Free Design: The Starburst Ornament (Caela Conn Tyler)

Needlepoint Now magazine has reprinted a Caela Conn Tyler counted design (originally to be done on perforated paper but it'll make a lovely ornament for your Christmas tree) in their May 2016 newsletter.  You can read their tribute to Caela and see the chart here.
https://www.needlepointnow.com/wp-content/uploads/NN_NWSLTR_April16.pdf

By the way, the original instructions were in the July-August 2008 issue of Needlepoint Now in case you want to pull out your copy.
https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/jul-aug-2008/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Seed Beads, An Introduction with History Lessons

One of the best places to buy beads online if your local shop doesn't stock them is Fire Mountain Gems.  I can highly recommend them from personal experience.  But Fire Mountain isn't just a place to buy--it's a place to learn about beads.  The shop has just posted a series of articles about seed beads.  You can learn a bit about seed beads and the various types here.
http://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/jewelry-making-articles/e53j

You can also learn about their history in Europe and Japan.  It's very interesting and gives me insight into the differences between the different types of beads we can order for needlepoint embellishment.
http://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/jewelry-making-articles/f35f

http://www.firemountaingems.com/resources/jewelry-making-articles/e53j

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.