Hold On To Your Needles! It's Callaway!

It's that time of year--the website for Callaway Gardens School of Needle Arts 2014 is up and available for drooling!
http://www.callawaygardens.com/events/education-and-culture/callaway-gardens-school-of-needle-arts

Callaway isn't affiliated with ANG or EGA, it is a separate entity in a lovely venue, the Callaway Gardens just north of Columbus, Georgia.  The classes are smaller, the atmosphere cozy, and the students return year after year.  If you want to become a Callaway alum, all the information you need is in the link above.

I hope you have a little time to browse the classes and dream over the long Memorial Day weekend.  Remember the stitchers who came before us, and think about enhancing your own stitching skills as you look at the wonderful lessons available to anyone who can manage to get away next January.

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.

The Second Background (Dr. Who)

Now that I have most of Dr. Eleven stitched, I have to find a background.  I decided I wanted to stick with the same vivid blue colors and threads (Lorikeet and Silk Lame Braid) that I used for the Weeping Angel Statue canvas but not reuse the background from that piece.  This limits me in many ways.  A lighter color background works in more stitches than a dark color does in my experience.  You can get away with more stitches if the background is lighter.  I also think using light coverage stitches means you can use more stitches because a light coverage stitch is meant to not completely cover the canvas.  A bit of canvas "dandruff" isn't an issue with light coverage stitches.

So I have painted myself into a corner in a way.  Let's see if I can find a way out!

First I consulted my favorite books for background stitches.  By the way, several books are dedicated to background stitches.  Keep an eye open for Mindy English's Canvas Embroidery Notebook:  Backgrounds if you like embroidery-inspired stitches which are not the usual thing.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Canvas-Embroidery-Notebook-Backgrounds-by-Mindy-English-/271206401652?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3f25294674

 June McKnight has three books exclusively on backgrounds--the brand new Colorful Backgrounds (which talks about using color in your background) and...
http://www.junemcknight.com/colorfulbackgrounds/ColorfulBackgrounds.html

...her older Backgrounds book which called Decorative Backgrounds for Needlepoint which appears to have a lot of darning patterns, although I've never seen this book so I am not sure.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2440/_sale_decorative_backgrounds_for_needlepoint_by_june_mcknight.html

There is also her More Background Stitches, which builds on Decorative Backgrounds to offer even more options for stitchers.  Of course many many books have stitches useful for backgrounds, so don't neglect checking out all your books for ideas.   I'd love to hear about great background stitch books, so if you have one you use a lot, please mention it in the comments or email me directly at chilly hollow at hot maildot com and I'll post for you.
http://bethsneedlepoint.com/Dot_StoreProducts.asp?storecategoryDesc=Books%20and%20DVDs&idstoreCategory=69

But just how do you pick a background from all these books?  That is a topic for tomorrow.

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.

Sorority Canvases UPDATED

Barbara Bergsten has some wonderful sorority canvases.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2013/05/sorority-needlepoint.html

Seeing Barbara's charming designs prompted me to make a list of all the designers who create Greek college group designs.  Here they are, in alphabetical order.  Please let me know where you get your favorite designs if they are not already on the list.

Betsy B. - I believe that Betsy B. had a lot of sorority-themed canvases but their website has disappeared and I can't find any of their designs pictured in the big shops.  Your best bet will be to check with your favorite shops to see if any of this designer's work is in their inventory.  You can also see if this store has anything in stock still.  Some folks will want to check out the Mackenzie Childs canvases, too.
http://knit1needlepoint2.com/designers/betsey_b.html

UPDATE:  Betsy B. just posted (Sept. 2013) that they didn't know their website was down, but folks can visit Painted Pony (Betsy B.'s distributor) to see their designs.

Kangaroo Paws - This new designer doesn't seem to have a website but does sell on eBay a little.  Your shop will probably have to order for you if the sorority or fraternity you want isn't there.
http://stores.ebay.com/Bloomin-Stitches-Needlework/Kangaroo-Paw-Designs-/_i.html?_fsub=4796091014&_sid=1072633294&_trksid=p4634.c0.m322

Painted Pony Designs - They offer small sorority angels in their signature angel series, little socks, and heart shapes too.  The tiny angels have charms that relate to the sorority's mascot, which is a nice touch.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/designs.htm

Smothers and Branson - The company specializes in finished needlepoint pieces, especially belts.
http://www.smathersandbranson.com/web/catalog.aspx

Some shops have a large stock of sorority canvases.  Serendipity Needleworks also has a photo album of these type of designs on their Facebook page.
http://www.serendipityneedleworks.com/Store/pc/viewCategories.asp?idCategory=38

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.