Sunday, June 30, 2024

Melita's Compensation Coaster

Melita is busy taking more classes and decided to make a coaster from her Ellen Johnson compensation class.  She makes turning this into a coaster look fairly straightforward.

Note to self:  buy self-stick cork liner.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, June 29, 2024

Breaking News: Barbara's Needlepoint Has a New Owner

Barbara's Needlepoint in Sioux Falls, South Dakota has a new owner!

Barbara has sold the shop to her daughter-in-law Katie, who's been working at the shop for a while now.  Barbara herself isn't retiring exactly; she's now going to just run the finishing department.  Have fun, ladies!  Hope the new roles are great fun for you two.

If you've not visited the shop website, here's their address.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 29, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

News from NJNA for May

The New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG has lots of fun stuff in their May report.

As usual there are lots of sales, ANG news, shop clubs and interesting products (I'd never heard of Floss Blender Chips) to explore.

Here's the direct link to buy Floss Blender Chips.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, June 28, 2024

Help with Stitcher's Block

Quail Run has some great ideas for those suffering from stitcher's block.  You know, that feeling you get when you come to an area on your canvas and don't have a clue what to do with it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 27, 2024

How to Pull Plies from a Strand of Thread: The Movie

Melissa at The Wool and The Floss shows you how to ply strandable threads.

By the way, The Wool and The Floss now has a page of tutorials and tips on their website where you can find all sorts of help.  Right now there are two pages of articles and videos but I'm sure this will grow.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 26, 2024

Creating Silk Ribbon Roses the Easy Way

Lita at The Nashville Needlepointer shows you just how easy silk ribbon roses are to create in this Instagram video.

By the way, by 4 millimeter, she means silk ribbon that is 4mm wide.  Silk ribbon also comes in 7 and 13 mm widths, but 4 mm is the most common width used on 18 count needlepoint canvas.  A sharp tipped needle with a big eye like a crewel needle also helps, but you can use regular tapestry needles if that's what you have available.  (River Silks ribbons don't split or tear or wear, so I highly recommend using them if you can.)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, June 25, 2024

The Movie for Needlepointers: Thelma

Thanks to Family Arts, I know that Thelma, a movie just out, is based on the life of a real person, who is 104 and a needlepointer.  Some of the movie was filmed in the real Thelma's apartment so we might get to see some of her stitching.  Apparently she tried to get the actor who plays her to learn to stitch, too.

If you want to see two trailers, check out the entry at IMDB.com.  Meanwhile, get your popcorn ready.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 23, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 24, 2024

New Erica Wilson Store on Martha's Vineyard

The Erica Wilson store is expanding to Martha's Vineyard.  They've always had a store on Nantucket but this summer they are opening a store in Edgartown.


You can always visit their needlework store online, just in case you are spending your summer somewhere else.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 21, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, June 23, 2024

Get Ready for the Pool

Get ready for the pool with three water stitches, diagrams courtesy of KC Needlepoint.

By the way, KC Needlepoint's Stitch Vault is definitely worth a visit!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 3, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, June 22, 2024

Breaking News: Sign of the Arrow is Expanding

Sign of the Arrow is expanding!  They are taking over the retail space next to the current shop so they have room for classes, retreats and of course--more needlepoint!

Sounds like needlepoint is thriving in the St. Louis area.  Kudos to you guys!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 22, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mounting Canvas on an Elbesee Frame: The Movie

I'd never heard of Elbesee frames, which isn't surprising as it's a UK company and I'm American.
I just stumbled across this video from Latvian Crafts that shows how to assemble the large frame.

Here is how Elbesee says to put them together.  (I love The Twizzler!)

The Mini Clips are slightly different, as well as being smaller.

If you are curious about Elbesee products, here is their website.  They make embroidery hoops, tapestry floor and tapestry table frames, handbag handles, and more.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 2, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, June 21, 2024

Larchmont Public Library Needlepoint Exhibit.

Stitch by Stitch is planning a needlepoint exhibit in October at the Larchmont, NY public library's Oarsman Gallery.  The exhibit is for local stitchers who can drop off and pick up their pieces.  The details are here:

Dear Stitchers,

We're excited to announce a group needlepoint exhibition this October at the Larchmont Public Library's Oresman Gallery!

The show will be celebrating needlepoint in our community and is open to any local participant. If interested, you must be able to drop off and pick up your framed needlepoint in person (unfortunately we cannot ship pieces back and forth). Interest will be first come first serve.

Needlepoint can be any subject, size or technique. It should be framed and wired for hanging on the back. Exhibitors must be available to drop off their needlepoint at the Larchmont Library on Tuesday October 1st between 9 AM and 8 PM, and pick up the work in person on Thursday October 31st between 9 AM and 8 PM.

An exhibition opening reception will be held at the library on Saturday October 5th from 2-4 PM. We hope you will attend (bring your family and friends as well).

If you're interested in participating please email us with your name, the title of your needlepoint piece, and the dimensions of the frame. If you're not sure which piece you want to display, there is still time to decide! Please just email us your interest so we can reserve your space. You can select your project later!

We can't wait to see your beautiful framed needlepoint pieces and celebrate our talented customers!

Betty and Madalena

If you are interested, email Stitch by Stitch Larchmont.  I think their email address is stitchbystitch10538@gmail.com.  If you are going to be in the area next October, the exhibit will be available from October 1 until October 30.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 20, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, June 20, 2024

Breaking News: BeStitched's New Location Open for Business

Bestitched in Scottsdale, AZ has completed their move and are open at their new location!  They are now at 8658 E Shea Blvd, Suite 175, Scottsdale AZ 85260.  Their hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.  More details and some of the goodies available are on their website.

Go shop and have fun!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 20, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Creating a Gallery Wall of Framed Needlepoint

Poppy Monk Needlepoint has written a guide to arranging your framed needlepoint on a wall.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 30, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 19, 2024

Tuscan Midnight: Stitching Kathy Rees

Jan the Stitch Lady is starting a new charted piece called "Tuscan Midnight."  It's from Kathy Rees of Needle Delights.

She is having fun!


And it is done, magnificently, I should add.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 30, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Gay Ann Roger's Summer Sale Starts Tomorrow, June 20

Gay Ann Rogers is having one of her occasional sales through her website starting tomorrow, June 20, at 8 a.m. West Coast Time.  The focus will be on patriotic designs, with both small pieces and her larger sampler honoring Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony, friends who worked to bring women the right to vote in the USA.  It's shocking to realize my grandmothers weren't able to vote until they were in their mid- to late thirties!

You can view GAR's sale preview and practice how to open the windows to navigate the sale through her website.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 1,  2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, June 18, 2024

Landscape Features and Tar River Trail (Gail Stafford)

Melita is taking a Cyberpointers online class with Gail Stafford entitled "Landscape Features:  A Notebook Class."

It's interesting to see Melita's progress and hear how Gail designed various tree limbs and trunks.

Now we are doing bushes and water.

Next Melita tackled grasses, straw and mulch.  Her observations of what worked and what didn't are interesting.



Melita is also going to finish a Gail Stafford class called "Tar River Trail."  It looks beautiful to me.

Melita's added tree trunks.

She had trouble deciding when to stop but by the end she had a fall piece that looks very like our woods in early October.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 30, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 17, 2024

All That Shimmers

Melita and her ANG chapter are going to work Sundance's All That Shimmers, which is a painted canvas project designed to showcase Sundance's beads and findings and all they can do.  Melita is using the stitch guide that comes with the design but adjusting the stitches and threads to suit her personal preferences.






If you want to order this from The West, I'm sure they'll be happy to help you out.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 28, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, June 16, 2024

Stitcher of the Month from Stitch By Stitch Larchmont

Stitch By Stitch in Larchmont, NY now features a Stitcher of the Month from among their talented customers.  This month it's Denise Bleidner, who love to stitch dimensional things like pumpkins, eggs, purses, bunnies and bells, as well as ornaments.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 3, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, June 15, 2024

Gingham Is My Safe Word (and more)

Oz Needle and Thread has a series of beginner videos to introduce folks to the basics.   There are also videos about how to finish a key fob and even a free "Gingham Is My Safe Word" chart for those who can't get enough gingham plaids in their life.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 26, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, June 14, 2024

A New Cross Body Clutch from Penny Linn

Penny Linn is debuting self finishing cross body clutches today.  They are hand made in the Philippines by Likha.  There are three colors (the brown one varies a bit in shade), a thin gold chain if you need your hands free, a mother of pearl clasp, and satin lining.  A piece of fusible interfacing is included to protect the back of your stitching.  (It's just ironed on.)

Since these are launching after I wrote this, here's the link to the Penny Linn website's home page. Hopefully we'll learn what size insert works with the new clutches then.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 13, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 12, 2024

Finishing From the Shop Owner's Perspective

The latest Pointing It Out Podcast talks about finishing from a shop owner's perspective.  It's fascinating to learn all the steps finishing goes through between the time a finished piece arrives at a shop until it returns to the stitcher made into something fabulous.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 24, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, June 11, 2024

Berlin Embroidery Teaches Needle Cases and French Link Book Binding Stitch

If you've always wanted to create your own felt needle book, Tanja Berlin of Berlin Embroidery now offers a PDF file tutorial on French Link book binding stitch to make it easy to sew your needle book pages together in a decorative stitch.  

Tanja sells little needle case kits with full instructions and includes the French Link book binding tutorial for free if you buy one of them.  Currently there are two needle cases available, both using needlepoint canvas for the front and back.  You can buy the designs, threads, instructions and canvas from Tanja but will have to source two thick pieces of felt and ribbon for assembly yourself.  You will also need Craft Tacky Glue.  

If you have a needle case design in mind already, you can just order the instructions for the French Link book binding stitch to assemble your needle case for $7.88 USD. (Tanja is in Canada.)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 24, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 10, 2024

Five Vases Three Ways

Years ago Melita took a class from the designer SharonG herself around Sharon Garmize's "Five Vases with Curly Bamboo" which you can see unstitched here.

Melita used SharonG's guide for this beauty.  Sharon's a master of light coverage stitches as you can see with Vase One, the green one on the left with a feather design.

Some of Melita's chapter buddies are also stitching this.  Some are using Sharon's guide, some guides by Amy Bunger or Tony Minieri.  In this blog article Melita worked the ruby glass vase which has lots of beads.

For the teal blue vase with the dragonfly, Melita stuck to Sharon's light coverage although the guides by Amy and Tony have more solid stitching (and Tony has full coverage on all the vases apparently).

The yellow floral vase was stitched next, including the bamboo stalks in the vase.

Melita can't find the blog posting on the final vase, the cinnamon one, but this article talks about it briefly and also talks about the different ways the stitch guide writers approached this design.

Three versions of this design were  submitted to ANG's Needle Pointers magazine so if you subscribe you may see more of this lovely design in the January-February 2021 issue.
https://fliphtml5.com/bookcase/fmohu

By the way, this article also appeared in the CH Stitch Guides blog since it is about stitch guides and different approaches to stitching the same design.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, June 9, 2024

NJNA News for June

It's June, which means the New Jersey Needle Artists chapter of ANG has released their newsletter.

As always, there is plenty of ANG news, they show off a new Halloween club, they celebrate National Bubbly Day, tell you where to get wired silk purl and Tulip bullion needles, and explain the Thread Calculator.  It's a fun read.  Remember, use the side arrows when there is a picture as usually there are many more you can't see.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 2, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, June 8, 2024

Ridgewood Stitches Flowers (and Leaves) for New Stitch Monday

Stephanie of Ridgewood Needlepoint has posted articles in her New Stitch Monday column about stitching flower petals, complete with stitch diagrams and tips on how she used beads in the center of her sunflower.



Stephanie has switched to a design with flowers and leaves, so she also has leaf stitches for us.





Stephanie has listed quite a few simple leaf stitch diagrams in this posting.

It's back to the center of a sunflower this time.

And now the leaves next to the sunflower.

More leaves on this Laura Love design.

This time Stephanie is doing the maple leaf.  As a special touch, she added Accentuate (a very thin metallic) to the overdyed silk from Thread Gatherers and says it looks great.

This week Stephanie tackles smaller leaves, using Thread Gatherer's Silk N Colors (which I agree is a terrific thread).  If you want to experiment with Silk N Colors, visit the second link below.


The ferns are especially lovely but she does some nice small brown leaves, too.

Next is the sunflower and its leaves.  The petals are in ribbon stitches.  Search for Japanese ribbon stitch to see how to do the outer row.  The inner row is just satin stitches in ribbon.  Stephanie gives two options for the little leaves around the sunflower.

The final floral motif on this design are small yellow flowers, which get three different stitches and beads!

The last bit of this canvas is the background and the lettering.

Here is the canvas finished and framed.

Poppy Monk Needlepoint recommends a stitch they call Diamond Leaves for leaves and tree trunks.  Since we are talking leaves and flower petals, I thought I'd put that here as well.

Stephanie is working on a traditional Tobacco Leaf design for her next project.  Her yellow-green leaf is done in all Nobuko Stitch, which is very popular among needlepointers for large areas.

The navy leaf is a familiar stitch with some great tips for stitching it.

More leaves are done on the Tobacco Leaf design.

Adrienne is working on an Alice Peterson still life of tulips in a vase.  

This step works the tablecloth, using Nobuko with Gloriana silk (which is a lovely lovely silk, by the way).

The tulips look great in interlocking Gobelin.

Adrienne is now working stems and leaves for the tulips.

I'm not sure what lines are being stitched--maybe the rows on the vase?

The Alice Peterson tulips still life is done!

The next floral (stitched by Stephanie) is Raymond Crawford's "Pumpkin Floral."  Here you see it stitched and framed.

Stephanie found the perfect background stitch in The Pointer Sisters' We Have Your Back Ground Stitches.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, June 7, 2024

Purses, Totes, Clutches and More

The April newsletter for NJNA has arrived and it is full of ANG class information, both at the local and national level.

The big focus of the newsletter is all the self-finishing purses, totes, clutches and bags that are available.  There's a size and style for nearly everyone, whether you just need room for a phone, your sunglasses and credit cards or you end up carrying not only all your stuff but your spouse's, too.

Of course the newsletter covers a slew of new designs that came out at the April trade show, even clubs.  Heads up!  A little bird tells me those Ellen Skidmore canvases that the Meredith Collection distributes are going to be unavailable soon as the license expires so shop now.

Something unusual is Moore Stitching's self-finishing compacts with designs to match.

Moore Stitching has pill boxes, too.

All in all, this is a fun issue to browse. 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 21, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved

Thursday, June 6, 2024

Melita Finishes Coasters and a Bookmark

Melita has finished two coasters and a bookmark without expensive self-finishing items, reminding us that we can do it ourselves if we wish.

They look good, too!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 21, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

The Reveal

Recently Marie Barber of Colors of Praise has started creating one-of-a-kind tapestries.  These are huge projects on needlepoint canvas that are going to be a labor of love for one lucky stitcher.  Here's the latest, revealed at a trunk show at Needlepoint.com.  It's three feet by four feet on 12 count canvas.

Here's a better look of Lady of Spring.

The next original Marie Barber tapestry (also 3x4 feet on 12 count) is "Tigre che fa il bagno", or "Bathing Tiger."

You can see a slightly closer view here.

Needlepoint.com shows off the two small pieces Marie painted during the trunk show at the two shop locations.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 19, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, June 4, 2024

BREAKING NEWS: Kreinik 8 and 16 Braids Being Made Again

Kreinik has announced on Facebook that their size 8 and 16 braids are being made again.  The factory relocation is over, the old machines are set up, new machines ordered, they have new shelves in place for new stock and completed spools, and Dena is redoing the inventory sheets so that every color available is listed.  Things are happening right on time!

Congratulations to Kreinik and Fleur de Paris for all their hard work in this transition.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Visiting Rainbow Gallery and Fleur de Paris

In early February 2024, Megan Holmes of The Needlepoint Clubhouse in St. Louis and co-hostess of the Pointing It Out podcast visited the headquarters of Fleur de Paris and Rainbow Gallery in Burbank, California.  Fleur de Paris has an open house for California shops each year which is why you see other shop owners browsing the canvases other designers sell during the tour.

In the video you'll see the amazing variety of things that Fleur de Paris distributes and watch Rainbow Gallery threads being made.  Now that Kreinik is part of the Fleur de Paris family and Kreinik braid making machines are now living here, this is a particularly pertinent tour.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 19, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 3, 2024

Wire Trees for Display

While looking for something else on Etsy,  I stumbled across these makers of metal tree art which might serve as very nice ways to display your ornaments.


A lot depends on your personal style and how much space you have, but hopefully these will give you ideas.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, June 2, 2024

Appleton Teaches Corduroy Stitch

Appleton Wool's Instagram video demonstrates corduroy stitch.

As a bonus for those who love Bargello designs, Appleton's also posted a series of photos of patterns done in their lovely wools.  Click the right side arrow (the one inside the photo, not outside the text box) to see them all.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 18, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, June 1, 2024

Needlepoint Clubhouse Demonstrates Various Styles of Beading

Needlepoint Clubhouse demonstrates various styles of beading in this video on their Instagram account.

Don Lynch's basketweave beading will alternate the way the beads point.  Here's a diagram.  Note that to do a solid area in basketweave beading, work the rows up and down on the diagonal as if you are working regular basketweave.  You'll get the best results if you use size 14 or 15 beads that are faceted instead of round like a ball bearing.







Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 16, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.