That's Not Needlepoint UPDATED

That's Not Needlepoint by Dede Odgen

That's Not Needlepoint (It's Inspired Art Created with Your Needle) is the title of dede Odgen's new book.  In the introduction dede describes the 41 page spiral bound booklet as "inspiration for needle artists...a guide for your imagination...."  In other words, dede doesn't intend for her booklet to be a stitch guide for the eight different sea-themed canvases she discusses, but you could use it that way for the canvases which are thoroughly discussed.  I think you'll get more out of the book by treating it as a lecture on stitching every sea creature under the sun rather than using it a stitch guide for her sea themed canvases.  I think it's a great book full of interesting ideas for underwater canvases.  However, if you don't have any interest in stitching fish, corals, shells, etc., this book isn't going to be something you'll want.

The book has an introduction, three pages of color photos of stitched canvases printed on both sides, an index of the stitches mentioned, a list of threads and their manufacturer to help you order them, and a list of other dede seascape designs not mentioned in the booklet.

Inside the Book

Many of the canvases she discusses have line drawings, stitch diagrams and lists of possible threads to use for the shells, fish, seaweed, etc. on the designs.  A few just have a few sentences of general information to help you get started.  The photos above are the cover of her book and a random page inside.  Only the stitch diagrams for complex stitches are numbered to indicate the order in which you create the stitch.  In other words, this is a book for an experienced stitcher, not a beginner who won't know the threads mentioned or know how to do the easier stitches dede recommends.

The canvases discussed are her brand new seahorse under a magnifying glass,
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=ED-18073

her blue fish sculpture (see pillow top of page),
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/handPaintedCanvas/index.cfm?fuseaction=getHPCanvasList&CategoryId=58&saleId=111&saleTypeId=1&showStart=6&groupNo=2

her green aquarium fish,
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=ED-18015

her blue glass aquarium fish,
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=ED-18034

her undersea garden,
http://www.dedesneedleworks.com/photo.html?src=photos/pillow/1378.jpg

child's director chair,
(I couldn't find a link, sorry)

seahorse pillow,
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=ED-18056

enchanted mermaid's dream, and
http://www.dedesneedleworks.com/photo.html?src=photos/pillow/18050.jpg

the winged angel fish ornaments.
http://www.dedesneedleworks.com/photo.html?src=photos/ornaments/18051.jpg

If you are curious about dede Odgen's designs in general, browse her personal website,
http://www.dedesneedleworks.com/

her distributor's website, and
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Browse.asp?Category=dede%20Needleworks

the trunk show that Fireside Stitchery currently has underway.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/handPaintedCanvas/index.cfm?fuseaction=getHPCanvasList&CategoryId=58&saleId=111&saleTypeId=1&showStart=1&groupNo=1

The book is available wholesale from dede herself.  Have your shop contact her via her website to order.  In the interests of full disclosure, dede allowed me to buy the book wholesale directly in order to review it for you during the trade show in which it is being shown instead of waiting for my local to get it from her.

I think it is a fabulous idea book for the experienced stitcher who has a canvas of fish, shells, corals, jellyfish and the like in their future.   I plan to read it cover to cover again and again.

UPDATE:  Janet Perry also reviewed this book.  Here's her take on it.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/thats-not-needlepoint-book-review

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