A Pincushion Homage (Arlene Cohen)

Arlene's Pincushion and Ribbons

Recently Arlene and I realized she'd never shared her red and white pincushion with Blog.  She exhibited this at the 2013 ANG Seminar and won two major ribbons for it, too.    This is an original design, worked in sections on linen and assembled according to the plan Arlene worked out for it.

Arlene wrote this about the photographs she sent me:

"What a thrill that a long awaited book has finally been published!  In 2011, an extraordinary exhibit of 651 red and white quilts, all collected by Mrs. Joanna Rose, was on display in the Park Avenue Armory in New York City for six days.  It is an amazing collection and was an amazing display of it and I was so very fortunate to be able to see it in person.

We needleworkers find our inspiration in all sorts of places – sometimes in the beauty of a design created by others and sometimes in the stunning display of work in another (but related) medium.  Attending that exhibit and the ability to allow it to “live on” with me through an iPad app at the time, I evolved into the planning and creation of a needlework piece.  

Sadly, the iPad app stopped working a few IOS upgrades ago and it is no longer even available in the App store. But, lucky for us, the book of all the quilts, with some wonderful accompanying essays, has finally been published!  Getting it in my hands has encouraged me to share a bit about my pincushion project all over again.  I entered this in the 2013 ANG Exhibit in Anaheim and was thrill when it won both a first place ribbon (for Adapation, Non-Professional) and the Small Masterpiece ribbon that year."

I found a series of photographs of the quilts that inspired the pincushion on display here.
http://www.aiga.org/justified-2012--case-study--infinite-variety/

Here is the book Arlene refers to.
http://www.amazon.com/Red-White-Quilts-Infinite-Presented/dp/0847846520

Here's Arlene's Artist Statement that she wrote for the ANG Exhibit.

A Pincushion Homage to

Infinite Variety:  Three Centuries of Red and White Quilts

In March of 2011, I walked into the Park Avenue Armory in New York City, lookedp and all around, and was simply amazed.  Six hundred and fifty-one red and white quilts collected by Joanna S. Rose were on display in the most creative and stunning quilt exhibit that I have ever seen.  Along with the thousands of other visitors who poured into the Armory during those five days the display was up, I was simply enthralled.

Even while still there, I knew that I wanted to find a way, in my own needlework, to relive and reinterpret the experience.  In the days that followed, I was able to revisit each quilt individually since the organizers had created an iPad app for all to download and enjoy.  Yes, it was such a unique experience to have witnessed the display, but I also recognized the beauty of each individual piece, be it humble or dazzling.

I was not alone in my reaction and response to this truly extraordinary exhibit.    In the two years since, I have read about a number of quilt guilds that were inspired by this show and created their own red and white quilt challenges.  I am not really a quilter.  How then might I create a way to pay homage to this quilt exhibit using needle and thread?  I began to make sketches in a graph-paper notebook, breaking down many of the quilt designs to penciled-in squares. What to do with these graphed designs?  I imagined something simple, in keeping with the spirit of the collector and most likely the quilt makers themselves.  Mrs. Rose found most of these quilts in flea markets decades ago. As written in the exhibit’s materials, these quilts “are not prizewinners at fairs nor ones that have been passed down in families, cherished by several generations.  They are, rather, ordinary coverings, the creators largely anonymous, their provenance obscure, not meant for company beds or best use.”

In my needlework, I enjoy working on a small scale.  And so I chose the humble pincushion as the means to gather and recreate some of my favorite geometric designs from the quilts in the Armory display.  A small sampling from that magnificent exhibit, it is my homage both to the quilts and to their makers.

In the design process, I began by looking carefully at all 651 quilts on that iPad app, spending hours studying the entire collection and making a list of those that caught my eye both for the inherent beauty of their design and their geometric qualities. I narrowed my list to about fifty quilts, took screenshots of them, and printed them on paper.  This allowed me to see them all at the same time, with papers spread all around me in an array. 

Somewhere in my research on pincushions, I happened upon a hexagon shaped design, familiar to me as a quilt pattern often called Grandmothers Flower Garden, and the vision of the three-dimensional end product began to take shape.  I began to draw quilt designs on graph paper, some lending themselves to the hexagon shapes for the top of the pincushion and some better left for the rectangular sides.  I graphed many more than I knew I could use, although did not graph all fifty that were printed.

Finding the right thread was its own challenge.  The precise shade of red and the requisite fineness for the 32 count linen fabric were my guiding principles.  After some trial and error, I settled on a Gutermann silk thread.  I started with the hexagons on top using mostly cross stitches, anxious for the vision in my head to come to life on fabric.  However, even as I stitched, I knew it just didn’t look right:  I was stitching the hexagons right next to one another.  As at the Armory display, the layout of the individual pieces was critical – it might enhance or, in this case, detract from the overall effect.

Wisely, I set this pincushion project aside for several months.  The graphed designs held my imagination, but it would take some time before I could commit my mind and my fingers to taking up that red thread again and starting over from the beginning.

But, commit my mind and my fingers I did.  Spreading out the hexagons made all the difference for visual breathing room on the top.  I then realized that the diamond shaped areas in each “corner” of the hexagon needed attention.  There was already enough variety in the hexagons on the top and so I chose to stitch a simple skipped cross stitch to fill each diamond. When I began stitching the rectangles for the sides of the pincushion, I realized the size I had planned was just wrong.  If I stitched them as I originally intended, the height of the pincushion would be out of scale to the width.  At this point, I decided to make a three-dimensional paper mock-up of the finished product. The graphs of the rectangular sides show how my thinking evolved.

I knew how I wanted all these pieces to come together, but I struggled to make the finishing of my little pincushion precise and crisp. Then again, a pincushion is supposed to be a functional item and sometimes function and beauty can go hand in hand in less than precise ways.

To this day, I am intrigued and fascinated by the magnificent exhibit that inspired me to create this piece.  From time to time, I search on the internet to see if the vague plans for a future mounting of the exhibit or a forthcoming book have come to fruition.  The answer for now is not yet.

My pincushion is my homage to Mrs. Rose’s collection of red and white quilts and the extraordinary exhibit of them.

Thanks for sharing, Arlene!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

TNNA Survey for 2013

TNNA's annual market survey "State of Specialty Needlearts" is available for all to read. Needlepoint is a small part of the entire survey but the survey results are very interesting. See page 2 where the survey shows that needlepointers spend more annually on average than any other category (knitters outnumber needlepointers by almost ten times but the average needlepointer spends twice what the average knitter does annual on their craft) and also the last page which has a demographic breakdown.  
http://c.ymcdn.com/sites/www.tnna.org/resource/collection/386A6007-6C3F-4D15-A864-6D0DBD47FB40/TNNA-2013-Market-Summary-Final.pdf

The thing I took away from this survey is the growing importance of stitch guides in promoting painted canvas sales.  "Needlepointers typically use a stitch guide for half their projects. Needlepoint stores, in contrast, have stitch guides for one quarter or less of the canvases they sold."  There is a lot more to learn by reading the survey carefully but because I sell stitch guides, this is the one thing I really paid attention to.

The use of Facebook and Ravelry if you are a knitter is of growing importance.  If you don't have an account, this is the time to get one.

This is the general survey.  TNNA members can get more detailed breakdowns for their area for free and if you would like to pay for these results if you are not a member, TNNA will gladly sell them to you.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needle Nicely Hits St. Charles

Needle Nicely has written about her trip to St. Charles, complete with photos of some of the canvases Mary Agnes brought home that will appeal to her local customers or the snow birds that flock to Florida in the cooler months.   We customers tend to forget that shops in various parts of the country have very different clienteles.  Everyone looks for a canvas about the place where they spent a pleasant holiday; East Coast people love belt canvases while on the California coast belt canvases don't sell; etc. Bet you will find it very interesting what your shop's customers prefer if you ask the next time you see your shop owner!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2013/08/saint-charles-tnna-market.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Trip to St. Charles With Sue

Instead of putting this with the other St. Charles reports, I thought you should see this by itself because Sue Dulle, who was at TNNA in her professional capacity, explained so well what it was all like.   Thank you, Sue!
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2013/08/27/to-market-to-market/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

St. Charles TNNA Starts

Photos of new items are starting to appear from St. Charles. They are all listed, latest on top, at the green tab labeled "TNNA St. Charles August 2013."  Click to see what's going on there, then return to Blog's main page by clicking on the Home tab.

Have fun.  Don't drool on your keyboard!  I'll update again tonight after supper.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

ANG Auction Allows Absentee Bids

For the very first time ANG is going to allow absentee bids on the forty-nine items in the Live Auction at the ANG Seminar. You can tour all the items available here.
http://ang.afrogs.org/items/browse/index.html?category_id=&bidhop=&sortby=&start=0

The process is explained at the main Live Auction page.  Good luck to all the bidders!
http://ang.afrogs.org

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Laura's Ready for Seminar!

AMG's Seminar is happening at the same time as the TNNA trade show.   I hope to have lots of Seminar reports for you.  For now, Laura Perin has sent lots of goodies to the Seminar shop.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/08/california-dreamin.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Just a Reminder....

TNNA's fall trade show in St. Charles, Missouri is this weekend. Classes are on Friday and the trade show floor is open for business Saturday and Sunday. This is a "cash and carry" show, which means shops will be able to purchase items to carry home to have in your favorite shop next week.   I have been updated the TNNA St. Charles August 2013 tab pretty regularly this week as new items are publicized online.  Click on the tab to see that section of Blog, then click on Home to come back to the main page.

I've also been updating the CH Stitch Guides blog pretty regularly this week.  There are a group of dog themed stitch guides available from Robin King, a whole slew of stitch guide writers have tackled Tapestry Tent's "Moonlight Tea Party," Changing Woman Design has updated her website to list canvases with stitch guides available, and Needlepoint Land has the first free stitch guide you can dance to.  As always, either click on the link below, or click on the magic carpet icon on the right side of the page to fly over there to see all the new postings.  You can return via magic carpet here as well.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

I hope there are lots of new postings about the new items available at TNNA starting Friday.  Stay tuned.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

TNNA St. Charles August 2013

This trade show is scheduled for August 24-25 in St. Charles, Missouri. Stay tuned for postings!

**********************************************

Facebook: Kirk and Bradley posted a photo of their latest garden gnome canvas (an exclusive for now at What's the Point? Needlepoint) on their FB page. Do you think he might belong to a motorcycle gang? LOL
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151959264541414.1073741831.32969321413&type=1

Facebook: Needlework Retailer has posted a lot of photos from the trade show on their FB page. There are lots of shop owners, cross stitch designers and painted canvas designers shown.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151959264541414.1073741831.32969321413&type=1

If you knit or just like Fair Isle sweater patterns, these two new Fair Isle stockings from NeedlePaint.com will be right up your alley. They will be customized with the name of your choice, too.
http://blog.needlepaint.com/2013/09/03/fair-isle-needlepoint-christmas-stockings/

The new colors of Planet Earth Silks, very cleverly photographed.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/09/blog-post_4.html

The latest Manual Salas Day of the Dead lady has arrived at Tapestry Fair. Her name is Yolanda and orange is her favorite color!
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2013/09/meet-yolanda.html

There's another new designer appearing at the trade shows! It's CH Designs, which will be distributed by Danji. You may have seen the darling candy cane Santas on eBay at the CH Designs store, which will be closing. Cheryl will be adding to her website as the line grows. (Personally I can't wait for the gnomes to appear.) The designs you see there now all have stitch guides by Cynthia Thomas!
http://www.cherylsneedlepointart.com/default.html

Petei's new owner, Painted Pony, is releasing from their huge catalogue a bit at a time. Enriched Stitch shows off the first batch (all various Santas) you can order and the Nativity set (second link).
http://astheneedleturns.com/petei-is-back-santas/

http://astheneedleturns.com/petei-nativity/

Melissa Shirley has finally updated her website with the new canvases for the fall. There is a darling little Debbie Mumm Thanksgiving set, a magnificent turkey from Mary Lake-Thompson, a Halloween fall basket, and Melissa's Sourpuss Pumpkin set.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?bsn=1

Amy Bunger has updated her Amy's Golden Strand shop website with new items, including a few new canvases and quite a few new magnets, including the coffee mug magnet, a monkey, several quarter moons in various colors, and more. There are scissors and fobs, too, and more.
http://www.amybunger.com/whats_new.html?utm_source=September+2013+Newsletter&utm_campaign=September+Newsletter&utm_medium=email

Needle Nicely added more information about their St. Charles purchases on their blog.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2013/08/saint-charles-tnna-market-ii.html

Bedecked and Beaddazzled got together with Accoutrement Designs and came up with two exclusive magnets for the shop. There is a matching scissor fob for one magnet as well. Pink cats and blue crabs....
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/08/exclusively-ours-and-galactically.html

In Stitches (the shop near Mt. Vernon and Woodlawn Plantation in Virginia) has posted about their new Market goodies. The first posting was all counted thread and cross stitch, their major focus, so I am only posting this message about a few NP things they picked up.
http://institchesshopblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/more-from-market.html

http://institchesshopblog.blogspot.com/2013/08/market-goodies-3.html

There are more new goodies Pocket Full of Stitches brought home from Market posted on their blog, mostly Sew Much Fun figures and a Needle Deeva flower canvas and a Patti Mann series of fun Christmas designs that I think are to be assembled into a five-sided ornament.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-few-more.html

Facebook: Atlanta Needlepoint has posted a lovely new canvas of a corgi on their FB page. Sorry, I don't know the designer.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=663156170363697&set=a.454046957941287.113219.419464531399530&type=1&relevant_count=1&ref=nf

Facebook: Debbie Mumm's new First Thanksgiving set are on the Melissa Shirley Designs FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.10151883845369252.1073741856.370199729251&type=1

Facebook: Two of the newest clip on birds from Labors of Love Inc. are on their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=231938583622232&set=a.163225933826831.39001.163219983827426&type=1&theater

More new goodies that Pocket Full of Stitches brought home from Market.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/08/what-else-did-we-find.html

Facebook: Deux Bijoux Bijoux by Jim and Lisa Krause has posted a new frame for a Maggie canvas on their FB page. If you like the "In The Forest" rabbit pair in a sampler style from Maggie, you'll want this matching frame.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=539991436073555&set=at.539991432740222.1073741836.397414413664592.100002696911031&type=1&theater

Ruth Schmuff of Bedecked and Beadazzled has new canvases posted on her blog. These are distributed by her but since Ruth doesn't go to the trade shows these haven't been seen by the shops. You are among the first!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/08/who-are-you.html

Pocket Full of Stitches has started publishing photos of the new items they bought at Market. Some are brand new, some aren't.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/08/more-from-market.html

Needle in a Haystack published a list of the new Rainbow Gallery colors by thread name. Click on the links to see them in the NIAH online catalogue. I think I want them ALL!
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2013/08/new-rainbow-gallery-colors.html

Facebook: Kirk and Bradley has posted a few photos of their new party animal series on their FB page as well as their pudding ornaments. They have a new website as well (second link) and also post to a Pinterest page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=529890213749285&set=a.483934411678199.1073741830.481587498579557&type=1&theater

http://www.kirkandbradley.com/whats-new

Facebook: Kangaroo Paw Designs Handpainted Needlepoint Canvases has announced new Delta Zeta and Alpha Gamma Delta designs.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=206344989530939&set=a.172650579567047.1073741839.172598536238918&type=1&theater

BB Needlepoint has updated their website with some lovely new underwater and quilt-themed canvases.
http://www.bbneedlepointdesigns.com

Facebook: Needlepoint.com has posted photos of four new Kirk and Bradley (formerly Kirk and Hamilton) ornaments on their page. They are called Florentine Baubles.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=529582300446743&set=a.483934411678199.1073741830.481587498579557&type=1&theater

Facebook: Orna Willis just posted a closeup of one of her new 40 count silk gauze designs on her FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10201298874006543&set=a.2913114779626.2141679.1013365997&type=1&theater

Fleur de Paris (another distributor) has also updated their website with three pages of new canvases and products.
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Browse.asp?Category=New

CBK Designs has posted some new designs from this summer on their new site. They are a distributor so I'm not sure the designer names for all of these.
http://www.cbkneedlepoint.com

Melissa Prince has new 5x5 designs meant for those acrylic boxes or paperweights. I think the African Inspired section is new, too.
http://www.melissaprincedesigns.com/webupdate_082013_004.htm

http://www.melissaprincedesigns.com/webupdate_082013_009.htm

Facebook: The National NeedleArts Association (TNNA, folks) has posted photos taken on Day One of the St. Charles market on their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-National-NeedleArts-Association/13137269789?hc_location=stream

Leigh Designs has posted the new Familiar series. Black cats galore!
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp516x.html

Facebook: Dinky Dyes has posted photos showing the colors for their new silk/wool thread.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=671044156258995&set=a.111447272218689.12788.111285995568150&type=1&theater

Rogue Needlepoint has added to their growing set of Henry VIII and Wives collection with new Katherine Parr and Anne Boleyn figures. They also are adding figures of saints (second link).
http://www.rogueneedlepoint.com/royalty.html

http://www.rogueneedlepoint.com/saints.html

Traditional Stitches is a counted thread shop with some cross stitch but they are posting new things from Market that I thought some folks would like to see.
http://www.traditionalstitches.com/c_market.html

BeStitched has photos of all the new Maggie bird canvases we keep seeing in a photo here and there.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/new-maggie-needlepoint-canvases-are-here/

Facebook: Amy Bunger is updating her personal FB page with more photos from Market. She is promising a stitch guide for Melissa Shirley's new Halloween basket but it will be on 18 count, not the original 13 count. She's posted really cute egg shaped bunny portraits and carrot shapes from Associated Talents, the fun new cartoonish birds from Maggie, has mentioned new coffee mug magnets from Accoutrement Designs (no photos yet), and a new Ewe and Eye canvas of houses on a series of hills.

Pocket Full of Stitches is at St. Charles. Here are some of the items they particularly liked from Annie Lane, Alice Peterson, Birds of a Feather, Danji, Kelly Clark, Leigh, Melissa Shirley, Needle Deeva, and Rebecca Wood.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/08/st-charles-market.html

Needle Works has added more photos to their blog. Some are from Kelly Clark, some from Kirk and Bradley, and some from Alice Peterson but the rest are unidentified.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/08/august-18.html

Needle Nicely is at St. Charles, shopping. She hasn't posted photos (those will come when she gets home) but she does talk about what to expect from these shows and how shops do their ordering. This is very interesting for those of us interested in the business side of NP.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2013/08/instant-gratification.html

Needle Works has added photos of new Kelly Clark topiary canvases and the decorated Ho Ho Ho canvas, new Puffin Co. magnets, new 3-D chickens in pastel colors from Sew Much Fun as well as their Pirate doll, Julia's Wizard of Oz roll up set, and some of Melissa Shirley's small Thanksgiving figures set.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/08/st-charles-mo-cash-and-carry.html

Facebook: What's the Point? Needlepoint has posted two new Kelly Clark canvases, both a topiary with other items in seasonal colors on their FB page and offer a ten percent discount for pre-orders. They have also posted a new Kirk and Bradley floral.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whats-The-Point-needlepoint/519994421356592?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

Facebook: BeStitched Needlepoint has posted several new Maggie canvases on their FB page. All are cartoonish birds, some wearing hats, some on black and some on bright colored backgrounds.
https://www.facebook.com/BeStitchedNeedlepoint?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

Facebook: Maggie Co. has posted a new photo of a Lisa Krause frame on their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=397523250348849&set=a.394652613969246.1073741829.100675623366948&type=1&theater

Facebook: Amy Bunger has a photo to her FB page of little hearts on a stick for Halloween from Needle Deeva. There are new Melissa Prince and Alice Peterson canvases on her website as well (second link).
https://www.facebook.com/amy.bunger?hc_location=stream

http://www.amybunger.com/whats_new.html

Facebook: Needle in a Haystack is posting photos of new painted canvases on their official FB page. There are candy cane Santas from Samjib, some of Melissa Shirley's new Sourpuss Pumpkins series, Christmas topiary with partridge and a decorative Ho Ho Ho by Kelly Clark plus a photo of a canvas with wrapped Christmas packages closeup that may be Kelly Clark as well. They also posted a blue door canvas with a wreath and pairs of boots standing ready on the stoop from Cooper Oaks.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Needle-in-A-Haystack/141185552585018?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

The Needle Works has posted a photo of Leigh Design's new Familiars canvases. These all feature groups of black cats. There are stitch guides for the one with the scarecrow and three cats on the fence (Sandy Arthur) at the top right and for the one with the trio of cats with skulls on the bottom right (Jane Wood of Chilly Hollow).
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/08/new-from-leigh-familiars.html

Facebook: NeedleDeeva Hand Painted Needlepoint Canvases has posted photos of their canvases all laid out in their hotel room for happy shop owners to browse and buy. Check their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/NeedleDeeva-Hand-Painted-Needlepoint-Canvases/296478407860?ref=stream&hc_location=stream

Facebook: Amy Bunger is posting new photos of new goodies from St. Charles on her official FB page. So far she has posted photos of four new Silk Lame Braid colors and a new shorter green acrylic laying tool, new magnets from Dream House Ventures that seem to be metal with rhinestone accents, a nice photo of Melissa Shirley's new Halloween basket design, two new Birds of a Feather canvases (a cartoonish pig and a woodpecker sitting on a branch), a Cooper Oaks kissing fish canvas of bronze fish on a dark green background, and a beautiful Once in a Blue Moon fall leaves piece on a faint leaf pattern ecru background. There's also a new Melissa Shirley birdhouse grouping in oranges and yellows with touches of apple and lime greens.
https://www.facebook.com/amy.bunger

Facebook: Park Avenue Needlepoint is posting photos of the hotel at St. Charles on their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Park-Avenue-Needlepoint/215593498452477?hc_location=stream

The latest Thread Medley rug chart is available for sale--you must see the amazing Beluchi Rug!
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/baluchi-rug-chart-available-for-sale/

In case you missed the excitement on Blog's main page, Petei designs are back. The line has been purchased by Painted Pony and a selection of the most popular Santas and other items will be available for pre-order at the St. Charles show.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2013/08/breaking-news-petei-is-back.html

Facebook: Hingham Needlepoint has posted a photo of their exclusive Sampler Tree.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=356232807843733&set=gm.522982477778915&type=1&theater

Lee's Needle Arts has four new stockings which you can see here.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2013/08/lee-stockings.html

Facebook: Fleur de Paris has posted several Trubey pieces on their FB account. Fleur de Paris distributes Trubey's work. The second link is to new Joy Juarez pieces (new last June).
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.551616348225320.1073741834.360330090687281&type=3

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.527502543970034.1073741825.360330090687281&type=1

Facebook: Melissa Shirley Designs is posting photos of a six pumpkin series called Sourpuss Pumpkins that Melissa herself is stitching. I'm pretty sure she'll publish stitch guides for these eventually. Use the right hand arrow to navigate back to see others in the series.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151865460039252&set=a.10150103192084252.304722.370199729251&type=1&theater

Facebook: new Pajamas and Chocolate Halloween painted canvas that comes with a Sandy Arthur stitch guide. If you don't have a FB account, it is a decorated witch's boot with a litlte black kitten peeking out of the top of the boot. There is a neat background of ghosts holding hands, too.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=196321557209365&set=a.193974710777383.1073741833.182000068641514&type=1&theater

Sandy Arthur is going to teach Pinkletoes at the TNNA show Friday. Interesting in 3-D rabbits? This is for you!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2013/08/wednesday-whimsies-august-21-2014-hair.html

Speaking of Sandy Arthur, her newest Shapes Book IV (this one is horizontal, diagonal and vertical stitches) is starting to arrive in the shops.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2013/08/shapes-of-needlepoint-iv-has-arrived.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/08/its-new-stitch-book.html

Kelly Clark has added new canvases from Dan DiPaolo to their line.
http://www.louisesneedlework.com/louises-needlework-trunk-shows.htm

DMC has announced sixteen new colors in cotton floss will be available in October! There are eight muted neutral colors and eight crayon bright colors which you can see (and order) here.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2013/08/16-new-dmc-floss-colors-to-be-released-in-october.html

Joan Eidman has created a new design, "Silent Night," available in the original German but in English also. Joan's work is distributed by Dream House Ventures, by the way, and most of the larger pieces come with Joan's stitch guide.
http://joaneidman.com/silent-night-holy-night/

Ruth Schmuff's Bedecked and Beadazzled has new small beaded scissor fobs that can also double as project bag zipper pulls. Cute!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/08/just-little-bead-soup.html

Squiggee has a new witch design just in time for Halloween. Their newish gingerbread style Wizard of Oz designs are on the home page of their site also. Apparently they are doing a Frankenstein family as well.
http://www.squiggeedesigns.com

http://squiggeedesigns.blogspot.com/2013/08/introducingmr-frank-n-stein-esq.html

Facebook: Dinky Dyes is releasing a new silk/wool fiber as well as new colors in their cotton and silk thread lines.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=666420170054727&set=a.111447272218689.12788.111285995568150&type=3&theater

Planet Earth Fiber is introducing four new variegated colors in their popular Planet Earth Six Ply Silk.
http://www.tillitomas.com/postcards/planetearthfibernewcolors.html

Facebook: Patt and Lee Designs just posted a few new designs on their FB page. There are four tiny witches hats (each with a stitch guide), a larger hat shop exterior featuring those little hats and several tiny Halloween animal pieces.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=193975427443978&set=a.193974710777383.1073741833.182000068641514&type=1&theater

Laura Perin just released a brand new Western collage canvas as a companion to her popular "Turquoise Bear Collage." The new design is called "Long Horse Collage" with Indian blankets, horses, Western colors and even a horseshoe. Perfect for the horse lover, the fan of Westerns and the lover of Out West!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/08/ridin-down-happy-trail.html

Accoutrement Designs won't be bringing their Fob Friends and Mag Friends to St. Charles because they are going to the ANG Seminar instead. However, they are showing off some of their newest magnets on their blog and you'll be able to shop for their goodies at the Seminar shop.
http://fobfriends.blogspot.com/2013/08/no-show-show.html

http://astheneedleturns.com/new-magnets-3/

Ruth Schmuff has revealed new dog canvases from Eleanor Grosch in her signature half abstract style.
https://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/--b-1.asp?category=

Facebook: Raymond Crawford Designs has posted photos of the new Robots and Rockets series on their FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.191172709362.156684.190891389362&type=1

Needle Paint has a wonderful new Inlaid Heart printed canvas design that I think a lot of folks who love samplers of stitches will want in their stash.
http://blog.needlepaint.com/2013/08/07/inlaid-heart-geometric-needlepoint-kit/

Facebook: Melissa Shirley Designs has posted a photo of the newest October Basket design (this one has a Halloween theme with Boo and a black cat and a crow, fall colors and a small squash) on her FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151834953804252&set=a.10150103192084252.304722.370199729251&type=1&theater

For those who don't have a Facebook account, Vicky also posted about the new Melissa Shirley October Halloween Basket.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/meeeeoooooow/

Needle Delights shows off the newest releases and a new class that will be available through Shining Needle Society.
http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2013/08/new-class-new-releases-more.html

Plus, Needle Delights has finished "Autumn Logs," the last of Kathy's seasonal log cabin designs. Counted canvas workers rejoice!
http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2013/07/august-logs-finished.html

Kimberly has taken elements from her Mother's Rocker design to create a new biscornu piece she will teach at her old guild later on this year. Keep your fingers crossed that this one is released as a Kimberly Designs chart some day!
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2013/08/retired-reinvented.html

Facebook: Pajamas and Chocolate has posted photos of new Asian designs on their FB page, including custom built pagoda style frames from Lee. (For those who don't know, PJs and Chocolate is the hand painted branch of Patt and Lee Designs.)
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.189739014534286.1073741829.182000068641514&type=3

And More has released a new linen thread called Flixen. It comes in 24 colors. It isn't on their website yet but Peacock Alley Needlepoint posted a photograph on their shop Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=634352639917071&set=a.602863073066028.1073741863.100000270232592&type=1&theater

Facebook: Pajamas and Chocolate has added four new patchwork cats/dogs to their FB page in the Colorful Animals Album.

Facebook: Raymond Crawford Designs has posted new ornament designs to their FB page. So far the ornament designs are of a dragon, corals and tropical fish.

Susan Roberts has posted photos of her new designs for Summer 2013 on her website. There's a new Ashley Dillon "March" canvas for Valentine's Day!
http://www.susanrobertsneedlepoint.com/designs-by-category/category/2013-new-items-summer.html

Julia's Needleworks is posting the new designs for St. Charles on their website already, starting with their Wizard of Oz roll ups. Not all of the Wizard pieces are designed yet, but you can see most here.
http://needleworks.ehclients.com/index.php/private-tradeshow/P0/

Barbara Bergsten has new summer patterns for her "shift" series.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2013/07/shift-into-summer-needlepoint.html

Barbara Russell now distributes some of the HP Designs canvases since the owner of HP Designs has retired.
http://barbararusselldesigns.com

Needle Delights has released photos of the newest design framed (Mint Julip) and the newest class piece (Inchies) for the counted canvasworker!
http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2013/07/my-latest-obsession.html

Facebook: Raymond Crawford Designs has posted a slide show of their new ornaments on their official FB page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=10151806007123816&set=vb.190891389362&type=2&theater

The Needlepointer is introducing a new thread called Silken Straw Fiber. When I get details, I will add them here.
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=ee6fcd59af&e=73961ee0ea

Vicky DeAngelis has posted photos of the newest DJ Designs, dede Odgen, Lee/Colonial Needle and BB Designs canvases on her blog. These were all out in June, I think, but it is July already so I am posting these here instead of with the Columbus show material. Don't want you to miss anything!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/im-in-a-ny-state-of-mind/

Pocket Full of Stitches has posted photos of their newest Barbara Elmore, J. Mahaly, and Machelle Somerville designs. These came out at Columbus I think but I'm putting them here as fewer and fewer people are looking at the Columbus tab and will miss out seeing designers that we don't often get a good look at.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/07/new-canvases-in-stock.html

Facebook: Brenda Stofft Designs has posted photos of two new designs on their FB page. There's a witch cat sitting among the pumpkins and a gypsy fortune teller sitting behind her crystal ball.
https://www.facebook.com/BrendaStofftDesigns?hc_location=stream

The Newest Beads and Crystals from The Collection

I was lucky enough to be gifted with quite a few of the latest beads and crystals from The Collection.  What you see in the photo is straight from Destination Dallas.  Crystal sequins are in the packages but I opened the small bead tubes and laid out a few for you to see better.

On the right is a packet of 6 mm square crystal sequins which are very shiny.  There are only four to a package but these are quite expensive.  I have a small hoard from The Sweetheart Tree which were quite expensive even on sale about 8 years ago when I bought them.  The other package is 8mm red flower crystals which are not as sparkly.  These are called marguerites among beaders.  These have eight in the package.

The beads are described from the top down:

Black bugle beads, 3mm long and VERY shiny, don't know if there are other colors available- number is BGL1-401 Black

Leaves -- 10mm and brand new -- I also have solid copper and silver leaves - the clear green in the photo are labeled 101-105-5050 Peridot

Hearts - also new - The ones in the photo are harvest yellow and labeled VLH-13/LK080 Captured Sunset - I also have orange-coral hearts and a green-gray set with streaks in them.  All three colors are labeled hurricane glass (whatever that is).  These glass hearts are 6mm.  They are not sparkly but are semi-transparent.

Clear silver lined Japanese Delicas in size 10/0 (i.e., slightly smaller than the normal 11/0 beads) - These are rounded tubes that look like a giant piece of spaghetti sliced into sections. They are labeled DBM0041 S/L Crystal.

Miyuki size 10/0 triangle beads in matte black - These look like they are cut from a long triangular tube - These are labeled STR10-401F Matte Black.  I also have very shiny gunmetal black, too.

Drop beads in irridescent blue - 3.4 mm - These are labeled DP-261 Tr Sapphire AB. They are very pretty. I only have this color.

More triangle beads - these are not labeled Miyuki but I have a ton of colors. The ones in the photo are a very sparkly blue-teal and are labeled TG-11-7BD Capri Blue. I also have Bronze, silver lined Lime, transparent flesh colored pink, clear with a white lining, and yellow. All are very sparkly!

Your shop can order these for you from The Collection.  See their website for more photos.  The crystals, size 10/0 beads and triangle beads aren't there yet that I see but you should be able to see everything else.

http://www.allaboutstitching.com/embellishments.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Woodlawn 2013 Video

Thanks to Maggie B. I am able to point you to a video of some of the Woodlawn 2013 pieces.  You won't be able to understand most of what is said since this is a video for Voice of America but you can glimpse some of the exhibits and get a sense of what the display space is like.  However, the video is not well enough done to
http://maggiebsmocks.typepad.com/smocking/2013/05/video-tour-of-the-50th-woodlawn-needlework-exhibition.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The New Quail Run Newsletter

Folks who enjoy shop e-newsletters are in for a treat.  Quail Run has expanded their interesting newsletter into almost a magazine. You can see the first issue in the new format here.  There's plenty of photographs from Destination Dallas and lots more, including live links that open a Facebook album for you to see more of the finished pieces in the May newsletter.
http://edition.pagesuite-professional.co.uk//launch.aspx?eid=7d3026ce-4fb3-4530-86e5-1066b444a6aa

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Destination Dallas News

I've been adding to the Destination Dallas 2013 section of Blog quite a bit, so remember to check in there to see the latest thing.  Just click on the tab located under the header to go there, then click on Home to come back to Blog's main page.  For those who wonder about the little paper umbrella photo I posted this morning, I've done another Leigh Designs model and stitch guide.  You can read all about it on the CH Stitch Guides blog.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2013/04/hibiscus-flowers-palm-fronds-mai-tai.html

Smart phone visitors remember to look for the little red triangle to the right of Home.  Click on that and you'll see a menu of tabs to choose from.  I don't know how Blog displays on iPads and Android tablets despite there surge in visitors here using these devices.  Perhaps someone will let us know in Comments?

Many thanks to all of you for showing up here each day.   Knowing you are counting on your daily dose of NP News keeps me blogging away.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Destination Dallas 2013

This non-TNNA trade show is held each April in Dallas, Texas.  It's a cash-and-carry show that concentrates on needlepoint, which means the designers, thread manufacturers and tool makers bring stock for the shops to purchase on the spot and bring home for your immediate stitching pleasure.  Latest Information is on top in BOLD letters.
http://destinationdallas.net/home

*********************************

Needlepoint.com has a special page full of new canvases they picked up at Destination Dallas.  Many I've not seen before.
http://www.needlepoint.com/all-canvases/destination-dallas.html

Facebook:  Chaparral Needlework has created a new photo album on their FB page called Canvases Still Coming in From Market.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.4232383862776.1073741825.1680787627&type=1

Vicky has a few more photos of the new designs from Annie Lane.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/stitch-a-little-happiness-today/

Needlework Retailer has posted three pages of photos from Destination Dallas.  You'll see your favorite designers and some of their work, plus get a feel for what this wholesale only show is like.
http://www.needleworkretailer.com/shows/destinationdallas/dallas-3.htm

Vicky took photos of The Point of It All's room at Destination Dallas and has some other fun items for you to see from other places.  Great stuff!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/theres-no-place-like-home/

PFOS shows off even more goodies they ordered at Dallas.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/05/destination-dallas-post-5.html

A few new items courtesy of Vicki's camera.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/the-divine-miss-m/

http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/purrfectly-wonderful/

http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/snap-trays-hug-me-and-sparkles-oh-my/

Pocket Full of Stitches shows off new stockings and cuffs.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/05/destination-dallas-stockings-cuffs.html

Pocket Full of Stitches shows off new snap trays, magnets and laying tools in their shop.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/05/destination-dallas-snap-trays-magnets.html

More new goodies on the Pocket Full of Stitches blog.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/05/destination-dallas-post-4.html

The rumor mill also says that designs reproduced from Anne Tavoletti are going out of Maggie's ilne, so if you are a fan, pick up what you want ASAP.  I believe her work is mostly rustic buildings and snowmen but I can't be sure as they have vanished from the Maggie website. Check with your shop if you need to be sure what's going away.

The rumor mill says HP Designs is closing (due to retirement) but their lacquered boxes at least have been bought by Amanda Lawford.  I don't know about their painted canvas line.

Facebook:  In Stitches has posted a photo of their purchases.  Fun!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=515577455166452&set=a.351341821590017.82014.351241641600035&type=1&theater

Vicky shows off photos of new Alice Peterson canvases.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/its-may-day/

Pocket Full of Stitches checks in with more goodies!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/05/destination-dallas-post-3.html

Ridgewood is showing off the new spring metal magnet needle minders from Puffin and Company.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/05/blog-post.html

More finds from Pocket Full of Stitches.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/04/destination-dallas-post-2.html

Quail Run (which is both a shop and a distributor so they both displayed and bought at Destination Dallas) is showing off some of the goodies on their blog.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2013/04/news-from-dallas-market.html

http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2013/04/more-from-dallas-market.html

Melissa Shirley has updated her What's New page to show new stitch guides that are available for her designs.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?bsn=1

Leigh Designs has posted eight new canvases from their Caribe' series on their website.  The last photo in the series is Bermuda, which I stitched for Leigh.  My stitch guide will be up on the CH Stitch Guides blog tomorrow (4/30).
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp626x.html

Facebook:  Amy Bunger has posted photos of new totes, canvases (especially Kelly Clark's new Haberdasher series with stitch guides from Laura Walden and sequin packets) and the large butterfly magnet on her FB page. 

Needle Works visited Dream House Ventures and got photographs of all three of Joan Eidman's St. Nicholas stand up Santas.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/dallas-market-dream-house-ventures.html

Enriched Stitch is snowing off all the new Melissa Prince designs.
http://astheneedleturns.com/new-releases-melissa-prince/

Pocket Full of Stitches has posted lots of new Christmas and Halloween items, as well as Kelly Clark Texas themed ornaments on their blog.   Don't miss the photos from the new Roses, Noses and Other Fun Stuff book by Cynthia Thomas!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/04/destination-dallas.html

Needle Works is blogging their brains out.  First, The Collection, then Shelly Tribbey, then Alice Peterson.  Email them at ndlewks@gmail.com if you want to place an order while they are in Dallas.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/dallas-market-the-collection.html

http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/dallas-market-shelly-tribby-designs.html

http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/dallas-market-alice-peterson.html

Then Jude Designs, Unique NZ Designs, Raymond Crawford, Carol Eix' bead snap trays, Associated Talents, and Melissa Prince.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/dallas-market-jude-designs.html

http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/unique-nz-designs.html

http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/dallas-market-raymond-crawford.html

http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/snap-trays-for-beads.html

http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/associated-talents.html

http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/melissa-prince.html

Facebook:  Associated Talents has posted photographs of their Dallas displays on their FB page. Needlework Retailer (trade magazine) is posting photos from all over on their site, too.

Needle Works has posted new Leigh canvases based on the Caribbean on their blog.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/leighs-booth.html

Denise DeRusha has five new destination canvases on display.  They are Morocco, Singapore, Kenya, Turkey and Zimbabwe.
http://denisederushadesigns.com/Home.html

Facebook:  Vicky DeAngelis has posted a new Mindy clock face design on her personal page.  It's pink and retro with a 1960s black cat and other brown cats in the corners.

Facebook:  At the Needlepoint Nation group, Claire Hoynes Hill and Gail Beets are posting photos from Destination Dallas.  We've seen a cowgirl on a horse design right out of the late 1950s from Maggie, a Maggie cat wearing a knit cap pulled down low, a traditional oriental rug star from CanvasWorks, and witch standups from Artists Collection.

Facebook:  Associated Talents has a new canvas decorated with candy that reads "Dear Santa, It Seemed Like a Good Idea at the Time."
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=582786788406991&set=o.108537025890131&type=1&theater

Facebook:  Quail Run has canvas tape (for raw edges) with a cat silhouette and "Cat Lover" on it.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=540334342683400&set=a.339586356091534.93299.326583717391798&type=1&theater

Facebook:  Here are some new Needle Deeva canvases.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=454975014576854&set=a.109100845830941.15216.100001930786136&type=1&theater

Vicky is packing lots of Needle Deeva goodies for the show.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/to-market-to-market-i-go/

Quail Run promises to update their Facebook page with news during the show, and...
https://www.facebook.com/QuailRunNeedlework

...Needle Works says they will update their blog.  Stay tuned!
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/

Facebook:  Janet Burnett of A Collection of Designs has posted the first of her newest canvases on the A Collection of Designs FB page.  It's Helga Owl, wearing a pillbox hat and sunglasses and sporting various colorful feathers.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=515504251846216&set=a.129433257119986.22918.121071227956189&type=1&theater

Sandy Grossman-Morris has announced her new Batter Up! line of baseball ornaments.  These feature a baseball with a team logo wearing a festive Santa hat.  If you have a baseball nut on your gift list for next Christmas, Sandy can fix you right up.
http://www.sandygrossman-morris.com/sandygrosman-morris.com/Batter_Up%21_Needlepoint_Baseball_Ornaments_by_Sandy_Grossman-Morris.html

The latest magnet from Accoutrement Designs in their Mag Friends series is a Kreinik spool magnet.   I hope this is available at the Dallas show as I MUST HAVE ONE.  Sorry, got carried away there.  LOL
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2013/04/new-for-needleworkers-kreinik-spool.html 

Speaking of magnets, here are the newest magnets from Accoutrement to be released in Dallas and again in Columbus--cactus, chocolate chip cookie, pink pig, Eiffel Tower, pelican, starfish, pineapple. snowman, strawberry, and bottle of red wine.  Something for everyone, in other words.
http://astheneedleturns.com/new-magnets-2/

They also have bunches of grapes (either red or green, depending on your preference), a gold and diamond thimble, and Ruby Slippers!
http://fobfriends.blogspot.com/2013/04/april-magnet-shower.html

Ruth Schmuff has added to her Fairy Tale canvases.  There are now designs for the Little Mermaid, Peter Pan, Snow White and the Dwarves, and Pinocchio instead of the original Sleeping Beauty, Red Riding Hood and Cinderella.  The designs are small at 9 inches square and modern in feel. They are also somewhat funny!
https://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/--b-1.asp?category=17

Barbara Bergsten has updated her catalog and made the file size a little smaller so that it loads quicker, just in time for the Dallas show.  There are also links to her What's New page if you are a shop and making your shopping list or just a fan, enjoying her work.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2013/04/bbd-needlepoint-color-catalog.html

More Needle Deeva Halloween designs are here.   I predict the Halloween heels will be very popular!
http://astheneedleturns.com/even-more-deeva/

Needle Deeva is releasing Halloween candy apple designs which show monsters in candy apple shapes.
http://astheneedleturns.com/new-needle-deeva/

Joan Lohr is teaching a wonderful double-sided Santa from Susan Roberts in Dallas.  Hopefully everyone can see this beautiful piece on Facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=4102524621815&set=o.108537025890131&type=1&theater

Cynthia Thomas is going to teach a rabbit from Rebecca Wood's newest series at the Dallas show.  Cynthia announced this on Facebook and here's a link to a photo of the finished model.  Hilarious!  The rabbit has a bow tie and fabulous vest and is running, juggling one Easter egg while carrying a basket full of others.  What an expression on his face!!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=587114344640197&set=o.108537025890131&type=1&theater

Melissa Prince has created little carousel horse ornaments, each with seasonal colors and themes.
http://astheneedleturns.com/carousel-horses/

Vicky DeAngelis is teaching the shops a little Needle Deeva Halloween bird, complete with purple feathers and a beaded pumpkin wing.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/tweet-tweet/

http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/spring-i-think-you-are-confused/

Panic for Anaheim '13

ANG hasn't posted their 2013 Seminar classes on their website yet, so non-members haven't seen the class listings because only ANG members get Needle Pointers magazine.  The issue that just arrived describes all the classes to the membership so folks can sign up for the classes they want to take in Anaheim.  However, non-members can get a glimpse of two classes on Sandy Arthur's blog where she relates the trials and tribulations of getting ready.  Bet you thought all the class supplies just magically appeared! I know I did.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2013/03/ang-seminar-2013-anaheim-ca-it-just.html

Let's join hands and wish really really hard that none of the teachers have further problems getting their class materials ready!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Nashville Market 2013

The TNNA trade show last February is just one of a series held each year. The Nashville show is mostly counted designs, particularly cross stitch, but there are some wonderful counted canvaswork designers who show there.  Quail Run has picked up a lot of goodies for you to count.  There's a new nylon thread, too.  It's called Twinkle.  Anyone seen it?
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2013/03/sunday-sampler-of-charted-needlepoint.html

Speaking of new things, want to see the new scissors fobs from Papriki Pi that Needle Works has in stock?
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/03/beautiful-new-scissor-fobs.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Reminder: Fiber Arts Fiesta Deadline

2011 Best in Show

The Albuquerque Fiber Arts Fiesta 2013 will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 23-25, 2013. This is a show of great interest to all needleworkers and crafts people. The Call to Entries deadline is March 1st, 2013. You may enter up to six pieces (but only three in one division). The entry fee is $5.00 each. The call to entries link and further information can be found at http://www.fiberartsfiesta.org/2011FiestaEntry.html

Viewer's Choice and Blue Ribbon

Or send a SASE with your division of interest to:
AFAF Fiesta 2013
P. O. Box 16443
Albuquerque, NM 87191-6443.

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Thomas at egasue@hotmail.com or Ellie Ames at eames@q.com.

2011 Viewer's Choice and Judge's Choice

To spark your interest in seeing the show and submitting your own work, in the Embroidery Division in 2011, the Viewer's Choice and Blue ribbon was won by Sue Thomas for her Tiramisu band sampler (designed by Dakota Rogers). A Best of Show and Blue ribbon were awarded to Kurdy Biggs for her original Cats Eye Venus geometric piece.  Lisa Leigh Payne won a Judge's Choice and a blue ribbon for her Tree of the Mother piece.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Out of Africa

Bedecked and Beadazzled just had a pilot class with Gale Washington, featuring Gale's zebra design.  This will be taught for the Embroider's Guild of America at their 2013 Seminar.  It's an amazing piece with its use of Florentine pattern for the ground and the 3D touches on the zebra.  This is a piece I'd like to see and study in person but Ruth kindly provided photographs for those of us who can't take the class.  Thanks!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/11/aaaaaaaw.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Fab Four Class Announcement

The Fab Four (NOT the Beatles, silly) are going to do a class at A Stitch in Time Needlework next year during the ANG Seminar in California. Here're all the details.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/10/08/have-i-got-news-for-you/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

New Clubs and New Gossip

Ever since someone asked what monthly clubs are on Facebook's Needlepoint Group, I've been busy adding shop clubs I didn't know about or had forgotten about to the list I maintain here.  (If you want to see the list, just click on the Monthly Clubs tab above.  Clicking on Home brings you back here.)

Amy Bunger reminded me that her Home Study pieces are a sort of monthly club so I added the current and past Home Studies to the list.  Then Amy started dropping hints about her Home Study project for 2013.  We know courtesy of Jackie that the designer Amy will use is female and that the project won't be holiday themed.  Amy added, "Designer not used before on another Home Study....not dimensional, but odds are it won't be framed either......and you may quote me."

??????

That Amy is a very wicked tease!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com