Happy New Year from Orna

Orna Willis is welcoming the New Year with a free chart for us all.  
https://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2018/12/a-new-year-gift-sweet-pea-design.html

It's one of her classic bracelets, but it can be framed as well as worn.  Play around with your favorite colors and use all beads or all French knots, whatever you please.  Thank you, Orna!

Happy New Year to us all.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 26, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ready to Exhibit at Woodlawn 2019?

Arlene Cohen has a nice article on her blog about her first entry to the Woodlawn Needlework Exhibit. Mail order entries to the 2019 show will soon be accepted, so read all about Arlene's first exhibit piece and discover links about the show and how to mail your own recent pieces to be shown in March.
https://worksbyabc.com/2018/12/04/woodlawn-needlework-exhibit/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sudden Realization: The Geisha Mystery

Ruth Schmuff knows just what I like—an elegant and haughty geisha!  This beautiful design from David Galchutt is named "Sudden Realization," and she will be the subject of Ruth's Winter 2019 mystery class.  Stay tuned!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/11/i-had-a-sudden-realization/

The first lesson is out—and the geisha has a face!  Her under gown is gorgeous.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/01/the-face-tells-the-story/

Ruth has a plan to handle the outlines.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/02/details-outlines/

And she uses thread layers and thicknesses to create interest.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/02/variations/

Now the geisha has Big Hair! (and pretty sleeves)
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/02/oh-the-hair/

The background is mostly in. I love the floating lanterns and the beads in the geisha's hair.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/03/details-and-texture-oh-my/

Flowers, flowers and more flowers!  This is the last lesson, so now I cannot wait to see this piece framed.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/04/the-more-the-merrier/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 20, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Too Cute for Words

Donna shows off the two Kathy Schenkel little stockings she stitched for her grandkids. They are too cute for words!  Now that so many shops are having sales, you might want to pick up some of these for your next Christmas stitching.
https://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2018/12/for-grands.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 28, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Needlepoint Cowgirl at the Hall of Fame

Nancy stumbled across this needlepoint standup of a cowgirl at the Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame in Fort Worth, Texas.  We think this is a Boots Baily design and that it was stitched by Fern Sawyer, a member of the Hall of Fame and a needlepointer.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10156157441519151&set=gm.1990725311004617&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Many thanks to Nancy for spotting this and for all the members of Needlepoint Nation who worked to identify the stitcher and designer.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 17, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Using Kreinik's Wired Braid

Kreinik shows off a video of a Danji gingerbread house that was "iced" using Kreinik's wired braid, couched down with blending filament in 032.
https://www.facebook.com/Kreinik.Manufacturing.Company/videos/10155135646525940/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 16, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Three Decorative Stitches to Use

Needlepoint for Fun's latest newsletter talks about their three favorite decorative stitches.  You'll need some space to do these stitches but they will add a nice flavor to a background or any large area on your canvas.  By large I mean a big large enough for at least three repeats of the stitch element.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-use-one-decorative-stitch-to-enhance-your-needlepoint-project.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 16, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Anna at Christmas

Like all the rest of us, the English needlepoint designer Anna Person is way too busy at Christmas! But she is staying sane by stitching.  I hope now that the Big Day is in the rear view mirror we all can take a little time for our needles.
https://anna-pearson-needlepoint.blogspot.com/2018/11/christmas-is-coming.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 28, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Skin Tones in DMC

Folks are always asking what threads are good for creating different skin tones. Traditionally needlepointers have used the late Marilyn Leavitt-Imblum's list of DMC colors to choose the right thread for their Aboriginal/Asian/African/European skin tones.
http://www.tiag.com/background/altcolor.html

Here's a new source, passed on from the ANG email list to me from Deborah. Thanks, Deb!
http://www.carouselcharts.com/SkinTones.pdf

Carousel Charts is a cross stitch company. They've also published a guide to changing colors in general that I found very interesting.
http://www.carouselcharts.com/LightnDark.pdf

Colleen of Needle Works in Austin just posted a list of skin tone shades from her Mom's old copy of The Needlepoint Book. There are two colors for eyes and lips as a bonus. I think these are DMC colors, by the way.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/02/share-a-stitch-sunday-february-24.html

Carole Lake suggests these DMC floss colors:
Lips: 309, 938
Pinks/corals: 818, 761, 819
Porcelains/peaches: 948, 712, 754
Tans: 712, 437, 738, 3774, 739
Peaches/tans: 948, 754, 3778, 758
Asian: 739, 3774, 950
African-American: 632, 3772, 3773

A chart from Lord Libidan
https://lordlibidan.com/find-the-perfect-skin-tone-dmc-threads/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Santas on Parade

Brenda has stitched quite a few of the Janet Zigler Casey Santas and shows the finished ones off on her blog.  It's a fun way to celebrate Christmas!
https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2018/11/janet-zickler-casey-santas-stitched-to.html

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2024/11/santa-sea-shell-updated-112224.html

These Santas were originally line drawn canvases, taught at various Seminars.  Danji is starting to produce them as painted canvases that each come with Janet's stitch guide.
http://www.danjidesigns.com/JanetCasey/index.htm

The originals are probably still available through Janet Casey's website.
http://www.jzcdesigns.com/christmas.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 16, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ruth Shows Off Christmas

Ruth Schmuff's latest blog posting is all about the Christmas stitching of one of her students.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/12/what-to-my-wondering-eyes-should-appear/

Many of the designs are from folks Ruth's company, Bedecked and Beadazzled, distributes.  Many were done in Ruth's classes, too.  Angie is a very prolific stitcher with an eye for fun Christmas pieces.  Enjoy!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 23, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Thousand Flowers: Tapestry on Silk Gauze UPDATED

Using the style of Medieval tapestries, Mary Corbet has some up with four charming charts meant to be stitched on silk gauze and used in broaches and small pins. 
https://www.needlenthread.com/2018/11/a-thousand-flowers-four-tapestry-smalls-to-stitch.html

Follow the links to see Mary's inspiration or the jewelry settings she used.  These are charming, and on either 40 or 48 count silk gauze, they are not too small to be unworkable.  A downloadable eBook chart is now available.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2018/11/a-thousand-flowers-four-tapestry-smalls-available-now.html

UPDATE:  Mary found a fake pocket watch at Joann's to finish her small deer tapestry inside.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2019/03/tapestry-smalls-pocket-watch-finishing-kits.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 14, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ornament Exchanges are Fun

I love the idea of ornament exchanges during the holidays so I enjoyed seeing the ornaments the staff of Enriched Stitch exchanged.    Some of the ornaments are credited to their designers and some aren't but if you fall in love, the shop can help you identify the design you adore.
http://astheneedleturns.com/ornament-exchange/

Pocket Full of Stitches did an exchange, too.  Look at all those smiling faces!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2018/12/pfos-annual-ornament-exchange.html

I think both shops had a blast.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 19, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Liz Morrow is Retiring

Liz Morrow has just announced her retirement, but don't worry. If you are big fan of Liz's complex Bargello designs or her other fun charts, you can still get them from LizArt, which will now be run by Liz's buddy Rinda Just.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2018/12/retirement.html

Liz plans to keep designing and charting, but now she has a business manager, so to speak.  Have a fun look around the LizArt website. If you decide to order, Rinda will be waiting!
http://www.lizartneedlepoint.com

Meanwhile, Liz is designing as always.  Just not doing the paperwork any more.  Yeah, Liz!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 21, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Annual Reveal of the SWANS' Christmas Ornament Exchange

Stephanie's local group, the SWANS, just had their annual Christmas party.  They draw names and exchange ornaments each year, but I have to say each one this year is really wonderful!
https://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2018/12/swan-christmas-party-is-best.html

https://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2018/12/my-swan-party.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 13, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Petersborough Cathedral Ceiling Tapestry

The Petersborough Embroiderers Guild is taking on a huge project, reproducing the ceiling pattern of Petersborough Cathedral on needlepoint canvas, with some parts painted and some charted. You can read about this custom design and the volunteers working it here.
https://www.peterboroughtoday.co.uk/news/nave-needlework-to-bring-project-to-life-1-8535826

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 21, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

All the Colors of Micro Ice Chenille

Kreinik's blog shows off what ThreadworX does with their Micro Ice Chenille—they dye it into the most wonderful colors!  With holiday decorating on our minds, how about picking up a skein of one of these and couching some fun color onto your current needlepoint canvas?
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2018/10/threadworx-is-making-kreinik-better.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 23, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Mistress of Embroidery

Susan Johnson of SJ Designs has a new booklet out. It's called The Mistress of Embroidery: Patterns for Embroidery, Counted Cross Stitch and Needlepoint.  It reproduces charts and outlines first printed in 1819 by Augustin Legrand which can be done in needlepoint, cross stitch or embroidery.  If you are interested in patterns available just after Jane Austin's death in the first year of Queen Victoria's reign, this is right up your alley.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/1790217040?fbclid=IwAR1RFgWMFoNTtwof0RBp6u08YYZJm8QKzXeIC0Zr7fewQfUYjrWwVm0QOqc

This is one of a series of historical embroidery books by Susan.  Most are 19th Century Berlin woolwork type charts but not all.  Have fun browsing and learning more needlework history.
https://sj-designs.net/shop/sj-designs-books/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 24, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Clover's Mini Wonder Clips

If you do your own ornament finishing (or you want to try), you'll want to read what Mary Corbet says about using Clover's mini wonder clips to help her finish her latest projects.  If you are interested, you can follow Mary's link to Amazon so that she gets a little cash for sending you to shop there.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2018/11/must-have-little-tools-for-finishing-a-sneak-peek.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 9, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Countdown to Christmas with Antique Needlework Tools

Gay Ann Rogers is posting a variety of antique needlework tools on her website to count down to Christmas. If you love needlework antiques, you'll want to visit each day to see more.
http://www.gayannrogers.com/christmas-2018.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 15, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Are You a Fan of Spartina Bags?

Spartina has new "needlepoint" bags. They look like they were stitched overseas and the needlepoint combined with leather.  They are fun and a good way to carry a needlepoint purse until you have time to stitch your own.  Thanks for the tip, Dell!
https://www.spartina449.com/new/queen-of-carolina/needlepoint.html

If you prefer to stitch your own, check out the Thorn Alexander canvas that Jinny stitched and had made into a fabulous clutch bag.
http://stitchstyleblog.com/2018/11/thorn-alexander-clutch/

Not all of us have any use for a clutch purse but how about a wallet?  Mindy has some new "mini" designs that you can buy with a matching ladies' wallet.
http://www.mindysneedlepoint.com/shop/Mindys-Needlepoint-Designs/Minis-For-Leather-Wallets.htm

Use the left side arrow for more photos.  Mindy says the dimensions of the wallets are four and a half inches across, three inches down, and one and three-quarters inch deep.  There are 12 colors available.  The inserts are 18 count and are two by two and three-quarter inches.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10211865379142231&set=pcb.1985578211519327&type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 23, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Be On the Look Out

Normally when I talk about stolen property here, it's copyright or trademark violations I mean. But today I discovered two antique American samplers were stolen in Vancouver, Washington and folks are being asked to publicize the theft among the stitching world as we are the most likely to notice samplers as we are out and about.  Keep your eyes out for these two, ok?
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2018/12/be-on-lookout-stolen-samplers.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 15, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making Squares Round

Needlepoint for Fun's newsletter has an interesting article about the best way to turn that square design into a round or oval ornament shape to hang on your tree.  I don't think making an oval shape is as easy as they make it sound but this is a pretty good tutorial for creating a round template for your canvas.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/the-best-way-to-make-a-small-rectangular-or-square-design-into-a-round-ornament.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 10, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

IKEA Ornament Display Stand

Reed's sharp eyes spotted this IKEA display stand and recommended it for stitched ornaments.
https://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/products/80400867/

It's metal powder-coated white and not available to order online, so you'll have to shop at IKEA to get it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 8, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Jewelry Settings by Nunn Design

It's been quite a while since I've been able to find good jewelry settings to create silk gauze embroidery pins and broaches, so I was thrilled to see Mary Corbet talk about the settings available from Nunn Design.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2018/09/some-tiny-embroidery-for-jewelry-with-free-patterns.html

Can these be used for needlepoint canvas or Congress cloth?  Maybe.  I imagine it will be hard to turn the edges of the raw canvas under easily unless you dampen them.  The bonus for using silk gauze is the silver backing will show and add glitz to the design if you don't stitch the background entirely.  Traditionally one puts gold lame' fabric behind silk gauze when mounting in jewelry.  I think you can do this if you wish since normally lame' is a very thin material.
https://www.nunndesign.com/product-category/shop-retail/kit-embroidery-retail-kits/

Bottom line:  If you want to try needlepoint on silk gauze, this is a great little project to use.  You can make broaches, pins, bracelets, and even ornaments.  Otherwise, I'm not sure how traditional needlepoint will work, but it is a nice thing to experiment with.  Here's the video explaining how to assemble your stitching into the jewelry setting.
https://www.nunndesign.com/assemble-handmade-embroidery-jewelry-video/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 19, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pink Imperfection Interviews Betty Scanlon

An interview with Betty Scanlon, you say? The name rings a bell, but…
Betty is the owner of Stitch By Stitch in Larchmont, NY.   Her shop newsletter is fun and so is her website and blog.  Check them all out with the second line below.
https://pinkimperfection.com/2018/11/14/stitch-by-stitch-is-how-it-will-all-get-done/

http://www.stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 20, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Target's Metal Wall Pocket for Needlepoint Display

Rachel Donley Designs noticed this metal wall pocket at Target.  It can be hung on the wall or sit upright on a table or desk.
https://www.target.com/p/metal-wall-pocket-black-project-62-153/-/A-52808808?fbclid=IwAR2PtMj693Xq5mZ2ALTwUlMtckXPVUMuCHq_7g_a2IwtgClE6T4v8prXCw4

It's perfect for displaying needlepoint!
https://www.facebook.com/racheldonleyneedlepointdesigns/photos/pcb.2186314314957837/2186314008291201/?type=3&theater&ifg=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 9, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Make a Christmas Bow

Ruth Schmuff taught Melissa Shirley's "Santa's Books" over the Thanksgiving holiday at her shop, Bedecked and Beadazzled. Part of the decoration is a pretty red bow, which Ruth explains how to create in this tutorial. It's easy if you use Wired Lace, which is a type of wire-edged mesh ribbon used in beading.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/11/its-a-pretty-bow/

You can see more about Ruth's class here.  The canvas, the threads kit and/or the stitch guide are available from Bedecked and Beadazzled.  Just follow the links.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/11/santa-likes-to-read/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 27, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sandy's Back from the Danube River Cruise

Whether cruises are your thing or not, I think you'll enjoy Sandy Arthur's report on the Danube cruise she just got back from in early November.
https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2018/11/here-we-are-enjoying-our-stitching-down.html

If you are intrigued, Sandy leads quite a few stitching cruises.  The upcoming ones are listed on her Needles and Fins Facebook page.  I think the next (not updated yet) will be a cruise on the Mediterranean.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching Glasses the Leigh Designs Team Way

Leigh Designs has a tradition of releasing a series of small canvases on November 1 each year. Leigh calls this her November Surprise. For 2018, she's celebrating Oktoberfest and beer!
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp813x.html

There are 8 types of beer, each in their own special glass, and each canvas has a stitch guide by Leona Cole, Pat Miller or Carolyn Taggart.  To see the models, click on the photo of each unstitched canvas. If you do, you'll see a Master Class on stitching glassware!  Note how the tall, thin glasses use tall, thin stitches, for example.  Check out "Swaggering Stout."  The faceted glass is beautifully handled.  I was especially intrigued by the use of diamond shaped stitches for some of the more rounded glasses.  It works!

Kudos to the Leigh Design teams!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 1, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Vague Yearning to Escape into Needlepoint

I thought you'd enjoy this article about a novice to needlepoint with the urge to escape into stitching that was in Elle Decor.  Many thanks to Jeffrey for finding the link to the online version.
https://www.elledecor.com/design-decorate/trends/a22843630/pleasure-of-needlepoint/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 13, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mrs. Bush's Rug in Needlepoint News Reprinted

The owner of the copyright for the now defunct Needlepoint News magazine has kindly reprinted the article on Mrs. Barbara Bush's famous floral needlepoint rug on their website.  This was originally in the October/November 1986 issue.
https://www.egwpublishing.com/about1-c1td8

Many thanks to Wendy for finding this and tells us all about it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 6, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Color Magic

Debbie Rowley reminds us that color has a magical appeal.  Any counted design can be easily changed to colors that you like better.  You can change a painted canvas as well, although in my experience that's a bit harder, at least for me.
https://debbeesdesigns.com/2018/10/29/a-contrast-in-color-experiences/

But if we are going to use our precious personal time to stitch something, it should be in colors we love, right?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 29, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Two Children's Chairs

The Beinecke Library at Yale just posted photos of two children's sized chairs, designs by Pablo Picasso, stitched by Alice B. Toklas.  It appears likely that Yale owns the photo of the chairs, not the chairs themselves, judging from the wording of the record.
https://brbl-dl.library.yale.edu/vufind/Record/3528440

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 28, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Seam Fix

Sue has a new tool to remove the fuzzies left behind after ripping out.  It's called a seam fix and is used by quilters.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2018/09/13/a-new-tool-for-me/

Here is how it is supposed to be used if you are sewing.  Basically you rub the eraser-type end over the fuzzies and it removes them.
https://sueoverydesigns.com/how-to-use-seam-fix-seam-ripper-notion-really-work/

I've never used anything except my Judy's Boo-Boo Stick to remove fluff left over from ripping out.  It works great!
https://123stitch.com/item/Norden-Crafts-Judys-Boo-Boo-Stick/MI-1002-01BOO

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 13, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Holly Design from LizArt

Liz Morrow just posted a new free holiday pattern of a holly branch on her website.  You can read a bit about it on her blog…
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2018/10/free-design.html

…then download the PDF file chart at the free section of her website.  It is quite charming and a fun way to stitch something to celebrate the season.
http://www.lizartneedlepoint.com/Free_Designs.php

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 23, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Hanukkah and a Free Christmas Design

Susan Johnson of SJ Designs has posted a free Hannukkah design on her website as a gift to her stitching friends. 
http://sj-designs.net/sjdwordpress/wp-content/uploads/2018/11/HANUKKAH-RIBBONS-ORNAMENT.pdf?fbclid=IwAR08Nb4Fu63Ci8tw4wW5Sxr8MDbY4rBHLmHX0pGGSjUWs9mtoPBEHlBodjQ

There's a Christmas version, too!
http://sj-designs.net/very-very-merry-ornament-chart/?fbclid=IwAR2bPEuDcVyTpY7HE65R_4fjJQhquKFBsB7Y1g1rVR4uG8ulxx0KxPgbKHA

Thanks, Susan!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 9, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Self-Finishing Items for that Last Minute Gift

The Needlepointer in Washington State has listed all their self-finishing items in their latest newsletter to help you pick something fast and fun to stitch for the holidays. You can treat yourself or a friend or relative with any of these goodies.
https://mailchi.mp/theneedlepointer.com/take-a-look-at-all-our-great-self-finishing-products?e=73961ee0ea

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 12, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.