlequin has a ruffle--and it is a stunner!  Take careful note of the fact that the pumpkin sections are outlined but the edge of the pumpkin is not.  Ruth, believe it or not, showed restraint there.  

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/09/oh-that-ruffle/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 11, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Bradley Silk

There's a new silk thread in town--Bradley Silk.  Patricia says it comes in 352 colors, has a lovely sheen and is available for 13 and 18 count.  It is 100% Chinese silk and eight ply according to the label.  Use 4 plies for 18 count designs and all 8 for 13 count.  There is also a single strand version for 13 count.  

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10164519859254630&set=gm.27444333345217130&idorvanity=108537025890131

Both the 13 and 18 count are available in either 10 or 30 yard skeins.  The eight ply silk floss comes in 15 yard skeins.  It is just starting to be available.  Scroll down the Needlepoint.com website page for Bradley Silk for more information.  One nice thing is that all three types of Bradley silk have the same number for the same color but each has a different prefex:  3 for 13 count diameter, 8 for 18 count diameter, and 1 for the eight ply silk floss.  So you can be sure to have the same color in all three sizes.  For example, Chinese red is 252 so you can buy it in floss labeled 1252 and for 13 count as 3252.  18 count is 8252.

https://needlepoint.com/pages/threads-1?srsltid=AfmBOopFu2GajbMiRV_iyz0Gbk18ZnE6lM1hUlWBgaGvVw6KSyva09Ca&utm_source=Klaviyo&utm_medium=campaign&utm_campaign=Bradley+Silk+is+LIVE&utm_klaviyo_id=01EY909FHC6PR7KJ94JR0X7ZVR&_kx=spGqMUEEs3Pe26tF9Jkghd_FvizqCNqZrcu-EtTsuNa-X-jY5kdJAFI_-tT2BvST.TxAVmM

By the way, the dye lot is in parentheses after the color number.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 11, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.