Arlene Changes Everything

Arlene Cohen of WorksByABC is always tackling new challenges in her needlework. She does a lot of original designs and sells charts for some of her work, too, but it is her adjusting of her current design (one of Threedles's complex geometrics) that intrigues me today.  If you are afraid to change anything in a kit or chart, listen to Arlene and be brave.
https://worksbyabc.com/2018/10/16/ch-ch-ch-changes/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 17, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Need Wearable Light/Magnifiers?

I just re-read Kurdy Briggs' description of the cheap wearable light/magnifier she uses and looked them up on eHobby.
https://www.ehobbytools.com/Magnifier-Visors_c_161.html

Here is what Kurdy uses.  She's the brains behind Threedles Designs' charts, by the way.
http://threedles.com/04012016/Frames/threedles_frameset.html

If you need prescription light/magnifier glasses, you'll want to check into CraftOptics.  Note that the light is a separate option from the prescription glasses with magnifier.
https://craftoptics.com

Everyone's eyes are different.  Some folks need just a good light, some want a light/magnifier combination.  Whatever eyes you have, treat them well and use good lighting of some sort.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 20, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Nashville Market Video Interviews! UPDATED

Fiber Talk is at the Nashville Market doing videos of the exhibitors. Besides interviewing sampler and counted thread folks, they also talked to Doug Kreinik, Debbie Woodward/Painted Pony and Kathy Rees/Needle Delights Originals.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/03/fiber-talk-at-the-nashville-market-ii/ 

They also talked to Sally London of Rainbow Gallery about threads and Kurdy Biggs' designs!  (As an aside, the rumor that I would run into the Rainbow Gallery booth and grab all the threads and run is totally false.  Probably.)
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/03/fiber-talk-at-the-nashville-market-iii/

Gary and Christine have done a lot of other booth interviews with sampler and counted thread designers.  If you'd like to browse those, go to their main page and explore.
http://wetalkfiber.com

UPDATE:  The fun continues as Gary interviews more folks at the Nashville market.  This set of videos includes an interview of Julia Snyder of & More.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/04/fiber-talk-at-the-nashville-market-viii/

This video grouping includes an interview with the maker of Rolaframe frames and stands.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/04/fiber-talk-at-the-nashville-market-vii/

This set has an interview with Raymond Crawford and the Hug Me Bags folks.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/04/fiber-talk-at-the-nashville-market-vi/

The final set of videos are all about Treenway Silks.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/03/04/fiber-talk-at-the-nashville-market-ix/

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

Free Design - Threedles

Counted canvasworkers can rejoice at this free design from Kurdy Biggs of Threedles, published by Rainbow Gallery.  It's a great introduction to her designs and to fancy dimensional stitches in general, so raid your stash and have a little fun with "Mardi Gras."
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/04/Mardi-Gras-Free-Ornament-Kurdy-Biggs.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 4, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Free for the Counted Canvaswork Fanatic

Rainbow Gallery has been busy adding new free charts to their website.  There's a pretty little Threedles piece here…
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/mardi-gras-star/

…and a set of five rollups from Rainbow Gallery's own Sally London here.
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/sallys-roll-ornaments/

Just follow the links and have fun counting!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 5, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fiber Talk: Kurdy Biggs of Threedles

The newest podcast on Fiber Talk interviews Kurdy Biggs of Threedles.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2017/02/19/fiber-talk-with-kurdy-biggs/

For those who don't do counted canvaswork, here is the Threedles website.
http://threedles.com/06012011/default.htm

Here is the Threedles' hints page with the angle bars tip mentioned in the podcast.  By the way, Kurdy's projects are listed alphabetically on the left side if you want to look up a project mentioned in the podcast.
http://threedles.com/04012016/Frames/threedles_frameset.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 19, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Destination Dallas Holiday Poppers

Kreinik filmed a short video of Threedles' new Holiday Poppers which use lots of Kreinik's metallic threads for holiday sparkle.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=acgogHnxny0

The Holiday Poppers chart came out last summer.
http://threedles.com/06012011/2015/Holiday%20Poppers/Holiday%20Poppers.html

I believe the amazing finishing was done by Sue Parsons of West Coast Finishing.
http://westcoastneedlepointfinishing.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 11, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadles Wins!

I just discovered Threedles won third place at the January TNNA show for Best New Product Display with their new counted canvaswork piece "Cathedral."  Congratulations!
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2015/03/cathedral.html

You can see "Cathedral" and Kurdy's other new 2015 designs on her website. Click on the photos and you'll see alternate color ways she puts in her charts for each piece.
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2015/2015Designs.html

If you are intrigued, here's the home page.  Pour yourself your favorite morning (or evening) beverage and take a browse.
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/default.htm

If you are new to Blog, you may not realize I have a tab about all the counted canvaswork designers with places to see and/or buy their work.  There is also a link to shops that carry lots of needlepoint charts, by the way.  If your favorite designer or shop that carries a ton of charts isn't listed, let me know by either leaving a comment here or emailing me at chillyhollow@hotmail.com.  I don't count very well so this is an area I am not all that knowledgeable in.  Your help will be invaluable!

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

For My Counting Friends

This posting is for my counted canvaswork friends who will love seeing four different color ways of Threedles' 2012 ornament design.  Jan is stitching these as presents (plus a small one for herself) and using a variety of color schemes, all of which are beautiful.
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2014/10/31/threedles-2012-ornament-finales/

If you are not familiar with Kurdy Briggs' work, here is her website.  Every year she does a small Christmas ornament design.  I am not sure if these are available after the year has passed but I do know the 2014 ornament is at the bottom of this page.
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2014/2014Designs.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright  October 31, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Counted Canvaswork Delights

Fans of counted canvaswork, particularly pieces by Jim Wurth and Kurdy Biggs/Threedles, will want to check out the SBCANG website to see some of their work stitched by chapter members. I love seeing the various colors and the ways the Threedles chart was turned into ornaments instead of one big piece.
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org/nov_2014.html

Fans of either designer who want to see more of their work and possibly buy charts should visit Blog's tabs labeled "Counted Canvaswork Designers" and "Counted Canvaswork Shops" to find more examples of their work and shops that Blog readers say stock a large number of charts.  To return here, just click on the Home tab.  See how easy I make it to spend way too much money on charts?  LOL

Enjoy the show.  Many thanks to SBCANG for being such a talented and giving group!

(By the way, if your shop has a ton of needlepoint charts and they aren't on the shop list, please let me know by either adding a comment below or sending me a quick note at chillyhollowathotmaildotcom.  Thanks!)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 9, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Different View in Different Colors

The New Jersey Needle Arts Chapter of ANG is doing a Stitch of the Month project using one of Kurdy Briggs' designs.  Since they just posted photos of the various color ways, I thought you'd like to see them.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/09/15/september-2014-sotm/

If you've never heard of Kurdy's company Threedles, here is her website, which is full of complex designs worked from charts.  Her work is amazing in person.   You can't see the sparkle or all the beads and crystals in the photographs.
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/default.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 15, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sue Goes to Woodlawn UPDATED

I thought folks would like to read about Sue's trip to Woodlawn. Sounds like she had a blast. 
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/03/10/woodlawn-needlework-exhibit-2014/

Here are photos of some of the pieces Sue mention, in the order which she talked about them.  First, Ro Pace's Atlantis Rising.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/atlantis-rising-finished.html

I don't know which blue Nancy Cucci piece she saw, but these are typical of Nancy's teaching pieces.
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2013/06/irrisistible-iridescents.html

Kurdy Biggs is a counted canvaswork designer under the Threedles name.  Again, I don't know specifically which designs Sue saw stitched.  Thanks to The Threedles Fairy, I know which pieces Kurdy Biggs exhibited--The Butterfly Effect in the Midnight color way...
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2014/ButterflyEffect/ButterflyEffect.html

Triple Crown in the Preakness colors, and ...
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2013/2013Designs.html#TripleCrown

Hexefoos in the Strasburg colors  - Thanks for the help, Fairy!
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2013/2013Designs.html#Hexefoos

Here is Melita's Crescent River, an original design.  Use the search feature to watch this being stitched on Melita's blog.
http://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2014/02/02/crescent-river-floating-down-to-woodland/

I don't know which Rita Hayworth canvas Sue saw but it might have looked something like Sandy Arthur's version of a Leigh Designs canvas from Leigh's "Femme Fatale" series.
UPDATE:  Yes, this is the canvas that Sue admired.  I didn't think to ask if she used the stitch guide.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Mdl5042.html

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

Curving the Butterfly Wings

Kurdy Biggs has a new design on her Threedles website called "Butterfly Effects." It celebrates the curve and non-rectangular designs.  It's beautiful!
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2014/ButterflyEffect/ButterflyEffect.html

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

Pangea as a Tote Bag (More Finishing Friday)

Thanks to Sue Dulle, I heard about Kurdy Biggs' latest design, Pangea, made up as a tote bag and stitcher's tool wallet. It's magnificent! 
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2013/Pangea/Pangea_BagAndWallet.html

Here is the charted design in its three colorways devised by Kurdy herself.  Her work is astounding in person.  Photos don't capture the complexity or show the crystals and beads she uses.
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2013/Pangea/Pangea.html

By the way, the Needleart Nut is stitching Kurdy's Mariposa butterfly if you want to see how the design develops.  Pat is doing hers on a custom dyed canvas.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com

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.

News for the Counted and Painted Folk UPDATED

There is lots of news today.  Let's start with news for those who love counted canvaswork.  DMC has published a brief but very interesting interview with Orna Willis.
http://dmc-threads.com/interview-orna-willis/

Betsy Morgan has updated her blog to list her current classes.  She's one talented lady!  If you are interested in reproduction samplers and smalls, don't miss looking over her work.  I saw the Toy Chest Etui on display at a needlework show about six years ago. It was amazingly small and detailed.  
http://willinghandsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/04/revised-workshop-list.html

UPDATE:  Betsy's posted two brand new designs, both sure to amaze and delight her fans.
http://willinghandsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/04/edinburgh-designs.html

Sara Leigh has posted photographs of the newest Threedles design.  This one Kurdy Biggs calls "Pangea."  SL has done her thread magic and pulled the various color ways that go with each version of the chart so you can admire all the colors.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2013/04/whats-new-you-ask.html

By the way, SL says she forgot to add a link to a good place to get the bling you'll need for Pangea to her article.  Here it is.
http://www.fusionbeads.com/Crystal-Collection

Now to the painted canvas news!  Needle Works has started the second in their series of Nativity pieces from Brenda Stofft.  This new piece is one of the Wise Men, shown on a kneeling elephant.  Want to see the finished Holy Family?  Click on the blog title, then scroll down one entry.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2013/04/share-a-stitch-sunday-april-7-from-santa-fe.html

Enriched Stitch shows off one of Ashley Dillon's designs, the napping Easter Rabbit.  The details are amazing and so is the stitching.
http://astheneedleturns.com/hippity-hoppity/

Speaking of stitching, Barbara Bergsten is stitching one of her new large shift pieces.  Check out those pink flowers!  I think the ladybug pockets will be the next area Barbara will stitch. This design is large and complex but there really are only four elements:  background, flowers, ladybugs and butterflies.  This makes it a great teaching piece for someone who is sticking their toe into fancier stitching.  One you master one element, it is easy to repeat the lesson elsewhere on the design before moving on.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2013/04/pw12-large-shift-needlepoint-progress.html

The final painted canvas news is that the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog has a lot of new guides to tell you about, including one for Brenda Stofft's Rabbit Geisha.  Click on the photo of the magic carpet on the right side of the page to visit, then return here by "riding" the magic carpet back to Blog.

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.

There is Hope

As you know, my favorite online counted thread shop, Scarlet Thread, has closed. I miss it. I don't stitch much counted thread work but Sara Leigh had the knack of making all the patterns look like something I might do if I ever learned to count and managed not to sleep at night.  But the life of a small business owner is full of challenges and sometimes you just have to let go.  Still, there is hope that SL will continue to publish Jeff Kulick designs and keep us up-to-date on new designs in the counted canvaswork world.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-have-i-been-up-to.html

Speaking of which, I looked up Kurdy Bigg's newest piece, just to see what magic she'd come up with this time.  Here it is--
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2013/2013Designs.html

Counted canvaswork:  I don't do it but I appreciate it greatly!  Stay tuned.  I expect Scarlet Thread has a  new incarnation for us to enjoy.

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.

New Threadles

Kurdy Biggs has been busy, with two new designs joining her Threedles stable in 2013.  Many thanks to Carol for mentioning this!
http://threedles.com/06012011/2013/2013Designs.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.

Reminder: Fiber Arts Fiesta Deadline

2011 Best in Show

The Albuquerque Fiber Arts Fiesta 2013 will be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico on May 23-25, 2013. This is a show of great interest to all needleworkers and crafts people. The Call to Entries deadline is March 1st, 2013. You may enter up to six pieces (but only three in one division). The entry fee is $5.00 each. The call to entries link and further information can be found at http://www.fiberartsfiesta.org/2011FiestaEntry.html

Viewer's Choice and Blue Ribbon

Or send a SASE with your division of interest to:
AFAF Fiesta 2013
P. O. Box 16443
Albuquerque, NM 87191-6443.

If you have any questions, please contact Sue Thomas at egasue@hotmail.com or Ellie Ames at eames@q.com.

2011 Viewer's Choice and Judge's Choice

To spark your interest in seeing the show and submitting your own work, in the Embroidery Division in 2011, the Viewer's Choice and Blue ribbon was won by Sue Thomas for her Tiramisu band sampler (designed by Dakota Rogers). A Best of Show and Blue ribbon were awarded to Kurdy Biggs for her original Cats Eye Venus geometric piece.  Lisa Leigh Payne won a Judge's Choice and a blue ribbon for her Tree of the Mother piece.


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

More Reports from Baltimore

Because I stitch painted canvases, not counted canvaswork, I feel I shortchange my counted friends here at Blog a little. Hope today's report of new things from Baltimore makes up for my neglect.  It's a showstopper featuring Kurdy Brigg's Threedles designs.  Please don't trample each other in the rush to buy "Christmas 2012"!
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2012/09/threedles-at-tnna-market.html

Quail Run has fallen in love with the Sew Much Fun 3-D Halloween figures.  It isn't hard to see why.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/09/more-pictures-from-fall-market.html

Accoutrement Designs has posted a few photos of magnets they took to Baltimore.  These are things that aren't likely to be widely available, so keep your eyes open at your local shop if they went to Baltimore.
http://fobfriends.blogspot.com/2012/09/additional-new-items-some-made-debut-in.html

I expect there will be other things posted later today.  I'll update this article tonight after supper if there are. But for now, let's finish our coffee and the day will begin.

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

The Old Crows and More from Baltimore TNNA

The Old Crows are available for viewing on the Leigh Designs website. My Night Rider and Sandy Arthur's Night Cap also have photos of the models we did for Leigh Designs. Click on the photo of the bare canvas to see the stitched versions when you arrive at those canvases.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp515x.html

The photo above of Night Rider shows the brown marbling on the sage green canvas well.  All the Old Crows have metallic paint although that is hard to see in the photos.  These are 10x10 designs on 18 count canvas.  Because this series has stitch guides ready to order, I also put information and another photo of Night Rider on the CH Stitch Guides blog.  Ride the magic carpet or follow the link, your choice.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2012/09/introducing-night-rider.html

Kristine Kingston (who lives in the Baltimore area, lucky girl) has a lovely long report of everything she's seen at Market, including a booklet and canvas from Kelly Clark that talks about the stumpwork techniques she uses.  This is a nice long report. Bless you, Kristine!
http://baltimoreneedleworks.wordpress.com/2012/09/10/tnnas-baltimore-market/

Sara Leigh has added lots of new counted canvaswork pieces to her site, along with her trademark photos of the threads needed.  That makes it just that much more tempting, doesn't it?  Don't miss the new Kurdy Briggs!
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2012/09/purple-diamonds-and-butterflies.html

Quail Run  has found a magic wand.  Wonder if it is related to my magic carpet?  LOL
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/09/a-touch-of-magic-at-baltimore-market.html

Vicky is still eating.   You know, now I am hungry!  If you'll excuse me a minute....
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/09/10/how-sweet-it-is/

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