Blank Canvas a'Plenty

A friend recently asked me where to get blank canvas. It looks like Alex Paras Needle Arts has tons of sizes and colors.
https://store.apneedlearts.com/blcali.html

Check the "Counted Canvaswork Shops" for other places that are likely to carry a large assortment of sizes and colors and canvas counts.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 19, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Shaker Boxes and Coasters for Needlepoint

Alex Paras Needle Arts has a series of various Shaker style coasters and a box with place for your needlepoint design.  These are made by Macintosh and Son.  I've not seen them offered any place else.  Apparently the coasters will take a four inch round design and the boxes are available in other sizes but you'll need to inquire about what is available and possible.
https://store.apneedlearts.com/shstcomo.html

If the more modern sleek style of coaster doesn't suit your style, perhaps these will give you the look you desire.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Houston Area Shops Reporting In

The needlepoint shops in Houston and the surrounding area are starting to report in via Facebook about their status after Hurricane Harvey.   I'll update this as more shop owners manage to get to their business premises and see what happened.  Note that most of my information came informally from Needlepoint Nation on Facebook, so call before you try and visit a shop.

UPDATE:  Kreinik posted information about closings here.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2017/08/needlework-shops-in-houston.html

ABC Stitch and Stitch Therapy - Shop is ok.  They plan to reopen Friday, 9/1.

Bela's Needleworks - No word on this Edinburg shop.

Chandail - Everyone is fine but the shop phones are down now (8/30).  They are moving to a new location shortly.

Chaparral says the shop's ok but they will definitely be closed on Tuesday, 8/29.  They will open on Wednesday, 8/30.

Judy's Stitching Nook - was spared the worst per Kreinik

Needle House - Shop is fine and reopened today, 8/30.  They report that none of the finishing was damaged (they have checked with all their finishers) but they are a little short-staffed so please bear with them as they try to get back to normal.

Nimble Fingers - Shop is fine but owner had to evacuate her home.  The shop is closed until further notice.

We've heard that Past Times has sustained damage.

Spinning Wheel (finishers) - They are fine with all the finishing safe although some employees are stuck in place.

Stitches in Time - Shop is fine, but I don't know if it is open.  Call first.

UPDATE #2: This article mentioned by the Needlework Retailer explains why we make things—and save them in a flood.
http://www.patheos.com/blogs/eidos/2017/08/what-you-save-in-a-flood/

UPDATE #3:  What's the Point? in Ohio is selling a Texas Proud ornament with 100% of the $25 cost going to the charity of your choice.  This opportunity ends 9/15/17.
https://www.facebook.com/dublinohio2007/

UPDATE #4:  Alex Paras' Stitch for a Cause this month is for the Red Cross' Hurricane Harvey Disaster Relief.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/stitchforcause.html

UPDATE #5:  Kangaroo Paw Designs has a new Texas Proud croakie design.  Sales of this through September will be donated to the Red Cross and earmarked for Hurricane Harvey recovery efforts.
https://www.facebook.com/KangarooPawDesignsNeedlepoint/photos/a.172650579567047.1073741839.172598536238918/858912570940841/?type=3&theater

UPDATE #6:  All proceeds from Nenah Stone's new Animal Angels will go to Austin Pets Alive, an animal rescue organization.
https://www.facebook.com/220431741403372/photos/pcb.1392481530865048/1392476600865541/?type=3

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 28, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fancy Work and Fantasies: A Tale of Hapsburg Lace UPDATED

Ruth has been working "Hapsburg Lace" which you'd think is a style of needlework, but it isn't.  She explains here--
http://ruthsneedlework.blogspot.com/2015/09/my-name-is-ruth-and-i-am-needlework.html

The best place I know of to pick up some of the Fancy Work and Fantasies charts now is Alex Paras, the online arm of Thistle Needlework.  Ruth linked to the site in her article above.  Don't miss the very beautiful "Eterna" which is my favorite of Carol Costello's designs.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/fawofa.html

The Pampered Stitcher on Etsy also has some of Carol's work.  Use the Search This Shop box in the middle of the page to see them all.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ThePamperedStitcher?ref=l2-shop-info-name

These designs are from the 1980s but they are classics all the same, even if they are over thirty years old.  After all, when WE hit our thirties, we were just coming into our prime!

UPDATE: By coincidence Julie posted a Tanja Berlin design called Hapsburg Lace on Facebook this morning.  The second link below describes her classes using this technique.  Thanks, Julie!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10205538301793328&set=gm.932688986808260&type=3&theater

http://www.berlinembroidery.com/countedthreadembroidery.htm#hapsburg

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Merry Christmas!

Everything seems to be more hectic than usual this Christmas but I finally got Blog decorated for the holidays this morning.  The little stocking on the left side was a present from Judie at Thistle Threads in Connecticut about five years ago.  Isn't it darling?!   It's one of Kathy Schenkel's mini socks that come with felt things to put inside.  Judie's online shop at Alex Paras has many more to choose from.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/miwdo.html

Thanks again, Judie.  I love my little stocking as you know us stitchers mostly make and give stitched gifts and rarely receive them.  This one is special and much appreciated!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 6, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitchable Pendants

Alex Paras Needlearts has something I've not seen before--stitchable pendants in acrylic or bamboo!  There's not much stitching room but I bet you could do some nice geometric shapes or an initial.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/stpe.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 1, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Color Cards

One of the best tools anyone who has to mail order threads can own is a set of color cards for your favorite thread. I treasure my DMC color card and use it often when I need a certain color.  (All I have to do is tell the shop I want to mail order a pink silk floss as close to DMC #3713 as possible.  They will pull out their DMC color card and inspect their wares for a match.)  So I was thrilled to see very reasonably priced color cards for sale at Fireside Stitchery.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/threads/index.cfm?fuseaction=getThreadList&CategoryId=16

This got me hunting for more color cards.  Here's what I dug up.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/krmecoca.html

http://store.apneedlearts.com/cacosocothgu.html

http://store.apneedlearts.com/cacovathcoca.html

http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Kreinik-Silk-Thread-Color-Card.html

http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Accessories/ColorCards.html

http://www.threadneedlestreet.com/cardbody.htm

http://www.stitchers-paradise.com/threads/Kreinik.html

http://www.lacis.com/catalog/data/AA_CordsThreadsSilk.html

By the way, EPiC yarn has an online color selector.  Kreinik also has online color cards as does Rainbow Gallery and Caron but these all are a bit chancy to choose colors from, so I am only listing the EPiC tool since it's brand new to me.
http://www.epicyarn.com/Pages_Yarn/ColourSelection.html

I'm sure other shops carry color cards.  I just ran out of time to hunt.  If you are a shop owner who has these in stock, please let me know in the Comments below or by emailing me at chillyhollow at hotmail dot com. I'll add your contact information or website or Facebook page to the list.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Feb. 24, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

News and Newsletters UPDATED

It's April 1st as I type this, so there is all sorts of needlepoint news. First, the April newsletter for Amy's Golden Strand is up on Amy's website.  Check out the book reviews in particular!  You'll love the Sparkles tutorial even if you never plan to use the stuff.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0413.pdf

The April newsletter for Bedecked and Beadazzled is up as well. Check out the new designs in the shop, not to mention all the wonderful classes.  She even features one of my favorite stitches, Double Stitch.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/downloads/bedeckednewsapril2013.pdf

Thistle Needleworks is having a Mindy trunk show, so they have posted a lot of photos of Mindy canvases at Alex Paras Needle Arts, their online shop.  It's a good place to see a lot of Mindy's beautiful pieces, including the new Turkish designs.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/mindysasian.html

I have of course posted about the Mindy canvases in the page about monthly trunk shows and sales, but I didn't want folks who aren't looking for sale news to miss out the art show.  Speaking of which, I am starting to post new items on the Dallas Trade show page.  I'll put the latest items on top, so just remember to check in periodically to see the latest news.  You can reach either section by clicking on a tab at the top of the page under the title header.  Clicking on the Home tab brings you back to the main page, which is where you are now as you read this.

By the way, Alex Paras has added a new section to their website called "What Can I Make?"  It's a gallery of finished pieces, made up in a large number of ways.  If you are looking for interesting ways to finish that canvas you stitched and put away, this is the place to browse.  There are plenty of links to follow to see all sorts of things, so pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage and roam the site, enjoying the show!
http://store.apneedlearts.com/fisa.html

UPDATE:  Nimble Needle has their newsletter available now, and the section explaining Tony Minieri's Basic to Basics class alone makes it worth reading, not to mention all the wonderful painted canvas photos of their spring designs!
http://nimbleneedle.createsend1.com/t/ViewEmail/y/A4C84A5BA875E3C5/C3D335A9BE27A7BCF1E87EB810D8F10A

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.

Bwawk wak wak!

That's chickens talking, for you who aren't familiar with my silly animal noises.   I've been hearing about Raymond Crawford's new chicken canvases, all named after various chicken recipes, but hadn't seen them until Alex Paras put photos of the set online.  Here they are--delicious!
http://store.apneedlearts.com/racrcdi.html

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

Let's Hear it for Judie! (and Kathy Schenkel)

When I was wrestling with changing Blog's header photo, I decided that once I was able to change the photo, I'd switch to a seasonal design that didn't have to be changed often. I choose a photo of the darling little Kathy Schenkel mini sock that Judie Solomon stitched for me. Judie is the owner of Thistle Needleworks in Connecticut as well as the proprietress of Alex Paras Needle Arts, the online shop arm of Thistle.  I discovered Judie stitches little Kathy Schenkel Designs Christmas stockings for her family and asked if I could be adopted as a joke.  Judie obliged in the most wonderful way possible!

I found photos of some finished KSD stockings for your perusal.  Aren't they great?!
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2011/02/kathy-schenkels-mini-stocking-with.html

http://homesteadneedlearts.blogspot.com/2009/11/kathy-schenkel-mini-stocking-trunk-show.html

Because she's such a fan, Judie has a great many KSD stockings with matching stuffed items available via her online store.  Of course you can visit the Kathy Schenkel website and browse everything there, then have your local shop order the perfect mini stocking for you. After all, Judie can't adopt us all!
http://store.apneedlearts.com/miwdo.html

http://www.kathyschenkel.com/Gallery/Mini-Socks-with-Critters/10

Thanks again, Judie.  I can't tell you how much pleasure your beautifully stitched little stocking has brought me.


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

Shorebird Trunk Show

i'm a big fan of Katie Molineaux's Shorebird Studio designs so I was thrilled to hear Thistle Needleworks/AP Needle Arts is having a trunk show of her work from October 8-22nd with 20 percent off the canvases. You can either go to Thistle in person or shop at the Alex Paras Needle Arts website
http://store.apneedlearts.com/shsttrshoc8o.html


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

July Means Sales UPDATED

July is the traditional month for needlepoint shop sales.  I've heard about some good ones in 2011, so I thought I'd post the details here for your enjoyment.  In alphabetical order,

Alex Paras Needle Arts is having a one day Mid-Summer Madness sale on July 10.  For that day only, save at least 20% off on everything currently in stock at the store.  You must use the coupon code MADNESS when you check out.  If the item you wanted is sold out, they will let you know.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/

UPDATE:  Amy Bunger's three day on-line sale for the month is July 15-17.  During that time random items on her website are on sale.  Sale items are limited, so you have to move quickly if you see something you want.
http://www.amybunger.com/online_3day_special.html

UPDATE:  BeStitched is having a Christmas in July sale.  All Christmas themed canvases are 20% off this month.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/news-and-updates/christmas-in-july…20-off-christmas-needlepoint-canvases-the-entire-month-of-july/

UPDATE:  Busy Needle has all in stock canvases for sale at 20% off.  I'm not sure how long this sale lasts, so move quickly if you are interested.
http://www.busyneedle.com/index.htm

Canvases Be Gone has put everything on their website on sale at 20% off for the entire month of July.  They only offer older canvases from folks' stash but it's worth keeping an eye on the site for the excellent values they offer, especially if you stumble across that canvas you wish you'd bought when you could.
http://www.canvasesbegone.com

Homestead Needle Arts is preparing for their garage sale.  Starting July 5 until July 9, you can drop off unwanted but in excellent shape needlepoint items.  Everything must be labelled with your initials, item number and the price and you also provide a list of your items to the shop so they can keep up with everything.  The sale itself is July 14-16.  Anything that is sold gives the buyer a great deal and the seller gets store credit in that amount.  If you have questions, talk to Theresa at Homestead for more information.
http://homesteadneedlearts.com/index.html

UPDATE: Madonna Needle Works is having an Alice Peterson trunk show with designs 20% off.
http://madonnaneedleworks.com/Default.asp

The Needle Bug is having a more than 20% off sale called Margarita Madness on its regularly priced items tomorrow (July 5) only.  When you are ready to pay, you draw for your exact discount.
http://theneedlebug.com/index.html

Needlewoman East's Xmas in July sale is July 23 this year.  I don't know any other details yet....

UPDATE:  Pocket Full of Stitches has all in stock and special order canvases on sale at 20% off for all of July.
http://www.pfos.com/

UPDATE:  The Point of it All is also having a 20% off Christmas in July sale. All in stock cavnases are 20% off.  Thanks, Whitney!
http://thepointofitallonline.com/blog/2011/06/21/sale-sale/

If you know about any great sales happening in July I didn't mention above, please add details in the Comments.

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

Jane Luvs Judie

Why I love Judie

As you know, last week I ran out of a thread I'm using on Red Geisha's hair, which has delayed my showing off how I stitched her wig.  But Judie of Thistle Needlework came to the rescue via her online shop, Alex Paras NeedleArts.  Judie didn't have the thread I wanted in stock, but she got it for me right away and shipped it out immediately.  So I've been stitching my brains out, thanks to her.

The photo above shows what came with my order. Yes, that's a skein of ThreadworX's overdyed Kreinik.   I decided since I needed only one skein of thread, I would pick up a few small things I've been wanting at the same time.  The online shop had both dede Odgen's Pace needle (which I've been dying to try) and some of the small strong magnets for holding my needles I favor.   The tube is how the needle is stored until you need it.  The gold magnet is just visible at the base of Judie's Thistle logo in the tiny packet.  It is only a quarter inch across but very strong.  The second link below shows a bit more about Pace needles.  The first link is to Alex Paras where I bought my treats.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/

https://needleartworks.com/dsgnr/deo/deo12.htm

By the way, Judie's having a thread sale this month.  Each week different threads are on sale at 20% off.  In stock threads only but this is a good time to kit out a project.  The details are on the Thistle website.  If you want to do online ordering, use the Alex Paras website (above).
http://www.thistleneedleworks.com/

I'll report back on the Pace needle later (they are intended to be used with multiple strands of thin metallics like Accentuate or Bijoux or blending filament) but I'll be using the new little magnets when I start a new project shortly.

I love you, Judie!  Many thanks!!

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

Alexa Trunk Show

AP Needle Arts is having an Alexa trunk show.  The in stock and trunk show designs they have are 20% off and if you buy all the threads at the same time, they are 20% off, too.  If you have considered stitching a stocking this year, this is a trunk show worth browsing.  (I think the stockings without a sale price are sold out, though, so hurry.)

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

Trunk Shows, Manicures and Other Things

If you are a fan of SharonG's painted canvases, you'll want to mark your calendars as AP Needle Arts/Thistle Needleworks is having a SharonG trunk show from February 19-March 5.  Things are 20% off.  Have a nice browse here--
http://store.apneedlearts.com/shgstrshstfe.html

I've updated yesterday's posting with a photo of Luna's face and manicure since I finished stitching her fingers.  I am adding the photo here, too, in case you don't have time to go back to yesterday's posting.  I can still see the white highlight on her lip (the Frosty Rays didn't cover 100%) so I will play around with outlining the lips with a ply of matching red silk to see if that looks better.  I see a missing stitch near her left hand on the gown as well.  After those cosmetic fixes, it will be time to test drive stitches for the inner lining of her cloak.  I have several in mind and threads to use for them but it will take some audition stitching to know what will actually work.  Stay tuned.

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

Counted Canvaswork News

Not everyone who comes to Blog is a painted canvas fan so I collect items of interest for them.   Fans of my Tony Minieri Stars piece will want to read about the Stars retreat that Sara Leigh arranged for last weekend.  I wish I could have gone but I had travel plans, which of course were wrecked by the 10 inches of snow we got last week.  At least while I've been trapped here I can see lots and lots of progress other stitchers are making!
http://remedialstitcher.blogspot.com/2011/01/retreat.html

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/02/and-weekend-and-aftermath.html

If you want to do a monthly club as a counted canvasworker, you should check out the Fingerstep Designs clubs that Alex Paras Needle Arts offers. This year's club are butterfly ornaments.  This is a cheap way to use up your stash in a monthly series that is lovely.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/orcl.html

The Embroidery Addict has stitched a geometric piece from a French counted canvaswork designer I've never heard of.  If you want something totally different, read all about it here.
http://embroideryaddict.blogspot.com/2011/01/needlepoint-i-love-it.html

Of course I have to throw a bone to the painted canvas fans.  How about a jazzy new pair of scissors?  Whether you prefer painted designs or blank canvas, we all need scissors.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-gingher-scissors.html

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

A Book Lover's Delights

I have a treat this morning for folks who adore stitching books.  I've found great new books (well, they are new to me) on the Alex Paras Needle Arts website.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/neli.html

Thistle Needleworks has a nifty small Quick Stitch Reference book that is perfect for travel.  I haven't seen this in person but I've seen Judie's stitching (your stocking is decorating my car rear view mirror this year, Judie) and I know this will be a useful little book.  If you travel, this might be the perfect gift for yourself.

Counted canvaswork folks love playing around with colors and patterns, so I think they might be interested in Stitching Inside the Box, which is from Finger Step Designs.  The book is about creating your own band sampler and can be used for both cross stitch and needlepoint samplers.

There is lots more here, but I think the Magazine section is of particular interest since AP Needlearts is selling old copies of Needlepoint Now and Embroidery and Cross Stitch at discount.  If you are missing issues or just want to explore these magazines at a lower than usual price, check them out.

There are many other great books listed here but anyone who wanted the out of print Knots, Fur and Turkeywork can pick a first edition up here.

Ridgewood Needlepoint Blog has posted photos of the new book versions of Ruth Schmuff's Stitches, Volumes One and Two.  Ruth's books originally were only on CD and as smart phone apps, but since many of us don't have computer or Internet access when we are stitching, hard copies were made available.  These are great books, by the way.  I have these CDs (but not the Backgrounds one, are you listening, Santa?) and adore them!
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2010/12/stitches-volume-i-and-ii.html

If you are love reading about books as well as reading them, then you will want to visit Marianne's blog where she talks about how the books she sells go in and out of fashion.  As usual, you can tell how much Marianne loves the books she describes in loving detail. I imagine what is happening is that the folks who love her books buy and more on, without new buyers finding out about books they might really enjoy.  So make a habit of visiting Marianne's website to keep up with books before they go out of style and disappear again.  Like me, you will find books you never heard of that tempt you to add them to your bookshelves.
http://needlepointtalk.net/2010/12/18/book-fashions

http://www.newneedlepoint.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Almost Forgot!

I was so distracted by Judy Harper's angel designs this morning I forgot one link I meant to add in the last posting--a trunk show of Canvas Works*Traditions designs, all 20% off.  We can't pass up a good sale!
http://store.apneedlearts.com/catrtrshcoso.html

The photo is of their Oriole.  Lovely, isn't it?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

More Needlepoint and Thread News

Caron has added photos of their newest Watercolours colors on their website.  Aren't they pretty?  I really "need" some pale pink Sandalwood 262!
http://www.caron-net.com/tcolorV_newJan2010.html

Janet Perry posts photos of other new colors for Bella Lusso and Planet Earth silks on her revamped site.  We've seen the new Silk & Ivory colors already but they are great to see again.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/new-colors-in-bella-lusso-silk-ivory-and-planet-earth

Needle Works in Austin has added two new Nativity sets and a bunch of Texas A&M and UT canvases to their store.  The little slatback floral chairs are new to me also.  Remember, they change the front page of their catalog frequently so if you are slow in checking the link, these may be somewhere else.
http://www.theneedleworks.com/catalog/

AP Needle Arts is having a Petei Santa trunk show.  There are a ton of little Santas on sale there.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/trunkshows.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow