Wednesday, March 4, 2026

Ai and Needlepoint

Pop Needle Arts has some advice on using ChatGPT to learn needlepoint-JUST DON'T.

There are much better resources available online.  All you have to do is look around here and you can find more information than you'll ever need, even if you don't know other needlepointers, have a needlepoint shop nearby, or have much to spend on long distance kits and/or classes.

Speaking of Ai, it is telling people that Stitchers Garden in Napierville, Illinois is now closed to in-store shopping.  WRONG!  It is actually a shop in Brentwood, Tennessee with the same name that is closing.  So don't trust Ai.  Or at least be very very specific.  (There's a Stitchers Garden in Arkansas, too.)  Add the shop city and state at the very least if you are asking Ai about a shop's hours.  All Ai does is search the Internet for nouns and verbs.  Once it gets a hit, it stops and spits out an answer.  As you can see, the answer was wrong because the searchers weren't specific enough.  After all, Ai is not that bright.  We have to think for it.  

By the way, here's Stitchers Garden in Illinios in case you want to wave at them (or do a little shopping--we don't judge).

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, March 3, 2026

New Stitch Monday Builds a Castle

Ridgewood Needlepoint has chosen a new canvas for 2026--Colors of Praise's "Castle MC502." There are three other versions of this castle which are not as detailed, all on 18 count.  Here is MC516, which is 7 inches square.  Love that garland!

MC507 is 6 inches square with some lovely greenery.

MC508 is a tiny piece at 3 1/4 inches by 5 inches, perfect for the miniature lover.   This belongs inside an Easter egg, doesn't it?

Stephanie is working the 18 count version of MC502.  Most shops stock the original 13 count but you can get the 18 count from Bedecked and Beadazzled, which also has a stitch guide.

Now let's watch Stephanie stitch!

The first step is picking threads and stitching the lake.

The next step is to work the grass around the lake and stitch the path.

Now Stephanie is creating mountains with an Airplane Stitch variation.

She continues the mountains with a Chevon stitch variation and gifts us two other chevon-type stitches that will make nice mountains, too.

Now the castle roofs have a stitch, which has many different names.

Stephenie tackles the sky, clouds and the blooming tree.



Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 6, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, March 2, 2026

Breaking News: Kevin Lustik on Display

During March 2026 Jadite Galleries in NYC will be displaying and selling Kevin Lustik's needlepoint creations.  (And they sell on their website, which is a great way to browse the show from a distance.)


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Disco Man

Bicoastal Stitches/Le Fil Studio's new "Dancing Under Disco" adds to their Disco line in the flashiest way possible.  <cue The Bee Gees>   This video shows off the finished standup and talks about the threads used.


Music track while you admire the finishing--

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Jauary 5, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, March 1, 2026

A Clever Idea for Christmas Stockings (and Other Things)

Mary found custom buttons on Amazon.  They read "Handmade with Love By GrandMary."  You'll find them by searching for Personalized Wooden or Personalized Leather Buttons.  There are a lot of various styles, too.

She puts them on her Christmas stockings but they'll work for many things, so Mary won the Smart Cookie Award in January 2026!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 6, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.