Sunday, February 28, 2021

Sullivans' Sewing Basket

Sullivans sells a traditional sewing basket, like the one my mother had.

These are very useful for storing items you use only occasionally.  I have one similar to this myself where spare scissors, specialty needles, and tools I only use periodically live.  Many companies sell them as you can see from the links below.  They are a good organizing tool but they are large and not particularly portable.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 19, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 27, 2021

New Designer Celebration at Labors of Love UPDATED

The Labors of Love shop in Atlanta is having a 17 designer trunk show in March they call the New Designer Celebration.  They are featuring new designers, so there will be lots of things we haven't seen before available in the shop and online for needlepointers to browse and buy.  The trunk show runs from March 1 until March 31 but everything may not be loaded onto the shop's website right away.  The shipments from the designers have to arrive and be photographed, then uploaded.

UPDATE:  This is the link to the show but it doesn't go live until March 1st.  Keep checking as not all  designers' boxes have arrived.  Shipping is challenging these days.
https://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.shop/shop/New-Designers-Celebration.htm?fbclid=IwAR0JvC_6caDUB1xXe_cHVktF4kajcO_s8w7GfKxk8Ewht7ZLvaN026IJlbY

Keep an eye on Labors of Love's Instagram and Facebook pages as well as the website.  By the way, the shop will kit your canvas with threads and even do a stitch guide for you.  They are going all out to promote new designers and help stitchers shut up at home find new designs to enjoy.

The designers featured are:

Audrey Wu Designs
Devon Graham Designs
Elizabeth Taylor Needlepoint
Evelyn Designs
Fire and Iris Designs
Hedgehog Needlepoint
Hhanchors Needlepoint
Hudson Stitchery
Jen Laine Designs
Judy Tasch Needlepoint
Middle Sister and Co
Mopsey Designs
Olivia Grace Needlepoint
Poppy's Designs and Co
Rachel Barri Designs
Stitch Rock Designs
Ziggy Stitches

Get those credit cards ready!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 20, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 26, 2021

Tips for Climbing Out of a Needlepoint Rut

Lycette has tips for climbing out of a needlepoint rut on her blog.
https://www.lycettedesigns.com/blogs/news/stuck-in-a-needlepoint-rut

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 18, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 25, 2021

The Bead Bed

Were you a big fan of the Tacky Bob to hold your beads?  If so, you were probably sad when they were discontinued.  But don't worry, there is a new tool that's similar called The Bead Bed.  I think it is larger than the Tacky Bob and it has a magnet across the top of one of the sticky sides instead of in the middle, but it works pretty much the same way as the Tacky Bob.
https://thebeadbed.com/shop

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 14, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Using Thread Magic to Condition Neon Rays: The Movie

Lisa at BeStitched has posted a fun video showing how to use the thread conditioner Thread Magic with Neon Rays and a flat iron on Vimeo.  No laying tools!
https://vimeo.com/273779359?inf_contact_key=0058b75c58230bb96c10f9119beeb14d

Lisa's shop is out of Thread Magic but you can get on the ordering list there if your shop doesn't stock it.
https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/products/thread-magic?inf_contact_key=30ec07df12e0ff6b7dc0d12ce4f97e22

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 13, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Breaking News: Essentials in 30 Yard Skeins

Do you like Planet Earth's Essentials by Tilli Thomas but don't like the fact that there is only 10 years of silk-wool on each card?  Not to worry!  Needle Bug in Montgomery, Alabama says that 30 yard skeins are now available.  This is great if you have a lot of background, for example.  The larger skeins aren't on the Needle Bug website yet but if your favorite shop doesn't have this, you can contact Needle Bug and ask about the colors you want.
https://www.theneedlebug.com/shop/Threads/p/essentials-silk-wool-x42142572.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 13, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 22, 2021

Victorian Cross Stitch Tutorial

Needlepoint for Fun has a nice article with diagrams teaching you how to do Victorian cross stitch.  The stitch rows are always worked from right to left and you work each cross stitch's leg / \ to make an X before you move to the left and work the next.  These are done in hand in a scoop stitching style.  

They use Victorian cross stitch for their little panda kit from Animal Fayre if you want to see what it looks like when stitched.
https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/pages/needlepoint-stitch-guide-for-animal-fayre-little-panda?_pos=4&_sid=49abc0a20&_ss=r&ml_subscriber=1614477756802799082&ml_subscriber_hash=j9q1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 6, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, February 21, 2021

Catching Up with Kimberly

Do you have friends who are amazingly creative in all sorts of media?   Kimberly is one of those people.  Periodically she posts a catchup on her blog that shows what she's working on.

If you are curious, you can browse Kimberly's needlepoint designs on Bedecked and Beadazzled's website.

Kimberly also teaches here and there.  There is still time to sign up for this class.

If you just want the kit, talk to Bedecked and Beaddazzled.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2021/05/first-flying-lesson/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Buttonhole and Detached Buttonhole: The Movie

Patricia Sone has posted a Facebook video demonstrating buttonhole and detached buttonhole stitch.  These stitches are using on one of her Blue and White Nativity pieces.  These are very useful for a frill or raised edge.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 11, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 19, 2021

Free Blackwork Patterns from WyrdByrd

I just discovered a series of free blackwork charts by WyrdByrd.  Many of these would make unique background patterns.

If you aren't familiar with blackwork, read the simple tutorial.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 10, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 18, 2021

The Smart Cookie Award for February

Vikki has won the Smart Cookie Award for February with this clever use of spool organizers.

Joann's Fabrics just has one size online but if you have a local store, you might find other sizes.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 9, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

A Great Idea for Sand

Jessica is getting an embroidery class ready.  Her recent post shows off the project and describes the interesting mix of flat and spun overdyed silk she choose to create sand.

It's an idea worth exploring!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 8, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Bits and Bobs

Mary Corbet has posted a fun essay praising little spot motifs in embroidery.  When I read it, I immediately thought of miles of plain background on needlepoint canvases just begging for one of these sweet embellishments! 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 8, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 15, 2021

Zooming Along with Laura

Laura Taylor's Zoom classes have been very popular during lockdown.  Vicky DeAngelis just took one using a unique Victoria Whitson canvas.  If you are curious, here's Vicky's report.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.co
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, February 14, 2021

A New Sandy Arthur Book in March! UPDATED

The Cover of Sandy's New Book



Sandy Arthur has a new book coming out in mid-March 2021--Stitching with Stars!
https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2021/02/time-in-central-kentucky-we-are-having.html

Yes, this new book is all about how to stitch stars.  This is what Sandy says about the new book which will be a small booklet like her books on hair and leaves.

The Pandemic has helped dust off some of my shelves. In 2016, I was finalizing my Pocketbook edition that was on the subject of Stars. I even discussed it with Amy Bunger who at the time would proof my books. She has a star featured in this book as well. Anyway I digress. I finally pulled it down from the shelf and it is now with the printer. We anticipate a mid-March shipping! SO, we are taking preorders. Same guidelines – minimum of 6 books; orders of 25 or more will get free shipping thru March 31, 2021. Thank you in advance again for your wonderful support. 

If you are interested, tell your favorite needlepoint shop to contact Sandy to order a copy for you. Can't wait myself!

UPDATE: Here's a bit about it from Homestead Needle Arts. You can buy all three of Sandy's little "pocket" books at a discount from them, too.
https://mailchi.mp/fb2fa9f17847/new-book-new-canvases?e=810b807e3a

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 12, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 13, 2021

The Virtual Nashville Needlework Expo is On

Conventions and needleowrk markets have been turned upside down by the coronavirus but the usual March Nashville Expo for cross stitch and counted work is still going to be held, but in a different way.

Yarntree/Needlework Retailer are not going forward with a real show but Noteworthy Needle has picked up the ball and will sponsor a virtual market instead.  It's mostly cross stitch but some needlepoint folks attend, so if you are interested, designers or shops  can register at the website created for this special event.  Sorry, folks, this isn't open to the general public.

Let the shopping begin!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 5, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 12, 2021

Ruth Has a YouTube Channel

Did you know Ruth Schmuff of Bedecked and Beadazzled has a YouTube channel?

You can subscribe to her channel if you like but you don't have to.  You can just follow the links on her blog if there is one thing you'd like to see her demonstrate.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPYEhHERzWCKbOXZuIHqb_g

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 4, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 11, 2021

A Fresh Take on Stitch It and Zip It

Fresh Magpie which is an Etsy store, is offering little leather coin purse kits.  You stitch them and then zip them up.  The patterns currently include leopard prints, a zebra pattern, dog silhouettes and plaids.

They are similar to Alice Peterson's Stitch and Zip pieces but only one size, with a leather back and a heavy duty zipper.  They are 12 count canvas that is printed with the design and come with DMC tapestry wool.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 4, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Color Palettes Has a New Tool

Stitch Palettes has a new twist for their color tool—now you can pick just one color from a photograph.  Here is how it works.

Here's the direct link to their website. Remember, this is still in beta so there are going to be a few hiccups.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Needlepoint Nation Turns Ten

Yesterday Needlepoint Nation (the big Facebook group of needlepointers) turned ten.  Where does the time go?!

Over ten years ago my nieces and cousins started badgering me to set up a Facebook account so we could trade family photos and news.  I'm not big on social media and was hesitant, but what harm could it do, right?  [Famous Last Words]  So I set up an account.  Then I started to explore the software to see how it works.  

I found that you could set up Facebook Groups to more easily trade information among a circle of friends and family, so I set up a test Group to see how it all worked.  I called the group "Needlepoint" because I planned to delete it when I was done playing around and I didn't want to use and then remove our family name.  (Silly me, I didn't realize that Facebook deals with tons of people with the same name all the time and doesn't care how many John Smiths have accounts.)

Also silly me, I didn't realize you could make a Group secret while you fiddled with it.  I plowed ahead with Needlepoint, testing the various features.  Suddenly, people started showing up.  And they started showing up in droves!  Within a month there were 300 people signed up for Needlepoint.  I was both appalled and amazed.  I was tempted to delete the group but decided to watch and see what happened.

Well, you know what happened.  People kept showing up.  (When I wrote this there were 16,063 members.  By now there will be nearly 16,200 as we add around 30 new people each week.)  The group acquired the nickname of Needlepoint Nation, and after five years. Facebook changed the rules so that I could change the group name from Needlepoint to the name everyone uses.  My family  think it is hilarious that Miss I-Don't-Like-Social-Media is now the leader of the largest needlepoint group on Facebook.  Of course I have help:  Tara Roberts, Carole Lake, Don Lynch, Pat Miller and Gail Ettinger are or have been administrators of the group.  It wouldn't be nearly as good without their help.

But it is now time for me to walk away.  

Tara's already resigned as her life has gotten busier with her work for EGA.  We are very lucky Gail stepped up to help out.  You see, it takes at least 2 hours a day to read all the messages (currently there are 300-350 messages posted each week), respond to those who didn't get their questions answered, or just post a short encouraging comment to those messages which for some reason didn't draw much attention, and monitor all the comments (which run to around 7,000 per week as usually at least 12-13K of the 16K members say or do something in the group weekly).   I read all the new messages and all the comments, you see.  Keeping copyright and trademark violations off the site is also a lot of work.  Plus keeping over 16,000 people happy, engaged and feeling welcome is even more work.  

I am worn out from the workload.  So today I am walking away, leaving Needlepoint Nation in the hands of the remaining administrators and the membership.  It's up to you guys now.  Make everyone feel welcome, answer the questions that come up to the best of your ability, and don't ever forget to Be Kind.

Hugs to you all!
Jane
Chilly Hollow

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 12, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 8, 2021

DMC's Newest Storage Chest

DMC has what they describe as a "vintage wooden chest" for sale (they include 500 skeins of cotton floss and a printed color card) to use to keep your cotton threads organized.

If you need a way to corral threads, this might be for you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 2, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, February 7, 2021

Just Because I like Bird Houses

Paulette at Family Arts Needlework has stitched quite a few of the Kelly Clark bird houses for classes she's teaching at the shop.  I think they are lovely!

I enjoyed watching the slideshow and thought you might, too.  If you are interested in one of Paulette's classes, contact her through the shop.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 1, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 6, 2021

Rosie Goes Rogue

Rosie's been stitching a Lorene Salt chart and changing colors and stitches.

I like her changes a lot.  If you are charmed by this one, it's still a teaching piece only but Lorene Salt has plenty of charts available to browse.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 31, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, February 5, 2021

New Monogrammed Scissor Fob Kits

Abigail Cecile has added custom monogram scissor fob kits to her store.  You specify the monogram you want and the kit will arrive with Essentials wool-silk thread from Planet Earth.  This makes it a fast project for a gift or a good one for a stitcher just learning.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 30, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 4, 2021

Eye of the Needle Talks Beginning Needlepoint

Mimi at Eye of the Needle has a nice encouraging article about learning to needlepoint on the shop website.  I'll put this link in the tab about teaching yourself needlepoint and embellishment, but I thought if you are new you might like to read this right away.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 29, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, February 3, 2021

A Series of Monthly Mini Stitch Samplers

Colour Complements has started a series of monthly postings of tiny samplers using their threads.

They will either tell you where to find the chart or post a stitch diagram.  You can use their threads, of course, or rummage in your stash as you stitch up a variety of new stitches.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 29, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, February 2, 2021

Cleopatria's Heart Explained (and UPDATED)

Colour Complements has a short article about "Cleopatria's Heart," a counted canvaswork project you'll see in the January/February 2021 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine.  The inspiration behind the various stitch elements is fun to read.

Susan Harrington, the brains behind Dragonlady Canvasworks Designs, is the designer of this beauty and she happens to belong to the same guild as Lorraine, the owner of Colour Complements in Canada.  Colour Complements has a partial thread kit using Colour Complements overdyes if you want to stitch Cleopatria's Heart using the same colors as Susan did.

Susan doesn't have a website but you can see more of her work on her Facebook page.

By the way, Needlepoint Now plans to publish the charts for two more hearts from Susan.  Stay tuned!

UPDATE:  Here is Susan's second heart, "Mardi Gras."

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 22, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 1, 2021

Recycling Vintage Needlepoint

Angela took a vintage needlepoint canvas and made something unique from it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 27, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.