Julie Pischke Day in Raleigh UPDATED

If you are a fan of Julie Pischke and especially of her new Pischke Pocket kits, make a beeline for North Carolina on October 5 and 6 to participate in Needlepoint.com's next Pischke Pocket Day, which will have Julie herself present.  There are some details on the website but you should call or email the shop for further information.
http://www.needlepoint.com/upcoming-events.html

If you haven't seen the Pischke Pockets, here is Julie's site that showcases them.
http://pischkepockets.com/news/

Her other needlepoint canvases are on the regular website.
http://juliepischke.com/

UPDATE:  Photos of all the fun at Julie Day in Raleigh.
http://www.needlepoint.com/blog/?p=816

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

Colors of the Praise Does Alphabets

This short article by Janet Perry talks about Colors of Praise's alphabet squares, which can be custom ordered in the letters and styles of your choice.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/say-it-with-needlepoint

You can see all the options at the Colors of Praise website. Have fun choosing just what to say!  (Note to your mothers--No, I did not tell your child this was the best place to order swear words in needlepoint.)
http://www.colorsofpraiseart.com/letters.html

P.S.  You can see the latest designs for 2011 by clicking here.
http://www.colorsofpraiseart.com/new_designs.html

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

Amanda Lawford Visits Atlanta

If you are anywhere near In Stitches tomorrow, September 30, make sure you visit the shop between 11-3 p.m. to visit Amanda Lawford who will be there during a trunk show of her line. Twenty percent off and the designer to boot!  Can't beat that.  Here are the details and directions.
http://www.institchesatlanta.com/

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

Stock Up On More Than Candy

Now that the stores are overflowing with Halloween treats, Robin reminds us to stock up on more than candy bars. This is the only time of year you'll find Halloween decorations for your house and your needlepoint.  So check out the craft emporiums, places like Pier 1 and Joann's Fabrics, and even your grocery store for buttons, beads, trims, bells, jewelry, and many other embellishments that you can use in those Halloween projects you will stitch in the next year.  Come November, all these things will vanish until next September.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/09/decorating-ideas-for-halloween.html


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

Another EGA Report

Kelly reports about her experiences at the EGA Seminar in Florida.
http://sweetneedleofmine.blogspot.com/2011/09/back-from-ega.html

So does Donna.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/09/another-shopping-opportunity-from.html

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

Add Another Temptation to the List

I just bookmarked another page on the SJ Designs website, the one for Confetti.  This is a tubular thread similar to Rachel and Frosty Rays but the color range is different.  I particularly like their subtle colors for smoke and snow and creating the illusion of distant ice.  You can see all the available colors starting here.
http://www.sj-designs.com/category_21/Confetti.htm

By the way, Susan has added new sizes to her pearl beads.  You can now pick up a range of sizes, which I find particularly useful.
http://www.sj-designs.com/category_63/Faux-Pearls-BY-SIZE.htm

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

Knitting Yarn for Needlepoint UPDATED

Carol and I've been talking about threads for needlepoint recently and bemoaning the lack of supplies in her area. She's going to hit up the local knitting shops to see if she can find anything suitable to use in her next NP projects. Before she goes, I hope she gets a chance to read this informative article from Janet Perry on using knitting yarns in NP.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/can-i-use-knitting-yarns-for-needlepoint

UPDATE:  Judy pointed out this article by Barbara Elmore on knitting yarns in needlepoint.  Thanks, Judy!
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2011_07_01_archive.html


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

Donna Raided The EGA Bookstore

Anyone who collects stitching books will want to read Donna's report on the books and kits she picked up at the EGA Seminar bookstore in Florida.  She's even included a link to a peak inside Amy Mitten's new book.  I am a big fan of Amy's faded cotton threads so I enjoyed looking at her fabulous book animation, even though counted thread and I are a bad combination due to my inability to count to ten consistently.  Thanks, Donna!
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/09/getting-back.html

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/09/shopping-experiences-at-seminar.html

Yes, I'm jealous of Donna, too.

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

It's Official--I'm Jealous of Sheena

Here's why--
http://www.sheenassweetstitches.com/2011/09/cook-up-class-in-memphis.html

Can you blame me?
http://www.sheenassweetstitches.com/2011/09/more-on-memphis.html

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

Needle Delights Blue Ribbon Winners

Two pieces from Needle Delights won blue ribbons at the Montgomery County Fair!
http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2011/09/blue-ribbon-winners.html

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

Hockey Needlepoint Portraits

The Art of Needlepoint showcases an article about a needle artist who does portraits of hockey star goalkeepers in needlepoint.
http://scoutmagazine.ca/2011/09/12/vancouver-creative-a-few-words-with-artist-mike-macri-on-hockey-needlepoint/

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

Beads and Bullions

Pocket Full of Stitches has posted progress photos for a Raymond Crawford piece called Christmas Collage on their blog.  You have to see them!  The bullion leaf is unique and beautiful and the little beaded berries are perfection.  Stitching perfection like this inspires me!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/saras-berries.html

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

Alice's Tips: Needles and Tension

BeStitched is publishing Alice Hall's stitching tips on their blog.  The first entry is about needles and stitching tension.  There are plenty of tips that you might find helpful here.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/news-and-updates/alice-hall-needle-and-thread-tension/

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

I've Had A Busy Day

It's been busy here in Chilly Hollow this morning.   I've added a new article about Sheena's stitch guides to the CH Stitch Guides blog, and...
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2011/09/stitch-guided-by-sheena.html

...I've added Vicky's blog back to the blog list at the bottom of this page since her server is once again free and out of the control of hackers, and I've been busy oogling Kirk and Hamilton's poison bottles.  Since I've gone from a non-Halloween stitcher to someone who has stitched several in the past year with more in the queue, I have to warn you.  Beware!  The ghosts and goblins WILL get you!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/halloween-bottles.html

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

Melissa Shirley on Sale

Fireside Stitchery has announced a Melissa Shirley sale. Until October 15, a selection of her designs are on sale at 25 percent off. But there is only one canvas available at the sale price, so shop early.  (OK, who said, "Shop often"?  Was that you, Tony?)
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/HandPaintedCanvas/index.cfm?fuseaction=GETSALESANDSPECIALS&saleId=116&saleTypeId=5 

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

Day of the Dead Goes Halloween

Tapestry Fair has just finalized a companion piece to their Pocito that is all about Halloween. Isn't she a charmer!?!  Her name is Belleza de Halloween, or Halloween Beauty.
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2011/09/new-for-halloween.html

To see the original needlepoint version of Manuel Salas' piece Un Pocito de Color, click here.  It's going to be hard to choose but the canvases won't be available to ship to shops until around Halloween.  So you have a little time to think it over.  Will it be A Little Bit of Color or Halloween Beauty?  I've already decided which I'll be stitching this winter....
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2011/08/new-canvas-from-manuel-salas.html

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

The Needle Bug Pairs

The Needle Bug just got in a shipment of Stirling bags, which they promptly paired up with pieces from their current Mindy trunk show.  Like peanut butter and jelly (or chocolate and more chocolate), it's a match made in heaven.
http://theneedlebug.com/2011/09/stirling-whimsical-fabulous/

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

Video Profile: Family Arts Needlework

Anyone in Arizona has heard about Family Arts Needlework, and many long time stitchers have heard about it from friends, but few of us have actually seen the shop.  Here's a wonderful video that shows off the inside and the stitchers you can find there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fMN4qsCbgB8

Want to learn more?  Here is the shop website.
http://familyartsneedlework.com/

Many thanks to Ada Haydon (EyeCandy) for finding this and posting about it on Facebook.

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

Vicky's Back!

Vicky DeAngelis' blog Mostly Needlepoint is back online. Turns out the server where her blog is hosted was hacked, knocking her and many other blogs offline. The host has fixed the problem and you can visit Vicky again at this link. Welcome back, Vicky!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/ 

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

Fall Fairy (with Owl)

I updated the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guide blog yesterday with a wonderful article by Robin King.  You can read about her Harvest Fairy stitch guide and the canvas it enhances here.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2011/09/welcome-to-fall.html

By the way, if you want to stitch Robin's Hooty Owl from the back cover of Needlepoint Now, Pocket Full of Stitches has the canvas and extra copies of the magazine in stock.  Call them and you can have this for your very own.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/needledeeva-in-needlepoint-now.html

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

TNNA Encourages New Designers

I just received the below email from Dena Lehman of Kreinik about a new program for new designers that TNNA is doing to promote their work, and am sharing it here with her permission.  Of course the PDF attachment file mentioned isn't really attached to this Blog article, but I'll gladly email it to you if you ask me for it using my email address of chillyhollow at hot mail dotcom.  You can also post a message in the Comments but include your email address so I know where to send the file.

Dena writes:

"Hello!  Attached is a packet of information on the New Designer Program from the Counted Thread and Embroidery Group of TNNA.  It is an exciting new program designed to promote new counted thread and embroidery designers at an upcoming TNNA  trade show.  You will find two pages in the attachment:


1.  an announcement to share with designers who may be interested in applying
2.  a copy of the rules and application process


Please help the counted thread and embroidery market by spreading the word about this program.  Send copies to designers, post it on your Facebook page, Twitter, whatever you can do.  I will put the announcement text at the end of this email if you would like to cut and paste it into your own email/document/etc.


Thank you!  We are very excited about bringing some new designers to market.  If you have any questions, let me know.  Have a great weekend!"


Regards, 
Dena


Dena Lenham
Creative Director, Magazine and Designer Contact
Kreinik Mfg. Co. Inc.
Phone: 1-800-354-4255 or 304-728-7889
Address: PO Box 219, Halltown, WV 25423 USA
Email:  dlenham@kreinik.com

If you have questions, ask Dena.  Good luck, new designers!

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

Pumpkin Tips

If you are stitching Needle Deeva's Creepy Characters for Halloween, you'll love reading the tips Needlepoint.com is posting about threads and stitch order.   This helps make Robin King's stitch guide even better, particularly for the less experienced stitcher.
http://www.needlepoint.com/blog/?p=770

By the way, Michele's finished her pumpkin.  Isn't it darling?
http://bristlythistle.blogspot.com/2011/09/creeps-from-needle-deeva.html

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

New Painted Canvas and Counted Canvaswork Items

UPDATED WARNING:  Vicky's blog was on a server that was hacked.  The host got the server fixed and Vicky's blog and all the others are back online.  I'll add her link to the blog list down at the bottom of the page again and it's safe to click on the links.  


There's a new painted canvas Halloween cat design from Eye Candy and Vicky's going to stitch and then do a stitch guide for it for Ruth Schmuff to distribute.  Beads are promised!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/09/18/ruth-schmuff-eye-candy-black-cats-halloween-what-more-could-you-ask-for/


http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/09/19/alleycat-witchy-poo/

Counted canvaswork fans of Jean Hilton will be interested to hear that the company that distributes her work has discovered the cover photo for one of her charts is a later version of the design.  They've had a corrected cover for Quidity stitched and promise to swop the cover page for anyone who needs the new photo.
http://stitches-heart.com/new-cover-for-quidity/

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

Turquoise and The Punkin'

Barbara Elmore is getting ready to teach a wonderful pumpkin lady design at Needle Works in Austin, Texas.  Make sure you enlarge the photograph or you will miss the details of the beautiful turquoise crescent background, the darling tiny owl with sequin eyes, the 3-D broom, the pumpkin lady's curled brim hat and gorgeous gown, the vines twining in the background.  It's a gorgeous, gorgeous piece full of lovely stitches over a beautifully painted background, and it has special meaning for Barbara due to her family's pumpkin fanatic.
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2011/09/have-needlepoint-will-travel.html

Speaking of turquoise, Pocket Full of Stitches has a new model and stitch guide for one of Eye Candy's lovely geometric patterns.  Ruth Schmuff distributes Eye Candy but the stitch guide is done by PFOS.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/megs-piece.html

Our shops do wonderful things for us, whether it is a special stitch guide or a terrific class.

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

Nimble Fingers Finishing

This week I stumbled across this fabulous shop website that showcases wonderful finished pieces.   Nimble Fingers is in Houston, so do stop by the next time you are in Texas so you can see some of these wonderful pieces in person before they go off to live at the homes of Nimble Fingers' customers.
http://www.nimblefingerstx.com/NimblefingersTx.com/Gallery.html

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

New Colors in Hot Wire

Miko Wears a Hot Wire Gold Hair Pin

Kreinik has just announced new colors in their Hot Wire, the metallic thread with a wire core so it can be shaped into anything you like, such as a gold hair pin in Miko's hair!

Here's a tiny photo of the new colors.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2011/09/nine-new-hot-wire-colors-from-kreinik.html

Here are the current colors from the Kreinik website.
http://www.kreinik.com/kshop/product.php?productid=17207&cat=290&page=1

Here's how to attach Hot Wire to your canvas, courtesy of Robin King.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/01/kreinik-hot-wire-catch-up.html

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

Longer and Shorter: Tips on Stitching Long and Short Stitch

Anyone who is intimidated by long and short stitch or who isn't happy with how their current attempts look will find Kathy's tips very useful the next time they are shading using this wonderful stitch.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2011/09/23/long-and-short-shading-going-deep-into-the-stitch/

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

Miko and Her Stitch Guide Are Finished

This morning I posted on the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog about Miko and her stitch guide being finished.  She joins Smilin' Jack at Leigh Designs to serve as a model.  The header photo above shows the final touches, from her lips to her kimono collar.  There are better photos on the CH Stitch Guides blog here.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-miko-stitch-guide-is-now-available.html

I have one more Fash Insert piece to stitch for Leigh but that will wait a bit until I have the cat topiary garden finished.  I'm going to be stitching Tea House.  The link shows it and the rest of the series.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp761x.html

However, I'm going to go a slightly different route with Tea House.  It struck me as I've made lists of threads for the stitch guides I've written this year just how expensive all those threads, beads and sequins are.  Generally speaking, if you buy a $65 canvas (which is typical for a smaller one these days) you can count on spending nearly that much again for threads unless you happen to have a huge stash of threads you can raid.  Of course the Universal Law of Stash says that no matter how big your stash, you will still not have everything you need and will have to buy at least 1-2 things!

All of a sudden in this economic climate, I want to do a Fash Insert that won't break the stitching budget.  Tea House is the perfect canvas to do in cotton floss and perle.  I can already tell I'll need one metallic to complete the piece properly, but I plan to use as ordinary a set of threads as I can on this piece, just to see if plain cottons and perhaps wools can create as elegant a piece as what I've done with Smilin' Jack and Miko, but minus the beads, silks, metallics and sequins.  Stay tuned to see how this stitching adventure unfolds....

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

Elizabeth I Portrait Gallery UPDATED

Since there has been so much interest in my comments about stitching Miko's face, I thought Blog readers would enjoy visiting Gay Ann Rogers' website which currently features her portrait of Queen Elizabeth I.  Not only do you get to see Gay Ann's portrait and read her own ideas about stitching faces and hands, you will be able to see the companion portraits of Bess of Harwick and Mary, Queen of Scots, and also see her students' Queen Elizabeths, each slightly different with their own personality despite the fact that this is counted canvaswork, and each student worked their face from a graph.
http://www.gayannrogers.com/site_2/Home_Page.html

It's a fascinating study of  just how much personality you can put into a face with only a few stitches.  Each face is slightly different which I find marvelous!

UPDATE:  Facial differences aren't the only ones, just the most obvious.  Ann talks about how and why her Elizabeth, stitched as a test model, differs from the one Gay Ann Rogers designed.
http://stitchingfoolishness.blogspot.com/2011/09/my-version-of-elizabeth.html

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

Needle House Stocking Show

Fresh from running the ANG Seminar shop, Needle House has put out their Autumn newsletter.  Take note of the Christmas stocking trunk show.  This is a chance to pick up a stocking from a variety of designers to stitch for Christmas 2012. They also announce their monthly club for 2012, a series of Faberge eggs.
http://www.theneedlehouse.com/jm/images/newsletters/autumn_2011_web.pdf

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

Kelly Clark's Elegant Thanksgiving

Kelly Clark is collaborating with Needle Works in Austin on a class called Elegant Thanksgiving. The canvases she designed for the class depict Indians, and Pilgrims, and a big fat turkey.  Kelly's incorporating a lot of stumpwork techniques on the first canvas, the Pilgrim Maiden.  You can see some of Kelly's work on this first piece on her blog, and you can read about the class and how to sign up in the September Needle Works newsletter. Scroll down to July 22nd to start reading about the magic on the first piece.
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/

Even if you aren't wild about Thanksgiving pieces, it is fun to see what Kelly's up to and the newsletter has a fabulous stitch for fish scales diagrammed out for you along with a neat variation.  It isn't often that a painted canvas designer stitches her own pieces (SharonG is the other main example of a designer who also stitches fabulous pieces of needle art) so this is a unique glimpse into the creative mind.
http://theneedleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/201109newsletter.pdf

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

Needle Bug Ornaments for Kids

Needle Bug in Montgomery, Alabama is participating in the September fund raiser for Children's Hospital in Birmingham.  Pick up an ornament kit for $25 to stitch for a child visiting the Children's Harbor Family Center at the hospital or just buy something from Needle Bug and have a portion of the price donated to the cause of helping sick kids.  Details here.
http://theneedlebug.com/2011/09/children/

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

Miko's Lips

Miko's Lips Stitched

Miko Unstitched

Because of the interest in tips on stitching better faces, I thought I'd talk about Miko's mouth and just how I stitched it. Hopefully this will give the face-challenged ideas on how to improve their next needlepointed person.  If you look at the unstitched photo of Miko on the right, you will see what Miko's lips looked like before I stitched them.  The closeup photo above is after I finished her mouth.

I used four plies of a burgundy silk to stitch her lips and a doubled strand of Petite Silk Lame Braid in a slightly lighter burgundy for the white highlight you see painted in the header photo.  You don't have to match the paint color exactly on a canvas, you know, and I decided that white was too stark.  Probably Leigh wanted us to see the highlight and used white to make sure we didn't overlook it. The highlight isn't that visible in the photo, so I took a good look at the actual piece and considered whether I needed to rip out what I'd done and restitch with a lighter shade of burgundy to make the wet look of the metallic/silk blend more visible.  I decided finally not to change it, but you might like a lighter shade here.

Whatever you decide on a similar design, silks and silks with a metallic blend like Silk Lame Braid are good choices for mouths.  Silk has a sheen to it that looks very natural when you use it on lips.  The metallic part of the Silk Lame Braid catches the light and makes the lip look real.  Of course cotton works pretty well for a mouth (I wouldn't use wool unless you have a rag doll where wool embroidery stitches look right) but I use silk when I can.  I just like that sheen that even spun silk thread has.  I don't think it matters much whether you choose floss or perle type threads but I always stick to the same type thread on a face. I used floss for her skin so I used floss for her eyes and nose and everything but her eyebrows and the highlight in her eyes.  Mixing styles of threads sometimes looks odd to me because perle threads tend to be fatter and more rounded looking than flosses.  It just looks weird to mix the two on a face in my opinion.  If you are mixing thread styles, this might be causing the problems you see.  Be careful even when using flosses.  Different brands have different diameters.  High Cotton floss is thicker than Splendor silk or DMC floss, for example.  You may need to use three plies of High Cotton and four of DMC, for example.  Otherwise some of your tent stitches may be skimpier/fuller than others which will give the face an uneven look.  This might be appropriate for a monster, but not a geisha.

Ok, enough about threads and highlights.  Take a careful look at the photos of Miko again.  See the top row of her mouth, those two stitches separated by a pink stitch?  I originally didn't stitch either in red. I omitted the stitches entirely, thinking that all should actually be skin colored.  But when I finished the mouth, it was obvious I needed to make at least one stitch red, so I did.  I liked just using one red stitch instead of two separated by a pink stitch.  There are only 30-31 stitches to her mouth and each one has the potential to change her expression.  So pay attention to the features of your piece.  One stitch may be really necessary or unnecessary.  Be prepared to rip out or add stitches to get the effect you want.  Or omit a painted stitch entirely if you must.

You don't see it here because Miko's face is turned to the right, but occasionally a tent stitch needs to be reverse tent or a cross stitch because the slant / is going in the wrong direction and makes that stitch too pointy.  Turning / into \ or making the stitch a big X instead of just a tent stitch / will help in those situations if you used basketweave or tent stitches on your face.  Of course this doesn't apply if you used brick stitches or another stitch for your face.

Back to the Before and After photos, there is a black line that curves slightly on her lips to define the top and bottom lip.  It sort of looks like someone took the letter L and turned it face down, then sat on it to squash it slightly.  I used one ply of black silk to top stitch the squashed L look.  I made three attempts to get the line placed just so.  It can't be too straight or too slanted or too high or low on her mouth.  But with patience and some ripping out, I got it right.

I hope all this detail is helpful when you stitch your own face.

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

Patty Paints Trunk Show UPDATED

Pocket Full of Stitches just posted a great many photos of painted canvases from Patty Paints.  This is a good chance to see the cheerful, bright and small canvases that are a Patty Paints specialty.  I particularly like the little pumpkins at the top of Part Two but there is something for almost everyone here.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/patty-paints-trunk-show-part-1.html

http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/patty-paints-trunk-show-part-2.html

I don't know if there will be more canvases in a third posting, but if there are, I'll update this blog entry and plaster UPDATED in all caps in the title.

UPDATED:  Yes!  This link has photos of models that arrived with the trunk show. It's always fascinating to compare a plain unstitched painted canvas to a finished piece, isn't it?
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/patty-paints-models.html

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

Needlepoint Now Extras UPDATED AGAIN

Now that the September/October 2011 Needlepoint Now is in the mail and starting to arrive in subscribers' mailboxes, I wanted to tell you about a few extras that pertain to this issue.  If you are in love with the cover 9/11 commemorative piece and want to stitch it, Dale Miller says she has this canvas in her Canvases Be Gone shop.  This is a large and expensive piece, even at her discount price, but Dale says she will offer a further 15 percent discount to a buyer if they email her first to get a discount code before checking out.  I'm not sure how many copies Dale has of this canvas, so don't dawdle if you are interested.
http://www.canvasesbegone.com/5097/Sandra+Gilmore+Home+of+the+Brave+hp+18ct.html

If instead the back cover piece is on your To Do list, you'll want to read Robin King's slide bullion tips on stitching Hooty Owl's little feet.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/09/hooty-owl-in-needlepoint-now-magazine.html

Laura Perin shows off a close up version of step one of her beautiful Mystery Tryptich and lets us know the Watercolours number used should be 231 "Ethiopia" not 257.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2011/09/add-little-mystery-to-your-life.html

If you loved the little gentleman's houndtooth vest that Anne Stradal of ABS Designs did in her column, you will enjoy watching her develop a new, smaller pattern that showcases a sweater vest under a jacket.  I hope it's a tweed jacket!  UPDATE:  Anne is continuing to post progress photos of her design.  I'll add them here as they are published so folks stumbling across this blog entry later can see everything.
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2011/09/nevilles-little-brother.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2011/09/working-from-neck-down.html

http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2011/09/skipping-around.html

UPDATE:  Karen told me about a series of gentlemen's clothing ornaments available from Finger Step Designs.  Aren't they just charming?!  Thanks, Karen!
http://store.apneedlearts.com/wedrmenor.html

Of course also inside is the free stitch guide for Temple of 1000 Cranes, stitched by me!  Don't miss reading through that to pick up tips to stitch any fantasy pagodas in the Leigh Design series.

This is the biggest issue they've ever put out, and it's a good one.  I've been reading my copy for a week and there is lots more to enjoy yet.  The trend of building on the current issue with online things is wonderful for us who follow needlepoint via the Internet and it makes this issue even better.

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

Six In A Row (Plus Ruth) UPDATED

If you are a fan of Ruth Schmuff's mystery classes, you'll want to see the first of her six fashion geishas which is stitched, with the class instructions in the mail.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/09/meet-my-new-bff.html

Ruth's mystery classes are explained on her website where you can see the entire set of six geishas standing patiently, waiting to be dressed...
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/mysteryClasses.php

...but basically you know the painted canvas but you have no idea what the finished piece looks like.  Neither does Ruth!  She works a section and sends you the instructions for it when that part is done.  You can expect a surprise package beautifully made up with all sort of interesting goodies inside since Ruth is not only a master stitcher, she's addicted to beads and sequins and ribbons and more.  A mystery class is always a fun class when Ruth is in charge.

Me, I'm waiting to find out what the background is going to be like!

UPDATE:  Here's the latest geisha. Work backwards in time to see the others.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/search/label/row%20of%20ladies

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

What We Like Best (Poll Results)

Remember the poll I posted last week, the one that refused to work properly?  (Bad Blogger!) The results are in!

From the list of choices of favorite styles you prefer I provided, almost 21 percent voted for Christmas canvases and the identical number voted for Halloween canvases. Twelve and a half percent voted for Asian-themed canvases, while 8 percent love canvases showcasing pets, usually cats or dogs. Another 8 percent love canvases with a humorous twist. The rest of the topics (people, wild animals, signs and sayings, canvases for birthdays and weddings, other holidays, landscapes and gardens, and Laura Perin designs all got less than 1 percent of the vote each. The final category (travel, by which I mean canvases that show cities or states or state symbols) got no votes at all.

Isn't that interesting?  I know the votes are skewed because most of the votes had to be counted from folks who took the time to email me their preferences with the poll not operating properly.  But it is still interesting to see what we spend our precious time and energy on.  The fact that we do a lot of holiday canvases (with a large group wanting to stitch Asian pieces and pieces that honor their pets) tells me we are all decorating our nests and the nests of our families, and doing it with pieces that have personal meaning.  What we stitch says something about who we are, and it looks to me as if we are trying to build something with our hands to make our homes more personal and beautiful to ourselves.

As Martha Stewart says, that's a good thing!

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

Stitching in STYLE

The Needle Bug is right, we've got to look good while stitching. http://theneedlebug.com/2011/09/looking-good-is-a-must/


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

Donna Reports on Naples EGA

Donna is in Florida at the EGA Seminar and reports that all that fun can't be legal!
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/09/seminar-update.html

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/09/projects.html

The EGA blog is posting photos of Seminar, too.
http://www.egausa.org/scripts/blog/?p=200

http://www.egausa.org/scripts/blog/?p=212

And so is Mary.  Scroll down through the last three postings or so to see what Mary's seen or bought.  What fun!
http://workinhand.blogspot.com/


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

Japanese Embroidery and Flat Silk

Anyone curious about Japanese flat silk and how it is used in Japanese Embroidery will find these two articles on Mary Corbet's site fascinating.  The second article answers questions raised by the first since these techniques are so alien to most needleworkers.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2011/09/flat-silks-tips-techniques.html

http://www.needlenthread.com/2011/09/awl-with-flat-silk-questions-answered.html

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

You're Just My Type

Jelly Bean Stock has updated their website with new canvases from the Columbus and Baltimore trade shows. It's a fun browse, whether you like Elvis, John Lennon, Bella Legosi or need a nice Judaic canvas.
http://www.jellybeanstock.com/whatsnew.html

If you want to see photos from the Long Beach trade show, they are on this page in a slide show.
http://www.jellybeanstock.com/tradeshow.html

Elvis is at the top of the page at the first link, by the way.  Thankyouverymuch.


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

Melissa's Fall Designs

Melissa Shirley has started releasing autumn canvases, many of them adaptations of Debbie Mumm's Halloween designs. There are Halloween creatures and autumn cracker patterns, dogs trick or treating, and an elegant still life as well as the famous Texas witch.  (Note the available date of one piece that was created for a shop retreat.)   It's a lovely collection, all in lovely shades of brown.  Enjoy!
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?bsn=1

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

Tuscaloosa Tornado Needlepoint Relief

I stumbled across this fund raiser for the victims of the devastating tornado that hit Tuscaloosa, Alabama this spring.  With 2011 being such a bad year for natural disasters, a lot of stitchers want to help other stitchers.  If you know of any relief efforts that involve needlepoint or other needle arts, please post information in the Comments or email me at chilly hollowat hot maildot com and I'll update this article for you.
http://web.me.com/gritsnp/Site/Tornado_Relief.html

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

Laying Tools: The Video

Curious about laying tools?  Want to see a variety of laying tool types, including items you might have around the house that can be used as a laying tool?  Want to see them in action?  BeStitched has videos that show laying tools in action and at rest. Neat!
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/news-and-updates/now-i-lay-my-threads-and-ribbons-laying-tool-video-demos/

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

And the Winner Is...

Jan Sprague won a second place at Seminar! WHOO HOO! There's a photo of her piece and her big red ribbon on her blog. Congratulations, Jan!
http://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2011/09/11/spring-delights-911/#comment-1079

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

Are You Ready For Some Football?!

This is the time of the year in the United States when the football season starts.  Which means folks are going to be interested in stitching football items.  Here is a partial list of available canvases, many of which are exclusives to the shop where I found them.  First is Ohio State and the Buckeye stitcher.
http://www.whatsthepoint.biz/buckeyecorner.php

Peacock Alley is ready for any Michigan team!
http://www.peacockalleyneedlepoint.com/Peacock_Alley_Needlepoint/Are_You_Ready_for_Some_Football.html

There's even a U Michigan Santa.
http://www.bristlythistle.com/petei.html

University of Kentucky, Louisville
http://bethsneedlepoint.com/Dot_StoreProducts.asp?storecategoryDesc=Kentucky&curPage=8&idstorecategory=18

Girls Raised in the South can take care of Bama and Auburn fans.
http://web.me.com/gritsnp/Site/Custom_Creations/Pages/At_the_Shop.html

Texas Tech and Penn State
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/search?q=football

Texas again and the Auggies
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/z-college%20greek.htm

Texas Tech
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/wreck-em.html

Loyola and LSU, plus the Saints and New Orleans VooDoo
http://www.gardendistrictneedlework.biz/Annie's%20Ornaments.htm

A variety of football (and basketball) mini socks from Kathy Schenkel
http://www.bethsneedlepoint.com/Dot_StoreProducts.asp?storecategoryDesc=Christmas%20&Show=All&idstorecategory=7

If everyone in your family roots for a different team, you can stitch one of these general football items and not set off the My Team Is Better argument.
http://www.pepitaneedlepoint.com/product-football-927.aspx

http://www.janenicholsneedlepoint.com/Belts_LuggageStraps_3.html

I'm sure there are many, many more canvases.  Ask your local shop if they have anything for your team.

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

Pocket Full of Stitches Tour

Tisha of Needlepoint Tool Time has done us stay-at-homes a great service by taking photos during her recent retreat visit to Pocket Full of Stitches. This is the shop in Texas that almost singlehandedly popularized monthly needlepoint clubs (along with French Knot, also in Texas--do you think there's something special in the water there?).  Thanks for the tour, Tisha!
http://stitchplaywithneedlepointtooltime.blogspot.com/2011/09/home-again.html


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

Monthly Clubs Update

The fall is when a lot of shops start their monthly clubs for the year. I know lots of stores have signed up for the Needle Deeva Creepy Characters club and the Sassy, Sparkly Socks club from Ruth Schmuff so I won't mention those again.  Here are other clubs that have just been announced or just starting.  First up is Pocket Full of Stitches' Christmas tags club.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/tag-youre-it.html

Beth's Needlepoint Nook is doing a Halloween pail of ornaments club using Needle Deeva's designs.  This link shows other clubs they've done which are still available.  The Kathy Schenkel Santa faces club is an Oldie but Goodie I think a lot of folks will be interested in.
http://bethsneedlepoint.com/Dot_Clubs.asp

Do Christmas gnomes appeal to your sense of humor?  Twigs of Savannah has a set just for you.  They also do a Nativity set.
http://twiggsofsavannah.com/display.cfm/page/CanvasOfTheMonth.html

Needlenook of La Jolla is going Halloween with their clubs this year.  They offer either a candy apple club or a bat ornament club, both from Kelly Clark Designs.
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/events/cod/index.html

Want to do your own thing?  Pocket Full of Stitches has all twelve of the Raymond Crawford doggy bone canvases for the dog lover who wants to do their own thing and use up stash threads.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/08/chew-on-this.html

I think these are enough clubs for now. I'll be back with new ones later on.


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

Looking for This Canvas

Missing:  Amanda Lawford's Two Schnauzers on a Couch

Ok, folks, time to look through your stash and rummage through the deep, dark recesses of your shops.  We have a canvas alert--have you seen this Amanda Lawford design anywhere?  It is the perfect image of Nancy's two Schnauzers and she is dying to stitch this. But this Amanda Lawford piece has been discontinued and because there is no master, it can't be reproduced for her.  Have you seen this anywhere?  Post a comment if you have a lead, or email me at chillyhollow at hot maildotcom.  Nancy wants to combine her love for her dogs with her love of needlepoint and you are her only hope.

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

Halloween Project Bags

Just in time for Halloween, Ruth Schmuff has created new Halloween project bags. You can see samples here, as well as Ruth's next Mystery class, a Halloween tree. Love them skulls!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/09/some-of-my-favorite-things.html


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

The Birthday Girl Treats Us

Hey, it's Carole Lake's birthday!  Happy birthday, Carole!!!!  Hope Ann doesn't eat all the cake and ice cream.
http://stitchingfoolishness.blogspot.com/2011/09/happy-birthday-carole-lake.html

The best news for us bystanders is that Carole's doing a third Anasazi design.  Have you seen them?  First there was Anasazi Song.  It's in my stash, all kitted up and ready to go when I have time. I'm saving it for a special treat for myself.
http://www.carolelake.com/TeachingPieces/Anasazi.htm

Then there was Anasazi Dream.
http://www.carolelake.com/TeachingPieces/AnasaziDream.html

Ann tells us the third will be Anasazi Spirit.  Hurrah!  What a way to celebrate Carole!

If you want to get in on the fun, you can pick up the first two kits from Carole's website.  Or go in with your local chapter and bring Carole in to teach one or both.  While you are at Carole's website, don't miss her Favorite Stitches.  There are some great ones diagrammed there.
http://www.carolelake.com/CyberClasses/disccyber.html

Happy Birthday!  Thanks for being so much fun, so talented and such a wonderful teacher who shares it all happily.

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

Barbara Elmore's Video Tips UPDATED

Barbara Elmore was at BeStitched for a class last weekend and the shop videotaped a tip for enlarging a hole in canvas so you can thread a silk ribbon through it. This is on Facebook now but hopefully BeStitched will post it to their website so non-Facebook users can see it also.  Very clever, Barbara!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=263453850351862

Yes, Barbara reposted the video above on her blog so that everyone can play it, whether they have a Facebook account or not.  There's a second video link on using wallpaper to frame your finished needlepoint in her blog entry but you need a FB account to play it.
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2011/09/summer-flowers.html

UIPDATE:  The second video is now on BeStitched's blog so you don't have to sign into Facebook to enjoy it. Thanks, ladies!
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/news-and-updates/more-video-tips-from-our-class-with-barbara-elmore/

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

Dream House Ventures Trunk Show UPDATED AGAIN

Pocket Full of Stitches has started posting photos of their Dream House Ventures trunk show. Since many of these canvases are not on the Dream House Ventures website, this is a great chance to see all the artists they represent (and perhaps buy something at 20 percent off).
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/dream-house-ventures-trunk-show-day-1.html


UPDATE:  More photos!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/dream-house-ventures-trunk-show-day-2.html

UPDATE #2:  Even more photos!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/dream-house-ventures-trunk-show-day-3.html

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

Queenie and Other Delights

Homestead Needle Arts has a wonderful gallery of finished pieces for you to enjoy, featuring customer pieces that charm and delight. Queenie is my favorite. Which one is yours?
http://www.homesteadneedlearts.com/StitchersShowcase.html


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

Needlepoint Now Magazine Giveaway

I'm a day late posting about the two winners of copies of the new September/October 2011 issue of Needlepoint Now. I'm sorry, but yesterday was nuts and every time I started to do the drawing, something else happened to keep me from it.  However, Monday night I took a deep breath and made time to do the drawing using Random.org to generate two random numbers.

And the winners are....

Whitney and Wendy TC.

Congratulations to you both.  If you will email me your snail mail address, I'll get the issues in the mail to you.  My email address is chilly hollowat hotmail dotcom.  Thanks to everyone for entering. I'm just sorry I didn't have enough copies for everyone.


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

Jan and Liz Conquer Eva Marie Saint (Stars)

Jan and Liz are each working away on Stars for the New Millennium and have finished the fifth block, Eva Marie Saint. She's a beauty, even if neither lady likes her much.  It's still fascinating for us onlookers to see just how different the same pattern looks in two different sets of colors.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2011/09/stars-for-new-millenium-progress-6.html

http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2011/09/08/stars-of-the-new-millennium-eva-marie-saint/

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

Kreinik Storage Idea

Elaine Stevens posted a great storage solution for her Kreinik spools on Facebook. Very clever of you to come up with this, Elaine!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2298025780483&set=o.108537025890131&type=1 

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

Cyberclass Poll: From Molehill to Mountain

Scarlet Thread's blog is asking counted canvaswork fans if they would be interested in a cyberclass with Pam Gardner on her From Molehill to Mountain color study piece.  Visit their blog and vote!  If enough people express interest, Scarlet Thread will set a class up through their shop.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2011/09/lauras-lahaina-breezes-stunning.html

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

The Travel Trunk Show

Needlepoint.com in Raleigh, NC is doing a different sort of trunk show--a travel trunk show! They've assembled a whole group of small ornaments and mini socks for every travel destination you can imagine and are offering them at 20 percent off.  The designers seem to be mostly Silver Needle and In Good Company, although I might have missed another designer in the group.  I was too busy looking at Egypt, Georgia, Istanbul, Maine, Scotland, Venice and Paris!  I don't know how long the trunk show is at the shop but if you are shopping via the Web, use "travel" as the discount code for the Internet shopping cart.
http://www.needlepoint.com/all-canvases/travel-trunk-show.html

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

It's All About Balance

If you ever feel discouraged that a piece isn't working out well, take heart from Kelly Clark, who is having trouble balancing the various elements of her Thanksgiving swag. All the parts have to work together but it looks to me that she has it licked. http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2011/09/finally-back-to-work-on-rebekkha.html 

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

Blogger's Poll Not Working

It looks as if the poll system isn't working.  It keeps giving folks with Google accounts the message that they have to be signed in to vote, although many of us ARE signed in.  Grrrrrrrr

Sorry.  This is a problem beyond my ability to fix.  If you want to vote, email me at chilly hollow at hot mail dot com and I'll keep track of what you like to stitch best, then post the results in a few days.  It's always interesting to see what sorts of designs people are drawn to.

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

EGA SEMINAR (UPDATED)

The Embroiders Guild of America has started their own seminar in Naples, Florida.  Their blog reports a bit on the first day's events, then adds information about the events of day two.
http://www.egausa.org/scripts/blog/?p=183

http://www.egausa.org/scripts/blog/?p=185

UPDATE:  Day Three
http://www.egausa.org/scripts/blog/?p=193

The Seminar proper begins.
http://www.egausa.org/scripts/blog/?p=198

http://www.egausa.org/scripts/blog/?p=207

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

Free Stitch Guides for Julia's Needleworks

I've just updated the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog with information about free stitch guides for some of the canvases Julia's Needleworks distributes.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2011/09/julias-needleworks-has-guides.html

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

Christmas Arrives in September

Counted thread fans rejoice! The Christmas issue of Just Cross Stitch magazine has arrived, full of ornaments you can stitch for Xmas 2011.  Want to browse before you buy?  Pocket Full of Stitches has posted photos of the designs inside the covers for your enjoyment.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/09/christmas-cross-stitch.html

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

Hugs

Robin King is planning a class with several shops that centers on a canvas that just says Hugs. What do you think she'll do with all that background?
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/09/hugs-from-robin.html#comment-form


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

What Do You Like Best?

Not too long ago I created a poll for Blog readers to vote on their very favorite type of needlework.  Today I've added a poll about our favorite stitching theme.  Are you a sucker for Christmas canvases?  Do you find yourself constantly stitching animal pieces?  Are you enthralled by Asian-themed canvases like I am?  Are you always stitching landscapes and gardens and houses?

You can find the poll at the bottom of this page, right under the last blog entry on the page.  I worded the title so it just mentions painted canvases but feel free to vote no matter what sort of thing you stitch. I was limited in the number of words I could use and just came up with the shortest title I could.  The poll software requires you to sign into your Google account to vote, so post a Comment here or email me at chilly hollowat hot maildotcom if you want me to vote for you.

And yes, you can vote for multiple answers.

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

More StitchLady in San Antonio

Another fun report about San Antonio. http://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2011/09/06/seminarspring-delights/


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

Stitching Lighthouses

Anne Stradal loves lighthouses and she loves to needlepoint.  What better way to preserve historic lighthouses than in needlepoint canvas?  Here's Anne's latest design, a charmer based on Sand Island, Alabama's lighthouse.
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2011/09/another-lighthouse-finish.html

If you have a favorite lighthouse, you can check the ABS Designs website to see if Anne has created a needlepoint version of it. If not, why not suggest your favorite as her next project?
http://www.absdesignsonline.com/lighthouses.htm

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

Nimble Needle Showcases Mindy

Nimble Needle is having a Mindy trunk show and is showcasing selected canvases from Mindy's collection on their blog.  It's a great place to see good photos of Mindy's huge range of beautiful canvases and pick up your favorite (plus threads), all at a 20 percent discount.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/

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

Tisha Goes to Texas

Tisha is packing up two canvases she will take to the Pocket Full of Stitches retreat for ideas on how to stitch them.  Here's her initial posting.   Everyone who is going, have fun!
http://stitchplaywithneedlepointtooltime.blogspot.com/2011/09/pocet-full-of-stitches-retreat.html

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

Fun at the County Fair

The biggest event of the year in my little rural area is the county fair.  Because I live in a rural area that still has farms, there are always a lot of 4-H events in which kids show off the animals they've raised that year.  There are horses, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, llamas, poultry and rabbits on show, with their proud owners standing by to give their pet pig a bath just before the judging.  There are rides, all sorts of foods, displays of baking, canning and crafts from photography to handwork, music, a tractor pull and a pig scramble (put a dozen women and greased pigs in a small area and stand back), etc.  It's lots of fun.  I usually take a quick visit to the poultry and rabbit displays and look at the hand crafts and this year I took a few photos.  The rabbit was one of the few awake when I ran through the exhibit this year early one morning.

Sadly there isn't much needlepoint on display.  There never is.  What you see is one piece of needlepoint (the blue purse) with a lot of crewel and cross stitch.  The counted thread piece two pictures to the left of the purple ribbon one is a Berlin woolwork-style counted thread design done on black Aida over one.  It was quite pretty, although very hard to see in the photo.

There is a lot of crewel and knitting in this photo, actually more crewel than I've seen in years.

One of the two Best in Show purple ribbons (one is given out in each age group, the quilt winner is in the Over Sixty Age category) is the quilt in the center of the piece. The hand quilting pattern was beautifully done but it doesn't show up in the photo.  Sadly, there are fewer quilts this year than usual but there is much more knitting.

Another better shot of the Best quilt plus a very nice counted thread piece frame to its left.  I ran into the counted thread piece's stitcher.  It is this design from Darleen O'Steen who lives over the mountain from us in the D.C. suburbs.

http://emlis.com/prayse_5.htm

Here's a better look at the other Best in Show piece, SharonG's Blue Purse.  Watson is inspecting the ribbons when I brought it home when the fair ended.  Yes, the piece is under glass.

My first Best in Show ribbon!  I wore it on the front of my t-shirt all day.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Perfecting Miko's Face

I know from comments and private emails I get that faces are harder than you would think for stitchers.  The traditional way to work a face in needlepoint is with tent stitches, although there are quite a few people who use brick stitches instead.  Either way works, but many folks report problems with the results.  Problems seem to fall into two groups:  the tent stitches themselves and the fine features such as eyes and mouth.

I don't have all the answers but I've probably made most of the possible mistakes in stitching faces over the years so I can tell you what I do to make sure my faces look as good as I can make them.  First of all, I use tent stitches, usually basketweave, for skin.  I use tent stitches and reverse tent (with an occasional cross stitch) for eyes and the mouth, and often use packed outline or stem stitch for eyebrows.  There are many stitches that work for faces, but these are my old standbys.  I stitch the skin with as perfect a basketweave stitch as I can muster and do features slowly and carefully, checking every 2-3 stitches to see if I need to pull out the stitches I've just done.  The expression can be radically changed by just one stitch.  Keep an eye on what you are creating so you can pull out anything that is giving your face an expression you don't want.

If your basketweave looks lumpy, with some stitches thicker than others despite your best efforts, that's usually a sign of too many plies in your needle.  Try removing a ply or two or if you are using something like perle cotton, try a smaller diameter thread.

If your face looks slightly muddy, as if the canvas is showing through the thread, you probably aren't using enough thread.  Add a ply or go up to a fatter diameter in your thread and see if that helps.

If you mix thread brands on your face (I used both Splendor silk floss and DMC cotton floss for Miko's skin tones) make sure that the threads are the same diameter.

If your basketweave has ridges, you probably have accidentally done two down (or up) rows together.  Basketweave is done on the diagonal, alternating a row up with a row down.  If you are interrupted and accidentally do two rows going in the same direction, you'll get a ridge.  Threadneedle Street has a nice discussion of basketweave on their website with diagrams that clearly show how NP canvas is woven. You can use the weave to make sure you always know whether you are on an up or down row by always doing the down rows on the "poles" and the up rows on the "steps".
http://www.threadneedlestreet.com/Basketweave.html

I hope all this helps the face challenged to create a face they are proud of.

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