Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Blue Bonnet Studio Retreat February 2013

It's never too early to plan a stitching vacation. Blue Bonnet Studio has opened registration for their February 2013 retreat at Lost Pines, Texas.  The details are here-
http://www.bluebonnetstudio.com/bbs-time-2013

The classes are listed here.  There is everything from various types of surface embroidery to needlepoint and Japanese Embroidery.  The projects are gorgeous and I think a good time guaranteed for all.
http://www.bluebonnetstudio.com/bbs-time/classes


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

Want Whipped Cream on That Canvas?

Karen showed off some cute cupcake canvases on the Nimble Needle blog this morning, as well as a wonderful way of stitching whipped cream.  Suddenly I'm hungry!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2012/03/cupcakes.html


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

Frames and Accessories

Occasionally I see a new frame or frame accessory that looks very intriguing. Images Stitchery has a new lap table to use with a lap frame that might work nicely as a lap desk, too.
http://imagesstitcherydesign.com/catalog/accessories/#ecwid:category=996829&mode=product&product=4759053

A friend just picked up a Mark 2 floor stand and she loves it!  These are made by Hearthside.  She uses scroll frames, so this is perfect for her.  It doesn't look to me that my stretcher bars would work with this brand but then I discovered the Stitcher's Cabinet. I now want one of those, please!
http://www.hearthsidecraftworks.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=4&Itemid=4

http://www.hearthsidecraftworks.com/index.phpoption=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid=23


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

A Sad Week in Chilly Hollow

It's a sad week in Chilly Hollow. I heard last night that Ro Pace's husband has died. She's a lovely lady who teaches wonderful geometric patterns. If you know Ro, you might want to send her a quiet note of condolence for her loss.
http://designsbyro.blogspot.com/2012/03/my-dear-sweet-husband.html

http://www.designsbyro.com/needlepoint_designs_by_ro/Welcome_2.html

It's also a sad time in Chilly Hollow for another reason--the local pharmacy closed this week.  It was bought out by one of the major drug store chains as the pharmacists were just too worried about the changes coming from ObamaCare to continue their six day a week job serving our little county. They are retiring.  They made sure their employees have jobs at the major chain, which is one of the reasons I am sorry to see them go--they are decent folks.  Now I have to drive 20 miles one way to fill a prescription and am dealing with a chain, not the small business that made sure I could fill prescriptions early because of a vacation, that checked to see that I understood all the possible side effects of my husband's drugs, that always got us the brand of generic drug that my husband prefers, that employed local teens to take orders and make change, and that had a smile and a kind word for everyone.  Things change, but ObamaCare--despite all its worthy goals--has been a disaster for us personally, with my husband's good health insurance plan pulling out of our state due to ObamaCare leaving us with only one plan available which isn't as good as the old one was, my insurance costs going up $57 a month due to ObamaCare this year (I shudder to think about next year) and now with us losing our pharmacy.  I don't know anyone personally that it has helped, only folks it has hurt, but you may be different.  I hope so given the price tag of this government boondoggle!  This is nothing compared to losing a spouse like Ro has but it is a constant problem for us and one I'll be addressing at the ballot box come November.

I rarely talk politics here since this is a needlepoint blog where personal things have no place, but no matter how you feel about ObamaCare, this upcoming election is a very important one.  If you are a citizen of the United States, make sure you vote your convictions.  This is a turning point for our country.

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