Wednesday, February 8, 2012

Hari-Kyuo: Making A Needlebook with Susan

If you greatly admired Susan's needlebook last year, this year she is offering an online course to teach you how to make your own.  Later on she'll sell the instructions but right now she is doing this as a cyber class.  You can see Susan's needlebook and learn about the course on her website.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/p/hari-kuyo-needlebook-e-course.html

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

Gay Ann Rogers' Hearts Sale Begins

Today's the beginning of Gay Ann Rogers' heart ornament sale. Every year she sells heart ornament counted canvaswork designs just before Valentine's Day. This sale only lasts a week so you have to order now or hope that the design you like turns up in her October sale later on.  The sale this year is unique in that it offers a heart to use in practicing techniques used for her large Portrait of Elizabeth piece which will be offered through the Shining Needle Society later this year.  If you want a practice piece, or if you know you don't have time to take her Portrait class but would like a taste of the design, now's the time to order.  To see the Portrait of Elizabeth piece, click on Elizabeth Class.
http://www.gayannrogers.com/site_2/Home_Page.html

Please note that you can buy the threads and congress cloth needed for a heart.  The instructions price includes the beads needed, but other items will be sold separately.  There is no Paypal button for them yet as Gay Ann finds it easier to sell the instructions first, then deal with selling supplies the next week.


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

Ehrman Tapestries on Sale

Fans of good design will enjoy browsing the Ehrman sale.  If you aren't familiar with Ehrman kits, these are from a variety of British textile designers and printed on larger canvases that come with the wools necessary to complete the design.  I think these days they sometimes kit with cotton and the sizes of the canvas that comes with the kits varies from 7 to 12 count, so read the descriptions carefully before you buy to know exactly what the kit you lost your heart to will be like.  Be warned:  these are meant to be done in continental, not basketweave, so you may run short of threads if you stitch another way.
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/Departments/On-Sale.aspx?sortorder=2&page=1&PerPage=500


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

Hari-Kuyo, The Festival of Broken Needles

Julie Mar's Jade Pond
Got your old needles ready? I've wrapped mine in pretty paper tied with a beautiful bow. Now let's assemble around the Jade Pond.  One at a time each of us will walk across the bridge, stop in the middle, and toss our little packets of needles into the pond, giving thanks for their faithful service as we stitched and stitched and stitched with them.

Now that all our needles from last year have magically vanished into the pond's blue waters, let's settle down on benches around the other side of the pond and drink our tea and coffee together, planning our stitching with brand new needles and lovely threads next year.  Happy Hari-kuyo!

If you would like to add the lovely little garden above to your stash, here's a link.
http://www.needlepoint.com/all-canvases/landscapes/jade-pond.html


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

Interviews: Ashley Bradley and Barbara Bergsten

Thanks to Facebook, I've discovered this interview with Ashley Bradley, the owner of A. Bradley Needle Arts.  The interview with Ashely starts at about fifteen minutes through the 27 minute show.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MJK-Yz61qt8&feature=youtu.be

Intrigued?  Check out her painted canvases here.
http://www.abradleyneedlearts.com/about.html

The World of Needlepoint site (sponsored by TNNA) has a new interview up with Barbara Bergsten.  Once you read the article, you'll be charmed and want to see more (second link).
http://www.worldofneedlepoint.com/featuredartist.html

http://www.barbarabergstendesigns.com/


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