Plain or Fancy?

Ada of Eye Candy just posted two versions of one of her designs on her blog.

https://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2025/02/one-canvas-two-ways.html

One is all done in plain tent stitches, the other uses a multitude of stitches.  Which is better?  Neither.  The best one is the one you like best that will also hold up for the use it is intended.  The embellished version of Ada's piece wouldn't last as a glasses case, for example, but would be fine framed.  

So you choose the one that works for you and that's the Best One.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 27, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Three Way Design

One thing I always find fascinating is seeing the same design finished differently, so I was thrilled when Ada Hayden of Eye Candy posted photos of her famous "Candy Land Christmas Trees" design finished as a pillow, framed, and as a standup.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2025/01/one-design-three-finishes.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com 

© Copyright January 25, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Chart for Spring from Eye Candy

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has created another free chart, this time one celebrating spring.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2024/03/new-freebie-chart-for-spring-24.html

Here's the direct link for the download.

https://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/EyeCandy_Needleart/Bonus_Charts.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Free Shimmer Tree

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy is enlivening the winter season with her free chart "Shimmer Tree."  Ada explains how she created her tree and the threads she used here.  She encourages you to raid your stash and create a tree from what you have at hand that will be unique and eye-catching.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/11/eyecandys-winter-freebie-shimmer-tree.html

Here is the chart.  

https://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/downloads/Shimmer%20Tree.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 1, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Pumpkin Design from Eye Candy

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has released another free design, this time a pumpkin for autumn, Halloween and harvest time.  Her blog lists some tips plus the stitches she used in case you want to copy her work exactly.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/09/its-pumpkin-time.html

The link in the article doesn't work so here it is--

https://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/downloads/Mini%20Pumpkin.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 15, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Eye Candy Designs in Cross Stitch

The 2023 edition of A Cross-Stitch Christmas magazine is out.  Why do you care?  Because seven--count 'em!--of Eye Candy's designs are featured in cross stitch charts.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/06/eyecandy-in-cross-stitch.html

If you have friends who would love Eye Candy's fun colors and interesting designs but they don't needlepoint, this will help them out. 

Congratulations, Ada!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 16, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Summertime Design from EyeCandy

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has released a free summery design for your poolside stitching.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/06/time-for-eyecandys-summer-freebie.html

Here's a direct link to the chart which is designed as a 5x7 purse insert.  You'll need 10 mm sequins and a few 5mm ones for the edges.

https://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/downloads/InitialPurseInsert.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 7, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Eye Candy Sneak Peeks

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy allows us sneak peeks at her newest designs, which include items inspired by Christmas songs and new travel pieces that will fit in those passport covers.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/05/sneak-peek-time.html

Some of the designs are availble in multiple sizes.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/6186588168084956/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 18, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Superb Finishing on Display

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has posted photos of superb finishing of her designs on her blog.  It's a fun display with great ideas for your own finishing, even if you have stitched any Eye Candy designs.

https://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/04/favorite-finishes.html?fbclid=IwAR2cnzzOMP5CGrEgatBx0DpSAo13lS_JPatJVIYyvJw_dbgV_-EmorhI8wA

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 7, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Bunny Egg from Eye Candy

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has released another free chart, this time a bunny themed Easter Egg.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/03/a-new-freebie-chart-for-spring.html

The chart has been added to Eye Candy's Bonus Page.

http://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/EyeCandy_Needleart/Bonus_Charts.html

UPDATE. Here is the bunny egg finished, along with the 2022 egg design.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2024/02/ready-for-easter.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 25, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

All About Button Covers: The Movie

The Pointing It Out Podcast team talks button covers in their latest video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nEvmQqw7uaY

You'll learn about button covers and how to assemble them.  Patty Paints started making button cover designs with the buttons included in 2020-21 but you don't have to use her designs.  You can buy the button cover hardware from places like Joann's Fabrics.  Dritz makes a variety of sizes.

https://www.joann.com/search?q=button+covers&lang=default

The largest button covers available are 2 1/2 inches in diameter.   You'll use a three inch round piece of needlepoint for these.

https://www.joann.com/dritz-home-2-1%2F2in-half-ball-cover-button/16081606.html

If you want to glue a magnet on the back, look for 1 1/4 inch rare earth magnets (also known as neodymium magnets) and do use E6000 glue to attach the magnet as it's a glue that hold metal to metal very well.  

Here is the link to the button covers tutorial Patty Paints did on Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CjYs2VcLJ7S/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 6, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Shop Expansions

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has noticed that some shops are opening new branches, which is very good news for us needlepointers.  The expanding shop empires include Stitch-Stash (which purchased House of Needlepoint), Stitching Fox (which opened a second location), the merger of Stitch Boutique with Wellesley Needlepoint and of course Needlepoint.com which purchased Cabbage Row Needlepoint Shoppe.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/01/needlepoint-is-expanding.html

I'm thrilled retiring shop owners are finding ways of keeping their former shops going and current shop owners are expanding and growing.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 20, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ada's Tinsel Tree: A Free Design UPDATED

Ada of Eye Candy has released another free tree design, just in time for Christmas.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/12/tinsel-tree-freebie.html

You'll find all her free designs on her website. Thanks, Ada!  You are a sweetheart!

http://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/EyeCandy_Needleart/Bonus_Charts.html

UPDATE:  Laura did Ada's tinsel trees in miniature and blinged them out.  Wonderful!

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/01/quick-easy-tinsel-tree-finish.html

UPDATE #2:  This is Ada's Crystal Christmas Tree, made into cards.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2023/01/another-wonderful-tree-finish.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 2, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Halloween Design from Eye Candy UPDATED

Ada of Eye Candy has released a free Halloween chart.  It's designed to fit in the acrylic purses (but I'd measure yours before you start stitching, just to make sure it is the right size).  

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/10/new-freebie-for-halloween-fall-all.html

It's part Bargello and part buttons--and 100% fun!  Happy Halloween!

UPDATE:   Ada updated the design for autumn by changing her buttons.  Clever!

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/11/news-and-updates.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 12, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ada Shows Off Her Black Cat Ornament

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy shows off her Halloween Cat from the September-October 2022 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine, available now.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/09/black-cat-ornament-in-latest-issue-of.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 15, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Summer Magnet Tree Free Chart

Ada Hayden, the genius behind Eye Candy, has created another free magnet tree chart, this time one that is summer-themed.  It's a fun way to display your needle minders when you aren't using them.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/07/new-freebie-design-summer-magnet-tree.html

You can download the chart on Ada's website. There are plenty of other free designs to enjoy, too.

http://www.eyecandyneedleart.com/EyeCandy_Needleart/Bonus_Charts.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 23, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

4th of July Cracker Ornament

Ada of Eye Candy shows off her 4th of July cracker design that is in the current (July 2022) Needlepoint Now magazine.  Ada's written the stitch guide for the magazine to go with the painted canvas by her company.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/07/latest-project-for-needlepoint-now.html

Here is another view of the cracker before it's made up, plus information on how to make a humbug.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/07/a-couple-of-updates.html

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/07/biscornus-and-humbugs-oh-my.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 7, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Free Easter Egg Pattern

Ada Hayden of EyeCandy has posted photos of her Easter Egg design stitched and made up.  They are fabulous!

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/05/easter-egg-freebie-finishes.html

Here is her free design's download link.  Grab some scrap canvas, pull threads from your stash and raid your jewelry box!

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/03/easter-egg-season.html

UPDATE:  Here is the 2022 Easter egg finished, along with the free 2023 egg design.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2024/02/ready-for-easter.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 13, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How Ada Organizes

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy has tried various thread organization schemes over the years.  Here is what she does now.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/03/thread-stash.html

How you organize is really personal.  I always store my threads by type as the first thing I think about is texture when I am making choices, but there's no one right way to do this.  You just have to think about how much room you have and what makes sense to you when you pick threads for your newest project.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 9, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ada's Favorite Blogs

Ada of Eye Candy wrote about her four favorite blogs and I am thrilled to be on the list!

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/03/blogs-i-love.html

Her recommendation to read the blogs that Ruth, Jan and the folks at the NJ Needle Artists chapter of ANG write is something you should follow.  They are all fabulous fun.

Thanks for including Blog, Ada.  It's appreciated.  

If you love blogs, there's a list on the right column if you scroll down a bit.  Many are no longer updated but there's still great information there.  Hopefully very few are missing. 

Jane, waving from Chilly Hollow

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 3, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.