Orna Willis Goes to Maryland

Orna Willis was the guest teacher at Bedecked and Beadazzled outside of Baltimore last weekend.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2012/05/history-with-friend.html

Ruth Schmuff (who owns BandB) took lots and lots of photographs.  Here are some of Orna's pieces up close, with lots of colorways to choose from.  The colors are stunning and I know from personal experience that when you see them in person versus in photographs, you will be amazed.  The colors sing together.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/05/orna-orna-orna.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/05/orna-and-peacocks.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/05/colr-orna-style.html

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

Stitch of the Month Witch Hat Progress

Sheena has posted progress on her Stitch of the Month project--which is a witch's hat instead of the heart of the original SOTM design.  Because she is making it up as she goes along instead of following the posted pattern, she is changing things she's already done to make the whole project more pleasing.  It's a fun way to learn about design and trusting your own instincts when it comes to what looks good.
http://sheenassweetstitches.com/stitches-atenti-caddy/2012/01/sample-post/


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

How to Prevent Dandruff (and Why)

Diane is about to start stitching a large nutcracker canvas with a huge amount of white background. She has decided to paint the white background so that no matter what stitch Amy Bunger recommends when Diane takes this canvas to an Amy class, no white bits of canvas (often called "dandruff") show.  Here's how she learned to paint out white background.
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/dry-brushing-nutcracker-canvas.html

If you are unfamiliar with canvas dandruff, or want to know other ways of preventing it, settle down with Joni Stevenson for another terrific explanation of stitching techniques and how to improve your finished project.
http://creative-stitch.blogspot.com/2012/05/canvas-coverage.html

http://creative-stitch.blogspot.com/2012/05/look-at-cross-stitch-and-fabric.html


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

Sands of Time Colors

Once again Scarlet Thread has assembled thread kits for Threedles' Sands of Time. Here's the original, done in the Calypso colors.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ScarletThread/-strse-3343/charted-needlepoint%2C-canvaswork%2C-Kurdy/Detail.bok

Here are the Calypso threads as well as threads for the Kolam version, soft pastel greens and lilacs with mauve and blues thrown in.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2012/05/weve-got-your-color.html

If you need more eye candy, look at the thread kits for Laura Perin's Spring Long Panel at the bottom of the previous link.  The link below shows the finished Spring Long Panel.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ScarletThread/-strse-3357/charted-needlepoint%2C-canvaswork%2C-Laura/Detail.bok

The beautiful colors almost make me want to attempt one of these beauties. Excuse me while I go wash my mouth out with soap....

Jane, waving from CH where I have too many painted canvases lined up to start lining up charts too!

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