Finishing Friday: The Masculine Side

This morning's finishing starts out with a lovely Sudberry box decorated with one of Jan Fitzpatrick's Thread Medley designs, stitched through Cyberpointers.  It was stitched by Liz for her husband, who surely will adore it.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2014/01/young-mans-fancy-finished.html

Here is the Thread Medley website, full of fun charts to explore.
http://www.threadmedley.com/Thread_Medley/Welcome.html

Whimsy and Grace showed a lovely pumpkin leather purse at Market.  Here are several great photos, courtesy of the Needlepointing in Your Nest Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=699060630138559&set=a.695333217177967.1073741862.141607859217175&type=3&theater

Sue has stitched another Gaughi doll.  This one is Val for Valentine's Day.
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2014/01/22/first-entry-of-2014-playing-catch-up-already/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Celebrating Chinese New Year

My Chinese New Year Dragon

It's Chinese New Year! I associate this holiday with fireworks. Check out Linda's stitched fireworks, which I think are by Kelly Clark. 
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2014/01/happy-new-year.html

Vicky celebrates the Year of the Horse in style.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/the-year-of-the-horse/

But of course it's those dragon parades I think of most when I think Chinese New Year.  Wonder if I'll have time to stitch myself that Leigh canvas above in 2014?

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.

Orchid for A Winter's Day

Ruth Schmuff has taken the Color of the Year from Pantone and pulled threads and canvases that match. Whether color trends mean anything to you or not, this orchid is the perfect color for a dreary winter's day!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/01/radiant-orchid.html

Thanks, Ruth.  You warmed my heart with eye candy.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Shorebird Studio Show

Normally I put trunk shows in the Trunk Shows and Sales tab, but The Needlepointer's online show of Katie Molineux's canvases is too good to miss if you don't visit that section of Blog regularly.  The trunk show ends Feb. 1 so visit soon.  I don't know when the next trunk show will replace these photos of some of Katie's new pieces which aren't on her website.
http://www.theneedlepointer.com/trunk-shows/

The carp and waterfall scroll is magnificent!  Don't miss it, even though you will have to click on the small thumbnail to see what I'm raving about.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Visit When You Can, Shop Online When You Cannot UPDATED

Judging from the countries where Blog's computer visitors originate, there are a lot of folks here who don't visit the U.S. shops in person. They rely on mail order. This can be expensive, with duties and postal costs and many shops simply don't want to bother.  Unbroken Thread's owner is in Germany and faces this sort of problem, but she's found a great mail order source in England.  You can read about her experiences here.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2014/01/25/wow-threads-have-arrived/

Here is the direct link to the Londoun Bead Company's online store, which I had never heard of before.  Judging from Kathy's experience, this is a great source.  I hope some of you find this useful as well.
http://www.londonbeadco.co.uk/shopping/index.html

If you have to mail order your needlepoint supplies and are not in the U.S., what shops have you found to be very useful?  Please comment below or email me at chilly hollow at hotmail dot com and I will post the shop for you here.

UPDATE:  Kathy visited the shop while taking a course from the Royal School.  Here's what she said.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2014/02/24/rsn-canvsawork-a-day-exploring-london/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Design and New Colorways

Kathy shows off several new color combinations of her counted canvas work designs plus shows us her very newest pattern--"Stained Glass Stars."  I don't know about you, but these wonderful colors cheer me in the depths of winter. Thanks, Kathy!
http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2014/01/colorand-more-color.html

Don't miss the information about her Shining Needle Society class at the bottom of the article as the sign up deadline is near.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

HP Design Inventory Sale UPDATED

The owner of HP Designs retired last year and sold some of their copyrights to other designers. However, they still have leftover inventory in designs that no one else picked up and have some of their lacquer boxes left as well. They've set up a website to reduce the inventory. If you loved their work, check out the leftovers here.  Please note that there are quite a few boxes left.  The ones with prices only have one size left.  The others are in various sizes, so click on the color you like and browse.
http://www.hpneedlepoint.com/index.html

UPDATE:  Wanna see what a good box will do to a design?  Orna knows!
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2014/01/more-on-those-boxes.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Want to Take A Class?

If you want to take a class but your local shop doesn't offer them (or you don't have a shop anywhere near you), don't worry--the American Needlepoint Guild has your back.  Head to their website and look at all the various classes you can take online or by mail under the Educational Opportunities tab.  There are a huge variety of classes, taught by some of the most famous teachers in the needlepoint world, just waiting for you to sign up.
http://www.needlepoint.org/index.php

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint This! on TV! UPDATED

Needlepoint This! was interviewed on television this morning right after Good Morning America.  Here's the interview.  What fun!  Many thanks to the shop for making needlepoint look so appealing.
http://www.wfaa.com/good-morning-texas/Needlepoint-This-is-still-keeping-it-beautiful-242244281.html

UPDATE:
There was more after a commercial break.  Many thanks to TNNA's blog for alerting me!
http://www.wfaa.com/home/related/Learn-a-new-stitch-with-a-new-thread-Needlepoint-This-242254041.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Blue Russian: What's Beard and What's Not?

Welcome back to another step in stitching my Leigh Blue Russian Santa!

First of all, I've finally made up my mind which thread to use for the little Smyrna Cross on each mitten. It's the glow-in-the-dark white Petite Silk Lame Braid, folks.   If you don't want to use the glow-in-the-dark white, that's fine.  The regular white Petite Silk Lame Braid will be ok.   I just like the stark whiteness of the SP300 versus the regular white of the SP02.    I didn't want to tell you to buy a card of that color just for the mitten snowflakes, though.  I had to wait until I did some beard-eyebrow-mustache stitching to know if my idea of achieving an icy hair look would work.  And it did!

So now I can justify using the white Petite Silk Lame Braid since you'll need more than six inches of it.  Stitch guide writers think about these things, you know.  We don't want to waste your money on something that you won't use much of unless we absolutely must.  In the photo below you will see both mittens and also see the eyebrows and mustache are in place.

Eyebrows and Mustache

I did the mustache first.  It is stem stitch mostly, using a ply of white Splendor silk mixed in the needle's eye with a strand of gray Wisper.  First do a short horizontal stitch over his upper lip, then start working one side of the mustache in stem stitches.  Occasionally you'll need a split stitch or a straight stitch to get the fullness you want but simply sketch him in with needle and thread.  Oddly, I discovered that it is easier to do the beard after the mustache is in position, so that's what I recommend.  If you look carefully at the photo you will see I did most of the beard and then pulled it all out.  The holes show the pattern of the stitch I used, but first let's talk eyebrows.  They are also a mix of threads--this time a strand of white Wisper mixed with that white Petite Silk Lame Braid from the mitten snowflakes.  Just add 3-5 slanting stitches over his eyes.  Take a stitch, stop and look, take another stitch, repeat.  You will know when the look is right.

Once your Santa has a mustache and eyebrows, then it is time for the beard.  It is done in the same threads as the eyebrows--a strand of white Petite Silk Lame Braid mixed with a strand of white Wisper.  You get the icy sparkle from the metallic in the PSLB but the fuzz of the Wisper makes the mix look like a soft beard.  I love the look!  Unfortunately, the two threads don't lay quietly together--they wrestle in the needle's eye--so you will need a laying tool and some patience to get them to lay nice and flat.  The stitched used is balloon stitch.  Here's a diagram.  Turn Santa on his side so his head points right or left (your choice) and work the stitches along the row.

This is what you will end up with once you turn Santa upright again--

Beard and Shadow

But before you start stitching the beard, you have to decide what is beard, what is the beard's shadow, what is the ermine trim around Santa's cloak and what is the fur trim at his wrists.  In the photo above you can see that I have some darker beard at the bottom where it is in shadow.  That effect is from substituting a strand of gray Wisper for the white Wisper mixed in the needle with your white Petite Silk Lame Braid.  Note that along the edge when I had to compensate I mostly splint the longer stitches in half instead of into three quarters.  I think that looks best.  By the way, my Blue Russian was painted in such a way to have some white hair between his right eyebrow and beard. I just did straight stitches over two canvas threads there to achieve a smooth look. (Remember to add this when you have Santa turned on his side to work the beard.)  Your Santa may be painted slightly differently, though.  All the Blue Russians are being painted by Alex from Leigh Designs' studio but she is human so there is a slight variation in the Santas she creates despite her best efforts.  

My Santa Right Now

Here is what Northern Light Santa looks like as of today.  Several folks asked about magnets that would coordinate with their Blue Russian.  As you can see I choose to use my blue ANG magnet and one of the Elizabeth Turner Bling rhinestone magnets.  I don't have any snowflake magnets, "snow" being a dirty word here after all the snow shoveling I've had to do recently!

The next posting on Blue Russian will be February 3.  I need some time to work background and and decide exactly what to do for the ermine trim.  I may end up working Santa's inner robe front instead.  My ermine idea might need to be worked last.  We'll see.  Regardless, I'll be back with more Blue Russian on that date.  Remember to send me progress photos so I can show off your work.  

Questions? Email me at chillyhollow @ hotmail.com and I'll get back to you by the next day.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

TNNA Survey for 2013

TNNA's annual market survey "State of Specialty Needlearts" is available for all to read. Needlepoint is a small part of the entire survey but the survey results are very interesting. See page 2 where the survey shows that needlepointers spend more annually on average than any other category (knitters outnumber needlepointers by almost ten times but the average needlepointer spends twice what the average knitter does annual on their craft) and also the last page which has a demographic breakdown.  
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.tnna.org/resource/collection/386A6007-6C3F-4D15-A864-6D0DBD47FB40/TNNA-2013-Market-Summary-Final.pdf

The thing I took away from this survey is the growing importance of stitch guides in promoting painted canvas sales.  "Needlepointers typically use a stitch guide for half their projects. Needlepoint stores, in contrast, have stitch guides for one quarter or less of the canvases they sold."  There is a lot more to learn by reading the survey carefully but because I sell stitch guides, this is the one thing I really paid attention to.

The use of Facebook and Ravelry if you are a knitter is of growing importance.  If you don't have an account, this is the time to get one.

This is the general survey.  TNNA members can get more detailed breakdowns for their area for free and if you would like to pay for these results if you are not a member, TNNA will gladly sell them to you.

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.

Brenda Stofft Store Exclusive

Hingham Square Needlepoint worked with Brenda Stofft on this custom Christmas tree skirt, posted on the shop's Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=423718274428519&set=gm.606934872717008&type=1&theater

They talked Brenda into creating a shop exclusive called Sugar and Spice Mrs. Santa which is available to be made into a stand up or tree topper, but doesn't have the side peppermint candy garlands.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=424256614374685&set=gm.607589242651571&type=1&theater

Contact the shop to order.
http://hinghamsquareneedlepoint.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Chandail Exclusives Planned

Chandail is going the exclusive route this year, offering a exclusive Easter Egg bunny from Kirk and Bradley, an exclusive Christmas piece from Brenda Stofft to be released in July, and is also going to have Julia Snyder do stitch guides for a series of Petei Santas now that Painted Pony is distributing Petei designs.  Read all about it and more in their newsletter.
http://siterepository.s3.amazonaws.com/956/enewsletterjanchandail20140117.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Look Back--WAAAAAY BACK

Erin takes us on a trip back to the past with information about the classes she and her mother took on needlepoint back in the 1970s when her mother was teaching her to needlepoint.
http://needlepointland.com/2014/01/08/my-own-private-idaho/

Here's to Betty and Mrs. Montgomery!  And here's a toast to Shay Pendray!
http://needlepointland.com/2014/01/09/primitive-country-scene/

Thanks for the memories and the skills that last a lifetime and beyond.

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.

One of a Kind Items from TNNA Winter Market

Needle Nicely shows off some very interesting one-of-a-kind pieces from dede Odgen and Trubey.  If you want something no one else has, this is the place to shop.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2014/01/one-of-kind-designs-from-san-diego.html

Mary Agnes, your own personal needlepoint shopper....

By the way, have you seen these sunglasses?
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/01/17/cross-eyes-from-noteworthy-needle/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Who Else Needs This on a Needlepoint Canvas?

Who else needs this painted on a needlepoint canvas? 
http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2014/01/please-enter-your-pin.html

Jane, exits laughing

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.

Finishing Friday: Great Works

Today's Finishing Friday isn't really about the making up of a finished project, it's about finishing a major project.   Connie has finished an original project inspired by the quilters of Gees Bend.  Follow the links to see more photos.
http://freestyleneedlework.com/after-gees-bend-project/

Jan has finished a very large patchwork rug that she bought partly started years ago.  She picked it up in 2010, determined to slowly finish it.  And she did!  What a labor of love!
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2014/01/08/wow-patchwork-rug-finale/

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.

Another Wonderful Ornament Exchange

Many guilds do an ornament exchange for Christmas, but one shop--Pocket Full of Stitches--has their own exchange among the great folks who work at the shop. Take a look at the photos from their 2013 Christmas party?! There is a photo of each happy recipient and their ornament, plus a closeup of all but one of them AND they identify the designer so you can stitch one, too.  
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2014/01/pfos-annual-christmas-party-ornament.html

What fun!  Thanks for sharing, PFOS!

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.

Bunny Ears

Designer's Desk has their newsletter available on the Internet. Don't miss their "bunny ears" tip for cutting and opening skeins of perle cotton.
http://origin.library.constantcontact.com/download/get/file/1102470515590-125/Newsletter12014.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Reorganization

January is a month for starting over, for making resolutions, for trying to organize and store threads. Debbie Rowley of DebBee Designs is no exception to this feeling and has posted a wonderful article about reorganizing Kreinik spools. 
http://debbeesdesigns.com/DDWrdPrs/2014/01/07/organized-thoughts/

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.

All About the New Ribbons at Market

I've been eagerly awaiting reports on the new ribbons that Barbara Elmore and Sundance released at the Winter Market.  And here it is--from Barbara herself!  They are called Stitchy and Glitzy Ribbons.  Barbara even has included a brief tutorial on how to use these on needlepoint canvas.  That bluebird is to die for!
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2014/01/see-whats-new.html

Sundance has also introduced a smaller diameter Sparkles, the tubular mesh that is perfect for special effects. It's called Mini Sparkles.  Here is a video about Sparkles, the regular size, but the smaller size is used the same way.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xn5ftSl_DxE

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Classes and New Threads

Terry Dryden just finished her newest design, "Autumn Arrows."  It is beautiful!  Terry choose Treenway Natural Dye Threads, which accounts for the lovely colors.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2014/1/8/new-design-autumn-arrows.html

Treenway Silks is a small company that started out in British Colombia before moving to Colorado, which is why the threads aren't common in the shops. I have a skein in my stash that is just beautiful that I'm saving for a special project.  The threads make a design (see below), as we all know, so do take a little browse at the Treenway site to see if there's something there that is perfect for that project you've been wanting to start.
http://www.treenwaysilks.com

Here's proof that threads make a project.  Nimble Needle did photographs of threads as they pulled them for various canvases they sell.  Doesn't seeing the supplies with the canvas make your mouth water?!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2014/01/canvas-threads-too-please.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.

Buying Supplies for the Blue Russian Santa UPDATED

I want to remind everyone that I updated the Materials List for my Russian Santa in the tab above. I've also started adding links to online sources for the more exotic items that are either brand new or not commonly stocked by needlepoint stores. Please support your local shop when you can and remember to substitute for items you can't get easily or which you don't like to use. A good example is yesterday's Ultrasuede appliqué. Not everyone likes fabrics attached to their needlepoint. If that includes you, just repeat the long slanting satin stitches you did for the glass part of the lantern in the black bottom area using black silk, or wool, or Petite Very Velvet if you happen to have them at hand.

UPDATE:  Vicky added a note to the Materials List that the dark gray Wisper W60 is discontinued and has been replaced by Wisper W133 which is the same color according to her.  Either works and you might find either at your local shop, depending how how recently they've restocked their threads.  Thanks for the tip, Vicky!

Remember, there is more than one way to stitch a Russian Santa!  You can copy what I've done or you can use it as a jumping off point for your own version of Northern Light Santa.  Or just recyle my ideas for your own Santa waiting its turn in your stash.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jewels from a Queen

Courtney just finished her Home Study piece from Amy Bunger and has posted great photos.
http://faithofaspider.blogspot.com/2014/01/banner-day.html

This Home Study is called Royal Pain in the Tudors by JP Designs since it was a real bear to design.  Each section commemorates one of Henry VIII's Queens. You can see who is represented where by using this diagram.
http://www.amybunger.com/home_study_current.html

I think myself it is really a graduate course on adding beads to needlepoint canvas.  It has proved so popular and interesting to do that Amy's Home Study for 2014 will be a companion banner called Oh Henry! to celebrate Henry VIII himself.  I can't wait to see what jewel enhancements and fabric stitches Amy comes up with next!
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1113.pdf

Great job, Courtney.  Hope you stitch and share King Henry's banner, too.  Of course JP Designs has smaller jewelry pieces that are similar for those short of time for such a large study piece.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1013.pdf

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.

Blue Russian: Lighting the Lantern and More

Welcome back to my adventure stitching Leigh's Northern Light Santa!   Last time I promised to finish up the mittens and work on the lantern, but I want to wait a bit on the mittens.  I've added a Smyrna cross to the back of each mitten but I am undecided as to the correct thread color.  So I want to hold off on that before I make up my mind. Instead, I have started adding beads to the Staggered Crosses background.   Remember, you are going to need TWO cards of Petite Silk Lame Braid for the background, so pick up a second if you are using Staggered Crosses in that same thread.

In case you have forgotten, here's the link to the article with the diagram for Staggered Crosses.  
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-blue-russian-choosing-background.html

I used Petite Silk Lame Braid in SP17 for the large crosses in the diagram.  Now I am attaching crystal beads to the spaces where the little cross stitches are in the diagram, using one long doubled ply of Splendor in S855, which is the same color as the Silk Lame Braid but without the metallic.

These are the beads I used in case you want the same thing.
http://www.artbeads.com/dbs0051.html?icid=recpd

They are cylinder-shaped beads (called Delicas), not faceted, that are clear with an iridescent finish (this finish is usually called AB which is short for Aurora Borealis).  They are size 15 (sometimes written 15/0) which means they are smaller than Mill Hill beads, which are usually about size 11.  Substitute something similar if you like.  You can even use little cross stitches in silver metallic or in the Splendor S855 to add touches of color to your background if you don't like using beads.  Experiment a little and see what works for you.

********************************

Now let's take a break.  I have a treat for you!

Kirstin's Blue Russian

Kirstin Thompson has been working her Blue Russian Santa, going her own way.  It looks wonderful and we are lucky that she graciously agreed to allow me to post her progress photo here.  She used a Copic marker to paint the background the color of the metallic filament in the navy Silk Lame Braid she choose so that the bit of canvas that shows gives a little bit of a lighter "glow" through,  She is using Horizontal Double Hungarian (from SuZy Murphy's Portable Stitches) and has added snow under Santa's feet using Snow (in Brian Shaw's Brian's Steppe Stitch).  She also plans to put a winter icy birch tree on the left side of Santa and will probably work the fur in turkey work.  Stay tuned to see what else she comes up with!

Thanks very much for sharing, Kirstin!

********************************

Ok, back to my Russian Santa....

Shiny Santa with Gems in His Diadem

As you can also see in the photo, I added Swarovski crystals to Santa's diadem.  I used four navy and five light blue bicones which are roughly 3mm across.  My bead store doesn't label the colors but I think I used Sapphire (navy) and Light Turquoise (light blue). They are a little larger than I'd like but that's what the local bead shop carries so I made do. (Actually, I am not sure that bicones come any smaller than 3mm.) You can substitute size 11 (or smaller beads) if you like.  You can pick up bicones at the link below if you don't have a local source and want to use them.  Play around with placement and use the mix of colors that suits your Russian Santa best.  I attached mine with a doubled length of silver Accentuate and let them lay at different angles to fit inside my curlicues.
http://www.artbeads.com/swarovski-bicones-3mm.html

To summarize, I am still pondering the snowflakes on the mittens, have started adding beads to the background and have put crystals on the diadem.  Then I worked on the only new item this week--the  lantern.

The Lantern

Using the same clear Water N Ice that I used on Santa's face, I laid long slanting stitches / \ on each side of the glass area of the lantern. Use a laying tool to keep the Water N Ice flat.   I worked each side separately and did not cover any of the black area.  Then I took a black and white copy of the canvas I made on my printer earlier, and cut out the small black triangular base of the lantern from the copy. Using that as a model, I cut the same shape from dark navy Ultrasuede.  Then using DMC navy cotton floss #803 which matches my Ultrasuede color and a sharp beading needle, I carefully stitched it over the base of the lantern. I came up in a hole just outside the fabric and went down just over the edge toward the inside, working my way carefully all around the outside until I had the appliqué firmly in place.

The last step to stitching the lantern uses DMC Color Infusions Memory Thread #6100 Navy and the DMC cotton floss #803 which is the same color are the memory thread.  If you have not used Memory Thread before, it is thin copper wire wrapped with DMC cotton floss. You will need to cut around seven pieces of wire. DO NOT use your good embroidery scissors to cut wire. Use the scissors you use to cut paper. After you make a cut, bend the memory wire with your fingers or tweezers to shape, or use a pencil to make the rounded shape. With the tip of your embroidery scissors, enlarge a hole where you want to insert each end of that piece of wire. Put the wire into the hole, then couch the memory wire into place using one ply of the navy floss. Leave enough on the back side of each cut to wrap the ends together and secure them with your navy floss as you add each section.

Here is the order I worked my lantern edging with the memory wire--Attach a length down the middle of the glass, then add two small pieces on either side of the mitten. Put a loop at the base of the lantern. Cut a piece for the sides and top of the glass of the lantern. Add another piece at the bottom and both sides of the lantern’s metal base. Add a piece over the horizontal line between the glass of the lantern and the Ultreasuede base.

Take careful note of the horizontal bar between the base of the lantern and the glass. On the right side I am one hole short, so I had to take out my couching stitches and move the wire over one hole. To prevent making the mistake I made, look carefully at each section after you lay it in place but before you couch it so you can adjust the position if necessary.  Your lantern will look like this.

Improved Lantern

Here's how Blue Russian looks now.  I have not worked out all the areas yet, so some things you see in the photo below may change. That's the downside of my stitching this as I blog about it.  I change my mind as I go.

Progress as of Jan. 18th

Those with sharp eyes have realized I am playing around with Santa's eyebrows and his beard.  That will be what I work on next time.  I hope to be able to post progress photos next Monday, January. 27.

Questions? Email me at chillyhollow@hotmail.com and I'll get back to you within a day or so.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I Love Dogs Part Two

I thought animal lovers would enjoy seeing two custom dog canvases that Ridgewood arranged for customers. The personalities of the dogs really shine through! 
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-post_9.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.

Tanja Proves My Point

This morning I got an email from Berlin Embroidery about Tanja Berlin's latest needle painting cyberclass--the red fox.   The class starts in February and lasts roughly two months.  If you are interested in learning to create realistic animals with just DMC cotton floss in long and short stitches, this is the class for you.
http://www.berlinembroidery.com/onlineclasses.htm

See?  Told you this was the Year of the Fox!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Temari Glory

Recently this story has made the rounds on Facebook-
http://en.rocketnews24.com/2013/12/11/92-year-old-grandmother-creates-gorgeous-traditional-japanese-toys/#more-109043

Basically the story is "92 year old grandmother does crafts."  There is so much more to the story!  There is more here.
http://www.thejealouscurator.com/blog/2013/12/23/nana-akuas-grandmother/

And there are many, many more wonders here.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nanaakua/tags/temari/

The real story should be why more of us don't make beautiful things our whole lives?

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.

Constellation

Fans of Gay Ann Rogers' work will be thrilled to get a good look her her Constellation, which was exhibited at the ANG Seminar last fall. You can see a photo in the Jan. 2014 Needle Pointers as that issue features award winners from the Exhibit, but you can't see why Gay Ann named it "Constellation."  For that you need to check her website.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

Gay Ann has promised to write on her website about the evolution of this design.  If you like her work or are curious about how counted canvas work pieces like this are created, bookmark her website for further visits.

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 Royal School Goes Couture

The Royal School has collaborated with the menswear designer E. Tautz on their Winter 2014 collection.
http://www.royal-needlework.org.uk/images/uploaded/Documents/Press_and_publicity/press%2Brelease%2Be.tautz%2Bmenswear%2Bcollaborates%2Bwith%2Broyal%2Bschool%2Bof%2Bneedlework.pdf

I found photos.  The ones we are interested in are at the end of page two and page three.
http://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/style/catwalk-fashion-shows/AW2014/Mens/london/e_tautz/full-length-photos

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.

Boots Bailey Is Gone

Kreinik just posted a link to Boots Bailey's obituary on Facebook.  I am sorry to see it. She did gorgeous leather work and lovely needlepoint designs. 
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/dfw/obituary.aspx?n=dolores-s-bailey-boots&pid=169024762&

Many thanks to the folks at Kreinik for letting us know.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Crewel Book UPDATE

Hazel Blomkamp has a new book coming out in June.  It is titled "Crewel Intentions" and uses techniques from stump work, Brazilian embroidery and many other styles of stitching to make her crewel designs modern and interesting.  The article below shows off some of the projects in the book, which are all elegant and light in feel.  It will be available in English, Afrikaans, Russian and eventually also in French.
http://therebelliousneedlewoman.blogspot.com/2014/01/crewel-intentions.html

UPDATE:  Mary Corbet has a book review to help you decide if this book is for you.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2014/06/crewel-intentions-book-review.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finishing Friday: The Unusual

Here's something you don't see every day--a personalized ceramic backing for needlepoint ornaments!   Carolyn wins the Smart Cookie Award today for her clever finishing idea.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/01/a-great-idea-carolyn-decided-to-put.html

Here's another rather unusual (but very clever) way of displaying a set of Wizard of Oz ornaments from Labors of Love--use easels!
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/01/blog-post.html

Here is Ridgewood again, this time with a fabulous idea from Mary Lynn, who stitches her initials and year on little scraps of canvas and has them incorporated into her finishing.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/01/mary-lynn-stitches-little-canvas-with.html

Pocket Full of Stitches has turned ornament sized canvases into stand ups!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2014/01/new-magnets-just-jacks.html

And one of Ridgewood's customers used a photo of a stitched snowman as a Christmas greeting.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/01/check-out-this-marvelous-idea.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.

My Favorites from TNNA Winter 2014

I think we are all doing a little online wish fulfillment as we browse all the updated websites, blogs and Facebook pages to see the very latest from our favorite designers, authors, thread manufacturers and tool makers.    This year I thought I'd grab photos of things that caught my eye and post them here,  so you didn't miss anything fabulous.  (By the way, I'm still updating the Winter Market 2014 tab as shops get home and post photos, so check there occasionally to see the very latest.)  Here is what caught my eye--

Debbie Mumm Nativity Piece

I love Nativity sets so I was thrilled to see several new ones.  Melissa Shirley has released a Debbie Mumm set that is just wonderful.  The link below shows the set.  However, it doesn't show The Three Wise Men in a stocking version with two little sheep looking up at them from the stocking toe.  A stocking might be a good investment for those who don't want to stitch all the little figures but still want a Nativity piece for Christmas.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galcol/index.cgi?index=1383776738_18819&col=153&cat=

Labors of Love Nativity Models

Labors of Love has released three figures from their own Nativity which you see finished in easel backs with wide edges with a dimensional manger base.  The finishing definitely made this set wonderful!  I hope they do more figures each year to add to this collection.  After all, the Three Wise Men are my favorites in any Nativity.  (hint, hint)
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/see-whats-new.html

Labors of Love Dimensional Bell Canvas and Model

Speaking of Labors of Love and dimensional pieces, I think their 3-D bells are going to be really popular.  Above you can see one made up with the two piece unstitched canvas.

Exotic Jardinieres from Colors of Praise

Colors of Praise knows color.  All their canvases are saturated with the most brilliant colors!  I picked the still life above but there were many wonderful designs on display.  Sadly, none seem to be on their website yet.
http://www.colorsofpraiseart.com/new_designs.html

Whimsy and Grace Leaves Scissors Case

Whimsy and Grace has the most beautiful colors scissors case!  I think the canvas comes with the perfect tassel, too.  This is from their Autumn Leaves Collection, just in case you want a bookmark, a glasses case, a brick cover, etc. instead of a scissor case.
http://www.whimsyandgrace.com/autumn-leaves/

Laurel Burch Lotus?

There are a lot of folks who love Laurel Burch's patterns.  Here's my favorite from her line by Danji.  I am calling it a lotus but it's not on the Danji website yet so who knows?   I am certain that it is beautiful!

Lani's Horse Collage

Another very popular designer is Lani.  Her animal photo collages were very popular (above is the horses but there is a similar cats design) but my favorite were her corsets, some of which you can see below.  I remember seeing photos of four corsets.  My favorite is on the right below.  None of these are up on her website yet.

Lani Corsets 

A third very popular designer is Sandra Gilmore who designs under the Once in a Blue Moon name.

New View from Sandra Gilmore

She has a wonderful window and view series, and released two versions of a San Diego Jerusalem window/view this show (correction from Vicky DeAngelis).  The one above was my favorite but the other shows more of the room.  These are not on the Fleur de Paris website yet.

Joy Juarez Lotus Blossoms

Fleur de Paris also distributes Joy Juarez, who showed this gorgeous floral.  There is also a new lion collage from Joy that is magnificent but I had to choose, so I went with the lotus blossoms.  I am a sucker for any lotus design!

ETC's Portrait of a Sheep

Another favorite designer is Elizabeth Turner Collections.  Besides their magnets and purse/shoe canvases,  ETC showed some wonderful animal portraits this year. My favorite was the sheep but there is a very expressive cow portrait plus a rabbit and owl and rooster and even raccoon.  Sadly, none of these seem to be on their website yet.
http://www.elizabethturnercollection.com/newDesigns.html

Twelve Days of Xmas Tree from K and B

When it comes to unusual pieces, I think the award goes to Kirk and Bradley (formerly Kirk and Hamilton) which showed a wonderful Twelve Days Christmas tree.  (I just found out from Waste Knot there is a Twelve Days stocking in a similar style for fans of Twelve at Xmas.) Don't miss the party animals celebrating, however.  Those ornaments are even more different!
http://www.kirkandbradley.com/whats-new

K and B Seagull in the Wind

If I had to pick one piece from Kirk and Bradley, though, it would be this small piece.  If I've seen this once, I've seen it a million times at the shore.  I just found the seagull charming.

Winter Polar Bears from Melissa Shirley

Come to think about it, one of the most popular trends at the show was animal canvases.  The polar bears above are from Melissa Shirley.

BB Designs Birds (above and below)

Birds are a perennial favorite.  BB Designs had some wonderful bird ornaments.   I don't know which I like best so here are both winter birds ornaments from Sally Baer that caught my eye.  There are more bird ornaments on the BB Designs website.
http://www.bbneedlepointdesigns.com/whats-new-/

Cardinals from Maggie

These male cardinals are gorgeous. I think they are from The Collection Designs but I am not sure.  They were not identified in the photo I admired and The Collections website hasn't been updated. Vicky and Kristen both say the cardinals are from Maggie.  Checking Maggie's website, these may be from the Jennifer Brinley-Ruth Levinson partnership.
http://www.maggieco.com/html/drill.php?category=5&pg=2&q=

CBK Penguins

If you like more whimsical birds, how about CBK's penguins carrying home their Christmas tree?  I don't know which artist this is from and couldn't find it on their huge website.  Sorry. Vicky says the artist is Scott Church, distributed by CBK.
http://www.cbkneedlepoint.com

World's Cutest Fox from Princess & Me

Painted canvases featuring animals were definitely the theme of the show.  Besides birds, especially owls, I think the new "in" animal might be the fox.  This one is from Princess and Me.   I don't see it on their website yet but it is marvelous.
http://www.princessandme.com

The Wedding Dance from Princess & Me

My very favorite Princess and Me canvas isn't the fox, though.  It is the wedding dance ornament above.  Isn't that elegant?

Renaissance Designs' Woodland Christmas Fox Sock

Back to the foxes, this little stocking from Renaissance Designs' A Woodland Christmas series is a charmer.  There is a bigger version with a moose, a series of small round ornaments of many animals in the same style, and a big circular design with Santa and all the forest animals. I love it!
http://www.renaissanceneedlepoint.com

More Woodland Xmas from Renaissance

Since the Woodland Christmas series isn't on the Renaissance Designs website yet, I thought I'd add another photo that shows the animal ornaments since you may like something better than the fox.

Associated Talents' Nutcracker Star

I saved my favorite of all the traditional Christmas pieces for last.  This is from Associated Talents.  It was beautifully stitched and finished and just a charmer, don't you think?  I love the expression and the hair and beard and the hat.   I couldn't find it on their website yet.
http://www.atneedlepoint.com

I hope I got all the credits right.  I copied what the shops said and by the second day I think they were all run off their feet!  Thanks for all your work posting photos, shops!  You know who you are.

Do you have your own favorites?  Add them with a link in the comments below so we can admire them, too.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Move to Delray Beach

Here's why. 
http://www.stitchesbytheseainc.com/var/m_4/4b/4bc/271378/339525-stitches-by-the-sea.pdf

Oh, did I mention it is 15 degrees in Chilly Hollow at noon?
http://www.stitchesbytheseainc.com

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.

Get Ready for Woodlawn 2014

Maggie reminds us that Woodlawn Plantation's 2014 Exhibit is coming next March, which means the deadline for sending your piece to exhibit is coming, too. Put this on your calendar as the White House Christmas tree ornaments will be on display again this year.  There's a link to the paperwork you will need, by the way.  Thanks, Maggie! 
http://maggiebsmocks.typepad.com/smocking/2014/01/woodlawns-51st-annual-needlework-exhibition.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.

Dreaming of Callaway

You may have wondered why the Needle Bug wasn't at the TNNA Market--they were busy setting up the shop for Callaway!   There are photos of it being arranged from their Facebook page.  Wish I was there....
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=624655024261460&set=pcb.624658457594450&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=625121810881448&set=pcb.625123307547965&type=1&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Enriched Stitch Surveys 2013

Enriched Stitch posted a wonderful look back at their class models and shop stitching during 2013. It is a fun look at all that the shop employees have done in the last twelve months. Enjoy! 
http://astheneedleturns.com/shop-stitching-2013/

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.

Blue Russian: Mittens and Staff

I've done a little more background stitching on my Blue Russian Santa, and I think I'm going to need a second card of the Petite Silk Lame Braid #SP17 to finish the background.  If you are stitching your Northern Light Santa just like me, you need to get a second card.  You probably won't need much of it, so go in with a friend to share it if that's possible.  If you are using another color of the Petite Silk Lame Braid in the background, pick up a second card for that, too.

When you get a chance, continue stitching the background in Staggered Cross.  I have almost all of the right side done.  Once I finish that side I can do a little auditioning of beads, sequins, and threads to see what I will use for the empty spaces between each cross stitch  but more on that next time.  

In other news, Leigh Designs released the second four Russian Santas at the TNNA trade show in San Diego this weekend.  You can see them on Needle Work's blog.  Click on the photo for a larger view. I know some of you were waiting to see all eight Russian Santas before you ordered.  Once Leigh Designs releases larger photos on their website, I'll add that link here as well.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2014/01/a-few-more-from-day-1.html

Now that the news is out of the way, I want to talk about what I've done with my Santa in the last week.  First, I stitched his staff.

The “stem” of the silver staff is made of Kreinik’s silver Hot Wire 001W, which is size #16 braid with a wire in the middle so it is bendable.  I cut two pieces, one five inches long and one a little over two inches long.    Enlarge the hole at the base of the staff near Santa's feet with the tip of your embroidery scissors just enough that you can insert one end of the five inch length of Hot Wire. Double back the end on the back side and secure, then enlarge the hole of the stem under the mitten that holds the staff.   Insert the top of the longer piece of Hot Wire into that hole bend it over and secure it on the back. A second 2-3 inch length of Hot Wire comes up above the mitten in an enlarged hole, then goes back down again through an enlarged hole at the bottom of the staff’s leaf-shaped tip. Once you have the Hot Wire in place, couch it with a doubled length of thin sliver metallic (I used Accentuate) every 4-5 holes up the length. The tip of the staff is stitched with Kreinik size 12 in silver 001 with long stitches that run vertically down the leaf shape to the stem. Turn the canvas on its side so that Santa’s head is on the right and lay the stitches carefully so each is flat and even. Turn the canvas upright again and put two horizontal stitches over two and four threads where the leaf meets the stem to hide the enlarged hole where the Hot Wire sits. See the photo.

Stitching the Staff Top

Carefully couch the long stitches at the wider top of the staff here and there with a doubled strand of your thin metallic (Accentuate or Sulky or blending filament, doesn’t matter what you use as long as it is roughly the same sliver color as the Hot Wire and size 12 Kreinik) to keep it lined up straight. I used a beading needle since I planned to add beads and crystals next and attach them with the same doubled thin metallic.  Note that the size 12 Kreinik does not cover the paint underneath but that is ok. It adds dimension to the staff’s top.

Once you have the long stitches covering the staff’s top in position, it is time to add crystal sequins on top of the long stitches. If you look at your color copy of the unstitched canvas, you’ll see the leaf-shaped top of the staff is lighter on the third closest to Santa’s face. The rest is a darker silver. I scattered six 3mm silver Swarovski sequins on top of the staff and attached them with beads, using 3 lighter blue-gray beads on the left side of the staff and 3 darker blue-gray beads on the right side. I also positioned one 5mm blue Swarovski crystal at the base and used one more darker blue-gray bead to hold it.

The sequins are attached with beads by putting the sequin on the needle, sliding it down the doubled length of thread to lay on the canvas, and then putting a bead on top.  Go down through the sequin again and the bead will hold the sequin secure. Because the staff is lighter in color nearer Santa's face,  The supplies I used were Sundance's size 14 beads in color 377E which is a light blue-gray and  Mikuki size 15 beads in Gunmetal #15-9541 which is a dark gray.  I used Swarovski Sew-On Flatback crystal sequins, one 5mm crystal sequin in Sapphire F-2300 and six 3mm crystal sequins in Blk Diamond #F-300.  I put these items on the Materials List but I encourage you to use what you have.  Regular sequins and beads will work just fine.  I like a smaller size 14 or 15 bead (sometimes written 14/0 and 15/0) so they don't cover up the 3mm sequins but really you can use whatever you have available to you.

Staff and Mittens

Above is what my staff looks like finished.  Notice that I've also stitched the mittens.  Like the staff, they take longer to explain than they actually take to stitch.  Using my dark teal Impressions 8121, I tent stitched both thumbs.  I padded the central area of the mittens with this same thread, starting out with 4-5 rows of straight stitches that were perpendicular to how the fingers lay in a mitten.  Make sure you stay in the middle of the mittens.  Leave 2-3 threads all around the perimeter uncovered by the padding satin stitches.  Next, add a second layer of padding that is perpendicular to the first layer. Cover a little more of the mitten this time.  Now, add a third layer,  again perpendicular to the second layer.  Cover a little more of the mitten.  The final layer is the fourth, and it covers the entire mitten and the stitches run the way the fingers lay.  Once you finish, add a layer of satin stitches over the thumbs you tent stitched.  You will have to run them under the staff for the hand that holds the staff.  Just slide your needle under the staff carefully and pull the Impressions through.

There are supposed to be snowflakes on the back of each mitten (this is traditional for Russian Santas) but nothing I've tried works yet.  I will tackle that next week before moving on to the next area--the lantern.  I should be back next week, January 20th--with my latest stitches.

Email me if you have questions (chilly hollow at hotmail dot com) or leave a comment here. If you worked your diadem in a laid trellis pattern, I'd love a photograph to show off here.  I forgot to mention last time that many Faberge eggs had trellis patterns, so if you went this route, you are following in the footsteps of great Russian art.

http://www.darkroastedblend.com/2008/02/russian-imperial-faberge-eggs.html

See you next Monday!
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.