Finishing A Thousand Ways

Ok, maybe the links below don't have a thousand different ways to finish a needlepoint project, but EyeCandy shows off a lot of options for her geometric designs, from a box to what I think is a Kindle cover and more.

https://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2025/05/eyecandy-geometric-designs-in-fabulous.html

Ruth Schmuff shows off four framed versions of one of her mystery classes.  All four are framed but all are very different!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/05/framed-finish-with-flair/

There are endless ways to finish your needle art, so pick something that expresses your personality and showcases your style.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 8, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fiber Talk Interviews Ada Hayden

Fiber Talk's latest interview is with Ada Hayden, the talent behind the colorful EyeCandy line of canvases and charts.   You'll learn the history of Ada's stitching obsession and enjoy her tales of the boom of cross stitch, her job with Needle in a Haystack in California and her blossoming design business in needlepoint and counted canvaswork.  Plus the CNN interview and the San Diego garage trade show.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2022/07/09/fiber-talk-with-ada-haydon/?fbclid=IwAR2GwnbjdIABQ6HTBF32rst5dXV0pWoLUZhrJZs_FNrVnBHMTPce4o4MimE

You've probably seen Ada's work without realizing it.  Just visit her blog and you'll see the pretty colors and cheerful designs she creates.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 16, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Needle Art Love Story, Chapter XI

Historic Fort Worth in Texas is sponsoring the 9th year of A Needle Art Love Story June 9-12.

https://historicfortworth.org/events-tours/na/

Aren't in Fort Worth?  This year Historic Fort Worth is offering tickets to a Zoom tour.  You can either take the tour June 11 as it happens, or view a recording later.  (The recording will be available for ticket holders to watch until December 31, 2022.). 

https://shop.historicfortworth.org/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=NALS%5FVT

Want to pick up one of the heart fund raiser canvases available this year?  EyeCandy did the design.  These are available in the Fort Worth area.  I think the French Knot usually carries them (second link below).  They may also be for sale at Historic Fort Worth although they are not mentioned on their website.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/06/a-needle-art-love-story-chapter-9.html

https://www.thefrenchknot.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Ada's Found a New Denver Shop

Ada Hayden of EyeCandy has found a brand new shop in Denver!

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/05/downing-street-needlepoint-new-shop.html

It's called Downing Street Needlepoint and it is on Downing Street.  <duh>  Here's their website.  It's a little bare bones as they are just getting started.

https://downingstreetneedlepoint.com

Everybody in the area, go wish them luck!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 5, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Acrylic Purses for Self Finishing

Kelly Hoch discovered these clear clutch bags on Amazon and painted, then stitched a monogram canvas to carry to a wedding.

https://www.amazon.com/Acrylic-Clutch-Shoulder-Handbag-Removable/dp/B07VWRJ6S2/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?dchild=1&keywords=clear%20purse&qid=1630994684&sr=8-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExQkVETDlHUFcxQVpVJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMzE4MTY5M0pQWTAyS0MwMlVKRyZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwNDYxODg1MjBNOUFMS0NKUVgxMiZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU%3D&fbclid=IwAR1HiPdCoVOIAUvTVmYUrY9m9WZhP2Dcz6QLzGbEWsDBK4cqtxENmNsnDyY

https://www.facebook.com/2Bitranchdesigns/photos/pcb.1781956835342737/1781955012009586/

Note that this clutch is a tad over 7 inches by a bit over 4 inches.  These come in various acrylic colors and are available with either silver or gold hardware.  You'll have to turn the raw edges of the canvas that's this size over, then whipstitch or glue fabric to hide the back before sticking inside the purse. There are a ton of styles available through Amazon (see the bottom of the page) plus these are probably widely available elsewhere.  

This Etsy shop has a nice selection of colors and good pictures.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1032239842/bridal-shower-gift-gift-for-the-bride?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=clear+acrylic+clutch&ref=sr_gallery-1-29&col=1

Here is an EyeCzndy design stitched and inserted in one of these purses.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/01/new-year-new-finishes.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 7, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

EyeCandy's Free Needle Minder Tree

Ada Hayden of EyeCandy has posted a fabulous free design of a Christmas (or Halloween or Easter or any holiday you wish) tree on her blog. 

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2021/10/trick-or-treat.html

She's finished it as a framed display for her decorative needle minders, which is a genius idea!  The blog posting has a link to the free download but I suggest you visit both her blog and website to get a full idea of what you'll be doing if you want to create your own "jewelry" tree.

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

The free counted design would make a lovely heart for the Hospice Hearts program, too.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 7, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Three New Shops in Alabama, South Carolina and Illinois UPDATED

Ada Hayden of EyeCandy is keeping a list of new shops opening.  

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2021/08/three-more-new-shops-in-2021.html

Going to the beach?  You should check out Creative Needle Arts in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

https://creativeneedlearts.com

Hanging out in South Carolina?  Forest Acres Needlepoint is in Columbia.  

https://www.forestacresneedlepoint.com

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/4349905428419915/

Are you near Chicago?  How about visiting Little Stitch Shop in Libertyville?

https://littlestitchshop.com

Congratulations to the new shop owners!  And thanks to Ada for keeping track for us.

UPDATE:  And two shops have changed owners in Maryland and Ohio!  So nice to have shops continue.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2021/09/two-new-shop-owners.html

UPDATE #2:  Bargello Needlepoint has opened in Tuckahoe, NY.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2021/09/omg-yet-another-new-shop.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 6, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Color Changes

Eye Candy occasionally charts her painted canvas designs.  One of the Texas chapters of ANG worked this as a chapter project, using various color ways.  It's amazing how different each design looks!

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2021/05/ang-chapter-project-alpine-puzzle.html

Don't believe me? Check out the current ANG Stitch of the Month (SOTM) project that the NJNA chapter is stitching.

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2021/05/31/sotm-may-2021/

Here is last year's STOM.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2021/06/01/background-star-of-stitches-ang-stitch-of-the-month-2020/

Color makes a huge difference.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 31, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Smart Cookie's Stocking

The Smart Cookie Award for this month goes to a customer of Eye Candy's who took their rectangular fairy tale collage and made it into a stocking topper!

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-fairy-tale-in-time-for-christmas.html

Here is the original design, 8x9 inches on 18 count.  Very clever!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 19, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Self-Finishing for Ornaments: Three Inches Versus Four Inches UPDATED

This fall I bet a lot of folks are thinking about self-finishing items for ornaments.  I'm just talking ornaments, now, either round or square, that fit inside three inch versus four inch self finishing items.  There are other self finishing items (purses, tissue boxes, snap trays) for larger pieces but I'm not considering those here.

If you have a three inch round item, your choices are the Lee purse, 

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Crossbody-Bag-Navy-Leather-Self-Finishing-3-opening-x36321354.htm

…the Lee leather needle box…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Leather-Needle-Box-Red-3-Insert-x35454725.htm

…the Lee leather gift box…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Self-Finishing-Gift-Box-Black-4-w-3-opening-x36997694.htm

…the Lee cosmetic bag (available in several finishes)…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Self-Finishing-Cosmetic-Bag55x753-opening-x51899916.htm

…the Lee leather snap tray…

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/small-square-snap-tray-assorted-colors/

…or the Lee luggage tag.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Luggage-Tag-Fucshia-Snakeskin-Self-Finishing-accepts-3-round-x36165587.htm

If your item is three inches square, Planet Earth has square leather coasters.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/products/leather-needlepoint-coasters

Some coasters for the three inch square design come in sets of four.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Blue-Coasters-Set-of-4-Self-Finishing-Canvas-area-3x3-x33169093.htm

Planet earth also has boxes that are for a three inch square design.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Leather-Jewelry-Case-Bellflower-Blue3x3-opening-x50489034.htm

If your ornament is a four inch round, this Lee leather box might be just right.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Gray-Leather-Round-Case4-design-area-x41461397.htm

I'm not sure which company offers these for four inch round designs.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/round-leather-case-assorted-colors/

These silk boxes are also for a four inch round design.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/round-silk-self-finishing-case/

If your round is a bit larger than four inches in diameter, this Lee leather coaster that has a magnetic back and a loop to hang might be just the thing.  

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/coaster-magnetic-ornament-assorted-colors/

This large snap tray will also handle a four inch round or even one that is four and a half inches round.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/large-square-snap-tray-assorted-colors/

If your piece is four inches square, Vallerie Needlepoint Gallery has two styles of coasters, both with a glass insert to protect your stitching.

https://vngcanvas.com/self-finishing-coasters-and-designs/

Whether your ornament is three inches or four (or even a bit larger), shop around once you settle on your preferred style.  

UPDATE:  Eye Candy shows off the various Planet Earth self-finishing boxes and their own designs which fit perfectly.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2021/04/finishing-freedom.html

UPDATE #2:  Stitch by Stitch Larchmont shows off a range of self-finishing items, including the new luggage tags from Planet Earth that take 2x3 inch designs.

https://www.stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/accessories?utm_campaign=62d391f9-4d5a-43e4-b279-ef40a9c6338e&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail_lp&cid=68c6d8c4-6311-4db7-a6af-6c56ebef78b3

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

EyeCandy's Gone Unconventional

The title of this is a bit misleading—it's not the designer EyeCandy that is taking an unconventional route—it's her customers!  They are doing some fun stitching and finishing that's decidedly not traditional.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2020/08/unconventional-eyecandy.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 28, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Halloween Finishing

Steph shows off the wonderful dimensional Halloween house ornaments from Squiggee...
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2015/10/still-stitching-on-my-secret-santa.html

... while Ada Hayden shows off finished Halloween framing, a cone and her charming pumpkins.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2015/10/its-spooky-season.html

Happy Spooky Finishing!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Visiting EyeCandy in Texas

Fancy Stitches in Texas is having an EyeCandy trunk show and have kindly posted a page full of links to EyeCandy models. If you like Ada Hayden's fun and colorful canvases or just like looking at finishing for ideas, this is the place to visit.  It'll make you smile, guaranteed!
http://www.fancystitches.com/page19.html

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

Ada Goes to Texas

Ada went to Cleburne, Texas for a stitching retreat and (naturally!) a trip to Fancy Stitches. 
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-week.html

If you aren't up for a quick jaunt to Fancy Stitches yourself, here is their website.  It wouldn't load when I wrote this but might have been down for maintenance.  Hope you can see the site.  The shop has a great reputation and some wonderful finishing to admire.
http://www.fancystitches.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 22, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finishing Friday: Bigger is Better?

Ridgewood has some wonderful finished pieces to show off today.  First, look at the 3-D dolls they saw at the May trade show.  Some are from Sew Much Fun but I don't think they all are.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/06/blog-post_3.html

One of Ridgewood's customers stitched this huge under the sea piece.  It is wonderful.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/05/blog-post_31.html

Here is the entire screen.  I think the design might be by Truby but I am not certain.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/06/blog-post_9.html

Melita has framed her small Bargello pieces in a very fun way.
http://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2014/06/02/bargello-techniques-framed/

http://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2014/06/11/bargello-techniques-sections-3-and-8-for-bookends/

Eye Candy has photos of some of their designs finished.  It's fun to see the various colors.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/06/trunk-show-at-fancy-stitches.html

Barbara Bergsten also has a photo of one of her Kiss designs made up.  Spectacular finishing and superb staging!
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2014/06/spectacularly-finished-needlepoint.html

I'm not sure bigger is better, but most of these pieces are fairly large.  Still, great stitching combined with great finishing makes the impact of a small piece very big.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 3, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Playing Games with your Stitching UPDATED

Stitcherie has a new challenge, which involves games played with your needlepoint. Ada explains it all clearly here.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2013/01/let-stitching-games-begin.html

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2013/01/stitching-games-2013-update.html

This isn't the only canvas or challenge that Stitcherie members are participating in.  Sheena talks about Camouflage Birds on her blog which is a more traditional challenge for the Stitcherie group.
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/first-finish-new-challenge/

Either would be great fun.  Wish there were more hours in the day...!

UPDATE:  Ruth Schmuff is playing along.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/01/stitching-games-2013.html

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

Needlepoint Here and There

Since Carolyn Hedge Baird started posting photographs of finished needlepoint in folks' homes, more and more folks have sent her photos of their stitching in its natural setting. She added a collection of photos of all sorts of stitching on her blog here.  The finishing is fabulous and the glimpses of how other stitchers display their needlepoint is inspiring.
http://www.livingwithneedlepoint.com/2012/09/23/afterthoughts-additional-interesting-things-about-previous-posts/

This note seems a good place to mention Ada's stitched models for her EyeCandy line of canvases.  They are displayed all over her house until they are needed at a trade show.  Here are the Halloween-themed canvases, just in case you are in the mood to stitch something seasonal.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/09/only-33-more-unpacking-days-until.html

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

Denser Comes Forward?

Ruth Schmuff has posted more photos from her current mystery class, one of Eye Candy's collage patterns. This happens to be my favorite of the set (what an iPad cover this would make!)  so I've been very curious about how Ruth would handle the central heart.  The backgrounds all around it are pretty busy. How would Ruth make the heart stand out?
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/08/be-still-my-beating-heart.html

She used a denser texture with lots of beads and metallic threads to make the heart come forward.  Looks like there are a few steps left, those intriguing blank orange and green rectangles inside the heart.

I can't wait to see what she does next!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/08/poofy-heart.html

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

The Newest Thing

Designers are posting new things online again in a sort of preview of what's going to be available this summer. Let's start with EyeCandy's fabulous new pirate mermaid.  Doesn't that look like a fun stitch?!  Don't forget to scroll down and see the wonderful scissor fobs.  I can't decide whether I "need" a cat or a starfish one but those pastel owls are pretty durn wonderful, too.  What is your favorite?

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-and-summer-preview.html

There's a cowgirl witch as well.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/04/couple-of-characters.html


For the counted canvaswork enthusiast, Orna Willis has come up with a new colorways for her classic Midnight Garden piece.  I love the original but a black background isn't the easiest thing to stitch, so Midday Garden will suit those who prefer not going blind when stitching.  The new Contemporary Tartan piece is going to be a classic, in my opinion, while the Beader's Toolboxes are a fun treat for oneself or a friend.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-colorways.html

Vicky's got a new Snap Tray.  The variety of these fabric trays that unsnap at the corners to lie flat for travel amaze me but really they are a fun organization touch for your stitching.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/21/green-your-world/

Pat Mazu has a new charted series out--Snacking. It's perfect for Halloween decorations.
http://stitches-heart.com/pat-mazus-new-snacking-candy-corns/

Pat does wonderful mini stockings. You can see more of her designs, plus her finishing book, at the Stitches from the Heart website.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

Painted Pony Designs has new travel ornaments for the adventuresome stitcher.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/2012%20Ornaments.htm

They've also put all of their popular "dress forms" canvases up on their website.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/DressForms.htm

Finally Sandy Grossman-Morris has posted a few of her new designs on her site.  Scottish ghosts?  How wonderful!  If you find these charming, too, there are links to her website and to her shop if you don't have a local shop to order for you.
http://sandygrossman-morris.blogspot.com/2012/04/macboo-brothers.html


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