The Needlebook, the Geisha, and the Queen

Remember how excited I got when I saw Susan's new needlebook?
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/02/my-book-of-needles.html

The only thing missing from Susan's article (besides her saying she would sending the needle book to Chilly Hollow) was a tutorial on making them.  Thanks to DMC's blog, I have a link to instructions!  This needlebook is also Asian in feel as it uses a free XS portrait of a charming geisha for the cover.  Here's the how to.
http://meari.blogspot.com/2007/06/needlebook-instructions.html

Here's the direct link to the geisha pattern, which is called "J is for Japanese Embroidery."
http://www.brookesbookspublishing.com/Freebies/J_Japanese_Embroidery_Pub.pdf

Speaking of Susan, she is starting a new series of blog articles about a Queen.  Want to see some of the new William Loves Kate/William Marries Kate samplers?
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/02/royal-inspired.html

Here is Susan's Majesty.  She's inspired by crazy quilting but a needlepointer could create their own Queen very easily.  Needleworkers have the skills to move between needle arts if they are brave enough to try something new.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/02/welcome-your-majesty.html

Now here is where we start to see Susan building her Queen.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/02/becoming-queen-part-i.html

And here she explains quite a bit about English coronation gowns and how Queen Elizabeth II's gown is replicated on Your Majesty.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/02/becoming-queen-part-ii.html

I know this isn't needlepoint, but it is about fantasy and aren't we all stitching a fantasy of some sort as we work?   Right now I'm dreaming of a slinky vampire walking through a graveyard but soon it'll be another geisha....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com