Wednesday, July 31, 2024

NJNA's News

NJNA's latest e-newsletter is out.  As usual, it is full of ANG news, both local chapters and the upcoming Seminar.  There's news about finishing and kits for beginners, a new club, an Olympic chart (and a French poodle), and the fact that Absolutely Needlepoint in Miami has been sold and will become Stitch Miami in September 2024.  

As always, a fun read.

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

Tuesday, July 30, 2024

Introducing Leonard the Lamp

This is Leonard.  Leonard is a lamp.

He started out as a Colors of Praise canvas.

Here is Leonard's friend, Sunrise.


Add one glass lamp that you can take apart to insert your canvas, and you can make Leonard another friend.

By the way, Target apparently carries a lot of these glass lamps. 

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

Monday, July 29, 2024

Breaking News: New Stitch Therapy Website

Stitch Therapy in Houston, Texas has a brand new website!  Instead of being Stitch Therapy NEEDLEPOINT, they are now Stitch Therapy NEEDLEWORKS.

Their old website is functional for a while since the Wish List feature on the old site can't migrate to the new site.  You have to do it manually.  Sorry, but computers may make it easy to shop from the ease of your couch but they don't do everything.

Don't miss the Clearance section of the old website.  Everything there is in stock, ready to ship and going at a very good price.

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

Twisted Ribbon Roses: Ruth's Movie

Ruth of Bedecked and Beadazzled demonstrates how to make a twisted silk ribbon embroidery rose in this fascinating video.

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

Sunday, July 28, 2024

Evaluating Four Travel Lights

Island House Needlepoint tested four portable lights (two necklace lights and two head lamps) for stitching while traveling.  Joann focused only on rechargeable lights so she wouldn't have to mess with carrying batteries.

She looked at these:
a)        Lumos & Lumos knitting (neck) lamp
b)        Glocusent Original Neck Reading Light
c)        Petzl ARTIC CORE Headlamp
d)        Petzl BINDI Ultra-light Headlamp

Although the Petzl BINDI Ultra-light Headlamp was Joann's favorite, read the article to see the pros and cons of each tool to see which will work best for you.  Note that the Bindi headlamp comes in various colors but the pricing is roughly $49 plus shipping everywhere.  

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

Saturday, July 27, 2024

Breaking News: The French Knot's New Owner

The French Knot in Fort Worth, Texas has a new owner!  Karen and Paula are retiring but they are leaving the shop in good hands--long time custom artist Leigh Pauling is taking over the store, with expert guidance from Karen and Paula.  

We wish everyone a fun time in retirement--Karen and Paula in their new adventure and Leigh after retiring from her teaching job to do needlepoint store ownership now.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 27, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Uses for Brick Cover Canvases: The Movie

Heirloom Design Studio has posted an idea video on their Instagram on various ways to use brick cover designs.  For those who don't want to bother with an Instagram account, any brick covered in needlepoint can hold open that door, act as a bookend, paperweight, be part of a pretty tabletop tableaux, keep your recipe book open in the kitchen, be a tissue box with a slit cut in the middle, finished as a box, even act as a frame weight in a pinch.

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

Friday, July 26, 2024

Melita Goes to Summer Stitch Camp

Melita's off to Summer Stitch Camp, taught by Ellen Johnson of Serendipity Needleworks.



Here is Ellen's website if you want to explore some of her classes or sign up for her educational blog postings.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 25, 2024

Lessons with Lori--Learn the Wrapped Back Stitch

The latest stitch demo from Lori of Waste Knot teaches the wrapped back stitch, a stitch that is perfect for lettering and curved lines.

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

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

Meeting the Pointer Sisters

This week's podcast from Melissa of the Pointing It Out podcast team is an interview with Timmy Schultz and Jan Dedrick, otherwise known as the Pointer Sisters.  You'll get to know both of them and learn a bit about their books, including their third book which is in progress (out this fall?).

You probably remember their book, Pretty Stitches.  Their latest book is called We've Got Your Back Ground Stitches.  If your favorite shop doesn't carry the books, you can always order from Timmy's website.

If you want to see the Labors of Love pieces that Timmy and Jan showed, here is the Halloween page of their website--

...and here is the Easter section.

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

Tuesday, July 23, 2024

A New Shop in Virginia UPDATED

If you are traveling through Virginia this summer, you should check out Artful Stitches, located in Locust Grove, Virginia.  If you aren't traveling through the state, you can visit them via their website as they are fully stocked with goodies and ready to ship.

Sigh.  I want it ALL!

UPDATE:  I should have said that Locust Grove is NW of Richmond and NE of Charlottesville, just west of Fredericksburg, VA.  

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

Monday, July 22, 2024

The July NJNA Newsletter

The New Jersey Chapter Needle Artists Chapter of ANG has released their July newsletter a tad early.  There's plenty of ANG news, some goodies that will help those traveling with their needlepoint, news of two new clubs, and of course some new designs released in the Summer Virtual Needlepoint Show. As always, it's a fun read.

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

Sunday, July 21, 2024

Save the Accountant!

Needlepoint.com posted a fun video on their Instagram account this morning.  Since we all need a good laugh today, here's the link.

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

Let's Learn Turkeywork

The Wool and the Floss is talking turkey work these days.  First, there's a video on how to do traditional turkey work. This is done from the bottom of the area you want fuzzy.  Finish a row, cut the thread, move up one row to start over again working left to right, and repeat until the area is done.

The second video shows how to cut the loops and then shape the cut ends.  Don't forget to brush after you cut.  I often find uncut loops show up after I brush.  Somehow they can get hidden and you'll miss them the first time.

Their third video is about using brick stitch style turkeywork to make a larger area furry.

If this doesn't click with you, read Jeni Sandberg's blog on turkeywork stripes.

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

Saturday, July 20, 2024

The Needlepoint Headband

The Nashville Needlepointer is at Disneyland and modeling her new and special headband.

She made them for her friends, too.

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

Friday, July 19, 2024

Summer Fun from NJNA

This month's e-newsletter from the New Jersey Needle Artists chapter of ANG is chock full of items about ANG's upcoming seminar, shop clubs, New Jersey-themed ornaments, and the newest ribbons available from Renaissance Ribbons for finishing.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 14, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 18, 2024

Introducing Amber Yan

The Needlepointer is having a trunk show for a designer I'd never heard of--Amber Yan.  She's hard to categorize.  Some of her work (like that champagne bottle or Christmas stocking) is detailed and realistic.  Some is very graphic in nature like her jigsaw inspired large pieces.  Some pieces are just plain fun, like the Halloween drinks series or the space-themed small designs.

If you are looking for something different or need a good stash buster, you should explore her work.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 17, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 17, 2024

New Acrylic Candy Box from Penny Linn

Penny Linn has a new acrylic box with room for needlepoint in the magnetic lid.

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.

Tuesday, July 16, 2024

New Needlepoint Store in Charleston, SC

If you are traveling this summer and going to be in Charleston, South Carolina, check out the brand new shop--Lowcountry Needlepoint.

Here is the shop website with contact information.  They are brand new so when I wrote this, the website didn't have much on it yet but give Leigh time.  And say hi for me when you visit!  We all need "local thread therapy," right?

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

Monday, July 15, 2024

A Replacement for Dovo Scissors? UPDATED

If you are a fan of Dovo scissors and mourned the company's closing, Mary Corbet may have found a replacement.

Golden Forge scissors are imported from Switzerland by Access Commodities, which always brings us the best stuff.

UPDATE:  Now the Golden Forge scissors come with larger finger holes, red handles and vine-like etching on the blades.  They really are pretty.

Apparently they are coming in blue and green as well.  The green also has the larger finger holes and etching.  As always, shop around.  The prices vary by as much as $30 depending on where you buy.

Needle in a Haystack will have them in lilac, too.  

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.

Sunday, July 14, 2024

Rachel Barri's New Mini Clips

Rachel Barri is always coming up with new products.  Her latest are Mini Clips, which are self finishing tags on rings that are magnetic so you can use them to hold light items like scarves, hats, paperwork, anything you want to clip to your tote bag, bike, backpack, etc.  Her Instagram video shows how to use them.

They come in 7 colors, there are coordinating small canvases to stitch and insert in them, and you can even buy a silver ring if you don't like the gold ring that comes with the mini clip.

Very clever!

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

Saturday, July 13, 2024

KC Needlepoint Goes The Extra Finishing Mile

KC Needlepoint, which has a physical shop, online store, and a large business designing canvases, has now purchased a local upholstery shop in the hope that they can expand and improve the finishing services they offer.

Good for them!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 14, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, July 12, 2024

Church Kneelers Spotted in the Wild

Tracey at Stitches and Style is on vacation in Gibralter where she found some wonderful needlepointed church kneelers.  Use the right side arrow to see them all.

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

Thursday, July 11, 2024

Attaching Beads with Tent Stitches: The Movie

Here's a Needlepoint.com video about tent stitching your beads.  You can see that these will be a bit wonky but if you do a straight line of beads, they hold each other in position better, particularly if you do 2-3 rows of beads.  Groups of beads done in straight lines, either horizontally or vertically, are better behaved.

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

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

Interesting Finishing Technique from Marion Scoular

The Sun City Stitcher decided to finish her needle case from a seminar class using a technique described by Marion Scoular in her book Advice is for Listening To--Not Necessarily Taking.

There's not enough detail to be certain how it is done, but if you own this book, you might want to check it out.

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

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

How to Manage Larger Projects

The Pointing It Out Podcast talks ways to manage bigger projects.  If you are traveling with a bigger project, working a Christmas stocking, or just need ideas about how to manage a bigger project you are thinking you might buy, this is a must read.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 11, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, July 8, 2024

Dovo Scissors Available Again in Limited Supply

Are you a fan of Dovo scissors? The company went into bankruptcy and reorganized and as a result, stopped making scissors. But they recently decided to make a few more and this shop is eagerly awaiting their order for two sizes of Dovo scissors.  They have already sold out the smaller size that are due next week, but they anticipate getting more in August, so if you want a pair, you should contact them and let them know you want to be on the wait list. I believe there are still four inch scissors available, at least there were last week when I wrote this article.  This is a very big counted thread store in Oklahoma, by the way. I've been on their mailing list for years.
https://www.thesilverneedle.com/scissors.html

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

Sunday, July 7, 2024

Hoopla (and More)

I just heard from a stitching buddy who likes listening to things while stitching but who finds watching tv while stitching a bit distracting.  He's just discovered Hoopla, which is a digital library service that his local library offers.  It doesn't cost anything and he doesn't need to go to the library, he just gets online and looks in Hoopla to see if the audio book he wants to listen to is available.  If it is, he checks it out!  Genius!

To sign up go to the above link.  You'll need your library card number and your library card PIN.  Look for your local library on the list of Hoopla libraries, choose it, and then add your library card number and PIN*.  You will need an email address and will create a password to set up a Hoopla account.  It took me about five minutes to sign myself up but I had to fetch my wallet, find my library card and then find my reading glasses before I could set up my account.  It's easy, in other words.  I did discover you can only check out six books a month from Hoopla.  

If you prefer to use a phone or tablet for your digital books, search for the Hoopla Digital app on either the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.  Download it and sign in with the account you've already created or set up the account there.  It looks like you can check out up to six items at a time.  Hoopla also has music, movies, comics and ebooks.  

I already have an account with Libby (formerly called Overdrive) which works exactly the same way.  If you have a library card, it's time to see if you can use it to access online libraries.  Libby doesn't have a limit as to how many items you can check out in a month but you can only check out six at a time.  

Many thanks to Kent who pointed this out to us.  Happy reading while stitching, all!

*If your local library isn't on Hoopla's list, try seeing if your local library subscribes to Libby (which may still be called Overdrive by your library).  It works just the same way as Hoopla.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 10, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Mermaid Curls: The Movie

The latest how to video from Ruth at Bedecked and Beadazzled is how to make fat sausage curls for a mermaid.

Here's how it looks mostly finished.  This is a David Galchutt canvas called "The Sirens," available only at Ruth's shop.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 10, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, July 5, 2024

Spool Savers

These great little wrap arounds are perfect for spools that don't have a little slot to put your thread in.  (I'm looking at you, balls of perle cotton!)

They are called spool savers or spool huggers.  Made by Peels, they are sold in pairs by Thistle Needleworks in Connecticut but many online sewing stores sell them in much larger quantities.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 9, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 4, 2024

How to Stitch the Target Totes

Love MHB Studio has posted instructions on how to stitch on rattan-type patterns, such as the Target tote.

She's also done free charts for patterns you might use.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Comparing Basketweave and Continental Stitch: The Movie

Needlepoint.com continues their "How to Needlepoint" series of videos with a comparison of continental stitch with basketweave.  They diagram the stitches for you as well (including a diagram for left-handed folks).  The first video covers basketweave, the second continental.

Note that basketweave stitch uses a lot more thread than continental stitch, but it doesn't distort the canvas as much as continental does.  You might need to block a canvas if you use a lot of continental stitch on it.  However, if you are starting to run out of thread, continental makes sense.  Just don't mix continental and basketweave in a solid background as you probably will see a difference on the front.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 7, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 2, 2024

Church Needlepoint from the UK

Tracey of the Stitches and Style Instagram has been touring the UK and is treating us to ecclesiastical needlepoint from Holy Trinity Church in Bradford on Avon...

...and Westminister Abbey in London.  Use the side arrows to see all the photos.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, July 1, 2024

For King and Country

Beth talks about the Fiber Talk interview she and Gary did with staff from the Royal School of Needlework on the restorations and original pieces they prepared for the Coronation of King Charles III last summer.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.