Thursday, November 29, 2012

A Mystery for November

Laura Perin has posted still another Monday Mini Mystery on her blog. Here is the first lesson. As the others appear each Monday, I'll add them to the list.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/mini-mystery-monday-for-november-pt-1.html

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/mini-mystery-monday-november-pt2.html

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/mini-mystery-monday-for-november-pt-3.html

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/mini-mystery-monday-november-finish.html

By the way, Liz just finished Monday Mini Mystery #8 and it turned out great.  These free mystery designs have been a wonderful gift from Laura Perin this year!
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/mini-mystery-monday-8.html

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

Just in Time for Christmas

There are more new things to talk about in the stitching-blog world, and with Christmas coming, some of these might need to go on your list for Santa. Needle in a Haystack has short blurbs about some new books they have in stock. Personally, I would love to see the Embroidered Portraits book under my tree. Jan Messent is well known in the embroidery world so this is definitely going to be an interesting book for those who love stitched faces and clothing.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2012/11/new-book-arrivals.html

The recent power outages (we've had three in the last year that lasted from 4 hours to five days here in CH) have us all thinking battery powered lights. Vicky shows off a battery or USB powered light that is also great for travel. By coincidence Quail Run has this very light on their website so I included both links to give you more information if you are interested.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/let-there-be-light/

http://www.quailrun-inc.com/whats-new.htm

Accoutrement Designs has announced a new partnership with Norden Crafts, which will bring some of their magnets to shops via Norden.  This means a broader range of shops will carry their work, which is good news for us all.  Congratulations!
http://fobfriends.blogspot.com/2012/11/new-partnership.html

Ruth Schmuff's shop has all sorts of holiday snap trays and project bags.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/11/needle-felting.html

Speaking of magnets, Pocket Full of Stitches has new ones in stock.  I think these are fabric or paper patterns showing through the clear acrylic but I'm not certain.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2012/11/new-magnets.html

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

Reviews

Personally I hate buying things sight unseen. Given my isolated location, this means I rarely purchase the latest book or tool or whatever until it has been out a while and all my friends tell me this is a Must Have.   Fortunately, I have a LOT of friends!

Linda of Stitching Sisters picked up her grandson's Christmas Santa ornament (so cute!) at her local and splurged on Kelly Clark's stumpwork sampler canvas and instructions booklet at the same time.  I think this is a kit, so you can't buy just the booklet.  The canvas shows various motifs and the booklet shows you how Kelly creates stumpwork for each section.  This is perfect if you want to try stumpwork on a painted canvas, learn something new and then recreate the techniques somewhere else.  I've been dying to see this, so the photos are very helpful in evaluating whether I want to splurge.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2012/11/finishing-and-stash-enhancement.html

To add to the information Linda posted, here is Kelly's finished sampler and (second link) her instructions for creating an amazing goldfish.  She makes it look easy!
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/09/kellys-new-sampler-stumpwork-naturally.html

http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/09/the-koi-and-turkey-preview.html

On another topic entirely, Inspirations magazine is well known to embroiders for its wonderful and varied projects.  It is now available in eBook form for those with electronic devices that run Android or iOS software.  Here's Mary Corbet's review.  Looks like it works for every flavor of device, too.  (Kindles can't run every Android app even though they are an Android device, for example.)  However, you should be aware Mary uses Macs so she only tested how it works on those.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2012/11/inspirations-magazine-e-readers.html

This makes me happy as it means the magazine is more widely available, which is important to folks like me who can't buy an individual copy of the magazine except via mail order.  It also makes me a little sad as the real thing has just taken one more step down the road of digital content only.  Progress is a two-edged sword, isn't it?

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