Sunflowers (and more) for Ukraine

I'm starting to see sunflowers all over, and realized this is because they are Ukraine's flower.  As I write this, the invasion of Ukraine is still stalled.  Hopefully diplomacy (or common decency) will prevail and the Russian army will retreat.  To take this back to needlepoint, Carol Curtis Needlepoint Design has a lovely realistic sunflower.

https://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2022/02/sunflower.html

Suzi of VNG has a sunflower fund raiser for Ukraine.

https://astheneedleturns.com/sunflower-fields/

So does Pepperberry.

https://familyartsneedlework.com/collections/stand-with-ukraine-1

Judy Ann has added several small sunflower pieces to her Etsy store.

https://judyannneedlepoint.com/product-category/stitchin-for-ukraine/

If you are fond of traditional needlepoint pillows, Beth Russell's pillow kit is gorgeous.  It's also available with a green or paprika red background but we'll show the blue since yellow and blue are the Ukrainian flag colors.

https://bethrussellneedlepoint.com/collections/sunflower/products/sunflower-1-blue-background

Are you a fan of abstract art?  Then this Zecca canvas of four sunflowers is going to be right up your alley.

https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=31201&title=4%20Sunflowers%20-%2013ct&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

The Meredith Collection has at least two sunflowers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CapO0hMNQEz/

Mary Lake Thompson has a gorgeous sunflower boot for the Southwestern fans.

https://myneedlepoint.com/sunflower-boot-mlt242-ms.html

Want something smaller? This Abigail Cecile version is for you.

https://needlepoint.com/products/abigail-cecile-single-jacobean-sunflower

JP has a lovely little peace ornament and...

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219818702850103&set=a.10202723598043167

...a darling sunflower egg design.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219866724330610&set=a.1526682219092

The queen of floral needlepoint design is Jean Smith.  This beauty is on 13 count.

https://www.annieandco.com/products/jean-smith-181m

Jean also has a very elegant sunflower topiary.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/products/small-sunflower-topiary-needlepoint-canvas

Patt of Patt and Lee has a large sunflower that's gorgeous.  Change the teal background to blue and there you go.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=4977918388956561&set=a.107871135961335

Jody Valentine has several small sunflower ornaments.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/JODYdesignsNEEDLEPT?fbclid=IwAR0tf_XTdMH3f6WyuzkfY1R_O99oiYrA6gjdMaZDrnFB7mU2JoDazIRAQNU

If you are a fan of counted canvaswork, Laura Perin's "Ukrainian Eggs" is a fabulous design from a chart.

https://www.madameneedle.com/item_21088/Laura-J.-Perin-Ukranian-Eggs.htm

Laura has taken one of the eggs from "Ukrainian Eggs" and charted it for a free project.  Thanks, Laura!

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2022/03/sharing-this-ukrainian-egg-ornament.html

JP Needlepoint is painting an Ukrainian egg design.  It's not finished yet but you can see how it is developing here.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10219795548711264&set=a.1526682219092

JP Needlepoint now has individual Ukrainian eggs available.

https://www.facebook.com/427220977360465/photos/a.427244014024828/5170064076409441/

If you have more canvases than time, how about this charming heart magnet from Kirkland Design Studio?

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/4911653968911722/

https://www.kirklanddesignstudio.com/listing/1179245884/ukrainian-flag-heart-needle-minder

Rebecca Wood has a charming reindeer ornament for Ukraine.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/4938273442916441/

We stitch our hopes and dreams, don't we?  We dream of peace in Ukraine.  By the way, Tilli Thomas of Planet Earth has a new Ukrainian flag ornament that is a fund raiser for the brave soils there.

https://www.facebook.com/ostervilleneedlepointshop/photos/a.722684687832921/4313611592073528/

UPDATES:  Jolly Red has a subtle bow to Ukraine in their Brighter Days Daffodils kit.

https://www.jollyred.co.uk/product/brighter-days-daffodils/

Kathy Brandt has added a lovely heart flag to her line.

https://www.facebook.com/KathyBrantArt/photos/a.381585001987545/2861224667356887/

Hedgehog has a Kyiv Vintage Luggage tag needle magnet now.

https://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.shop/shop/c/p/Vintage-Luggage-Tag---Kyiv-Needleminder-x62433949.htm

Hannah Bass has a traditional needlepoint kit.

https://hannahbass.com/products/peace-for-ukraine-charity-needlepoint-kit

Laura Love Designs has a new charted sunflower chart fund raiser.  It'll be available as a painted canvas later this year.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/4971059322971186/

Laura Love's painted version of the pretty Ukrainian embroidery with sunflower is ready.

https://store.apneedlearts.com/ukemfl1.html

Elizabeth Bradley has redone their small sunflower kit with a Ukrainian blue background.  All profits go to charities to help the Ukrainian refugees.

https://needlepoint.com/products/elizabeth-bradley-sunflower-mini-kit?_kx=spGqMUEEs3Pe26tF9Jkghd_FvizqCNqZrcu-EtTsuNa-X-jY5kdJAFI_-tT2BvST.TxAVmM

CanvasWorks has a great kit with the Ukrainian symbol.  Available this summer.

https://store.apneedlearts.com/ukemfl.html

BeauVerre Art has Ukrainian needle minders.  The Labors of Love shop has them in stock.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CdV2mLErwDO/

Painted Pony has an angel that is a fund raiser for Ukrainian displaced children.

https://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2022/07/ukrainian-angel.html

Anne Fisher is distributing two needlepoint canvases from Julia Krasnik, an Ukrainian artist.

https://www.annefisherneedlepoint.com/collaborations

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com\

© Copyright March 1, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Floral Bench

A shop owner stitched four of Jean Smith's florals, then had them made into a bench cushion!

https://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2021/03/gorgeous-bench-uses-4-needlepoint-canvases.html

It's a very clever idea and perfect for those big canvases you love but don't know how to finish.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 5, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finding 10-12 Count Canvas

Margaret asked about finding 10-12 count canvas (both painted and plain) on Facebook's Needlepoint Nation. The answers were very useful so I am quoting them here for those who want a larger count, especially now that 13 and 18 count canvases are the norm.

Elizabeth Bradley kits come on 10 count canvas, as do the Ehrman Tapestry designs.
http://www.elizabethbradley.com/theamericas/

Occasionally some of the Ehrman canvases are 8 or 12 count.  Check before you buy.  Elizabeth Bradley and Erhman designs are kits, with tapestry wool included.
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com

Old World Designs has a series of 10 count canvases that come with coordinating tote bags.
https://www.oldworlddesigns.com/shop/c/p/OWD-Hydrangea-Tote-Bag-x26531509.htm


Jean Smith has some lovely florals on 10 count...
http://www.jeansmithdesigns.com

… and Cat's Cradle also has some nice 10 counts.  Your favorite shop can order from Jean Smith or Cat's Cradle for you.
http://www.catscradleneedlepoint.com

Needlepoint.com also carries 10 point canvases.
https://needlepoint.com

Designers' Desk and other shops carry 10 and 12 count plain canvas so you can work all sorts of designs from books and charts on them.
http://designersdeskusa.com

Have fun looking!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 9, 2017 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.

The Big Wedding UPDATED

Today, April 26th, a new movie called The Big Wedding opens around the country.
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi2719065881/

So why are needlepointers interested in a comedy of manners?  There is needlepoint everywhere!

The Needlepoint Retailer (a magazine for shops and designers) has photographs of many of the pieces used at props on the set in their magazine and they have reproduced those photos on their Facebook page.  I hope those without a FB account can see these.  I understand the designs are from Jean Smith and JP Needlepoint.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151679457631414&set=a.94132201413.107453.32969321413&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10151679468981414&set=a.94132201413.107453.32969321413&type=3&theater

Laura posted this message about the movie and the painted canvases featured in it to the ANG email list (and allowed me to repost here).

"Received this from Jane Hardy Hudson, owner of Two's Company Needlepoint in Rock Hill, SC--

This Friday, The Big Wedding starring Susan Sarandon and Robert DiNiro is coming out. Apparently, all through the movie, Susan Sarandon needlepoints, and the scenes in her home are filled with needlepoint.
Most of the designs are those by JP in California and Jean Smith. I talked to Jean about this - she is thrilled. I already have in stock the 3 pieces she says are shown most prominently in the movie for anyone interested. I can't wait to see the movie!"

If you want to visit the Two's Company website, here's the link.

http://twoscompanyneedlepoint.com/index.htm

Thanks for the tip, Ada and Laura!  By the way, Laura's website is a fun visit.  She teaches wonderful classes on mixed media on needlepoint canvas so there are plenty of examples of her work to enjoy here.
http://www.stitch4fun.com

UPDATE:  Now that folks have seen the movie, most are disappointed at the short amount of time the needlepoint is on screen.  The few folks who have commented on the movie in general say it isn't that great.  I will wait and order it on DVD when it comes out in the early fall so I can watch it at my leisure and replay the parts with stitching in them to enjoy the needlepoint.

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.

Food for Thought

Occasionally bloggers write articles that aren't really about their stitching so much as they are food for thought.   Jane talks about the high prices Petei Santas are brining on eBay, and...
http://janew1102.typepad.com/my_weblog/2013/01/petei-santas.html

...the Spinster Stitcher is content, while...
http://spinsterstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/01/baby-its-cold-outside.html

...Jean thinks about needlepoint, living alone, and possibilities.  Pour a cup of coffee and spend a little time thinking about these things with me, won't you?
http://lovingstitches.typepad.com/a-needlepoint-journal-abo/2013/01/sliding-doors.html

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

Jean Smith Goes to the Movies

Thanks for the tip, Robin.  We will certainly put this movie on our Must See list.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/08/jean-smith-designs-and-movies.html

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

More Painted Canvases from Market

Colleen's updated her blog again with lots of things from Market.  SharonG's horses--
http://theneedleworks.typepad.com/the_needle_works/2009/09/i-am-done-with-market.html

Delightful florals from Zecca
http://theneedleworks.typepad.com/the_needle_works/2009/09/2nd-post-for-the-day.html

A Jane Nichols giraffe witch
http://theneedleworks.typepad.com/the_needle_works/2009/09/more-markets-finds.html

And notice of Jean Smith's new webiste.  Start with the information about Jean--you'll love meeting her!
http://69.65.3.151/~jeansmit/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=47&Itemid=56

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow