Dead with Comments

Earlier this week I got an email from a stitching blog reader who would love to leave comments for all the blogs she follows but is unable to get through the "Prove You Are Not A Robot" authentication no matter how hard she tries. It seems to be something about her account. She asked me to let all blog writers know that thee are plenty of folks like her, who read and enjoy stitching blogs but aren't able to leave messages.

I don't know about other blog software but Blogger allows writers to turn on authentication of comments and I do that.  This means I have to OK each and every comment but it also means that automated spam is filtered out and the folks who send selling messages to every blog they can find are eliminated before they get to Blog.  I get an average of one spam message a week, but they normally come in clumps of 3-4 one day and then nothing for a week or two until they find Blog again and attempt to post messages.  The latest scam they use is a flattering message about how great your blog is with a link to their site.  All these are marked as spam and deleted before you ever see them.

The down side is that legit comments don't always get through.  That's why when I post a message I know will create a lot of comments I always post my email address so that folks who can't get through Comments can at least email me privately and I can post their message for them.  I would encourage other stitching bloggers to do the same.  You can even set up a free email account just for these messages which is what I have done.  I don't use my private email address, that is for my family to send messages to only.

I promised to mention this problem as it is very frustrating to loyal blog fans.  You have readers you don't know about because they are rendered mute.  I'm not advocating turning off the authentication, mind.  If you do that, you are going to be victimized by spammers and worse.  But I can't comment on most (but not all) WordPress blogs myself.  I know how frustrating that is!

In other news, I've added a photo of Sherry Bray's Day of the Dead lady (she taught Pocito who has the green background at Queen Anne Stitches in Santa Clarita, CA this summer)  to the CH Stitch Guides blog. Sherry is selling the guide for her version if you are interested.  To see Sherry's skeleton all dressed up and ready to rock, pleases click on the magic carpet photo on the right side of this page.  You will be magically whisked away to the other blog to admire Sherry's work.

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

Are You Ready for the Camera?

Robin King takes us behind the scenes of an advertising photo shoot for the Needle Deeva's Fab Firs monthly club.  I always love learning more about the business side of needlepoint, and of course there are all those lovely finished pieces to admire!
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2012/11/fab-firs-photo-shoot.html

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

I Need Me Some Silk Ribbon Inspiration

Say you are interested in learning about stitching with silk ribbon on needlepoint canvas but your local shop --assuming you have one-- doesn't carry it.  You don't know anyone who has ever done silk ribbon embroidery, either.  Where do you start?  Well, you pick up a Kit to Go from River Silks, the company that makes the most lovely silk ribbons in three widths and zillions of colors.   I love their ribbons and have used them in many projects.  It's wonderful ribbon for needlepointers.
http://www.riversilks.com/kitstogo.html

The kits have everything you need, the ribbons, a needle, and the canvas.  The stitch guide you download from the River Silks site (guides for specific projects and help with various common stitches are listed under Education or you can click on this link).
http://www.riversilks.com/stitch_guides.html

If you are ready to jump in (which is what I always do, usually screaming KAWABUNGA! much to my husband's dismay), check out the various kits and find an effect you want to try to replicate, then look at the stitch guide for that project.

Have fun!

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