Stitch of the Month: Basketweave on a Stick

Fredna's lovely sheep (done using Vineyard Silks and Basketweave on a Stick) is the stitch of the month for December.   It's the perfect pairing of stitch and thread.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10157888889395252&set=gm.1221888714554951&type=3&theater

Fredna is working from a Julia Snyder stitch guide on an Elizabeth Turner stocking that's part of a Nativity stocking set.  Here is the shepherd and sheep design in full.
https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/stocking-shepherd-with-sheep/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 7, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Shoe Finishing, Styles and Costs

The cost of making up needlepoint shoes has been a question ever since I realized needlepointers lived online in my computer. I researched the places where needlepoint slippers could be made in the early 1990s.   Even then they were really expensive and a lot of shops no longer offered shoe finishing as a service as the fit was never good and customers never happy after spending all that money.  Needle Nicely talks about the styles available now and the costs of finishing (that's in the comments and will vary slightly by shop).  It's even more restrictive now than it was then but the prices are about the same, which is interesting.  After all, 1993 was 23 years ago.  How many things cost the same now as they did then?
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/07/needlepoint-sandals.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 17, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Trend Spotting: Carolyn Hedge Baird

One of the things I love to do when the trade shows roll around is play Spot the Trend, but Carolyn Hedge Baird beat me to it this year. In her triple roles as shop representative/teacher/stitch guide writer, she pays close attention to recurring themes.  The Winter 2016 TNNA show in San Diego is no exception but what Carolyn noticed escaped me entirely--lots of new and realistic portraits of donkeys!

Of course many Nativity sets have always had donkeys in them, like Kelly Clark's donkey for her pretty set....
http://www.kellyclarkneedlepoint.com/canvas/kcn-215-nt-stitched

...or the Tapestry Tent donkey from Liz' set...
http://nimbleneedlenj.com/product/tapestry-tent-handpainted-needlepoint-canvas-nativity-donkey-christmas-creche/

.... and there's Debbie Mumm's wonderful "Donkey, Sheep, Hen."
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/index.cgi?index=1383777668_19771&col=

But this time the portraits are not part of a set, but a stand alone portrait of these animals.  Nenah Stone Designs is in the forefront of the trend with this sweet burro ornament.
http://www.nenahstonedesigns.com/christmas/christmas_ornaments_ii

Nenah Stone "Cardinal Donkey"

Nenah has done a larger portrait with her "Poinsettia Donkey" which is a cross between a Christmas piece and a Southwestern design.
http://www.nenahstonedesigns.com/christmas/christmas

Nenah Stone "Poinsettia Donkey"

Purple Palm designs has a brand new design from Sharon Weiser that shows a charming mother and baby donkey together with her signature purple tints.
http://purplepalmdesigns.com/?product_cat=sharons-designs

Sharon Weiser's "Donkeys" from Purple Palm Designs

Elizabeth Turner Collection Portrait 

The final donkey portrait is from Elizabeth Turner Collection (now renamed the Meredith Collection).  It adds to their "Down on the Farm" series with a whimsical look at the viewer and an acid green background that is just perfect.
http://www.elizabethturnercollection.com/needleptDesigns_pillow_2.html

I'm sure you can see why Carolyn has crowned this the Year of the Donkey.  (Since it is a Presidential Election Year, I think I prefer to think of it as the Year of the Jackass.)

But whether politicians are getting to you or not, I think you'll agree this is a great new trend! Thanks for your sharp eyes, Carolyn!

Those who want to see more of what Carolyn spotted at Market should check out her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/nestndlpt

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 13, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Treglown and Charley Harper Sold

Meredith Willet just announced on Facebook that she's bought Treglown Designs, which includes the officially licensed Charley Harper canvases. These companies and the Elizabeth Turner Collection will all be under the Meredith Collection name henceforth. 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 8, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Elizabeth Turner Collection Renamed

Meredith H. Willett, owner of M's Canvashouse and the Elizabeth Turner Collection, just announced she is renaming Elizabeth Turner Collection.  It will now be known as the Meredith Collection!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10207131770405644&set=a.1844350721529.102957.1623451586&type=3&theater

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

Natasha's Feet UPDATED

Natasha's Needlepoint (which is a shop located on Pawleys Island in South Carolina), just posted a series of seven unusual Christmas ornaments on their Facebook page.  The ornaments are all feet!  Reindeer, Santa, elves, gingerbread men, Mrs. Santa--you name it!  They are beautifully stitched and Christmas charming to the max.  I don't know if these are a club or who the designer is but they are terrific.
https://www.facebook.com/pages/Natashas-Needlepoint/609922445747002?sk=photos_stream

Christmas in August is so much fun!

UPDATE:  Thanks to Martin's sharp eyes I know that the ornaments are all from the Elizabeth Turner Collection, and the guides are probably all from Meredith Willett.  Thank you, Martin!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 21, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Rug for the Winter?

Horse Country Chic certainly has a good idea--pick up a rug canvas for winter stitching! I don't know why this didn't occur to me, but having a nice rug on your lap for those cold winter nights in front of the television is a great idea!
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2014/11/new-needlepoint-rugs.html

Lee's has a ton of classic rug designs.  Start browsing here.
http://www.newleesneedlearts.com/files/catalog/catalog-canvas/index.html

Jean Smith has some amazing floral rugs.  And these are just two designers out of many.  Ask your local shop to help you browse rug patterns from your favorite designers.
http://jeansmithdesigns.com/index.php/about-jean

If you are a fan of charted rugs, you need to visit Jan's Thread Medley site and her blog....  No drooling on the keyboard!
http://www.threadmedley.com/Thread_Medley/Charted_Designs_-_Rugs.html

http://threadmedley.wordpress.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 11, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

When Pigs Fly

I needed a laugh this morning and I got one when the latest e-newsletter from the Needlepointer showed up in my In Box. It highlights the new Big Buddies magnets from the Elizabeth Turner Collection that have arrived in their shop.  Look at the top one?  Doesn't that crack you up?
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=f08f0e1c32&e=73961ee0ea

There is a lovely swan, a delightful peacock feature, Santa with a full beard and more.  Elizabeth Turner carries magnets to hold your needles, scissors and laying tools no matter your style.  Have fun browsing.

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