Laundry Sign

This hilarious laundry sign from Shivering Sheep Designs is Brenda's latest project.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/05/laundry-schedule-52525.html

She'll be using a guide from Fireside Stitchery.  The center is mostly done, so now Brenda is concentrating on the border items.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/05/laundry-schedule-updated-52925.html

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/06/laundry-schedule-updated-6325.html

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/06/laundry-schedule-updated-61125.html

And it's done!  Unlike laundry, it doesn't have to be redone, unless you want to stitch something for your laundry room yourself.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/06/laundry-schedule-updated-61525.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

BREAKING NEWS: Scam Alert

Rittenhouse has discovered a fake website pretending to be the real Rittenhouse!

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-5WLb0xRat/

For those without an Instagram account, I'm quoting this posting in full so you know what to look for when you run across a fake needlepoint shop website.  

"We wanted to alert you to a spoof of our website. 

Our real website is rittenhouseneedlepoint.com. 

Cyber scams are becoming more and more sophisticated. Please be careful and review the actual web address and cross check it from another source such as an email directly from the brand or the brand’s socials. Spoofs are often (but not always) made on less common url’s such as .shop or .global, because these urls are usually available and inexpensive. There will usually be other signs like generic icons (the icon of this fake shop is a gift box instead of our needle logo), lots of typos, lack of product descriptions, only one picture on most product pages or pictures that are slightly off (pixelated, etc), pricing that is too good to be true, lack of contact phone numbers, lots of dead links/404 errors, etc. Most anti-virus programs will protect you from fake sites, so you may want to consider getting protection.

This is much more common in fashion and other industries. It’s disheartening to see our industry now being targeted. It can be difficult to get these fake sites shut down. You can help us, and your fellow needle-pointers, by using Google’s phishing report page to report this website. This will at least stop the fake site from coming up in searches while we work to have it shut down completely.

https://safebrowsing.google.com/safebrowsing/report_phish/?hl=en

Do not visit this site – but please do report it: rittenhouseneedlepoi.shop

Fireside Stitchery has also been spoofed. Please also report, but do not visit: firesidestitchery.shop"

We'll have to work together to get rid of these scam artists.  Follow Rittenhouse's recommendations and let your stitching buddies know if you find a fake version of a real LNS.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 21, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fireside Stitchery Has a New Website!

Fireside Stitchery has a new website!  It's fun to explore.  They aren't kidding about their thread inventory, by the way--it's huge!  They also carry size 15 Delica beads, which can be hard to find, and blank canvas of all types.

https://firesidestitchery.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 12, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stretcher Bars: The Movie

Fireside Stitchery in Pennsylvania has posted a video tutorial on how to use stretcher bars on their Instagram.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C2AxLo8PNyl/

The Corjac kit comes with tacks.  Shop around; prices vary.  Stretcher bars vary some in price, but not much.  Note that the skinnier Mini stretcher bars don't come in as long a length as the thicker ones.

https://www.officesupply.com/craft-supplies/sewing-quilting/notions/sewing-notions/lacis-corjac-tack/p413625.html?q=lacis%20corjac%20tack%20kit

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 13, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Fireside Stitchery is Being Sold UPDATED

Fireside Stitchery just announced on Facebook that the store is being sold.  

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1266321597520159&set=a.853803098772013

It is a great shop under the current owners but everyone deserves a fun and healthy retirement.  I wish Maria and Judy many happy years with their feet up and the new owner a great time keeping Fireside going.

UPDATE:  The new owner is Lynn Upchurch.  A more just down the road to a new location is planned but right now the thread inventory is being built.  Good luck, Lynn!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Breaking News: Fireside Stitchery Loses an Owner

Betsy announced on Needlepoint Nation that Tony Bartolini, one of Fireside Stitchery's owners, has died.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/5889893514421091/

Fireside is a wonderful shop that carries so many threads!  If you haven't visited, please do.

http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/about/index.cfm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Needlepoint Canvas Swatches

Melita just posted that she has swatches of colored needlepoint canvas she got from Fireside Stitchery.  This would be very handy if you did a lot of counted canvaswork and wanted to know what colors of the underlying needlepoint canvas are available.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2022/07/13/swatches-of-18-count-monocanvas/

Fireside still sells these swatches but it looks like only 24 colors are available now.  I think the mottled brown in the bottom row of Melita's picture has been discontinued except as a special order.

http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/upcanvas/index.cfm?fuseaction=getupcanvasList&CategoryId=67

Fireside's website links don't always work.  If the above doesn't take you to Fireside's page selling blank canvas swatches, go to the link below, then click on "Unpainted Canvas" on the left side of the page.  Now click on "Swatches."

http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/about/index.cfm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 14, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Fireside Stitching is Moving

Fireside Stitching is moving!  Betsy posted this to Facebook's Needlepoint Nation today.

"After almost 20 years at our current location, Fireside Stitchery is moving our shop a little east to 179 Lancaster Avenue, Malvern, PA 19355. The shopping center where we were located is going up for Sheriff's sale, so we are being pro-active, and moving in case they decide to come in with a wrecking ball. The shop will be closed 8/2/2018 through 8/14/2018*. We are still accepting on-line orders. For those of you who come to visit the Philadelphia area, be sure to check our new home. We are only moving about a mile and 1/2 half. My commute has now gone from 3 minutes to 5 minutes. The store is a little larger than the current location, more threads??? Verizon has been playing roulette with our phone system, so if you are trying to call us, please be patient.  For all of my Saturday morning ladies, I will not know what to do with myself tomorrow morning, no class. I will see you in our new location next Saturday.  I look forward to seeing everyone in our new shop."

In case you don't have Fireside's website bookmarked, here is the URL.

http://firesidestitchery.com

*Fireside has updated the days they will be closed but you can call in orders starting August 7.  The shop reopens at the new location on August 15.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 3, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Color Cards

One of the best tools anyone who has to mail order threads can own is a set of color cards for your favorite thread. I treasure my DMC color card and use it often when I need a certain color.  (All I have to do is tell the shop I want to mail order a pink silk floss as close to DMC #3713 as possible.  They will pull out their DMC color card and inspect their wares for a match.)  So I was thrilled to see very reasonably priced color cards for sale at Fireside Stitchery.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/threads/index.cfm?fuseaction=getThreadList&CategoryId=16

This got me hunting for more color cards.  Here's what I dug up.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/krmecoca.html

http://store.apneedlearts.com/cacosocothgu.html

http://store.apneedlearts.com/cacovathcoca.html

http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Kreinik-Silk-Thread-Color-Card.html

http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Accessories/ColorCards.html

http://www.threadneedlestreet.com/cardbody.htm

http://www.stitchers-paradise.com/threads/Kreinik.html

http://www.lacis.com/catalog/data/AA_CordsThreadsSilk.html

By the way, EPiC yarn has an online color selector.  Kreinik also has online color cards as does Rainbow Gallery and Caron but these all are a bit chancy to choose colors from, so I am only listing the EPiC tool since it's brand new to me.
http://www.epicyarn.com/Pages_Yarn/ColourSelection.html

I'm sure other shops carry color cards.  I just ran out of time to hunt.  If you are a shop owner who has these in stock, please let me know in the Comments below or by emailing me at chillyhollow at hotmail dot com. I'll add your contact information or website or Facebook page to the list.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Feb. 24, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Latest Fireside Stitchery Newsletter

Fireside's latest newsletter is out, and it is chock full of news about upcoming monthly clubs (Henry VIII and his wives plus the Zecca cube cushion), about the current trunk show (Kathy Schenkel) and of course photos of the current monthly clubs (the Kelly Clark firecrackers and the Patti Mann Graveyard Witch).  Even if you never participate in a club, it is great fun to see what Fireside is doing.  Here's the link.
http://www.benchmarkemail.com/c/v?e=2F710F&c=353ED&l=33B241A&email=V%2FEwCv7EFfcGrlzr2t%2B6BLQR3BgPsWUo&relid=C6EC164

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.

Monthly Clubs in Review

I haven't been posting on Blog about monthly clubs, just updating the tab that covers all the current Monthly Clubs (and some older clubs which are still available).  That doesn't mean there hasn't been a lot of club news, though.  For example, French Knot has removed the Petei Santa club from their website, although clicking on Petei in the left hand navigation bar will still take you to the photographs of their Petei Santas and the stitch guides for these no longer available canvases are still for sale.  If you happen to have one in your stash or manage to buy one on eBay, you can still get one of Diana Bosworth's fabulous guides for it.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com

Fireside happens to have added a new club of Melissa Shirley starfish that is dear to my heart as they are stitched by Palma Seljan as accessories for her Nepture and Queen of the Sea canvases she did for Fireside last year.  Amazing work!  Simple, but elegantly inventive, like all Palma's stitching.  Trust me, the photos don't do these justice!
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/Clubs/index.cfm?fuseaction=getClubItems&CategoryId=3&clubNumberId=201

http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/clubs/index.cfm?fuseaction=getclubList&CategoryId=3&clubstate=classic

Here is what Diane has to say about the clubs she is joining in 2013.
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/01/two-great-clubs.html

The moral is, check out the Monthly Clubs tab occasionally.  I post new items at the top of the list.

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

Angel Hair

Petei Angel Before 

When you last saw the Petei angel, she looked like this.  Her hair wasn't finished, though.  Should her hair look like a young Brooke Shields?
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2013/01/angel-progress-head-and-shoulders-shot.html

Or perhaps her hair should be blowing in the breeze like the Queen of the Seas' lovely tresses?
http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/queen-of-the-sea?context=user

Styling Bo Derek's Hair

No, I was thinking of copying Bo Derek's look in Ten.  Anyone remember that movie?
http://www.allposters.com/-sp/Bo-Derek-10-Posters_i7968675_.htm?AID=96280778&ProductTarget=53105935183

I started giving the angel a Bo Derek look by laying long stem stitches using Wool Crepe from Fabulous Fibers and Embellishments on top of the straight vertical stitches (using Lorikeet wool) I'd already done. Wool Crepe is a wool-rayon blend that is very tightly twisted together.  This gives you a strand a bit smaller than #8 perle cotton but with a ridged look due to the tight twist.  I used Sand Daffodil #003 which gave the angel blonde highlights.  You can see more of this fiber at the Fabulous Fibers website.
http://www.fabulousfibers.com/detail.asp?c=Wool+Crepe

I added a bullion and a French knot or two with my Wool Crepe, then switched back to 1-2 plies of my Lorikeet wool to add more French knots, a bullion or two more, stem stitches and chain stitches here and there.  I also tossed in a few beads, using a gorgeous tan faceted Delica bead from Miyuki called Varied Taupe #6276.  It has a lot of shine.  The photos don't really show the beads well, but below is my Petei angel all finished with Bo Derek hair.  What fun!

Petei's Angel is Finished

I never knew that chain stitch would give a braided look to hair, or that beads would also add to the flowing effect.  Probably a smoother hairstyle would look nicer on this angel but I wanted to experiment a little.  Small pieces like this 4x7 angel are perfect for trying something new, just to see how it looks. I like how she turned out and hope she tempts you to experiment on some of your smaller pieces as well.

It's the experiments that we do with our needle that make us better stitchers, after all!

The Petei angel has gone into the drawer with other finished canvases I have yet to make up.  I hate finishing so I tend to accumulate a pile of it, then turn everything into finished pieces all at once.

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

Nino's Harlequin Laying Tools

Fireside has updated their website to show off Nino's hand made Harlequin laying tools. Colorful!

Start by clicking on the Harlequin laying tools section, then go back and browse the other hand made tools.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/accessories/index.cfm?fuseaction=getAccessoriesList&CategoryId=25


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

Facebook and Counted Canvaswork

Fireside Stitchery has just announced a new ongoing Color Delights feature on their Facebook account.  Each week they will feature a different Needle Delights canvas from the Color Delights series at their account which is Fireside Stitchery Needlepoint.  "As a new feature on our Facebook page, we are featuring each design in the Color Delights series by Needle Delights Originals, along with thoughts on each from a talented stitcher who completed the entire set."

If you have a Facebook account, you can explore here.
https://www.facebook.com/FiresideStitcheryNeedlepoint

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

Belleza's Got a Pet

Did you know Belleza has a cat? Yes, courtesy of Fireside Stitchery and the artistry of Palma Seljan, there is a Day of the Dead cat named Catleza (or as I like to say, Cat LEEZA).  To learn more about Catleza and the five other cats in the litter, visit the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog via the magic carpet, or click on the link below.  Happy Halloween!
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2012/10/palma-and-day-of-dead.html

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

Going to Seminar? UPDATED

The American Needlepoint Guild's 2012 Seminar is going to be held in Philadelphia August 24-31. If you haven't drooled over the classes offered, here's a list.
http://www.needlepoint.org/Seminar-12/classes.php

Remember, there are plenty of drop in events like the bookstore, the exhibit, the Auction and more that anyone can visit, whether you have the time to register and take classes.
http://www.needlepoint.org/Seminar-12/index.php

The area shops are getting ready to greet you and tempt you with all sorts of goodies to remember the event by.  Here is some of what Fireside Stitchery is going to do.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/ang/index.cfm

UPDATE:  Fireside is partnering with the makers of Mag Friends to have Philly-themed magnets for you to pick up as souvenirs at Seminar.
http://fobfriends.blogspot.com/2012/07/ang-seminar-fireside-stitchery.html 

Fireside's website has all sorts of information for Seminar goers.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/ang/index.cfm

I've heard that Stitch Haus (which is about a 15 minute drive from Fireside) is a great place to shop, even though their website is uninspiring.  Better visit both while you can!
http://www.stitchhaus.com/aboutus.php

And of course you don't want to miss Nimble Needle!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2012/07/from-seminar-marriott-in-philly-to.html

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

Visiting Needlepoint Shops

Althea takes us to Salt Lake City on her latest Shop of the Week posting to visit Needlepoint and Other Things.
http://bargelloneedlepoint.com/shop-of-the-week-needlepoint-other-things/

I wasn't familiar with the shop but there's a nice website to explore here.
http://www.needlepointandthings.com/

Her next Shop of the Week is Next Station Needlepoint in Connecticut.  Sounds like a fun place!
http://bargelloneedlepoint.com/shop-of-the-week-next-station-needlepoint/

Too bad I can't get most of its website to open. Maybe you'll have more luck?
http://www.needlept.com/new-needlepoint.html

The next stop is Kansas and Two the Point.  This is another shop without a website that I didn't know existed.
http://bargelloneedlepoint.com/bargello-shop-of-the-week-two-the-point-needlearts/

Donna's been on the road, too, first to a sampler exhibit, and then to two shops.  One is Fireside Stitchery, a place I've always wanted to visit.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2012/07/road-trip.html

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2012/07/stash-acquisition-in-pennsylvania.html

Don't you wish you could go to all these places?


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

Monthly Club News Report

Fans of Needle Deeva's monthly clubs will be excited to see the latest of the Fabulous Fir trees models is finished. I am intriqued by the background stitches Vicky DeAngelis choose for this one.  This series will be available starting in August from your local shop if they signed up for it with the Deeva herself.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/23/another-fab-fir-finished/


UPDATE: Another fur, a gingerbread one this time.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/05/16/the-latest-in-the-fab-firs/

Fireside Stitchery has some terrific clubs available.  You can either choose Currently Active or Starting Soon to see what wonders will be available.  DO NOT miss Queen of the Sea under Currently Active--it's a beauty!  The companion piece Nepture (both canvases are from Debbie Mumm/Melissa Shirley) is hiding under Starting Soon.  I've gotten glimpses of several of the finished Trick or Treat canvases from Debbie Mumm which will start soon.  Trust me, they are fabulous as well.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/clubs/index.cfm?fuseaction=getclubList&CategoryId=3&clubstate=yes


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

I Didn't Know I Needed That

After a friend mentioned her new ribbon laying tool from Fireside Stitchery, I took a little tour of their Accessories page.  There are 20 pages of stuff I didn't know I needed!
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/accessories/index.cfm?fuseaction=accessorySearch&searchString=&showStart=1&groupNo=1

I didn't know that there are bullion needles, that there are frog magnets available (charms against having to Rip It), what Oli clips are and much much more.  By the way, the ribbon laying tool is called the English Laying Tool and it is on page 20.  Short and dull tipped, she swears it really works great with silk ribbons.

If you want to see how Oli Clips work and see some of the canvas colors available from Nature's Palette, Pocket Full of Stitches has information for you.
http://www.pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2012/02/natures-palette-and-oli-clips.html

If you just need a new magnet, here are some hand painted ones in stock at Needle Bug.  There are lots of sheep, Christmas and just things like a gnome working at his desk.
http://theneedlebug.com/2012/02/handpainted-magnets/


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

Another Stash Seller

There's a new eBay stash seller in town. Well, she's been around a while but since she just started advertising in Needlepoint Now, I just found out about her.  She doesn't list her eBay name so I don't know if I've been watching her selling or not.  I have not used her so proceed with caution.
http://www.cashyourstash.net/

Of course Fireside does stash sales on eBay, too.  They are quite active, listing new items each Saturday morning, and I've seen some great bargains.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/FS/ebay/index.cfm


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