Sunday Meeting (Ewe and Eye with Amy Bunger)

Kathy's "Sunday Meeting" is magnificent.  The canvas is from Ewe and Eye and the stitch guide by Amy Bunger.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3824167017660428/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 25, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New from Rainbow Gallery UPDATED

Silk Lame Plus

Fiber Talk interviewed Daniel Raven of Rainbow Gallery and Fleur de Paris this week.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqCk4UKt8DQ

And guess what? Rainbow Gallery is coming out with a new thread later this year:  a Silk Lame-type ribbon they call Silk Lame Plus.  (photo above)

UPDATE:  Amy Bunger has a little bit about this new thread just after the stitch diagram, plus photos of the colors available soon.

https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0421.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 28, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News; Burmilana Has a New Home

Amy Bunger's shop newsletter is out and it has great news!  Burmilana, a great acrylic-wool blend fiber that is perfect for fur, clothing, anything that needs a somewhat wool-like look, has a new home at Needle Works in Austin.  Amy's starting to wind down her business so Burmilana which she has distributed for a long time, has found a new distributor.

https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/1020.pdf

Your favorite shop can now order straight from Needle Works.

https://theneedleworks.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 2, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy's Plans for Kits

The August-September newsletter for Amy's Golden Strand is out and it's full of news.
https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0820.pdf

The shop is closing in 2021, and Amy's starting to make changes to how she works.  For one thing, she's starting to winnow out her used book collection.
https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/store/c512/Used_Books.html

For another, Amy's going to start selling guides only as she starts to run out of canvases and kits.  Some items will have hard-to-find items available but only until she runs out.  But of course your favorite shop can kit for you even if Amy won't be able to.

Note that even new home studies will have limited canvases and kits available from Amy so if you want something, order ASAP.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 1, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Border Queen UPDATED

Amy Bunger's doing a series of six small canvases as her home study pieces in 2019. She calls them Needlepoint Mosaics.  They are quite interesting as she's chosen tiny pieces and is adding big borders to them all.  You can see this best by looking at the cardinal (click on the dots at the top of the current picture and choose the next to last dot).  You can see the design and the borders she's building around it.
https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/store/p3168/Needlepoint_Mosaics.html

You can see more in her latest newsletter, specifically how she is adding stitches around the tiny pine cone canvas.
https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0619.pdf

UPDATE:  There are more photos of the series here in the just published newsletter.
https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0819.pdf

If you want to try this yourself, look for a small design that has a wide border of blank canvas around it.  Some of Amy's were custom painted for her so you may need to limit yourself to 1-2 inches of new border area.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 2, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy's Golden Strand Newsletter for June-July 2018

The shop e-newsletter for Amy Bunger's shop is chock-full of fun as usual.  Besides news about Amy and Lori Carter's newest classes, clubs and stitch guides, you can see new products like thread bowls and small chains for embellishment, and read a review of Carolyn Hedge Baird's newest book.  Amy has also a new feature where she talks about canvases that present problems in stitching.  It's fascinating to get a glimpse into how Amy looks at painted canvases.  So what are you waiting for?  Go read!
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0618.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 1, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ripping Tips from Amy

The April 2018 issue of Amy Bunger's shop newsletter is out. Besides the fun new items in the shop, a book review and lots of new stitch guides, Amy has a section on tips to help you when you have to rip out stitches. It's quite useful!
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0418.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 1, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Self Finishing Videos

Folks who are tempted by self-finishing kits but who are a little intimidated by doing the finishing themselves will be interested to see the finishing videos by Point2Pointe, which offers kits for wine stoppers, needle magnets, and jewelry.   The videos show exactly how to finish their square and round canvases into the metal framework.  It looks like a quick, fun stitch for holiday presents.
http://www.point2pointe.net/finishing/

By the way, Amy Bunger talks about how to finish these step-by-step in her latest shop newsletter.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1216.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 5, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy Does a Newsletter

The latest newsletter from Amy Bunger's shop is now available!  For April 2015 Amy offers a look at Access Commodities' new lace trims, tassels, Russia braid, and new soft metallic cords.  There's also an explanation of basketweave beading (done with straight stitches instead of the way Don Lynch of Associated Talents does it) and a bit about her Mysteries of Needlepoint book club.  Of course there's more but I'll let you find it all for yourself by clicking on this link.
 http://www.amybunger.com/f/0415.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy's December-January Newsletter

Amy Bunger's shop newsletter for December and January is up on the Internet!  It has instructions for making a silk ribbon leaf,  lots of photos of beautiful canvases to tempt you to shop Amy's December sale, news of her book club for 2015 and much more.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1214.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 30, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy's Full of News

Amy's shop newsletter is out for August-September and it is full of news! Not only does Amy reveal her new Home Study of four canvases based on the story of Scheherazade and the 1001 Arabian Nights, she shows off two new stitch guides that are newly available and two new stitch guides that are underway.  Plus there are new magnets and a magnetic laying tool, and Amy announced her Amy's Book Club for 2015.  The first "book" in the series is the Mystery of Needlepoint.  No, I have no idea what this means, either,  Amy, you are SUCH a tease!
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0814.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 31, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy is Teasing Me

Amy Bunger is posting hints about her next home study piece on Facebook.

HOME STUDY HINT #1 -- The southern artist designing the next home study lives surrounded by still life in miniature.
STUDY HINT #2 -- The next Home Study Project is dedicated to a fictional, full-spectrum storyteller.
HOME STUDY HINT #3 -- I must be stuck on initials for Home Study Artists...MS,KCN, JP AND ??? (these initials can also stand for a guffaw)
HOME STUDY HINT #4 -- Some of the patterns are small (6" x 6"). All are rainbow-hued. The designs original from a time and place where this storyteller would have lived. "Her" fantasies weave through her own story molded by betrayal, murder, power, riches and (of course) love.
Home Study Hint #5 -- Still haven't taken the first stitch, but that doesn't mean that I haven't started. My notebook and thread bag area filling up with goodies to try on first canvas of ......... series. I will try to add a Hint #6 on AGS Facebook tomorrow or Monday. Looks like most of you have guessed the designer and "theme" so soon I need to start showing canvases and ideas.
Home Study Hint #6 -- This paisley is not quite finished but coming along. Did you know that in the 1920s and 1930s American quilters referred to the paisley design shape as "Persian Pickle?"

Amy's latest tidbits-
A. "Nights with Sheherazade" Part One and Part Two
B. Will offer an October Start date
C. Part One is three smaller canvases approximately 6" x 6" spread out in three different shipments
D. Part Two is a single larger canvas 16" x 10" spread out in three different lessons.
E. You can sign up for both parts or just one.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=814272001917112&set=a.676354722375508.1073741830.189965167681135&type=1&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=649078675169135&set=a.276881089055564.64015.100002010242464&type=1&theater

A glimpse of one of the canvases--
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=818414044836241&set=np.76176380.1277706333&type=1&theater&notif_t=notify_me

Another of the small ones?--
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=822330164444629&set=a.676354722375508.1073741830.189965167681135&type=1&theater

This must be the large one--
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=822332057777773&set=a.676354722375508.1073741830.189965167681135&type=1&theater 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 14, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy Talks Books, Guides and More

Amy Bunger's shop newsletter for June and July 2014 is now up on her website.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0614.pdf

Amy's gone nuts for three ring binders.  When you read her mini book reviews, you'll see why.  She also reveals that Sparky (the semi-metallic version of Silken Straw) will be available at the January 2015 trade show.  Silken Straw is a repackaged knitting yarn and so is the new Sparky.  If you have a big project and a very good knitting shop nearly (or a LOT of stitching friends you can share with), see if you can find Alchemy's yarns before Sparky debuts.

The newsletter also contains the whimsical backstory for several new Annie Lane canvases, courtesy of Cindy McKown, and a new stitch diagram, created by Amy just for us.  The newsletter has new stitch guides, too.

All in all, a fun way to spend Monday morning!

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

Amy's Halloween (and Home Study) Newsletter

The e-newletter for Amy's Golden Strand is out and it's all about Home Study pieces. You can enjoy the Tudors piece from this year, look at next year's Henry VIII themed design, or look back at the Halloweenies and their Haunted Mansion from two years ago if you like. Plenty of fun! 
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1013.pdf

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.

Amy's June Newsletter

Amy Bunger's June newsletter is here, right on time.   As always, it is full of good ideas, new products and more.  One thing I believe most stitchers will enjoy is the announcement of two new canvases from Rogue Needlepoint--two of Henry VIII's wives!  I expect someone will do stitch guides for the royal wives soon but they look like a quick and fun stitch even without a guide to ease your stitching path.  Don't miss the photos of finished customer pieces.  They are stunners!
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0613.pdf

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.

Enabling

Cat Topiary Garden as Wall Hanging

How about a little enabling this morning? Fans of the Cat Topiary Garden I stitched for my mother last year (above) will be happy to hear Amy Bunger has this discontinued canvas for sale at Amy's Golden Strand.  You can use "cat topiary garden" as a search term here at Blog and follow what I did to stitch it if you like.
http://www.amybunger.com/catalog/item/7997827/9581182.htm

If that's more than you want to spend today, visit Joan Thomasson's website and browse the angels that she's famous for.  They are reasonably priced (particularly if you buy the canvas only and stitch from your stash) and very attractive.  Don't miss the Fun Angels who are perhaps better described as fallen angels.
http://www.joanthomasson.com/ProductCategories.aspx

I am also quite fond of her Santas, especially this elegant French St. Nick.
http://www.joanthomasson.com/ProductDetail.aspx?RowID=136

Do you have favorites you've spotted at a very good price?  Comment below.

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.

March Shop Newsletters

Amy Bunger's shop newsletter for March is online, full of fun new things to look at!  She shows off photos of two new sets of Victorian Kids from Melissa Shirley (Easter kids and Irish ones for St. Patty's Day) plus an Easter house, photos of new colors of various threads from Rainbow Gallery for the threadaholics (including a glow in the dark orange Neon Rays Plus), new magnet styles and buttons both with an Easter flair, and a bonus bunny Easter Egg drawing you can transfer to a piece of plain canvas and stitch according to Amy's instructions.  If you've ever wanted to try one of Amy's stitch guides, this is a good way to indulge yourself, although you will have to buy some of the newly introduced threads or substitute from your stash if you are being thrifty this month.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0313.pdf

There is also a review of Julia Snyder's newest book, Great Layers for Needlepoint.  Plus Amy talks about the use of counting pins and does a mini review of the new ones from Puffin and Company.  There is also a sneak peek at the stitching on the Anne Cleves section of the Home Study canvas Amy is going to offer in 2013!  This is a Tudor-themed canvas for the English history buff from JP Needlepoint.  If you thought about taking this class from Amy but haven't signed up yet, read this section carefully.

Bedecked and Beadazzled's newsletter is ready for viewing as well.  Besides all the wonderful classes and the new cupcake club from Melissa Shirley, Ruth shows us how to brick stitch bead and explains how that looks compared to regular beading where you attach beads like tent stitches.  Then she shows off new canvases that are arriving daily.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/downloads/bedeckednewsmarch2013.pdf

Gosh, the newsletters are full of interesting stuff!

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.