Ten Years of Just Cross Stitch Magazine UPDATED

As you probably know, cross stitch isn't my thing, but today's news will be a welcome one to folks who love this style of needlework and who have been collecting copies of Just Cross Stitch magazine.  The company is releasing ten years' worth of issues on a CD.  A searchable CD!
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2013/06/just-cross-stitch-10-year-cd.html

UPDATE:  Ten years of Sampler and Antique Needlework Quarterly is now available for pre-order.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2013/07/sanq-10-year-dvd-ready-for-pre-order.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.

Japanese Embroidery CD

The Japanese Embroidery Center just announced on Facebook that a CD about their 2007 exhibit of Japanese Embroidery in the UK is available at the JE website. I don't know if this is a new product or something they are just mentioning, but fans of traditional Japanese Embroidery will want to check it out.
http://japaneseembroidery.com/m/index.php/publications-43/cd-rom/cd-w-e-2007.html#.URpXI6XhD9N

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

A Tisket, A Tasket, What Goes in Your Basket?

If you ever thought you were alone when it comes to going blank on a section of a canvas, you are not alone. Kelly Clark totally understands!
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2013/02/how-to-fill-empty-basket.html

(She also co-authored a CD on how to weave items to dress up your canvas with Amy Bunger.  It's number 7 "The Ins and Outs of Needle Weaving" in Amy's "How'd You Do That?" series.  You can get this many places but Amy's own website has a nice photo of the CD cover.
http://www.amybunger.com/catalog/item/6256888/7437353.htm

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

New Things to Ponder

There are all sorts of things for you to ponder as you make your list of Must Have items for Santa.  Laura Perin is going to do her Harvest Time cyberclass again!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/09/harvest-time.html

The latest Needlepoint Now is out!  If yours hasn't arrived yet (mine hasn't--BIG POUT) you can at least glimpse the fun in store at PFOS's blog.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2012/09/needlepoint-now-septemberoctober.html

Speaking of cyberclasses, Cyperpointers (the online chapter of ANG) has released their popular Ruby Ribbons fundraiser.  You can order an eBook or CD version here.
http://www.cyberpointers.org/?p=1063

Need a new laying tool?  Quail Run has found some fun acrylic ones with easy-to-hold wooden handles.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-laying-tools.html

Fireside Stitchery has lovely laying tools they make.  Here's a good photograph.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-laying-tool.html

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

Ruth in Three Formats

Ruth Schmuff not only teaches, runs a needlepoint shop, and creates and distributes painted canvases, she writes books.  Since this is the 21st Century and Ruth is a very modern stitcher, her books come in three flavors:  CDs, e-books and regular books.  Here is her website in case your local shop doesn't have these in stock right now.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/products.php?catid=56&firstcid=6

Her latest volume is now appearing in book form.  It's not downloadable to iPhones and iPads yet, but I expect that in the future.  In this latest blog entry, Ruth tells us a bit about the new version of Backgrounds Volume One.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/08/now-its-book.html

The physical book versions are expensive because they contain so many stitch diagrams.  I use the CDs which are perfect for me, but nothing beats a good browse.  However, if you travel a great deal, you might want to explore getting Ruth's books as downloads for your smart phone.  Search for Ruth Schmuff at the iTunes store.

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

REVIEW: Stitches CDs

I've become a fan of the Ruth Schmuff/Kathy Holicky series of stitch dictionaries on CDs.  There are three CDs to date.  I bought Volume One at Needlepoint Tool Time on sale a few months back, and Volume Two was a gift last month from a friend.

I have not seen the third CD which is called "Backgrounds."  It probably is much like the first two, except they each have 300 stitches diagrammed and Backgrounds has 481 "repeat" patterns.
http://www.tistheseason.org/ptdproducts.php?catid=56

The two CDs I have are set up the same.  Stitches are arranged into folders.  You have Straight, Diagonal, Crossed and Tied, Eye, Decorative and Darning Pattern folders.  There is also an alphabetical listing of the stitches.  The stitches are in two formats: PDF files (which can be enlarged) and jpeg images.  You can print out either and you an embed the photos (jpegs) in stitch guides.  Ruth encourages stitch guide writers to use her diagrams but just asks for proper credit.

Many of the stitches are new to me although there are some old favorites in the two CDs I own.  I love browsing the stitches, although you do need to have a CD player (my computer does) to read them.  It doesn't matter whether you have a PC or a Mac computer, however.  Either can read the CD for you.

You can print out everything to have in a paper format if you like, but I just browse a CD when looking for a stitch, starting with the folder that sounds more like what I'm looking for.

I think this is a wonderful addition to any stitchers' set of stitch dictionaries.  The only caveat I can think of is that some folks may be uncomfortable working with PDF files or jpeg images but it really isn't hard to learn.

By the way, here is Needlepoint Tool Time's website.  They have great customer service and some very good sales.
http://www.needlepointtooltime.com/

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