Breaking News: Needlepoint Lane Opens in Spartanburg, SC

There's a new shop opening in Spartanburg, South Carolina on January 4, 2020.  The name is Needlepoint Lane and the shop address is 464 East Main St, #6, Spartanburg, SC 29302.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10221543498915615&set=gm.2682012245209250&type=3&theater&ifg=1

If you are in the area next weekend or after, please stop in and wish them well.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 31, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

DMC's Mouline Etoile: A Review

DMC's Etoile and DMC's Cotton Floss

Recently my local Michael's (a large craft store chain with a branch only 45 minutes from me) starting stocking DMC's newest thread which is called Mouline Etoile.  This is a six ply cotton/polymide-metallic blend.  You can see the end as it comes from the skein above.  The medium dark red is Etoile in DMC's red C816.  The tan is DMC's regular cotton floss in tan 3864.  Etoile is divisible into six plies, all of which have a colored metallic woven in.  The metallic color varies according to the color of the base thread.  The blue has a blue metallic, the red has red metallic, etc.  I understand that the Etoile colors are matches to the regular DMC colors, so if you have regular DMC cotton floss red 816 in your stash, you can see the medium dark red used in my Etoile C816.
https://www.dmc.com/us/mouline-etoile-embroidery-thread-9005736.html

If you look carefully at the above photo, you'll see the metallic red sparkle.  If you compare the red thread to the tan, you can see that Etoile is slightly fatter than regular cotton floss. It is almost like it is fluffier, even when you ply the Etoile.   It feels different when you handle it.  I am doing tent stitches on 18 count canvas with three plies of my red Etoile.  I would probably use three plies of the tan cotton floss as well on this canvas for tent stitches.  I think the coverage using 3 plies of each thread would be about the same but I haven't actually tested this yet.

The closest thread to Etoile in my opinion is Rainbow Gallery's Silk Lame Braid although it is a single strand instead of being made to be plyable like Etoile.  (But I'm talking texture here, not comparing flosses.)  It also has the metallic woven into each of the plies.  Silk Lame Braid comes 10 yards to a card while Etoile and regular cotton floss from DMC has 8 meters in each skein which works out to about 8.75 yards.  I think Etoile has more sparkle than Silk Lame Braid, which is more subtle.

Etoile costs $1.95 per skein and regular DMC cotton floss costs $0.56 a skein, so you can see Etoile costs over twice as much as DMC's regular floss.  Silk Lame Braid costs $3.45 if you buy the Petite version, which I normally do.  (The 13 and 18 count Silk Lame Braid are nearly $4 if I remember correctly.) All the prices are before tax is added in and based on my local pricing.  Your cost may vary, depending on where you live and whether you are able to score coupons or sales.  By the way, don't buy Etoile on Amazon.  It costs from $6.44 to $6.95 per skein there!

What do I think about Etoile?  Well, I still like Silk Lame Braid better, despite the expense.  It comes in many more colors.  I am not wild about the lighter shades of Etoile, either.  The Blanc and Ecru both look grayed out or dirty.  The dark and light grays are simply dark and light gray, without the metallic silver showing up much.  I didn't like the yellows and tans.  But the blues and purples are very pretty and I liked the red shades.  I haven't seen all the colors.  My local Michael's did not have the pink, for example, which greatly disappointed me.  (I love pink!)  If you are going to pick only one color, go for one of the darker blues for a night sky.  That will be gorgeous!  But if you need plenty of shades for your project, use Silk Lame Braid instead.

I've never had the metallic part of Silk Lame Braid unwind completely, either, which has happened once with the Etoile.  (I've used about half my red skein to date.)  Etoile plies easily but as you recombine your plies in the needle and stitch with them, it stitches much like regular DMC cotton floss.  However, the end of the plies in the needle eye get thinner with the wear.  It's probably better to use shorter lengths of Etoile to help minimize both of these things.  I try to stick to less than 18 inches when I cut a length of Etoile.

This is a great thread if you are on a budget, don't need many shades, or don't have a thread emporium close to you since DMC is carried so many places.  But I'm going to mostly use Silk Lame Braid since I need the variety of colors and shades available from Rainbow Gallery.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Decemer 5, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Agnes' Shop Reborn in Vero Beach

Nothing makes me happier than seeing a shop outlive its owners.  When Mary Agnes died, I though that Vero Beach's Needle Nicely was lost forever, but it has been reborn as Seaside Needlepoint.  If you are in Florida and near the shop, please stop in and tell them hello from Mary Agnes' Fan Club!
https://www.seasideneedlepoint.com/pages/about

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 4, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Short Profile of Kam Wenzloff

Those of you who subscribe to Needlepoint Now magazine will have already discovered "Rainbow Ribbons," the lovely counted project that Kam Wenzloff published in the magazine's November-December 2019 issue.  Kam used threads from Colour Complements so the thread manufacturer wanted to show off Kam's work and suggest other overdyed perle cottons you might want to use to personalize this piece for yourself.
https://colourcomplements.com/2019/11/rainbow-ribbons-colour-complements-needlepoint.html

Just click on the Color Complements website to have some fun color shopping.  Just remember you need five skeins of size 5 perle cotton and one skein of size 8, all in the same colors.  Will they be Fall Beauties, Pink/Orange Sherbet, or Teal and Purple?  You choose!
https://colourcomplements.com/hand-dyed-embroidery-threads

If you aren't a subscriber already, you can pick up this issue online until it sells out for $8.50.  Given all the designs and information you get, this is a bargain purchase.
https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/november-december-2019/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 27, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A New Tool UPDATED

Thanks to Thistle Threads, I've learned about Pinzette Tweezers.  
https://thistle-threads.myshopify.com/products/pinzette-tweezer

These are ergonomic and used quite a bit by couture embroiderers.  If you like to use tweezers to remove threads and your hands are arthritic, these might be a worth-while investment.  You can see more photos on Access Commodities' website.  They are wholesale only, however.
https://www.accesscommodities.com/products/accessories/pinzette-tweezers-for-easy-thread-removal

UPDATE:  More information from Mary Corbet about these fabulous tweezers.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2020/01/tweezers-for-needlework.html

Looks like Needle in a Haystack in California carries them, too.
https://needlestack.americommerce.com/Accessories/AC-Pinzette.aspx

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 26, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Do Traditional Turkeywork

Today's video from Needlepoint.com is about how to do the traditional turkeywork stitch.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/whats-the-stitch-turkey-work

There are many ways to do turkeywork-type fur, but this is how I learned to do it first.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 26, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jolly Red in Japan

Kelly of Jolly Red just got back from a trip to Japan to promote the British company and their needlepoint designs and kits.  She had a lovely time meeting both Japanese needlepointers and other British creatives.
https://www.jollyred.co.uk/jolly-japan/

If you are not familiar with Jolly Red's kits and printed designs, click on Home at the link above and explore all of their happy pieces.  Most are on 10 or 12 count and meant to be stitched with tapestry wool, making them perfect for a fast stitch or for someone who's vision isn't as sharp as it once was.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 25, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Great Bell Chant

Christmas and Hanukkah and other holidays this time of year are not always a happy time for folks.  Some of us don't have happy family memories, some of us have lost loved ones, some of us just don't like the commercialization of what is a time with profound religious meaning for several faiths.  So for everyone who is feeling a little down this holiday season, watch the Great Bell Chant.  It is a Buddhist chant meant to help end suffering in the world and to reveal and deepen the spiritual meaning of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j71kOClB4DA&feature=emb_logo

Our needlepoint, particularly basketweave, is a meditative journey but it is not the only one.

Here's to a healthy 2020 for us all.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 24, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Prison Embroideries of Mary, Queen of Scots

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a wonderful article about the needlepoint stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots and her household, while she was under house arrest in England.  
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/prison-embroideries-mary-queen-of-scots?fbclid=IwAR2nvnv7ekaum7UtxKJiy76IRo2SzrOU1Ykvitd2G6MzGPsKcGJrXC0WiuY

Many thanks to the designer Anna Pearson who mentioned this article on Facebook.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Lesson on Needle Painting from Trish Burr

Trish Burr has given us a lovely gift this holiday season!  She has turned one of her old video lessons about needle painting into a free video which is posted on YouTube.  If you are not familiar with Trish's books, classes and work, explore the website a bit before you go to the video link.
https://trishbembroidery.com/pages/the-long-the-short-of-it-dvd

It's called "The Long and Short of It," which is another term for needle painting.  The quality isn't fabulous but this hour and a quarter lesson has many tips for creating wonderful realistic birds, flowers and animals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTr7bD8KYXU&feature=youtu.be

Thank you, Trish!  Merry Christmas!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fun Christmas Trees from Colour Complements

Colour Complements has been encouraging stitchers to create simple Christmas tree shapes to fill in with various stitches using the variety of threads the the thread maker has created.  It is a fun exercise mixing creativity and the thrifty use of one's stash and a wonderful way to get into the mood for Christmas.  Here are the final results—
https://colourcomplements.com/2019/11/o-christmas-tree-needlework-colour-complements.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/11/christmas-trees-needlework-colour-complements.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/christmas-ornaments-colour-complements-trees.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/christmas-embroidered-trees-colour-complements.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/colourful-christmas-colour-complements-embroidery.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/christmas-decorating-colour-complements-hand-dyed-threads.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/christmas-tree-bonanza-hand-stitched-colour-complements.html

These are very easy to do yourself on scraps of leftover canvas using threads up from your pile of threads for other projects.  It's also a fun way to keep the kids busy over the holidays or during bad weather.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Christmas in Williamsburg with Needleworker's Delight

Two of the members of New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG went to the Christmas in Williamsburg retreat run by Needleworker's Delight.  What fun!
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/12/06/needleworkers-delights-christmas-in-williamsburg/

Here is the website for Needleworker's Delight.  Looks like they have a summer retreat, too!
http://www.needleworkersdelight.com/index.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 7, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Swan Party Ornament Exchange

Steph's ornament exchange with the SWANS was really great this year!
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2019/12/the-swan-christmas-party-2019.html

Come to think about it, it's great every year.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 7, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Designing Ginger Jar Needle Minders

Morgan Julia's Sold Out Blue Ginger Jar Needle Minder

Morgan Julia Designs' new blue and white ginger jar needle minders sold out in two days, thanks to the power of social media.  
https://morganjuliadesigns.com/blogs/news/the-design-process-needle-minders

Not to worry, though, she is getting more.  (By the time this goes live, they should be available again.  Hopefully those darling little bamboo scissors will also be available again then.)  While we wait, you can read about how she came up with the cute design.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 18, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Grow Your Canvas Volume One: Flowers UPDATED

Lisa Kessler of BeStitched has announced the first book in a planned series on creating dimension on needlepoint canvases is available for pre-order.  Volume One is Flowers.
https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/products/how-to-grow-your-canvas-volume-i-flowers?_pos=1&_sid=6edff5382&_ss=r&inf_contact_key=1e631bdb458e1d17a469884a931561a3

Stay tuned!

UPDATE:  Nicole posted some photos of the book on Facebook.  It looks like a great specialty book for those who stitch a lot of florals.  Use the right side arrows to see more.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157899851782290&set=pcb.2669362553140886&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 18, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Desperate Ornament Finisher's Friend

It's less than a week until Christmas and you just finished that ornament you really really really want on your tree. What to do!?  This little no sew finishing book might be the answer to your prayers.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/744535063/the-needlepoint-ornament-finishing-book?ref=shop_home_active_1&frs=1

It is also available as a PDF instant download.  The author teaches a three hour finishing class for needlepointers.  Her technique is based on these classes and uses the ornaments done in class for the illustrations in the book and PDF file.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/743441111/the-needlepoint-ornament-finishing-book?ref=shop_home_active_2&crt=1

Many thanks to Morgan Julia for mentioning this on her blog.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 5, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Gayla Elliott is now with Alice Peterson

Alice Peterson just announced that they are now distributing canvases by Gayla Elliott.
https://www.facebook.com/AlicePetersonCompany/videos/437173700313266/UzpfSTExNzQ2MDUzMTYxOTcxNDoyODgxOTI1OTE1MTczMTQ4/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 18, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Threadaholic's YouTube Channel

I've been watching the Rittenhouse YouTube channel develop as the shop adds more and more videos.  It's a fun place to visit, but it is getting very interesting for those interested in threads.  They now have short videos on these threads:

Coronet Braid
Colonial Needle's Persian wool
Capri
Burmilana
Boucle
Bijoux, also known as Lacqered Jewels
Belle Soie
Baroque Sil
Bella Lusso
Aurora
Arctic Rays
Appleton's tapestry and crewel wool
Anchor cotton floss
Alpaca 18
Alabaster
Accentuate

There is much more but if you want to learn about threads, this is a very fun resource.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKms3Z4kF57Gidv8dUYmv2Q

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 17, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: DMC Adds Diamant Grande' Metallic

DMC has a new metallic thread they call Diamant Grande. It's a single strand fine metallic that comes in six eight colors (silvers, golds and copper plus a new steely silver and a pale rose gold).
https://www.dmc.com/us/thread-5000/embroidery-thread-5001/diamant-9001190.html?limit=all

Regular Diamant is three ply and non-divisible.  Here is what Mary Corbet says about it.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2013/06/thread-talk-dmc-diamant.html

Diamant Grande is six ply and non-divisible, so it's fatter than the regular.  If you are curious, Needle in a Haystack carries regular Diamant. They describe it as a Japanese thread, so it may be made in Japan and distributed by DMC.    It is possible they may be able to get some for you if you want to try it, but you may need to find it in a UK or European store.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/DMC_Diamant.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 15, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Birmingham Gets a Shop for the Holidays

Folks in Birmingham, Alabama got a new shop starting November 1st this year. It's called Magic City Needlepoint and it is located in Vestavia Hills.  Here is their website.  Have fun!
https://www.magiccityneedlepoint.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 14, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlework Alternative to Smart Phones

We have yet another news article about millennials finding needlepoint a relief after technology overload.  It has a cute video about taking up needlepoint and a nice slide show of projects, though, and talks about the approaches shops are taking to appeal to younger customers and win over new converts.
https://www.app.com/story/life/2019/11/12/why-millennials-loving-needlepoint-gets-them-off-their-phones/3864861002/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 12, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Luggage Straps

Luggage racks that can be folded and stored in a closet, then brought out for guests to put their suitcases on were a staple of the 1960s. They are still useful, as Horse Country Chic points out.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2019/11/needlepoint-luggage-straps-again.html

They normally come in sets of three straps that are wider than belt canvases.  The finishing is pretty easy if you want to try it yourself.  Use Ultrasuede for the back and snaps or Velcro for closing.  They last and last since they are not subject to much wear.   Vintage racks themselves (some with needlepoint straps) are not that expensive these days, either.  Online they are about $100, but you can find deals at antique malls and on eBay.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 12, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Gobelin with Many Variations

In the same week both Sheena and Needlepoint for Fun talked about gobelin stitch and some of its many variations. (Great minds think alike!)  Needlepoint for Fun has diagrams and stitched examples of regular and encroaching gobelin stitch.  I particularly like that they show it slanting both left and right as well as upright and turned to the side.  This makes it easy to use various slants on a piece of clothing, for example.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/how-to-do-the-gobelin-and-encroaching-gobelin-needlepoint-stitches.htm

Sheena goes one step further by showing what she calls slanting encroaching gobelin (I call it interlocking gobelin) and then combining several versions to create a unique and interesting stitch that would work for animals so that you can do the legs, chest and head of a dog for example in a related stitch that bends and turns as the dog's body does.
https://www.sheenasstitches.com/october-fun/

I love these stitches for fur and am wondering how they'd work for bird feathers….

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 25, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tips for Stitching On Black with Black

Needlepoint for Fun's latest e-newsletter has tips for stitching on dark areas with dark threads, such as black and dark navy.  I do have to admit using talc doesn't help me much but your eyes may be different than mine.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/stitching-dark-canvases-in-needlepoint-and-how-to-see-them-better.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 8, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Julie Pischke Designs is Sold

I just learned that Julie Pischke has sold her line of needlepoint canvases to the owner of Grande Stitches in Boca Grande, Florida.  I'm told Julie is taking a much deserved vacation, then will be designing for the line but avoiding all the paperwork.  Her Island Needlework shop in Key West will stay open during the season for now, but the building is for sale so it is likely it will be closing before long.  You can browse her work on the Julie Pischke Needlepoint website if you aren't familiar with Julie's tropical themes and Key West houses.
https://juliepischke.com

Here is the shop that will carry her designs and manage the wholesale line for other shop owners to purchase.
http://grandestitches.com

Good luck, Julie!  Have fun in semi-retirement!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 11, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Making a DIY Sampler

Fans of DebBee's Designs (and all other stitchers, even those who never work from charts) will enjoy reading about how Debbie Rowley turned a great little stitch dictionary into a sampler to learn needlepoint before she became a famous designer.
https://debbeesdesigns.com/2019/11/06/uncovered-treasures/

Sadly, I think she little book she used has been long out of print, but you can use any of your needlepoint stitch dictionaries to try what Debbie did.

Debbie's also showing off more wonderful resources for learning stitches.
https://debbeesdesigns.com/2019/11/08/more-uncovered-treasures/

AND the stitch card files are still available!  These are sized slightly differently than the ones Debbie has.  Now they are sized to be inserted in protector sheets.  Two will fit in one sheet.
https://www.margaretlee.com/notebooks

https://www.etsy.com/shop/MargaretLeeNeedleArt?section_id=21356600

Margaret herself sent me the PDF files she sells now to try out and report on to Blog's readers.  I got a PDF file that is the cover page information and table of contents, then another file for the "Reversible Stitches 1" set.  The cover page tells you things are sized to fit in Junior page protectors (which are 5 1/2 inches by 8 1/2 inches) and binders.  They print out with two stitches per page, one upright and one upside down.  You can of course put them in regular 8 1/2 x 11 inch page protectors or cut them in half and put in the junior ones.  There is a big empty space where you can staple or glue your stitch sample. I'd staple them onto the page myself since I got the reversible stitches set and you want to see the back.

A Page from "Reversible Stitches 1"

I grabbed a sheet at random from the set I printed out on 8 1/2 x 11 paper to show you.  The diagrams are clear, numbered and in gray scale.   This set shows a diagram for both the front and back of the ground cloth, which is important for reversible stitches.  That means they are easy for colorblind folks to follow.  If you have problems with small print, though, you probably want to experiment with printing these out larger so you only have one per page to enlarge the numbers and text.  Margaret suggests that you stitch your samples on Aida cloth but I think scrap needlepoint canvas would work just fine.  There's room for perhaps a two inch tall, inch and a half wide, piece of ground fabric to be attached to the diagram if you are printing the two stitches on an 8 1/2 x 11 piece of typing paper.

This is a fun resource for creating your own stitch samples, especially since many of the stitches are geared toward counted thread stitchers so they are not the usual stitches needlepointers use.

If you want to keep up with Margaret Lee and her stitch cards and other innovative products, follow her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/MargaretLeeDesigns/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 6, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Corbet Reviews the TFWoodcraft Slate Frame

Most needlepointers don't use slate frames but some designers such as Deborah Wilson swear by them.  They are necessary for certain types of needlework like Japanese embroidery, though, and I think we all find the tools that have been used for hundreds of years fascinating even if they are quite heavy and would need to be used on a trestle to work well for us (but they sell trestles and Japanese embroidery frames, too).  Here's Mary Corbet's review of the beautiful wooden slate frames from TFWoodcraft.
https://www.needlenthread.com/2019/11/slate-frames-by-tfwoodcraft.html

TFWoodcraft has both an Etsy store…
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TFWoodcraft

…and a website.  Have fun looking at all their offerings.
https://www.tfwoodcraft.com

Hummmm.  Do you think those wooden tapestry needles (used for weaving) would make lovely laying tools?  And who knew lacewood was so beautiful?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 6, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ruth Explains Outline Stitch: The Video

Ruth Schmuff has finished the Fall 2019 mystery class, which is called "Witch Shoe Collage." (The design is from Bedecked and Beadazzled.)  It's a cute one but the main event is actually the video Ruth included to explain outline stitch with plenty of tips.  Don't miss that!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/11/the-shoe/

If you are curious about what Ruth did in this mystery class, all her class updates are collected here.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2019/08/witch-shoe-collage-halloween-mystery.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 5, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Creating Distance through Sparkle (Or Lack Thereof)

Melita got to take a pilot class from Nancy Cucci and showed it off on her blog.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/11/04/sisters-from-nancy-cuccis-pilot-class/

The thing I find fascinating is that Nancy put all silk squares in the background and made them small.  The medium-sized squares use silk and metallics.  The large ones use silk and beads.  The sparkle and size of the squares make them seem closer or further away.  Fascinating!  Who knew you could create depth in your design this way?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Databases for Inventory

The latest article from Inspirations has a section on databases you can use to track the threads, charts, canvases and fabrics you own.  Follow the links for further information.
https://mailchi.mp/inspirationsmagazine/embroidery-news-issue-461403?e=cb5b277f1f

If you are experienced using Excel, you will find the spreadsheet available through Google Documents works in a similar manner.  It can be shared, in case that's something you and your stitchings friends are interested in.  You'll need a Google account, though.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 20, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How Needles Are Made

The Needlepointer just found this video about how needles are made. It's fun to watch.  We take our needles, the one tool we cannot stitch without, for granted, don't we?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1x3HNIoyFM&feature=youtu.be

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 19, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bird Feathers, Leaves and Dragon Scales

Needlepoint for Fun's latest e-newsletter is all about the ray stitch. It's perfect for leaves, for bird feathers and for scales on critters like alligators and snakes and dragons.  They have a great diagram and a second variant of ray stitch that is slightly taller, plus good photos to show you where this stitch has been used to good effect.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/the-ray-stitch-in-needlepoint-how-to-do-it-and-the-best-places-to-use-it.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 6, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Ruche Petite Sparkle Rays: The Movie

BeStitched has a nice video showing how to ruche Petite Sparkle Rays and attach it to your canvas for a dimensional effect.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ULaCHfkRuUI&feature=youtu.be&inf_contact_key=5cc8ef9b7bd56dd80e058a8a62a0b187

This works for many Rainbow Gallery threads.  If you ruche Flair, you should use a big size 18 needle (or larger if you have one) and perle cotton to put a thread inside the Flair tube first.  This is easiest to do if you poke the needle through using the eye first so you don't accidentally pierce the tube of thread with the sharper end.  Once you have perle cotton inside the Flair, just scrunch it up until you have a ruched look.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 28, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cynthia's Bead Removal Tip UPDATED

Cynthia Thomas posted a very clever tip on Facebook for easily removing a bunch of beads you need to rip out.
https://www.facebook.com/cynthia.thomas.7355/posts/2808501155834827

UPDATE:  I didn't realize Cindy's tip was posted to her personal page, not Needlepoint Nation which is public.  For those who don't have a Facebook account, Cindy said:

"Neat trick to remove beads. Put Press and Seal over front of canvas on top of beads over lapping stitching, press against beads, turn canvas over and cut beading threads and remove, turn canvas back over and press Press and Seal against beads again, gently roll back Press and Seal and beads will stick to it."

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 28, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kreinik Visits the Black Sheep

Doug Kreinik has been on the road, visiting various shops and reporting back as he does his Kreinik educational tour.  He and Dena stopped at the Black Sheep in Orlando, Florida.  It's fun to meet the owner, learn the history of the shop and see some of the interior.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2019/10/visiting-black-sheep-needlework-shop-in.html

Here's the shop website.
http://www.theblacksheepshop.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Octo her 1, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Anna's Back from Italy

Anna Pearson is back from another needlepoint retreat in Italy.  
http://anna-pearson-needlepoint.blogspot.com/2019/10/recent-italian-trip.html

These sound like a lot of fun.  Eat, talk, stitch something original from Anna's fertile brain, eat some more.  If you are interested, check her website for the upcoming retreat details.  She also does classes in London, if you are going to be in the area at the right time.
https://www.anna-needlepoint-pearson.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.