Getting to Know Merry L

The latest Pointing It Out podcast interviews Ellen Davis, the co-owner of Merry L Needlework Accessories.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YD8mKdzJh34

If you have a Facebook account, you can see more of Merry L's products here.

https://www.facebook.com/merrylneedleworkaccessorirs

Here are some of the fabrics the collapsable ort holders come in.

https://woolfloss.com/products/collapsible-fabric-ort-catcher?_pos=2&_sid=6ad098ffc&_ss=r&variant=44245829320924

Here's more about the needle cozies.

https://nuts-about-needlepoint.com/merry-l-needle-cozies-product-review/

Here's the triangular frame weight.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Frame-Weight-x68824157.htm

Wooden laying tools with beaded tassels.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Wood-Laying-tools-with-beaded-tassel-x68824174.htm

Japanese pen scissors with beaded tassels.

https://www.stitchersgardenil.com/shop/c/p/Japanese-Pen-style-Scissors-with-Beaded-tassel-x68824215.htm

Felted ball scissor fobs.

https://woolfloss.com/products/needle-threader-fob-with-felted-balls-and-flowers

Of course your favorite shop may stock these tools already.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 24, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mainely Needlepoint Series Author Interview UPDATED

I haven't read Lea Wait's needlepoint/Maine mysteries yet (a third is just out this month) but if you have or if you are a mystery fan, you will want to read Janet Perry's interview with the author. 
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/lea-wait-author-interview/

Here is the author's website so you can read more about her and her other mysteries.
http://leawait.com

UPDATE: Lea has added a bibliography of her source material about historical needlepoint to her website.  Have fun tracking down the sources.
http://www.leawait.com/BIBLIO_Needlepoint.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Rave Review

Janet Perry gives Carolyn Hedge Baird's latest book --Teeny, Tiny Stitches-- a rave review.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/teeny-tiny-stitches-book-review/

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

Reviews of The Needlepoint Book, 2015 Edition UPDATED A LOT

The advance copies of Jo I. Christensen's updated version of The Needlepoint Book are starting to arrive at selected shops' and lucky bloggers' doors.  Here is what Sue has to say.
https://sudukc.wordpress.com/2015/04/10/the-needlepoint-book-by-jo-ippolito-christensen/

Needle in a Haystack in California got an advanced copy also.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2015/04/new-jo-ippolito-christensen-needlepoint-book-due-soon.html

Randi of The World in Stitches has been writing down thoughts on Facebook as she reads through her advance copy.  If you have an account, check this out.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=635456963254258&set=gm.840943202649506&type=1&theater

As other folks write about the book, I'll update this article.  (No, I haven't been sent an advanced copy although it is very flattering that folks think I might be important enough to get one.)

UPDATES:

Janet Perry also got a review copy and here are her preliminary thoughts.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/me-the-needlepoint-book/

Here is Janet's expanded review.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/the-needlepoint-book-third-edition-book-review/

Sheena does a compact but thorough review of what you'll find between the covers of the book.
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/the-needlepoint-book-a-review/

Kathy at the Unbroken Thread talks at length about the "Choosing Stitches" chapter in the book.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2015/04/17/review-the-needlepoint-book-by-jo-ippolito-christensen/

Liz Morrow of LizArt loves hers!
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2015/04/the-needlepoint-book.html

Gay Ann Rogers added a mini review to her home page.  Since she changes her website a lot, this is likely to disappear soon so make sure you check it out quickly.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

NeedlePaint.com loves the eBook and hard copy for different reasons.
http://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2015/05/27/a-new-bible-for-needlepoint/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching Mementos UPDATED

Suzanne has been stitching a memento of a trip her daughter took to London.  
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2014/11/union-jack.html

This got me thinking about all those travel ornaments that people stitch in memory of a trip they took.  There are lots available, as Janet Perry shows in this round-up of places to find such things.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/destination-needlepoint/

Of course any ornament that triggers a good memory will work.  Hope you have fun picking just the right one to stitch this season for Holiday 2015.

UPDATE:  Ridgewood posted a lot of photos of the travel ornaments from Danji.  I rarely see so many in one place.  Some celebrate Christmas in a special spot, some just celebrate the location.  All are great!
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/12/travel-rounds.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 19, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Hair Stitch Ideas

This week I noticed the clever hair stitch Linda used for an angel over at her Split the Needles blog.  She has used two colors of thread and also allows some of the painted canvas to show to create realistic hair with a lot of movement.
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2014/09/more-beautiful-angel-hair.html

Janet Perry also lays out a three step process to create hair using different colors and stitches.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/a-suggestion-for-stitching-hair/

I hope these resources help you create hair that looks like it just came from the beauty parlor!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 28, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Barjello Magic (in Class)

Ruth shares the fun her customers had in a Bargello class with Julia Snyder. Folks picked a canvas from her And More line, then choose stitches from her iBargello book and stitched their brains out.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/07/the-brilliance-of-bargello.html

Here's the book they used.  The second link is the only review I found.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/ibargello.html

http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/ibargello-book-review/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 21, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

More New Tools From Elsewhere

I have more new tools you might find useful.  Janet Perry reviews Gail Callahan's Color Grid, created to help knitters with their colors.  The second link is to Gail's website, The Kangaroo Dyer.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/color-grid-product-review/

http://www.kangaroodyer.com/our_products/color-grid.html

The Stitcherista is using counting pins to mark areas on her canvas.  She doesn't specify which Etsy seller she got hers from, but it appears to be TJB Designs (second link) which also sells beaded scissor fobs, needle threaders, and stitch pickers.
http://stitcherista.blogspot.com/2014/02/progress-purchase-and-perle-cotton.html

http://www.etsy.com/shop/TJBdesigns?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright Feb. 19, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Finishing Book (and Classes) UPDATE

Thanks to some help from Mary Agnes on Facebook, I discovered that The Binding Stitch has a new finishing book out.   I have not seen it but their very expensive video series on finishing was very popular.  The six volume set is still available in DVD format, by the way.  Marcia Brown also offers online finishing courses.  If anyone on the Cape can tell us about any of these, I'd love to know more!
http://www.bindingstitch.com

Thanks, MA!  You are The BEST.

UPDATE:  The book is available through Amazon.  Janet Perry has done a review of the book on the site.
http://www.amazon.com/Distinctive-Presentations-Needle-Art-Professional/dp/1493597515

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright Feb. 17, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ruth Kern Talks Books

In the world of needlework books, Ruth Kern is a legend.  I enjoyed her newsletter for years until it became by subscription only.  (Jane is spelled c-h-e-a-p.)   Now Ruth has started a blog where you can get a taste of the books she carries.  Have fun!
http://ruthkernbooks.blogspot.com/2013/11/needle-news-and-book-reviews-november.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.

Wear It, Carry It

Rittenhouse just wrote about some of the many wearable needlepoint designs they have created and/or finished for their customers.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/01/wear-art.html

Somewhat along the same lines, check out these portfolios for carrying your canvases safely as you travel.  Linda says they are from Bags by Barb, owned by Barbara Garrana.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2013/01/portfolio-for-needlepoint.html

Barb does regular bags as well as portfolios.  Here is more about her courtesy of Janet Perry.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/bags-by-barb/

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

The Mathematician in Stitches

Janet Perry just spotted this fascinating use of math to create a design. First, read her explanation of Pascal's Triangle, then head to the original site to enjoy!
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/mathematics-in-needlepoint-creating-pascals-triangle/

http://curvebank.calstatela.edu/ptriangle/ptriangle.htm

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

Exploding Christmas Pillows and Other Holiday Stories

I had to laugh at Linda's holiday stitching experience.  Maybe next year Santa will bring her less clueless guests?
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2012/12/my-christmas-stitching.html

Sue's family does an ornament exchange that sounds like great fun.
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/12/26/hope-everyone-had-a-great-holiday/

Linda started stitching a dragon (with a little help from Brenda Hart).
http://stitchinginsuburbia.blogspot.com/2012/12/happy-new-year.html

Melinda just had a durn good holiday.
http://melindaslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2012/12/happy-new-year.html

Janet Perry was told about this article in the Atlanta Constitution about a church's needlepoint Nativity set and told us all about it.
http://tablet.olivesoftware.com/Olive/Tablet/AtlantaJournalConstitution/SharedArticle.aspx?href=AJC%2F2012%2F12%2F25&id=Ar04504

Diane's been very productive.
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-long-peaceful-weekend-of-stitching.html

Finally, thanks to the Needlework Retailer News, I have this link to a 1996 New Year's Resolution for knitters.  Move the purple box in the right hand column to read the whole thing.
http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=wOVPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=mgcEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6865%2C593616

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

Even More About the New Paternayan

Here's a bit more about the new Paternayan, courtesy of Janet Perry.
http://cmtk3.webring.org/l/rd?ring=bloggerswhoembel;id=7;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Enuts%2Dabout%2Dneedlepoint%2Ecom%2Fpaternayan%2Ddyeing%2Dfacility%2Ddetails%2F

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

More New Things

Janet Perry has listed more new things for our stitching pleasure.
http://sd2cx1.webring.org/l/rd?ring=bloggerswhoembel;id=36;url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww%2Enuts%2Dabout%2Dneedlepoint%2Ecom%2Fstash%2Denhancement%2Dfound%2Dhere%2Dnew%2Dproducts%2Doctober%2D2012%2F

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

Threadaholic Alert: Dragonflylotus Designs UPDATED

Janet Perry's found a new thread company!
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/water-but-not-a-watery-grave/

Here is their website.  Because these are hand dyed thread, you might want to talk to the company before you buy a lot of one color for a large area, just to make sure your threads all come from the same dyelot.
http://www.handspunthread.com

UPDATE:  Diane is trying their silk out. Here's what she says so far.
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/10/a-new-thread-purchase.html

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

Ideas and Trends

I gather ideas from all over the Internet for my stitching. Sometimes they are practical--like this article Mary Corbet wrote about how some thread types work well with others and how some thread types are not right for certain stitches or effects.  (Personally, I love wool for bullions but I've never looked at my finished bullions under a microscope!)
http://www.needlenthread.com/2012/07/wool-thread-silk-thread-good.html

Sometimes they are more abstract--like this Janet Perry article about how dimensional (or 3-D) needlepoint is a great way to stitch pieces you can finish and use in your home.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/3-d-needlepoint-is-it-a-trend/

Speaking of trends, want to be trendy?  Here's a fun shoe embellishment idea.  (Thanks for the link, Kreinik!)
http://www.dreamalittlebigger.com/craft/2012/7/17/neon-doodle-embroidery-super-kicks.html

Want to be retro?  How about these Mid-Century modern chairs with NP backs?
http://dmc-threads.com/needlepoint-inspiration/

Regardless of the practicality of the ideas above, they show how important the Internet is to the spread of stitching ideas across the World of Needlepoint.


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

Planning a Canvas

Lots of folks are a bit intimidated about picking their own stitches and threads for a painted canvas. Sometimes it is just Too Much. But other times, aren't you tempted to try? Trust me, the more you do it the easier it gets.

To give a confidence boost, here is Vicky DeAngelis talking about her latest project, a set of Needle Deeva Thanksgiving canvases.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/07/16/yes-there-is-allot-of-stitching-going-on-here/

Here's Janet Perry talking about her new Charley Harper canvas.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/planning-a-canvas/

If that's just not enough about how to approach a painted canvas, you can always revisit this article I wrote.
http://www.needlepoint.org/FAQ/phobia.php


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

I Shouldn't Post This

I shouldn't post this. I've already posted twice today and that's enough, but it is a Black Cat stitching story and it's Friday the 13th.  How can I resist?   (And it's a glimpse of one of the canvases that will be at the ANG Seminar Exhibit in Philadelphia, perfect for those of us who aren't going.)
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/07/13/happy-friday-the-13th/

Here's more black cat stuff.  This is an older article so some of the canvases may not be available any more.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/black-cats-needlepoint/

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