Tantalizing Glimpses

Yesterday in the tantalizing way all us stitch guide writers have of showing off just a bit of our work, I posted two photos on Needlepoint Nation (the Facebook group of needlepoint fanatics) showing some of my two latest stitch guides.   Both are from Leigh Designs.   Can you guess what these two photos are?

The top photograph shows the maple tree from Leigh's Japanese Tea House.  This design was originally intended to be used in Lee's nylon tote bags but I think Leigh Designs plans to frame the model when it reaches them later this week.  Here's the original canvas.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Sgl7610.html

By the way, the little geisha magnet was from Mag Friends and I think they are sold out, but you might find one in a shop if you look around. I bought it nearly two years ago.

Leigh's Japanese Tea House Finished

Here is the finished tea house.  I used a layering technique to make the maple leaves more realistic and adapted Or Nue' for the painted and gilded eaves of the tea house itself.  The sage green background is unstitched to help provide contest with the Japanese maple leaves, but I listed the perfect thread to use in case you hate unstitched areas on your designs.  This piece was stitched with the new Silken Straw in three places, but I listed substitutes that will give a similar look for each area if you want to shop your stash instead of ordering a completely new thread.  

The second photo is a close up of one of Leigh's Water Babies.  This is Fantine, who has peacock eyes on her mermaid's tail.  (I've also written guides for Alta and Mimsy but there are no photos of them yet.)
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp441x.html

Everyone asks about the curls.  These were Sue Parson's idea.  They are made of ribbon floss.   Sue had seen this used somewhere and asked me how to create curls from this thread and with a little experimentation I was able to figure out the technique.   Sue did a lovely job creating the model.  Here is her finished and framed piece.  If your shop is going to the January TNNA show, I think they'll be able to see this in person at the Leigh Designs booth.  Sue is very kindly loaning it to Leigh.

Fantine All Stitched But Not Framed Yet

Your shop can order the guide and canvas of either of these for you directly from Leigh Deisgns, but you can visit the CH Stitch Guides blog and order the stitch guide only straight from me if you happen to have the canvas already.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/p/want-to-buy-chilly-hollow-stitch-guides.html

Hope you enjoyed the full disclosure!

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.

Sometimes You Just Have To Go Your Own Way

Leigh Designs' Barcelona from the ESPANA Series

Remember almost two years ago (Two YEARS? Where does the time go?!!!?) when I stitched the coaster size of Barcelona for Leigh Designs?   Here's the original unstitched canvas which you will want to look at so you can compare what I did with the design to the original which is pictured above.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Sgl6250.html

Now look at the link below.  Jean Phillips is stitching the same piece right now and is making it all her own.  I'm fascinated!
http://lovingstitches.typepad.com/a-needlepoint-journal-abo/2013/10/floating-sunflowers-a-return-to-joyful-color.html

Jean has emphasized the flowers by adding more of them and removing the background lace, leaves and the china plates.  It's very inspiring to see what she's done.  If you look closer you will see the piece is all in tent stitches, with beads and buttons added as emphasis.  It's a very clever way of embellishing a design without sacrificing any of the detail that you can get with tent stitches.

I swear I'm adding a little bit of me to my next project!

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.

Medieval Medley

Because Joni Stevenson's blog is full of stitching tips and help, we forget sometimes that she teaches all over. Here is her Medieval Medley stitched by Jan for your viewing pleasure. It's it lovely?!
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2013/10/15/medieval-medley-by-joni-stevenson-finale/

Didn't know Joni had a blog?  Here's the link.  What are you waiting for?!
http://creative-stitch.blogspot.com

You can see more of her beautiful teaching pieces on her website.  She's a very talented designer and teacher.  I've particularly partial to "The Wave."  What's your favorite?
http://www.jonisdesigns.com/Workshops.html

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.