Amy Speaks (and Designs and Finishes)

Amy Bunger just posted about two original designs she created and finished as presents on her Amy's Golden Strand Facebook page.  (Look for her January 21, 2025 postings.)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057451930024

The finishing instructions are very clear so why not try this?  Amy's designs were six inches square.  I wouldn't go much smaller for your first try.  It's easier to finish big than little because your fingers get in the way of sewing or gluing things together when you are working with small items.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 23, 2025 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.

How to Open a Skein of Boucle and Pop the Top of a Kreinik Spool

The June-July newsletter from Amy's Golden Strand is out and as usual, it is full of eye candy. It also has some great information about how best to open a skein of boucle and how to use the Kreinik spools to secure threads once you start using them.  If you've ever tangled a skein of threads or didn't know Kreinik spools have a pop top, this newsletter is for you!
https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0619.pdf

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.

Tips on Stitching Glass, Plus Needle Information

The January-February 2019 e-newsletter from Any's Golden Strand is out and it is jam-packed with information.  For starters, there's a tutorial on needles (with a review of the Tulip needles) and a great little paragraph with ideas for stitching glass on a needlepoint canvas.  Plus more!  Amy never disappoints with fabulous newsletters.
https://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0219.pdf

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

Amy Talks Books, Stitch Guides and More

The August 2018 newsletter for Amy Bunger's shop is online now for your reading pleasure.
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0818.pdf

In this edition, Amy talks about canvases with book themes, her classes and clubs, a bit about what you can expect to find in a stitch guide, audio books that are great to stitch by (with a good section on Lea Wait's needlepoint mysteries), and much more!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 2, 2018 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.

A New Book, New Guides, New Products and How To Clean UPDATED

The latest newsletter from Amy Bunger is out and it's a honey!  There's a rave review of Carole Lake's newest book, new products, new classes and guides, and finally—some wonderful tips Amy picked up at a retreat for cleaning and repairing your needlework.
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0218.pdf

If you are really intrigued by the cleaning and restoration tips, or need such services, check Nancy Lukoski's website.
http://www.fancyworkfinishing.com

UPDATE:  Fiber Talk interviewed Nancy in 2018.  It's a great interview!
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/18/fiber-talk-with-nancy-lukoski/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 2, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy Reviews "A Field Guide for Birds" And More!

The October/November 2017 shop newsletter for Amy's Golden Strand is out.   I always look forward to these and this month's doesn't disappoint.  The highlight for me is Amy's very thorough review of Carolyn Hedge Baird's latest book, Needlepoint Stitches A Field Guide to Birds.  My copy just arrived a few days ago and I'm starting to read it so I was very curious about what Amy thinks.
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/1017.pdf

But there is much, much more!  New stitch guides are out and more on the way.  There are lots of new accessories in Amy's shop.  Amy shows off her Home Study progress, new canvases she got in Dallas, and of course her students' fabulous stitching.

Pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage and enjoy.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 2, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tools for the Fingers and Needles

The latest shop newsletter from Amy Bunger has a lovely section on tools to protect fingers and pull needles through canvases.  Some of the tools she recommends are inexpensive and can be found laying about the house.
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/uploads/7/2/3/6/72364657/0817.pdf

All of the things Amy mentions can be ordered from her shop if your favorite shop doesn't stock them.
http://www.amysgoldenstrand.com/store/c1/Featured_Products.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 1, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Newest Labors of Love Clip on Birds (Labors of Love and Amy Bunger)

Amy and Jill at Amy's Golden Strand are stitching two of the new Labors of Love clip on birds.  The guide for the Red-Headed Woodpecker is ready now. The guide for the Orange-Headed Hummingbird will be ready shortly.  Contact Amy Bunger at her shop to pick up the canvases and guides.
https://www.facebook.com/189965167681135/photos/a.195572410453744.51323.189965167681135/1596943036983334/?type=3&theater&notif_t=notify_me_page&notif_id=1489687874751038

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 16, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Newest Amy Newsletter

It's December which means Amy Bunger's newest shop newsletter (which publishes every other month) is out!  It is full of fun new items, classes, stitch guides Amy and Lori Carter have just finished, and much, much more, including a diagram for Tessellated Ts, a wonderful background stitch and a review of Lynda Richardson's second stitch book.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1216.pdf

You'll love this!  And don't miss the customer gallery-the highlight for me is a series of designs featuring black dogs that are beautifully stitched to show great expressions, even though the dogs are black.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 1, 2016 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.

Rainbow Persian: A Review (and a LOT more)

I have been waiting for this! Finally someone has gotten their hands on Rainbow Gallery's new wool, which is called Rainbow Persian, and tells all about it!  Luckily for us, the review is Amy Bunger who knows just what a stitcher is likely to ask about a new thread: To sum up:  the thread is a tapestry wool (not strandable), comes in 32 colors which doesn't include a bright snow white, there are 20 yards on each card, a single strand covers well on 18 count as long as the stitch is slanted, but straight stitches don't cover perfectly which is typical in almost any thread.  (Not to worry, Amy gives you a genius tip to help your coverage that doesn't involve more than one strand in the needle, complete with stitch diagram.)  You can read all about it and see a good photo of the available colors in her shop newsletter for October 2016.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1016.pdf

Of course the newsletter includes Amy's class and club announcements (including a cyberclass from Sally Baer of BB Needlepoint), news about other new thread and bead colors, other new products (Faux Leather, anyone?), new stitch guides available from Amy, a review of the new Twisty Stitches Two and Can Do Hairdos, and more!  Including how to remove stains from needlepoint.  And including a hint that a new A La Carte Stitches book from Lynda Richardson is due at January Market!

I enjoy each and every newsletter Amy writes.  They are full of information and fun.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 2, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fish Leather, Pliers And More

The June 2016 newsletter from Amy's Golden Strand is out and once again it is fabulous! Want a good water stitch? Amy diagrammed one for you.  Would you like to know how to remove one bead that is in the wrong place or is the wrong color?  Amy tells you now.  Want to learn all about fish leather and how to use it?  Amy's got you covered!  Need a new magnet (White House, wool felted animal, shark, Americana, or Elvis)?  Amy probably has it in stock or can get it for you.  Just want to look at eye candy or see what new stitch guides Amy has available?  This is the newsletter for you!
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0616.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright  June 2, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Newsletters--No Fooling!

It's April 1, which means shop newsletters are out!  Ruth Schmuff announces a new book in hers, along with news of the various mail order classes she offers.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/content/uploads/bedeckednewsApril2016.pdf

Amy's newsletter for Amy's Golden Strand is full of news, new products, and tips for painting your own canvas, not to mention announcements of new stitch guides and photos of student pieces that are finished.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0416.pdf

Have fun catching up with the new from these two with no April's Fool jokes.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stay Healthy!

Amy Bunger's latest newsletter has some great tips on staying healthy as you stitch.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1215.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy and WireLace and More

The newsletter for Amy Bunger's shop is out and it is full of new products (such as WireLace) and tips on stitching pumpkins of all sizes and shapes.  Happy October!
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1015.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The News from Amy

The August-September 2015 newsletter from Amy's Golden Strand is now available. In it Amy talks about her Home Study for next year, new stitch guides, All Things Tudor and much, much more!  There's a free stitch diagram, as usual, and lots and lots of great stitching from Amy's customers.  Here's the direct link to the PDF file so you can enjoy Amy's latest.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0815.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 5, 2015 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.