Fiber Crawl Artist Studio Tour Featuring Ann Spiess Mills

If you are going to be near Las Vegas in northern New Mexico May 17, 18 or 19 this month,  and you are a fan of Ann Spiess Mill's designs, you will want to check out the New Mexico Fiber Crawl.  This is a tour of various art studios to see wonderful exhibits from amazing artists in the northern New Mexico area.  One of the galleries is going to have some of Ann Spiess Mills' embroidery on display.   Linda Anderle is another artist exhibiting here for the event and she is a major Ann Spiess Mills collector, so I imagine that the pieces are from her collection.
http://www.nmfibercrawl.org/sites-and-events/detail/2-ten-galeria

This is what Linda sent me about the exhibit and the studio:

"2Ten Galeria is nestled cozily in one of the 1836 Maese House adobe rooms atop which General Kearny, in 1846, proclaimed the New Mexico territory a part of the United States. There are three rooms of art, collectibles, gifts and Pendleton merchandise. During the 2019 crawl, the following fiber artists will be featured: weavers Barbara Ehrlich,Caroline Rackley and Linda Johns; botanical printer Abby Mouer; recycled fabric creations by Suzanna Gurule; quilts by Marc Joost and Lin Ayers-Chibante; soft sculpture by Dianne Davis and Linda Anderle. A special exhibition will showcase the folk art embroidery of Ann Spiess Mills. Her self-taught work features many original stitches and inventive multi-dimensional embroidery techniques. Stitching on felt, her distinctly New Mexican designs drew global attention with their brilliant color palettes, varied textures and multiple fibers.

2Ten Galeria is located on the north side of the Historic Plaza Park in Las Vegas. There are 3 viewing rooms and can accommodate more than 30 people at any one time. The entrance door has 2 small steps up into the main gallery space. There is no ramp, but a chair could be lifted into the room. There is street parking on both sides of the Plaza and a lot behind to the north. Parking is also available across the Plaza at the City Police Department."

I hope you get to attend!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Ann Spiess Mills Designs Available Again!

Japanese Angel

Starting in January 2018, Tapestry Fair will start bringing back the designs of Ann Spiess Mills.  Ann's designs were one of a kind, so Tapestry Fair has to borrow unstitched canvases from private stashes to reproduce the patterns.  This means only a few will be available at first.
https://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2017/11/ann-spiess-mills.html

Sewing Nun

But if you are an Ann Collector and have quite a few of her designs tucked away, consider loaning one or more to Paggi at Tapestry Fair to have them made into masters and then shared.
http://tapestryfair.com

Kitchen Monk

I am a big fan of Ann Spiess Mills so I posted images of some of my favorite designs.  Sadly I have no canvases to loan to Peggi but I imagine many of you do.  Hopefully she will be able to make many more designs available now that Ann's family has given the ok.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 10, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Beaded Drizzle Stitch

Mary Corbet may be an embroiderer, but she's up-to-date on the needlepoint world's new trend--adding beads to stitches. Here is how to top your drizzle stitch with a bead. Not familiar with drizzle stitch? Not to worry--Mary has links to a video on how to do this stitch in the article. 
http://www.needlenthread.com/2014/09/stitch-fun-beaded-drizzle-stitch.html

Once you read through it, you'll be ready to create tangled dreadlocks for your witch or snake hair for your gorgon!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PBfe9uX0Xk0

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 28, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

REPOST of Ann Spiess Mills Exhibit Starting Tomorrow

Rose Angel

BREAKING NEWS:  The organizers of the Ann Spiess Mills exhibit in Las Vegas, New Mexico say that because of the demand to see the exhibit, it has been extended another week or two.  If you are in the area and missed out during August, time to go visit now.

Are you a fan of Ann Spiess Mill's needlepoint?  I am.  Ann was an artist and needlepointer working in New Mexico to create unique canvases into the early 1990s.  Her cross stitch charts with her signature faces are almost always available on eBay, but her needlepoint canvases are all originals.  Ann did not create multiples of each canvas.  Each piece was done only once, although you will see themes and Ann's unique symbolism over and over again.

Seven Children in Pueblo

Two collectors of Ann's work have organized a exhibit in Las Vegas, New Mexico for next August. I hope Ann's friends and admirers will be able to see it. Ann's son and daughter Cliff and Rees are seen in the photo below along with Linda and Sharon, the organizers of the exhibit, in the center in a photograph taken at the Historical Society of New Mexico's annual meeting and conference this spring. The stand ups you see are Ann's work. The colcha (traditional New Mexican embroidery normally seen on bed linens) on the table is Ann's old family 1740s colcha made by her great, great, great, great grandmother.  Below is a bit about the exhibit in August, courtesy of Linda and Sharon.

Ann's Family and Friends With Her Work

The colorful creative embroidery of New Mexico folk artist Ann Spiess Mills will be featured with a month long exhibition in Las Vegas, New Mexico, accompanied by an opening day of multimedia programs. Open free to the general public, the Ann Spiess Mills programs will explore her fascinating life and work as well as historical tales of family history in New Mexico. She was completely self taught and joyfully celebrated her freedom from rules. A highly collected artist, she became a very popular teacher as well. Independent researchers, Sharon Stephan, from Hollis, New Hampshire and Linda Anderle of Las Vegas, New Mexico will facilitate this program.

Madonna and Child

EXHIBITION - AUGUST 2 - 30, 2014

Saturday, August 2, 2014
Ann Spiess Mills, New Mexico Folk Artist
Exhibition Opening

Sunday, August 3, 2014
Programs
1:30 pm - The Spiess Family History And their Contributions to New Mexico
2:30 pm - Fibers, Fantasy & Folk Art - Ann Spiess Mills
3:30 pm - Hands-On Workshop in the Manner of Ann Spiess Mills
Materials Fee

Las Vegas, New Mexico
Exhibition, Programs and Workshop - Citizen’s Committee for Historic Preservation
116 Bridge Street
Self-Guided Tour - CCHP 9 Historical Districts Walking/Driving Guide
including Spiess Homes and Grave Sites

Monk in the Kitchen

All the photographs of Ann's canvases are taken from eBay sales over the last five years.  I started collecting them as a way of keeping Ann's work alive.  Fortunately, Sharon and Linda are doing a much better job of that than I am!

Hope you all get to see the exhibit in August.  Mark your calendars and make your travel plans NOW.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and
at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 22, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Party Time on Facebook

Let's Party!

Yesterday was the last day for me to post photos of canvases by Ann Spiess Mills as the Canvas of the Day in honor of the exhibit last month of her art.  Today I revert to my regular Canvas of the Day posting.  Click on the photo to go to the site where I found the eye candy. 

Yesterday was also the day the membership of the Facebook Needlepoint Group hit six thousand.  Today we are having a virtual beach party to celebrate!  You can peak in on the festivities here.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/

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.

In Honor of Ann Spiess Mills

In honor of the Ann Spiess Mills Exhibit and workshops in New Mexico in August, instead of posting Canvas of the Day items on Blog, I'm going to showcase a new Ann Spiess Mills canvas each day in August. Hope you enjoy the show! 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 23, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ann Spiess Mills Exhibit In August

Rose Angel

Are you a fan of Ann Spiess Mill's needlepoint?  I am.  Ann was an artist and needlepointer working in New Mexico to create unique canvases into the early 1990s.  Her cross stitch charts with her signature faces are almost always available on eBay, but her needlepoint canvases are all originals.  Ann did not create multiples of each canvas.  Each piece was done only once, although you will see themes and Ann's unique symbolism over and over again.

Seven Children in Pueblo

Two collectors of Ann's work have organized a exhibit in Las Vegas, New Mexico for next August. I hope Ann's friends and admirers will be able to see it. Ann's son and daughter Cliff and Rees are seen in the photo below along with Linda and Sharon, the organizers of the exhibit, in the center in a photograph taken at the Historical Society of New Mexico's annual meeting and conference this spring. The stand ups you see are Ann's work. The colcha (traditional New Mexican embroidery normally seen on bed linens) on the table is Ann's old family 1740s colcha made by her great, great, great, great grandmother.  Below is a bit about the exhibit in August, courtesy of Linda and Sharon.

Ann's Family and Friends With Her Work

The colorful creative embroidery of New Mexico folk artist Ann Spiess Mills will be featured with a month long exhibition in Las Vegas, New Mexico, accompanied by an opening day of multimedia programs. Open free to the general public, the Ann Spiess Mills programs will explore her fascinating life and work as well as historical tales of family history in New Mexico. She was completely self taught and joyfully celebrated her freedom from rules. A highly collected artist, she became a very popular teacher as well. Independent researchers, Sharon Stephan, from Hollis, New Hampshire and Linda Anderle of Las Vegas, New Mexico will facilitate this program.

Madonna and Child

EXHIBITION - AUGUST 2 - 30, 2014

Saturday, August 2, 2014
Ann Spiess Mills, New Mexico Folk Artist
Exhibition Opening

Sunday, August 3, 2014
Programs
1:30 pm - The Spiess Family History And their Contributions to New Mexico
2:30 pm - Fibers, Fantasy & Folk Art - Ann Spiess Mills
3:30 pm - Hands-On Workshop in the Manner of Ann Spiess Mills
Materials Fee

Las Vegas, New Mexico
Exhibition, Programs and Workshop - Citizen’s Committee for Historic Preservation
116 Bridge Street
Self-Guided Tour - CCHP 9 Historical Districts Walking/Driving Guide
including Spiess Homes and Grave Sites

Monk in the Kitchen

All the photographs of Ann's canvases are taken from eBay sales over the last five years.  I started collecting them as a way of keeping Ann's work alive.  Fortunately, Sharon and Linda are doing a much better job of that than I am!

Hope you all get to see the exhibit in August.  Mark your calendars and make your travel plans NOW.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 19, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The One That Got Away

I know the feeling!
http://stitchymcfloss.blogspot.com/2011/04/ann-spiess-mills-and-needlepoint.html


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

Tribute to Ann Spiess Mills and More UPDATED

Tapestry Fair is showing off their new designs both on their blog and their Facebook page. If you have a FB account, you should check out their Egyptian cat in the link below.  They've done King Tut, too, but no photos of him are available yet.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=260352124031321&set=o.108537025890131&type=3&theater


They are also planning a series of six little Talavera pottery-style angels that shops will be able to pick up at TNNA's Sample It night.  I don't know if all of the angels have a face that pays tribute to Ann Spiess Mills' angels, but this one has an uncanny resemblance to Ann's work.
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2012/01/meet-maria-and-kelly.html

I am told that Ann Spiess Mills painted canvases are all originals as she did not reproduce any design.  They show up on eBay occasionally and will go for $200+ each but you can easily find some of her cross stitch charts of angels.  They are very charming creatures and could easily be adapted to needlepoint.  Here's the best photos I found of some of the 4-5 cross stitch charts by Ann so you can see what I mean about the Talavera angel's face.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/79782090/vintage-ann-spiess-mills-guiding-light

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79781949/vintage-ann-spiess-mills-christmas

UPDATE: Read Peggi's comments for more about the background of the angel designs.


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

A Needlepoint History Lesson

Gather around, boys and girls, while Auntie Pat gives us a history lesson. This time the lesson is about the corkscrew stitch. You can see it in action here at Ruth Schmuff's blog.  There's a diagram so you can easily master this stitch yourself.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/10/happy-halloween.html

After I posted the link above earlier here, I got an email from Pat Correz, who by virtue of knowing everyone who's anyone in needlepoint, tells some fascinating stories.  This time Pat explained the background of the corkscrew stitch.

Pat wrote, "That corkscrew stitch was invented, I believe, by Ann Spiess Mills. Chottie [Alderson] used to bring her out to us for classes, and she always taught it.  She had several other names for it...the "peter" stitch...and the "penis" stitch.  I don't think anyone had done this stitch prior to Ann...it goes back to the late 70s or early 80s. A lot of Chottie's and Ann's groupies all know it by the original name....and I've demo'd it a number of times.  I taught it at an ANG meeting one time, called it by the name Ann used, and the class all turned bright red!~!!  Lots of memories for that stitch. I used to teach Dede's camel and used it for the camel's curls hanging down over his face. It works great with persian yarn if you want it big and fat.  I'd LOVE to stitch that Halloween tree!!!

Are you familiar with Ann Spiess Mills and her work...a real artist turned needlepoint designer? She NEVER duplicated a canvas...every one was an original. If you saw one you wanted, she'd take an order, then do her version of it. So much of her designs were based on the folklore of the New Mexico mountains and the Spanish, not Indians, who live there....stories about everything in her designs. For instance, 3 bunnies in a design represented the Trinity...one 1 bunny...lust!! Angels everywhere and all had stories. I had over 45 of her canvases...never stitched...and donated them to EGA HQ to preserve her legacy. I still have half a dozen, but will never stitch them...they're each original works of art, painted on canvas. She also did surface embroidery on felt of angels and all kinds of things...on and on."

By a happy coincidence, two of Ann's felt angels turned up on eBay recently so you can see them.  Here are the links.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170700583806?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1411

http://www.ebay.com/itm/180727882731?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1438.l2649#ht_500wt_1411

On Ruth's Halloween tree the corkscrew stitch is couched down at the tip to make the hair, but Ann Spiess Mills used it sticking straight up, hence the name.  The type of thread you use and whether you attach the tip and/or middle to your canvas will certainly make a big difference in the end result.

Thanks, Pat, for the wonderful story and for permission to reproduce it here.

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