New Classes, New Threads

There are some spectacular new classes being offered I thought you would enjoy knowing about. In alphabetical order, BeStitched in Arizona is having a two-part class on Barbara Elmore's Ghost Cat.  Barbara posted photographs as she worked on the amazing metallic cat background and then needle felted roving on the cat's face.  If you are a cat lover or a collector of Halloween canvases, you will want to see this piece.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/two-part-stitching-specatular-series/

Needle House in Houston has Laurie Walden teaching Peter Rabbit, a Labors of Love canvas.  I've seen slightly better photographs on Facebook and I must say, this is a showstopper as well.  The umbrella is amazing!
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2013/04/peter-rabbit.html

Two canvases, both wonderful in their very different styles.  Click on the photos for a slightly better view.

For the threadaholics, Needle in a Haystack has great news.  They have Bella Lusso Twinkle and Diamant in stock now.  Twinkle is a rayon/metallic mix in a limited but very pretty range of colors.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/GS_Twinkle.html

Bella Lusso is 100% merino wool from Fleur de Paris.  They don't stock all the available colors but will special order what you need.  The wool itself is soft to the touch and the colors are very soft and pretty as well.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/FDP_BellaLusso.html

Diamant is a Japanese metallic thread distributed by DMC in Europe.  Needle in a Haystack is importing spools for our stitching pleasure.  The first link is to the colors on the NIAH site, the second link is to DMC's website with more information and better photographs of the available colors.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/DMC_Diamant.html

http://www.dmccreative.co.uk/Products/Needlework-Threads/Embroidery-Threads/Diamant.aspx

Aren't we lucky to have such wonderful classes and threads available to us?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

CraftOptics: Light Magnifier Clipons

If you are interested in a light and/or magnifier that clips onto your glasses, then this review of CraftOptics' lens systems is something you need to read. It shows you exactly what the system is like and how it works.  This is very valuable information for those who are hesitant to spend that kind of money on clip on lights/magnifiers that might not work well for you.  It's also interesting to see other options than large light/magnifier systems which don't work well for everyone's stitching nest.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/04/craftoptics-so-you-can-see-the-details.html

Here's the direct link to CraftOptics' website.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.