Sunday, April 30, 2023

Smart Cookie Award for April 2023

Karen H. just posted this fabulous stretcher bar storage idea on NP Nation.

She's added handles to a wooden crate, then cut plastic downspouts to the proper size and stuck them inside the crate.  Now all the 9 inch stretcher bars go into one downspout.  Note that the sizes are written on each stretcher, making it easy to sort them and find the matching length.  Karen's also put the mini bars in one downspout and the regular width ones in another, even though they are both the same length.

Genius! Karen's won the Smart Cookie Award this month for this clever idea.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 10, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, April 29, 2023

NJNA Newsletter: The Latest Needlepoint News

The latest NJNA newsletter is out, full of ANG news, shop clubs, new products and more.  

The big news is that Pepperpot silk now is avialable on 10 yard cards for projects where you need just a little of a color.  The original skeins were 30 yards, by the way.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 9, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, April 28, 2023

Superb Finishing on Display

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has posted photos of superb finishing of her designs on her blog.  It's a fun display with great ideas for your own finishing, even if you have stitched any Eye Candy designs.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 7, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, April 27, 2023

"Coronation Inspired" Needlepoint

I just realized the Royal School of Needlework has a section of their website with "coronation inspired" needlework kits and items.

The Coronation Pillow kit is from One Off Needlework while the Jubilee Crown kit is from the Flanders Tapestry Collection.  Like most British needlepoint, these are kits on larger count canvas (often Interlock) meant to be stitched with tapestry wool.  I believe the designs are printed on the canvas, not painted.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 7, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, April 26, 2023

Introduction to Pulled Thread

Needlepaint has an introduction to pulled thread on needlepoint canvas on their blog.

There are several books on this whitework technique although most are geared toward other types of ground cloths than needlepoint canvas.  The best book for needlepointers is Carolyn Ambuter's The Open Canvas.

She's also written a booklet on pulled thread called Open Canvas Designs which I found on eBay.
https://www.bing.com/aclick?ld=e8HIE02LhHhSeUWwX9LR5ldDVUCUwPYOz2rHX-Sq7tGXYFGR6kjRp7G31R8q9faJrj2gEvOG94QLZ8_dqhPK_CMx-jDhtYKG4sT8LZTFOnKf3eRyBl14IYVgnstZiTtKnWRGBdyQ8OzhHdkBZUpEQKGTh2j_tjFINVSLrmhK7TQcn1TcB2q64vE11PrYMk1VlOsDEvwQ&u=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&rlid=2633cb4b3442189d9273af67042e0e4d

I also recommend looking for vintage pulled thread on needlepoint kits on eBay or Etsy.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 4, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, April 25, 2023

Self-Finishing Videos from Needlepoint.com

Needlepoint.com has a self-finishing video channel on YouTube, currently about assembling self-finishing change purses, clutches, and luggage tags.
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXxigCZ8jNRwdby8bLFQVug7NTr8IlNd3

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 4, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 24, 2023

Instructions for Self-Finishing Compacts

Moore Stitching sells compact kits with a variety of canvas designs and the compact itself.  This is the initial design with leaves but there are many more available.

Here is how they are assembled.  When you buy the compact kit, you get self-finishing instructions included, but it's nice to have some idea before you buy.

By the way, I use Aleene's Tacky Glue which dries clear in an hour.  It's a useful item to have in your stitching tool box.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 2, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, April 23, 2023

Charted Oriental Rugs


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 1, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, April 22, 2023

Learn to Paint An Easter Bunny with Abigail Cecile

Abigail Cecile is doing something new--two new Easter rabbit e-patterns for download to teach you how to paint your own Easter rabbit canvas.  Note that the designs are made to be painted on 13 count canvas.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 1, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, April 21, 2023

Creating a Mid-Century Modern Needlepoint Pillow

The article NJNA found about penelope canvas was so well written that I explored the author's website.  Jeni Sandberg is a consultant and dealer in 20th Century decorative designs, with a special interest in needlepoint, Mid-Century Modern and Hawaii.  I think you'll enjoy her article about creating a needlepoint pillow in the style of Alexander Girard for the Miller House in Columbus, Indiana, a place that was owned by an avid needlepointer.

If you are charmed, Jeni sells key fob and clutch or purse canvases, all in bright colors, on her website.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, April 20, 2023

Zecca Laying Tools

I didn't realize Zecca sells wooden laying tools made by Alex Goldman.  They come in various shapes, depending on what's comfortable for your hand.

These are either all wood or have wooden handles for Shay Pendray's Best Laying Tool.  Your favorite shop can order one of these beauties for you through Zecca.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 27, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Eye Poppin Peacock (A Mystery from Eleanor Grosch and Ruth Schmuff)

Ruth Schmuff has chosen her spring mystery class for May-June 2023--Eleanor Grosch's "Eye Poppin Peacock."

As always, I'll update this article as the class photos are posted so you can see how Ruth brings the peacock to life.  

The first lesson has a beautiful but subtle background and a great stitch for the largest feather.

The peacock is done already.  This was a fast and fun project.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, April 18, 2023

Breaking News: Chanel Serves Designer with Cease and Desist Letter

The rumor mills says a designer has received a cease and desist letter from Chanel about their use of Chanel copyrighted logos.  I don't know which designer, but I would caution any shop and designer to be careful about selling designs based on other people's artwork or logos without permission.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 18, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Basket of Chicks (Cindy and Beth and Helen of Barbara's Needlepoint)

Cindy and Beth's Basket of Chicks star was stitched using a guide by Helen.  Contact Barbara's Needlepoint for the canvas and guide.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 17, 2023

Kreinik Wins!

Guess what company won the Small Business Administration's "Small Business Exporter of the Year" Award in both West Virginia and in the Mid-Atlantic Region?  Krenik!

Congratulations to the hard working folks who create wonderful things for us stitchers.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, April 16, 2023

Breaking News: Master Stitches Volume Two is Available

Tony Minieri Designs just announced Master Stitches From the Squad Volume Two is now available through M's Canvashouse.

Call the shop to order.  I am assuming that they do both wholesale and retail orders, based on Tony's posting.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Aril 16, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Reading the Canvas for Basketweave

Lori at Waste Knot has a short video explaining how mono canvas is woven. This weave enables you to always put the diagonal "up" rows in creating basketweave on the vertical rows and the "down" rdiagonal ows in basketweave on the horizontal rows.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 30, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, April 15, 2023

A New Shop in Seattle

Doug Kreinik just met one of the two owners of a brand new shop in Seattle--Heirloom Design Studio.

The shop website is up and running or...

...you can visit them at the shop Instagram page.

Don't miss the shop exclusives.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 30, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, April 14, 2023

Self Finishing Mezuzah Kits

I've discovered that Susan Roberts sells self-finishing mezuzah kits which Gone Stitching stocks.

The kits come with painted canvas, stitch guide, ultrasuede for finishing and the plastic tube.  They are available in various colors.  If you also need the prayer, ask Gone Stitching.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 30, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, April 13, 2023

ViviLux Clip On Light Magnifier

The Labors of Love needlepoint shop has a different style of light magnifier for sale.

BeStitched carries this, too.

It clips onto a table or your stretcher bars.  I don't know how large the magnifier sheet is but the light looks quite small.  I don't know the weight, either, but I'm sure Labors of Love can answer questions.

This may be the same light magnifier.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 29, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, April 12, 2023

Sensible Advice About Dye Lots

Needlepoint.com's latest blog posting is full of good advice about dye lots and the problems you can enounter if you run out of thread mid-way through a project.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 28, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, April 11, 2023

Note Cards with Needle Minder from Puffin

If you like gifting stitching buddies with needle minders, you'll be charmed by Puffin's latest endeavor--a note card with a magnet attached plus an envelope.

The note card is blank inside so you can write your own message--or attach a joke or Secret Santa signature!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 26, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 10, 2023

The Lastest in Needlepoint from NJNA

The New Jersey Needle Artists chapter of ANG has posted their latest newsletter--it's full of new items and products to make stitching easier or more fun.

Remember that the newsletter does photo slide shows.  Check each photo to see if you can flip through a selection of eye candy.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 25, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, April 9, 2023

The Bunny Egg from Eye Candy

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has released another free chart, this time a bunny themed Easter Egg.

The chart has been added to Eye Candy's Bonus Page.

UPDATE. Here is the bunny egg finished, along with the 2022 egg design.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 25, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, April 8, 2023

Third Edition of Threads Out April 2023

Ruth Schmuff of Bedecked and Beadazzled just announced the third edition of Threads:  A Needle Necessity will be out soon.  This new edition will be called Inspired by Threads, and it will list all the commonly available threads, with notes about them, how many plies for what canvas count, etc. and will help you substitute if that thread in your guide is one you absolutely hate (or can no longer get).

Copies should be available in early April, or about the time this publishes.

Here's a bit about the book and how to use it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 23, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, April 7, 2023

Silver Self-Finishing Ornament

The Needle Bug in Montgomery, Alabama has something I've not seen elsewhere--a silver ornament back for self-finishing.

I suspect it's silver plate but the back can be engraved.  If you are looking for something special for that four inch ornament you want to finish, you can take this to a jeweler's for engraving, then use it for that special Christmas (or other special holiday) ornament.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 22, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, April 6, 2023

Merry L Thread Catchers

BeStitched showcases a new product from Merry L--thread catchers!

These are collapsable containers (perfect for travel) for your thread ends.  They come in all sorts of fabric patterns and are a useful way to tidy up your stitching space.

I think Labors of Love sells these as well.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 21, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, April 5, 2023

A Free Bunny Design from Abigail Cecile

Abigail Cecile has a free bunny chart on her website for download.  

It's a cute one and would make a great egg decoration.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 18, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 3, 2023

New Product: Phone Card Holders

The Nimble Needle in Atlanta has a shop exclusive - leather phone card holders.  There are matching canvases, too.

Frankly, I have no idea what a phone card is but I imagine credit cards will fit in these as well.  Apparently these have peel off sticky backs so you can stick one to the back of your phone or tablet to keep an ID or credit card with you at all times.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 23, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, April 2, 2023

Whimsical Stitches Volume Four Available in May 2023

Thanks to Stitch by Stitch Larchmont, we hear that Mary Legallet's newest book, Whimsical Stitches Vol. Four, should be available in June 2023.  You can read a bit about it at the bottom of this shop newsletter.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 16, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, April 1, 2023

Self-Finishing Glasses Cases

Thanks to Stitch by Stitch Larchmont I know that KCN Designers has introduced self-finishing leather glasses cases.  The opening is two and three-quarters by four and a half inches.  They come in red,

...hot pink,

...royal blue,

...and navy.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 16, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.