Friday, November 9, 2012

DMC Offices Closed Due to Hurricane Sandy UPDATED

I thought shops would like to know that DMC's offices are closed now due to Hurricane Sandy.  This means orders are going to be delayed some.  The damage and disruption has been terrible and I think areas have been forgotten and left to deal with the disaster themselves, so please keep all hurt by Sandy in your prayers.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2012/11/dmc-offices-closed-due-to-hurricane-sandy-damage.html

UPDATE:  Things are getting better as the DMC offices are gutted and renovation has started.  If you emailed them just before or after the storm hit, you'll need to resend that message as they won't get them otherwise.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2012/11/dmcs-email-back-up-and-running-please-resubmit-entries-to-win-a-trip-to-paris.html

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

Kreinik for Free

Thread manufacturers are very generous with their threads. They often send samples to designers to help them plan designs and colors. Barbara Bergsten Designs just received some wonderful Kreinik threads and is willing to share. Check out her blog on how to enter the drawing for some of her Kreinik loot.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/11/create-needlepoint-giveaway.html

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

Katherine's Been Very Busy

Katherine's posted so many interesting things lately that I am grouping them all in one posting. First up, she shows how a problem canvas can turn inspirational again with a change of color and some input from a bystander (in this case, her local shop owner).
http://bootsandbeads.blogspot.com/2012/10/starting-over.html

That same shop owner has turned Katherine on to a new source of charms.
http://bootsandbeads.blogspot.com/2012/10/holy-beads-batman.html

Finally, Katherine's showing off some great finished New Orleans-themed pieces.
http://bootsandbeads.blogspot.com/2012/10/fabulous-finishing.html

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

Bread and Fishes

The power of the Internet brings wonderful examples of stitching right into our homes, where we can analyze, study and enjoy it all.   Aren't we lucky to be living now?  We can learn from wonderful stitchers like Vicky DeAngelis who is stitching one of the Keep Calm canvases from Unique New Zealand.  She decided on an open background with a darning pattern of fish which you can just barely seen in the lower left corner of the last two photos.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/10/12/the-evolution-of-a-stitch/

Then look and see what happened to the background.  Vicky understands no matter how clever the idea, how terrific the stitch, it doesn't pay to fall in love with it if it isn't just right for that particular canvas.  (Besides, now Vicky can go buy a new canvas with her fish background in mind.)
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/10/14/keep-calm-and-love-cats/

On the other hand, the Domestique, if she ever had doubts, is past them as she presents a finished framed John Johannsen design from Melissa Shirley.  This piece is full of ideas, such as the overdyed thread used to great effect in the background, the combination of ribbon and beads on The Bread Girl's flying ribbons and the interesting sleeves and waistband.  These are all from a Carolyn Hedge Baird stitch guide but that doesn't mean we can't reuse Carolyn's great ideas elsewhere.
http://thedomestiquete.wordpress.com/2012/10/13/needlepoint-post-melissa-shirley-bread-girl/

I am often asked where I get ideas for the painted canvases I stitch  Mostly, I cheat.  I carefully study pieces I see and file away great ideas for later.  It might be a great stitch or it might be a color combination I like.  Or maybe it's Vicky's experience discarding a great stitch for one that suits her canvas better.  All of these great stitchers help me become a great stitcher, and they will do the same for you if you study their experiences and emulate them as much as possible.

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