The Woodlawn 2026 Exhibit

Despite the cold and rain, Melita took advantage of a break in the weather to visit the Woodlawn exhibit.  She summarizes what she saw here with an emphasis on counted pieces as that is her thing.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2026/03/07/woodlawns-63rd-annual-needlework-show-2026/

Woodlawn posted the list of award winners on their website.

https://www.woodlawnpopeleighey.org/2026-award-winners

Many thanks for those of us who can't make it to Alexandria, Virginia this year!  As more folks post about the show, I'll add to this article.

https://www.funinfairfaxva.com/march-needlework-exhibition-at-woodlawn/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 8, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Price of Success

Needlenook of La Jolla posted a photo of a huge pile of boxes on their Instagram account with this statement--"I'm working on a bigger mountain today! And as hard and quickly as humanly possible. This will make about 100 packages in the last 2 days!

The needlepoint industry has been inundated with excessive amounts of orders in recent months. So many new stitchers have come on board! Which is exciting in a way, but in a way it makes for a long wait. Between the orders and the shortage of Zweigart canvas from Germany and qualified painters, orders are taking a very long time to be filled. The designers are really feeling the brunt of it. So I am going to say at the very minimum it could be 5-6 months... and that is not an exact science! I am sorry that I don't have better news than that. Please be patient with us, give us some grace. We are all in this together, wish I had better news than that."

https://www.instagram.com/p/DTn_FhvEsb0/

Here is A Dragon's Tale's view of the situation from a designer's perspective.  I've also heard that white 18 count canvas is hard to get right now.  Go for ecru or the colored canvases like pale blue instead.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DUG9DO9ERU3/

We are used to instant gratification but needlepoint isn't Amazon or Walmart--it's a collection of small businesses trying very hard to make a large group of customers happy.  Be patient and keep looking for something small and cute that's available now to tide you over while you wait.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 18, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hurrah! Jane Aurich Designs Available Again!!

"Snow Queen in Ice Forest Stocking" from Jane Aurich's Nutcracker designs

I was thrilled last month to realize that Jane Aurich's designs are available once more.  You can browse her incredible work on her website and Instagram.  She created amazing Nutcracker pieces, beautiful stockings (there is a series with beautifully detailed birds), Southwestern designs, wonderful Santas --and an occasional charming Mrs. Santa-- small floral ornaments and scissor cases, and some detailed animal designs.  There are a few new designs called Plain Jane from Jane's daughter Letitia, which are simplified versions of the more detailed originals, meant to tempt newer stitchers to test the waters with her designs.

https://janeaurichdesigns.com/

https://www.instagram.com/janeaurichdesigns/

You can order some of the smaller designs (mostly Christmas Santas, angels and a few adorable animals) from the Jane Aurich Etsy shop.  You can also visit two shops that carry Jane Aurich's work--What's the Point? Needlepoint in Ohio and Three Kittens Needle Arts in Minnesota.  

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JaneAurichDesigns?ref=shop-header-name&listing_id=4416858482&from_page=listing

Long time needlepointers will remember Jane's twin sister, Joy Juarez, whose work is available now through Fleur de Paris.  Joy was equally talented but with her own style.  I am thrilled that their work has outlived them and their classic pieces are available to modern needlepoint artists.

https://www.fleurdeparis.com/product-category/canvas_designs/joy-juarez/

Here's to Jane & Joy, needlepoint artists extraordinary!  💕

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 3, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Color Dreams Naturals

Ruth Schmuff has great news for lovers of bamboo threads like Rainbow Gallery's Mandarin Floss-she has a new thread called Color Dreams Naturals, a blend of silk and bamboo.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/01/hair-hips-and-a-whole-lotta-fluff/

It isn't on the Bedecked and Beadazzled website yet, so I don't know if it is a floss or perle-type thread, but I'll update this as soon as it's widely available.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 17, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NBC News Talks Analog Hobbies

Debbie Woodward of Painted Pony found this short news clip about how younger people are taking up hobbies that get them off their phones and computers.

https://www.facebook.com/reel/765963615898766

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 15, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.