Ann's Hero (or Should It Be Heroine?)

Ann shares her visit to Hardwick Hall, home of the amazing Bess of Hardwick, in her blog.   Besides being Mary, Queen of Scots' co-jailer with her fourth husband, Bess also was Mary's fellow embroiderer, the second richest woman in England after Queen Elizabeth I herself, and a shrewd businesswoman.  You know, she is a very impressive woman.  I think perhaps she should be one of my heroes, too!
https://dreaminginstitches.wordpress.com/2015/06/17/pilgrimage/

You can see more of Bess's tapestries and embroideries here.
https://viewfrommyattic.wordpress.com/2015/06/12/textile-heaven/

Here is a video about four of Bess's large female virtue hangings which will be conserved and returned to Hardwick Hall.
https://nttextileconservationstudio.wordpress.com/2013/12/04/after-a-lot-of-patience-and-perseverance/

Written by Jane/Chilly
Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Two Squirrels, One Pillow and One Box

I am fascinated by finishing and how a different finisher or a different end result changes a design. So I found Ruth Schmuff's latest blog posting about two pieces from her mystery class particularly interesting.  This is Sandra Vargas's "Playful Squirrel" which was one of Ruth's mystery classes last year.  Two of her students have finished their versions and sent them to Ruth's shop for finishing.  It's amazing how different they look even though the designs themselves are nearly identical.  I can see the boxed standup on my mantel piece in the living room while its twin is a cushion for the tall leather chair in the library.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/06/finishing-options.html

Great job on Ruth's part, the finishers' and of course her students!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

FYI - A Peek Inside SuZy's Light Stitches

Needlepoint.com just posted a photograph of the cover and two inside pages from SuZy Murphy's SuZy's Light Stitches book, which is all about using less thread to let intricate painted areas on a canvas show through.  Use the side arrows to see both photographs.
https://www.facebook.com/NeedlepointCom/photos/ms.c.eJyzMLGwNDEwMTS0MDOxNLPQs4DwDSB8SwBm2AZv.bps.a.292740180818330.65552.292665147492500/848940401864969/?type=1&theater

From squinting at the pages, I think the black and white diagrams of stitches are numbered to get you started and there are small black and white photographs of stitched examples to help you visualize how this will look.  There are also suggestions on where to use these stitches and SuZy's signature comments on stitching life.

I haven't seen a copy of this in person but I've been meaning to buy one for years.  I really like SuZy Murphy's books.  I reviewed several of them here in case you want more information about her books and how they are organized.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2010/09/suzy-murphy-books-review.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Dana Finds A Needlepoint Screen

Dana posted photographs of an amazing needlepoint screen she saw when touring Fioli, a National Trust house in Woodside, California open to the public, to the big needlepoint group on Facebook.  Here's the link to the photos which shows gardens and what I think is the house exterior.  One shot shows a list of names, probably the stitchers of this wonderful piece.  Dana says they have needlepoint classes in the house.  
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207062582469830&set=pcb.871069856303507&type=1&theater

I don't see any information about the needlepoint screen on the Fioli website but I'm putting the link up here in case you live close enough to visit.
http://www.filoli.org

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 8, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Isn't Art?

Don't tell Jill A. Vendituoli that. 
http://www.foltbolt.com/#!Jill-A-Vendituoli/cy7d/557eaf2b0cf2205db3a98fdd

http://www.jillavendituoli.com/#!gallery-two/cmz0

Many thanks to Carol for mentioning this on Facebook.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 16, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint for Your Laptop

I just realized that Art Needlepoint (which specializes in fine art printed on needlepoint canvas), has a good many laptop, tablet and eReader covers you can stitch and then assemble yourself.   If finishing isn't your forte', the company will assemble the cover or case for you for an extra charge.
http://www.artneedlepoint.com/e-readers-ipads-and-laptops?&_ga=1.168431587.376107352.1390668600

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 6, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Chevron Ribbons!

Mary uses the new chevron pattern ribbon from Kreinik on her blog.  Looks like fun!
http://owlstitchery.blogspot.com/2015/06/cute-candy-canes-in-kreiniks-new.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 16, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Changes in Ten Years

Recently the designer Janet Granger found a stash of old Just Cross Stitch magazines at a charity shop and has been browsing them, looking at the changes in the UK embroidery arts scene in just 10-11 years.  There have been a lot of them, mostly due to the impact of the computer (desktop publishing), the Internet (web stores) and the closing of so many small businesses that supported the stitchers.
https://janetgranger.wordpress.com/2015/06/04/vintage-cross-stitcher-magazine/

We've seen these things here in America, too.  Some of the closures are probably natural as folks want to retire.  Some are due to the Great Recession here in the U.S. which has really put financial pressure on us all as jobs are not plentiful and discretionary spending has been curtailed.  But the Internet and computers have brought us closer together as distance doesn't mean as much as it did.

It doesn't seem that long ago, 1994-95.  But change is rapid all around us these days.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

On the Road with Mary Corbet

It's summertime here in the USA which means folks are on vacation. What tools do you take with you and how do you keep them organized and together?  Mary Corbet shows the tools she loves and how she packs them on this nice article from her website.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/06/needlework-tools-to-travel-with.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 16, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

No Flying Monkeys: The Wall Background

The Inspiration for My Background--Barbara Elmore

Now that I have the ruby slippers out of the way,  it's time to work on the wall in the background.  I originally intended to stitch this in cream Splendor using either Double Stitch or Staggered Crosses.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2015/05/no-flying-monkeys-background-stitches.html

But I am sure you all realize that the best laid plans fall apart at least occasionally!  I did some test stitching with my cream silk in the margin and before I even had 3 Double Stitches in place I knew that the color was too stark and the stitches I thought would work were too small in scale.  What to do?   I could browse my stitch books again, looking for stitches that would resemble larger Xs or I could figure out how to enlarge one of my chosen stitches to make the scale right.

I did neither.  I started fantasying about the teaching piece of Barbara Elmore's shown above.  It's called "Las Flores de la Noche" and you can see the design on her website as well.  (Photo courtesy of Barbara Elmore and posted with her permission.)
http://www.barbaraelmoredesigns.com/barbaraelmoredesigns.com/Canvases/Pages/Teaching_pieces.html#42

Look at the background carefully.  It's rows of gentle waves separated from each other by skipping a thread.  This allows the lovely paint of the background to show well.  This isn't going to work as is for the wall of No Flying Monkeys which isn't painted, but I can use the general idea.  And that's what I did.  I created the Gentle Wave Bargello stitch.  It has the gentle undulation of Barbara's background stitch but has smaller rows between each larger row.

Inspired by Barbara Elmore

I can't really explain why this stitch is The One, but once I start fantasizing about a stitch, it generally is going to work.  I looked again at the canvas and was struck by the lemon-lime crystals on the ruby slippers and how they emphasized the red of the shoes.  I wonder...?

The Ruby Slippers

So I rummaged in my stash and found a card of a lime green Splendor.  It was too dark but if I combined two plies of the cream with two plies of my lime green, it made a pastel lemon-lime color.  Then I turned my canvas on its side so the rows would be oriented vertically and emphasize the legs and shoes, and got to work, compensating around the letters as I worked the rows.

The Wall Is Done!

Here's the end result.  We have a wall!  Sure it is a pastel poison green, but what do you expect in a witch's den?  The color works well with the blue of the footstool and makes the ruby slippers even redder.  I am a happy camper.

By the way, I deliberately took the photo upside down. I take photos from unusual angles to help uncover problem areas.  Your brain gets used to seeing something and will miss problems if you always look at the canvas right side up.

Next I need to couch a line of something over the edge of the footstool where it meets the wall stitches to make that line even.  Then I will start stitching the lettering.  Stay tuned!

Remember, I am collecting the links as I blog stitch this Point of It All Designs piece and posting them in a tab on the CH Stitch Guides blog. You can catch up on what you missed by going there--just click on the flying carpet photo to magically be transported to my other blog and then back again.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Flix: A Review WITH IMPORTANT UPDATE

BREAKING NEWS!  BeStitched has a new ad campaign about their Needlepoint Flix service, with a special coupon code of  CH100 which will allow you to subscribe for free for a month's trial, just to see if you find this interesting.  Lisa also says three new videos (including Basketweave for Left Handed Stitchers) will be uploaded this morning after she has a chance to check them.

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


BeStitched has a new video service called Needlepoint Flix, a sort of online movie rental for stitch and technique videos.  For $9.99 a month, subscribers have access to BeStitched's short videos.  The longer videos which are actually filmed for their classes, are Pay Per View.  They cost $1.99 each and are viewable for 24 hours,  or you can rent the entire set for $19..99 for a month's viewing.  You can read the basics here--
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2015/05/the-needlepoint-video-channel.html

Lisa of BeStitched invited me to try out their service and report back to you, so here goes!

To start, you go to this URL to either sign up for the service or to log in once you are signed up.
http://www.needlepointflix.com/H4g/how-to-subscribe-to-needlepoint-flix/

Once you are there, watch the How To Subscribe video.  At the end a window opens to allow you to set up your account. If you have done this already there is another button to log in instead.

Your login is an email address you gave the service when you handed over your credit card number.  You set a password at that time.  Once you log in, you'll see a blank video screen and a list of current items you can view at the bottom right corner of the page.  When I tested the service, there were 78 total videos, including eleven Pay For View ones that cost extra and the Subscribe Here introductory video.  (Lisa tells me they hope to have 100 videos uploaded to view by August.)  There are four complementary instructional videos so I decided to start with those.  I clicked on the link to them and a new window opened with all four videos laid out so I could choose the one I was interested in.  These videos are probably visible to anyone who goes to the How To Subscribe link I listed above if you want to try them out, particularly if you have a slow Internet connection and want to make sure you can play a video without lag.

The complementary instructional videos talk about opening a skein, how to do a bead lock, how to create an away waste knot, and how to use a flat iron on threads.  I choose the video about using a flat iron since I've never done this before, being blessed (or cursed) with hair that is straight as a stick.  A box opened asking for my name and email address.  I typed them in and clicked on the Send and Continue button.  It takes a second or two for the video to start.  You will find yourself looking down on a table with the threads to be straightened laying there and with Lisa's hands and arms also visible.    It's a lot like standing behind the table in a room and looking over Lisa's shoulder as she demonstrates the process.  The video and the audio are both crystal clear.

Once the video is over, scroll down a bit to the lower right corner where the list of videos is located to pick something other than the four complementary videos.  Or you can choose another of the four displayed on the page in the Complementary section.  Remember, if you want to see something in another category than these four, you will need to have an account set up.

The other categories are:
Beading Techniques (4 videos)
Byzantine Stitches (3)
Cross or Tied Stitches (5)
Ribbon Techniques (5)
Knots (5)
Straight Stitches (6)
Felting (1)
Eyelet Stitches (1)
Decorative Stitches (22)
Basic Needlepoint Stitches (8)
Thread Painting (1)
Blackwork Stitches (1)

To see if this video service might be helpful for a beginner without a shop nearby to help them learn, I choose the Basic Needlepoint Stitches section for my next exploration.  The videos cover two types of Mosaic Stitch, two types of Cashmere Stitch, Encroaching Gobelin, Alternating Continental,  Diagonal Scotch and Alternating Smyrna.  In other words, this is for someone who has already mastered the basic tent stitch and is interested in learning a few fancier stitches.  I wouldn't recommend this to a rank beginner trying to learn the basics like threading a needle or putting a canvas on stretcher bars, in other words.  HOWEVER, since I wrote this last week, BeStitched has added nine more videos, including one on basketweave for the Basic section.  So don't assume that things are just the way they were last week.  Check to see how many videos are there before you make up your mind whether this will be useful for your purposes.  I am told the goal is to add 12-20 videos each month.  Eventually this will be a huge resource.

I chose to watch Encroaching Gobelin.  This video is over four minutes long.  Once again you are looking down over Lisa's shoulder as she stitches but in a much closer view.  You can very clearly see the canvas, the two plies of thread she is using, and exactly where she places the needle to work the rows.  While she stitches, Lisa explains where this stitch comes in useful (fur, thread painting, bones), and she demonstrates several variations of the stitch such as stitching it horizontally instead of vertically or slanting it in mirror image.  Lisa uses pink thread and white mono canvas to demonstrate the stitch so things stand out well.  If you have vision problems, however, try out the complementary videos first as a friend of mine with vision problems found all the white and the high contrast with the pink thread bothersome.

Next I choose Felting which is in a category all its own since it is a technique and not a stitch.  The video is over 9 minutes long.  (By the way, I noticed that in the lower left area there is a little summary of the video, which might be helpful if you are unsure what the video you choose is about.  Many of the videos are self-explanatory but a few are not if you haven't heard about the technique online or from stitching buddies or your local guild.)   Lisa shows you how to use wool roving and a felting needle to create a fuzzy look on your canvas.  The video makes several really good points about how to best use this technique, but I found the order in which things were introduced odd. I would have introduced the tools used in this technique first but Lisa jumped right in and started needle felting without showing the tools.  You do get a glimpse of them; it's just I like to show all the tools first when explaining something new.  This video may be from one of the classes the shop teaches and folks may have already seen the tools by the time they are shown the video.

Thread Painting always frightens stitchers so I thought I would look at this video next to see how Lisa explains it to students.  The video is almost 9 minutes long.  She works with a bird canvas from Vicki Sawyer/Melissa Shirley using two plies of thread in what she calls a three pronged approach.  Lisa talks about laying threads, railroading, how bird feathers lay on top of lower feathers, working in layers, working a color at a time, what threads look good for birds, etc.  I think the video would help folks understand this technique but I may not be the best judge as I don't find it that difficult to do personally.

Since Decorative Stitches is such a big category with 22 stitches, I thought I would explore it next.  There are so many videos that only 10 are shown when you select this category.  You have push the More button at the bottom of the video list to see the rest but when you do, the first 10 are still there.  The rest of the videos are added to the bottom of the page.  For a second I thought the More button hadn't worked until I realized that the top selection hadn't changed but more videos had appeared under them.  None of the videos were for stitches unknown to me (they included Nobuku, Slide Stitch, Helen's Lace, etc.) but they are all stitches that create distinct patterns.  I choose to look at Darning Pattern (a little carrot shape) and Buttonhole Wheel.  Darning Pattern is over 7 minutes long.  Lisa explains how to untwist threads in this video; it's not just about how to create the stitch.  Buttonhole Wheel is a demonstration about how to do buttonhole stitches over a plastic ring to create a wheel.  It does not demonstrate buttonhole stitch, just shows how to add a plastic ring to canvas covered by the stitch, so this is a technique video, not a stitch video.  If you don't know how to do buttonhole stitch, you can probably learn by watching but that's not what this video is about.   This video is also over 7 minutes long.  I found it interesting that Lisa explains how to tie off a length of thread in the middle of covering the plastic ring--this is very useful information for those who aren't that experienced with buttonhole.  She also talks about how to cover a round shape with buttonhole fully and talks about threads that work well for this technique.

Next I took a look at the Pay Per View video area.  Remember, these cost $1.99 to watch each for 24 hours or $19.99 to look at the entire series from a class over a month's time.  This allows people to watch the entire class or just pay for the parts they are interested in.  There are currently 11 videos (more will be added this summer as there are going to be six classes on this piece and only two have had videos posted to date), all from the class BeStitched is doing on Tapestry Fair's "The Last Tango" canvas.  Each is marked Part One, Two, etc.  They were created for the class as a visual stitch guide, which is BeStitched's signature way of doing classes for folks who didn't take the original class.  (Original class participants get a DVD with the videos on it.)  Instead of the written instructions being the main instructions for the class and the videos supplemental information, BeStitched does this the other way around.

I looked at the video for Part One from "The Last Tango" class. This is what the canvas looks like.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/the-last-tango-class-at-bestitched-needlepoint/

This section talks about the stitches for the floor under the dancers' feet.  It is nearly 9 minutes long.  The video is clear but because the painted canvas shows, you don't have the stark contrast between thread and canvas that you see in the stitch demonstrations. The thread color blends into the color of the painted canvas so it is harder to see where the needle goes. (Making the video full screen helps see what is going on.)  The carpet is done in a Nobuku variation and tent and basketweave stitches, and although Lisa shows how each stitch is done, this alternating Nobuku variation is complicated enough that you probably want to look at a stitch book or the diagram in the class instructions to make sure you get the stitches right.  The video talks about compensation quite a bit as you will have to compensate the stitches in the curves of the flooring pattern.  Lisa also gives you counting tips to make the Nobuku easier and explains how to stitch with the white knitting yarn also used in this area as well as general tips on stitching with a white fiber.

Once you are done with a viewing session,  it's easy to log out using the Log Out button in the upper right corner.

After checking out five videos from the site, this is what I think about the service.

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

The Pros:
The videos are beautifully done and the ones I watched explained everything well and often had tips on how to create the stitch or use the technique better.

Perfect for the visual learner.

Logging in, setting up an account, and using the service is very well explained.

This is great for the intermediate stitcher who wants to learn more stitches and where to use them.
Also great for folks who are not close to a shop or who are homebound.

The stitches cover a wide variety of types and there are techniques such as silk ribbon embroidery and needle felting included among the videos.

The video controls are familiar ones for anyone who has used online videos on other sites such as Netflix or Hulu.

The Cons:
Not for an absolute beginner right now (but this may change) as some basic knowledge is necessary to understand the videos.

$9.99 per month is rather expensive for only 78 videos unless you plan on watching them again and again.  (Remember, more videos are planned and BeStitched added 9 more this week.)

$1.99 for a Pay for View video available for 24 hours is expensive unless you are having real trouble with the area.  The $19.99 price to view all of a Pay to View set for a month is probably a better deal for a student taking a BeStitched class via mail order.  However if I were taking a class long distance I'd expect to have access to the videos as part of the package.  Original class participants get a DVD with the videos on it as part of the class.

I didn't see anything I didn't know already so a really experienced stitcher like me probably won't learn a lot that is new.

The video play button sometimes doesn't start the video.  I occasionally had to push the play button a second time to get things moving.  That might be because I am not precise enough with my mouse cursor.

Folks with vision problems or a slow Internet connection will need to watch the Complimentary videos before signing up to make sure they can watch them successfully.  I was pleased BeStitched offers complimentary videos to help folks make up their minds if this is a service they want to pay for.

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

I have to say I was really impressed by the professionalism of the videos and how quickly the shop is adding to the total number of videos available.  BeStitched is breaking new ground here with their use of video instructions and the Needlepoint Flix channel in general.  The instructions are excellent, although I didn't watch every video.  I simply didn't have time to do that.  Whether this is a service you want to pay for depends on the type of learner you are and how experienced a stitcher you happen to be at this point in your stitching career.

Many thanks to BeStitched for offering me the opportunity to explore what they have to offer.  It's unique and very very interesting.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 15, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Right Tools Make All The Difference

Here in Chilly Hollow we are living through the Endless Renovation in a pretty rural area, and the right tool makes all the difference in getting a job done fast and done right. Suzanne of the Hugs and Stitches blog understands this.  She has arthritic hands and needs good tools that are easy to operate.  Sure they cost a little more, but in the long run, they save you so much grief!
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2015/06/tools-of-trade.html

"Watch me embellish painted canvases, make creative choices, fail, rip out, succeed, and learn new swear words--all at no charge."  With more tools like these I might need to find a new slogan for Blog!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 7, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Suzanne and the Snow Globe

Suzanne's trying another way of giving her Rebecca Wood snow globe canvas sparkle.
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2015/06/shake-it-up.html

I might have tried long stitches across the globe using clear Water N Ice.  We are very lucky to be living in a time when there are multiple threads available to create glass effects!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 11, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Tulip and The Mole

Linda at Split the Needles is stitching away on a mole, using Tulips.  Her canvas one of a series of little autumn animals from Melissa Shirley that The French Knot is doing as a club (second link below). Linda's already finished the bunny.
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2015/06/mole-head.html

http://www.thefrenchknot.com/z-thanksgiving.htm

Tulips is a subtle colored kid mohair thread from Gumnut in Australia. Purl Soho describes it a beautifully here but it looks like they've sold out.
http://www.purlsoho.com/purl/products/item/7701-Gumnut-Yarns-Tulips-

Not to worry, though.  If you want a sample to play with and your local shop doesn't carry it, Alex Paras will sell you whatever you like.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/gumnutyarns.html

Here is the Gumnut color card for Tulips.  Custom House is the distributor in the US.
http://www.customhouseofneedlearts.com/gumnut/tulippic.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Linda's First Needlepoint

Linda's Tiger, Carefully Saved

Recently I asked folks about their first piece of needlepoint and got this lovely note from Linda P.:

"I first started to needlepoint when I was about 12 years old - we were on a trip to a desolate area in the middle of NY State. While my father went to look at a piece of property my mother took us kids for a walk (along side a semi highway) yards from a motel to a five and dime store. I saw a needlepoint kit of a tiger and asked if I could have it (it was expensive after all) - my mother bought it for me and I couldn't put it down. At one point I had to as I was going so fast the needle heated up and was burning my fingers !!! LOL I have been at it - off and on - ever since.

Linda's First Three Projects, Carefully Saved

I found the tiger and 2 others (still in the packages and I even saved the leftover thread - I refuse to tell you how old that stash is !! LOL)  I am giving you 3 pictures, one of just the tiger, one of 3 started pieces I did and my latest finished project, one of Melissa Shirley's pears. Sort of a start to present you might say.

Looking forward to reading the blog and seeing other peoples stories on how they started."

Linda's Curly Cue Golden Pear from Melissa Shirley

Linda, thank you so much!  I loved the story of the tiger you couldn't put down and it was great to see your first projects as well as the current one.  I appreciate your sharing your beginning steps on your own needlepoint adventure.

If you want to share the story of your first project, just email me at chilly hollow at hot mail dot com. Photos are wonderful (we stitchers are all about the eye candy) but not necessary.  We love hearing about your beginnings and telling about ours.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 18, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NAN Award Winners (Non-Professional Non-Original with Instruction)

NAN has posted their 2015 Exemplary winners for the Non-Professional Non-Original With Instruction category on Facebook.  Use the side arrows to see them all and enjoy!
https://www.facebook.com/118153386709/photos/pcb.10152740098766710/10152740086776710/?type=1&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Talks Darning Stitch

Mary Legallet talks about simple darning stitch and how she uses it as a light coverage stitch.
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2015/6/9/whimsicalwednesday

She has good tips for those using darning stitches, particularly for those who are trying it for the first time.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 10,  2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Right Tool for Bullions

Sandy Arthur finds Colonial Needle's new tapestry point bullion needles very helpful.  She recommends them to students in her classes.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2015/06/tools-of-trade.html

They come in three lengths and have a large eye and a blunt tip like regular tapestry needles, making them a good choice for bullion beginners or stitchers who don't like sharp objects sticking up at them from their canvas.  (Colonial also makes them with regular sharp tips.)
http://www.colonialneedle.com/cgi-bin/quikstore.cgi?category=NEW_PRODUCTS

I'd like to add that as well as the right tool, the right thread makes all the difference in making nice bullions.  Try crewel wool if bullions are giving you fits and see if that improves the look of your bullions.

These videos on the Colonial website may also help.  They are done by our own Cynthia Thomas, by the way.
http://www.colonialneedle.com/html/bullion_video.html

The best price I found for the tapestry point bullion needles is at this site, but I don't know anything about this company.  If your local shop has them in stock, pick them up there.
https://www.stuff4crafts.com/yarn-and-needle/knit-accessories/embellishments.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kimberly Goes to Chandail

Kimberly went to Chandail and had a blast! 
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2015/06/my-adventure-to-houston.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips on Using Metallic Threads

Kreinik recently answered a question on Facebook about how to best use blending filament and got plenty of tips from stitchers on how to handle their blending filament and other types of metallics they sell. The tips are all summarized on their blog. Thanks, Dena!
http://www.kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2012/10/stitching-tips-from-experts-you.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 31, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

It's a Good Day for Counting

Needle Artworks has just announced new websites for both Genny Morrow Designs and Ann Strite-Kurz!   The late Genny Morrow is best known for her NOVA but she created many lovely and classic designs for counted canvaswork fans.  Her site isn't quite ready yet but bookmark this for a fun visit--or ten.
http://www.gennymorrowdesigns.com

If you aren't familiar with NOVA, here's some great photographs of this amazing sampler.
http://yenulka.blogspot.com/2015/03/396-396.html

Ann Strite-Kurz's new site is up and running, although more work is planned.  You can already see Ann's current classes and some of her great publications and charts and order whatever catches your fancy using Paypal.  (But don't despair.  I bet Ann will accommodate those who want to pay in another manner.  Just use the Contact page to ask nicely.)
http://www.annstritekurz.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Melita Visits The Stitching Studio

Melita's still taking trips and squeezing in shop visits along the way. This time she visits The Stitching Studio in Richmond, Virginia. 
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2015/05/27/the-stitching-studio-in-richmond-va/

I've heard it is a very nice shop and it's only about a 4-5 hour drive one way, but with Richmond's horrible traffic, I doubt I'll be going any time soon.  Still, they have a website so we can all visit.
http://www.thestitchingstudiova.com

Thanks for the travelogue, Melita!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 28, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pattern Darning in the 21st Century

Finger Step Design's Latest Book

Thanks to Judie at Thistle Needleworks, I learned that the newest Finger Step Designs book is out. It's darning stitches! The full title is Side By Side:  Pattern Darning in the 21st Century.  Judie says the little 86 page book has 264 "charted and illustrated motifs."  The photo above is the cover.  The book distributor is Custom House.   The book, like all the Finger Step Design books has the diagrammed stitches and also has several projects based on the stitches if you like doing counted stitch samplers.  So you can use the book as a reference or you can use the project charts to make something fun.
http://www.customhouseofneedlearts.com/charts/FSD/SideBySide.html

The book is available at the Alex Paras website (and there are links to stitched projects from the book available there).
http://store.apneedlearts.com/045485.html

I didn't find the book anywhere else yet as it is brand new, but your local shop can get you copies from Custom House if you'd rather buy local.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 8, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

No Flying Monkeys: Ruby Slippers

Once the martini glass was finished, the next item I wanted to stitch was the ruby slippers. Doing them next meant I wouldn't drag thread or my arm over the wall background stitches and possibly snag them.

The shoes are the main focal point of this canvas so I wanted something special.  I rummaged in my stash looking for red beads and crystals and sequins that would look good with the two shades of red High Cotton floss I had pulled already.  It's actually harder than you would expect to find red bling that stands out when placed on top of red stitches.  But I had some amazing red sequins from The Collection that looked to be perfect for the shoe uppers.  I attached them in overlapping rows on one shoe using my medium red High Cotton (one ply).

Sequined Ruby Slippers

Alas, although the red and the shine were perfect, the mass of sequins didn't look the way I wanted.  Sigh.  Back to the drawing board.  (Luckily sequins are easy to remove.  Snip the couching thread and they fall right off.)

Then I remembered my little Sundance booklet called Sundance Beads For Needlepoint How To and Why Knot!  Time to consult the experts!
http://www.amybunger.com/catalog/item/8549795/6868467.htm

This is a great little book.  It talks about the types of beads available, how to attach them and finishes up with twenty-five diagrams of great stitches to use with beads.  I looked carefully through the book, admiring all the diagrams, then found The One--Serendipity Stitch!

I worked the boxes first (black lines on the diagram) using my medium red High Cotton (two plies as this is a 13 count canvas).  Then I used the same red Entice as I used for the olives in the martini glass (one strand which is perfect for 13 count) for the red parallel lines.  I finished up with using small 3 mm red bugle beads between the pairs of parallel lines.  I attached those with one ply of my medium red High Cotton.  Happiness!

Of course this isn't the end of the Ruby Slippers.  I still had the darker red soles and the shadow lines along the insides of each shoe to stitch.  I used Diagonal Mosaic for the soles, slanting the stitch from upper left to lower right for the left shoe and then using the opposite slang (upper right to lower left) for the right shoe.

I used tent stitches for the darker shadow lines.  The right shoe used regular tent stitch (two plies of the darker red High Cotton) and the left needed reverse tent stitch.  Success!

That left only the buckles.  I beaded those, using size 11/0 round galvanized yellow gold beads from Miyuki.  They were tent stitched in vertical rows (the same way you do half cross stitch) using a strand of my medium red High Cotton.  Once I finished a row, I went through the entire row again with a long straight stitch through each bead, using that long second stitch to pull all the beads into as straight and even a row as I could manage.

Serendipity Stitch Ruby Slippers

Finally, I added two Swarovski marguerites to the center of the buckles. Marguerites are flower-shaped crystals.  I choose two 4mm foil-backed pale yellow-green marguerites.  The foil backing keeps the color of the red shoes from showing through and overwhelming the actual color of the marguerite.  I discovered too late that the bugle beads in the centers of the buckles made the marguerites a little tipsy but I managed to get them to be pretty flat anyway.

The Finished Ruby Slippers

Next I need to tackle all the "wall" background.  Stay tuned!

Remember, I am collecting the links as I blog stitch this Point of It All Designs piece and posting them in a tab on the CH Stitch Guides blog. You can catch up on what you missed by going there--just click on the flying carpet photo to magically be transported to my other blog and then back again.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 11, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kansas City is Happier Today

The folks in Kansas City, Missouri are a little happier this month because there's a new needlepoint store in town! Sue posted photos of the new establishment, so don't miss clicking on the thumbnails to get a good look.
https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2015/06/16/no-stitching-todayjust-making-new-friends/

Don't forget to bookmark the shop website so you can visit again and again as KC NP grows and hopefully thrives! (By the way, they already have a nice assortment of accessories including the useful thimble stick on pads and plenty of self finishing bookmarks to use in teaching someone to stitch this summer on raining days when "Mom, there's nothing to do!")

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stress Then and Now

The British tapestry designer Anna Pearson talks about stress release then and now.
http://anna-pearson-needlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/06/combatting-stress.html

I think we all stitch to get through hard times, don't you?
https://hangingbyathreadembroidery.wordpress.com/2015/06/08/frank-turner-and-fine-cell-work/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 8, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Both Sides of Bunny

Ridgewood Needlepoint just got a shipment of double-sided bunnies in the shop. These remind me of the MCM two-sided dressed rabbits that had the sweetest faces that are no longer available.  If you are a MCM fan, you might want to look into these.  Ridgewood doesn't say who the designer is. Sorry.  I'd like to credit them for these very nice rabbits.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/05/bunnies.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 28, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Bit More about Market

The June TNNA market is over and folks are starting to think about September's Destination Dallas.  But I think you might like to see another side of the trade shows--the personal connections made, the trials overcome, and the fun that participants have.  Sandy Arthur tells all here.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2015/06/tnna-summer-market-columbus-another.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 7, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Is This The Original "Stitch Guide"?

Leisure Arts Leaflet 27 (front)

Is this Leisure Arts leaflet by Barbara Hunter, published in 1973, the first use of the term "stitch guide"?   This is Leaflet 27 in a series and is titled "Needlepoint Stitch Guide Diagrams for 18 Decorative Stitches.  It turns up on eBay all the time, so it must have been popular in its day.  Here's the first auction I found using Google.  
http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/251937157516?lpid=82&chn=ps

Leisure Arts Leaflet 27 (back)

Can anyone document the use of the term "stitch guide" earlier than 1973?  If not, Barbara Hunter is probably the ancestor of today's stitch guide.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Linda's Finished and Fabulous, Naturally

Liz Morrow of LizArt doesn't just create amazing Bargello patterns to sell, she also stitches other designers' work. She just finished up "Linda" from Orna Willis in her own colors and it is lovely.  I wanted everyone to see it as counted canvaswork is a tad neglected here on Blog, being that I can't count to three successfully.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2015/05/linda-is-finished.html

I can embellish the heck out of a painted canvas but follow a chart, not so much.  You are a genius, Liz!

By the way, if you aren't familiar with Orna Willis' work, visit her blog and Etsy store where she sells thread skein combos and gorgeous pieces of Ultrasuede for finishing.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ADORNBYORNA

http://ornadesign.blogspot.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Adventures in Needlepoint: The Beginning

Mary Agnes reveals how she got into needlepoint.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2015/05/first-adventures-in-needlepoint.html

How about you?  How did you get started?  Email me at chillyhollow at hotmail dot com or leave a Comment below.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

With Tongue in Cheek

Charlotte at Hanging By A Thread reports on a serious problem which I am posting here with tongue in check and plenty of black Splendor, DMC floss and perle cotton in my stash.  (I hope. Guess I'll go check.) 
https://hangingbyathreadembroidery.wordpress.com/2015/06/03/bringbackblackthread-thread-shortage/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ann-Marie's Beautiful Stitches (and Beautiful Mistakes)

Thanks to Carol Young, the Australian counted thread designer, I've discovered Beautiful Stitches, the website of Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes, who is primarily a teacher of counted canvaswork.
http://beautifulstitches.com.au

Ann-Marie also has a blog.  It's fabulous!  Read this.  Read it NOW.
http://beautifulstitches.com.au/my-wish-for-you-go-make-some-mistakes/

Thanks so much, Carol!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Need an Umbrella?

This photographic tutorial from Paraguay isn't very detailed but if you want to make an umbrella for a standup, it might help you figure out how. I think some of the umbrella handles are beads, by the way.   The pattern is glued to the wire handle; that's what the blue lines in photos 8 and 9 are, at least that's my guess.  
http://tutorialesminis.blogspot.com.ar/2013/01/paraguas-cerrado.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Brenda Loves the Naturalight Magnifier

This type of light/magnifier has been quite popular lately for those who use fatter stretcher bars and want a fairly portable magnifier that includes a light. Brenda loves hers! 
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2015/05/magnifying-glass-must-have-tool.html

The light comes from LEDs.  The official name of this appears to be StarMag Flexlens with Base and Clip.  I guess Naturalight is the manufacturer.  Several shops sell these and I've also seen them on eBay.  The magnifying lens appears to be plastic and is a tad more than four inches in diameter.
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/product/clip-on-freestanding-magnifying-led-lamp-starmag-by-daylight/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Eric the Embroiderer (an Inspirational Film from Australia)

Carol posted the link to this wonderful little film featuring an Australian embroiderer explaining why he does what he does and what it means.  You are going to love watching this, so pour a nice cup of something and settle in to listen to Eric.
https://open.abc.net.au/explore/93648?v1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Four Wizards

Sandy Arthur shows off four versions of the finished pieces from her Wizard of Paws class. This is a design by Brenda Stofft that Sandy's been teaching here and there.  Click on the first photo of Sandy's version and then work through the pictures, admiring the personal touches.  Each piece was finished slightly differently and each was also stitched a little differently.  I don't care if you are working from a stitch guide or lesson plan, each stitcher puts a bit of his or her own personality into their finished design, don't they?
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2015/05/wizard-of-paws-brenda-stofft-design-aka.html

These are so fun!  Thanks, Sandy!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 25, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Mysterious Retreat UPDATED

If you like going places to stitch--particularly if you are a fan of counted canvaswork--and you also like mystery pieces where you don't know how things will turn out, then you need to check out Liz's progress on the 2012 Mystery Retreat design she is working.   Click on the small thumbnail to see how beautiful this is.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2015/06/2012-mystery-retreat-progress-5.html

Sorry, this design isn't available anywhere unless you went on the retreat or talk someone who did into parting with their instructions--or unless it is offered in a cyberclass, which does happen occasionally.   These retreats are held by Linda K. Reinmiller, Debbie Rowley, Pat Hartman and Mary Knapp.  (The latter two ladies make up Creative Reflections.)  They create the design together and then put on the retreat.  Stitchers who go pick from several available color ways but otherwise, everything is Top Secret until you arrive and start stitching.  This year's retreat is July 16-18 in Phoenix and registration is closed (although you might still get in if someone cancels).
http://needleartsmysteryretreat.com

You can keep up with the latest on the 2015 Mystery Retreat on Facebook, too.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Needle-Arts-Mystery-Retreat-LLC/126832707361178

It's a fun way to get together with fellow enthusiasts and stitch something amazing.

By the way, if you aren't familiar with these designers, check out the Counted Canvaswork Designers tab here on Blog to find their websites.

UPDATE:  Here is the 2015 retreat design.
https://www.facebook.com/126832707361178/photos/a.149339065110542.30487.126832707361178/1000804909963949/?type=1&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 5,  2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

No Flying Monkeys: Building a Martini

Now that the footstool on No Flying Monkeys is done, I can work the martini glass. Why did I work the footstool before the martini glass? Generally speaking, I like to work from the background forward. I think it helps me keep things that should be in the background less prominent.  (Of course for some canvases you need to work certain things before certain other things, so there's no set rule that works for everyone all the time.  Sorry.)  I also needed to see how the footstool looked before I decided how to handle the glass.  I often use how things look in real life to choose stitches.  If this were a real living room or den with a real footstool and drinks glass, one would see the blue of the footstool through the clear glass.  I wondered if having too much blue would blend the glass into the footstool, though, so I needed to have the footstool done to decide.

I was right--having a blue glass against a blue background would mean that it would become the stealth martini and totally disappear!  Since the glass is one of the focal points of this design, I can't let that happen.  So the martini has to show up very well against the footstool background.  It's going to need to be white (or clear).  There are several ways to create a glass look on canvas.  You can use beads or transparent threads like Water N Ice or Prisms, or you can use light coverage stitching to create texture without much color.  (Skip tent with Kreinik's #4 very fine braid in silver, say.)  Normally I'd use beads but beads on 13 count are harder for me since I have less experience on that size canvas.  So I played it safe with Water N Ice.  But first, I had to deal with the olives on the swizzle stick.

The stick itself was easy--a few tent stitches with my black High Cotton topped with three black Swarovski bicone beads (size 3mm) in a cluster.  If you haven't seen bicones, you can view all the sizes and colors available here.
http://www.firemountaingems.com/shop/swarovski-beads--5328

I used clear beading thread from The Collection to attach the beads.  It's strong and hard to see so it's a good choice for a piece that will be a model and get some handling after spending time traveling here and there in a box.

Then I tent stitched the olives in green Krenik and red Entice.  They sparkle! So far, so good.  The next step was brick stitch over two in Water N Ice.  I used the iridescent version, not the original clear, to get a bit more sparkle as this is a focal point of the canvas.  It also contrasts nicely with the silk behind the glass.  I covered the olives up with the Water N Ice in the brick stitches, too.  (By the way, I discovered that it is easier to track the stitching when covering already stitched areas to do the brick stitches in vertical rows.)

A "Dirty" Martini?

Once the Water N Ice was stitched, I outlined the silver of the glass with back stitches in #16 Kreinik braid across the sides, and couched the top rim horizontal lines using #4 Kreinik in a matching silver. The final touch was adding three "bubbles" above the glass with my clear beading thread and three 3mm Swarovski bicone beads.

The martini glass was an easy stitch but it looks good. I'm just sorry that cameras are blind to sparkle and bling, which the witch's martini has in spades!

Remember, I am collecting the links as I blog stitch this Point of It All Designs piece and posting them in a tab on the CH Stitch Guides blog. You can catch up on what you missed by going there--just click on the flying carpet photo to magically be transported to my other blog and then back again.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 6, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Just Stick Beads Anywhere UPDATED

Beaded Berries

Mary Corbet did an interesting article about adding beads to almost any embroidery stitch I thought you might find interesting. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/06/adding-beads-to-embroidery-stitches.html

Mary's right--Sundance's little book on bead embroidery makes the same point.  And I know it myself as I often add beads to any stitch to get unusual effects.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2009/03/book-review-sundance-beads-for.html

See the picture above?  Those little beaded berries (on Leigh's Imari Dragonflies) are round Rhodes stitches.  Come up, string on beads, go down.  Easy peasy, although you will need to use more beads as the hump gets bigger to reach from one side to the other.

It's a fact, beads and stitches go together like peanut butter and jelly.

(By the way, Tisha has Sundance's booklet for sale at a good price if you want one.)
http://www.needlepointtooltime.com/product/SB

UPDATE:  Pippa's adding beads everywhere in her beads with stitches sampler.  There are some terrific ideas here!
http://saves9embroidery.blogspot.com/2015/06/sampling.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Defuzzing Tool UPDATED

Kathy at the Unbroken Thread is stitching a crewel piece by Nicola Jarvis and ran into a problem with the black wool she was using on one of the birds--it fuzzed!  You won't believe what she used to fix the problem--a baby brush from the drugstore!
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2015/05/24/loveday-crewelwork-blackbird-begun/

The ones we have in the US are more like this...
http://www.drugstore.com/hip-peas-wooden-baby-brush/qxp492879?catid=182482

...but I bet they work the same and that we can find them even cheaper than this one I found online.  Great idea!  I think this will work nicely for removing bits of ripped out threads and the little fuzzy pieces you sometimes have after trimming turkey work.

Time to go shopping for a new tool!

UPDATE:  Patricia swears by these little plaque brushes for removing fuzz.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=964171796938685&set=gm.877343965676096&type=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 25, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Suzanne and String

Suzanne at Hugs and Stitches is using rope (not string but I'm a sucker for title alliteration) for border padding a lot these days.  She raves about the ease of it and has some great tips on how to use rope padding.  So the next time you need dimension in your border, have Suzanne bookmarked!
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2015/06/pad-it-up.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Wrong Lime

The cute gumdrop house from Susan Roberts had the lime section stitched, but it wasn't right, so Katherine tried again. It is definitely better! 
http://bootsandbeads.blogspot.com/2015/05/creating-candy-house.html

Just goes to show you shouldn't settle.  A tiny tweak can make all the difference in the world.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 26, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Helen Stevens and One Simple Stitch

Helen M. Stevens, the British embroiderer known for her realistic plants and animals taken from the English countryside, has developed an online series of lessons in PDF form. 
 http://email.cowscantcount.co.uk/t/ViewEmail/r/35965AB389966AE62540EF23F30FEDED/B5F76A0B4057750E667CCDA886AB700A

If you want to hear more about the series, watch this video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WbLRzPo3NWk&feature=youtu.be

She also has an eBook that accompanies the series I think.  Note that the pricing is in British pounds.
http://www.vivebooks.com/shop/one-simple-stitch/

If you aren't familiar with Helen's embroidery and books, check out her website.  Remember not to drool on your keyboard!
http://www.helenmstevens.co.uk

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.