Achieving More Halloween Elegance

I've added a second photo of part of the Lee tote bag insert I'm working for Leigh Designs to the background of Blog this morning.  I'm sure you have heard over and over again that simple is elegant.  Don't over-accessorize.  Keep it simple.  Etc.

Some painted canvases call for over-the-top elements.  Some need a cleaner and more streamlined approach.  Smilin' Jack is one of the latter designs since it's a small canvas and is supposed to have a short stitch guide.  So how do I do this?  How do you "style" a small pumpkin canvas in an elegant manner that will look sophisticated because it is simple?

I decided that I would use the same stitch for all the leaves.  Only the color and the orientation of the stitch changes.  Simple but elegant.

Of course this is just step one of the leaves....

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

Buy an Orphan Stocking or Bride

Nimble Needle is helping out a customer by selling two finished (or almost finished) pieces that a customer stitched but doesn't love through the shop's eBay store.  The first is a Victorian bride and the second a Christmas stocking without a name.  The two pieces are on their blog under July 19, 2011.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/

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

I'd Heard About These

I had heard that Sundance had some fabulous new purses but until Vicky posted a photo, I'd never seen what they look like--or even had a good description.  Aren't they lovely?
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/07/16/sundance-design-presents/

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