Showing posts with label M's Canvashouse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label M's Canvashouse. Show all posts

Friday, June 26, 2026

How Did Meredith Start on the Road to Needlepoint Stardom?

Want to hear how Meredith Willett of M's Canvashouse (and the Meredith Collection of canvases and needle minders) got into needlepoint?  Watch this--

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 16, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, June 8, 2026

Touring M's Canvashouse (Lexington, KY)

Melita visited M's Canvashouse in Lexington, Kentucky and discovered more beads and sequins in one place than she's ever seen.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April2, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, February 9, 2026

Breaking News: New Book from Meredith!

Meredith Willet has a new book coming out in March!  A simplified version called "Needlepoint Quick Guide" is available at her shop, M's Canvashouse, right now.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 9, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, January 19, 2026

Stitching a House?

Stitching a house?   M's Canvashouse has some darling brass embellishments for doors.  It's hard to tell from the photo but I think most can be sewn on.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, April 25, 2025

Threadaholic Alert: Radiance Metallic UPDATED

The Meredith Collection has instroduced a new metallic thread called Radiance Metallic.  You can order from M's Canvashouse or your favorite shop.  Labors of Love and Stitch-Stash also have it.

The spools are $6.50 for 12 yards.  There are 102 colors.  Sir Needlepoint says the thread is spun, not woven like most metallics.  That might make it easier to stitch through fabric if you do surface embroidery but I'm not certain about that.

Stitch-Stash says there are three sizes: 
Mini which is the size of Petite Silk Lame but is all metallic with three or four? strands;
18 which is thicker than Mini and is meant for stitching on 18 count and has 18 yards per spool; 
and 13 which isn't out yet (coming Fall 2025) which is meant for stitching on 13 count.

Stitch-Stash did a video review.  Spoiler:  They love it!

It looks like each size Radiance has a different price with the smallest in diameter having the smallest cost but it's early days yet to be sure of that.  What's the Point? Needlepoint has posted a closeup photo of spools.  It looks like sewing thread a bit.  

UPDATE:  I asked Judith what she thought about the two sizes of Radiance she's using on her 18 count pig canvas.    To quote Judith for those without a Facebook account, she says, "I like both the Radiance 18 ct and Radiance Mini so far. I used the Radiance 18 ct for the vertical darning stitches on the far right side of the canvas, and the Radiance Mini doubled in the needle in the Movement Stitch on the top left and single for the Stem Stitch fireworks on the top right. The ends fray like crazy, but it’s something we’ve dealt with in other threads. It has a lot of body and holds its shape well. It isn’t difficult to stitch with and I do like it for effects. I am curious to see how other stitchers use it."

Looks like Radiance 18 covers well on 18 count canvas with vertical stitches but Judith used it doubled in the Movement Stitch.  Your mileage may vary as stitch tension and the stitch used affects how well a stitch covers.

UPDATE #2:  Lori at Waste Knot did a short video on Radiance.  Right now her shop only carries size 18.  She recommends you use a short tail in your needle's eye because it will fray a bit there.

UPDATE #3:  Lori at Waste Knot shows off Radiance on a project she's working with three shades of it.

Update #4:  Melita played around a bit with Radiance she had left over from an ANG Seminar class she took.  She doesn't say what size Radiance she used but I'm guess it's Radiance 18, not Radiance Mini (which is the smaller size).  By the way, I love stitching with Accentuate!  

Update ##5:  Stitches of Tulsa tells us that Radiance Mini has 18 yards per spool, Radiance 18 has 12 yards, and Radiance 13 has 8 yards per spool.  Thanks, Stitches!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 25, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, March 26, 2020

Free Stitch Lessons from Meredith

Meredith of M's Canvashouse (not to mention the Meredith Collection of painted canvases and the Needle Buddies magnets plus classes and even a book and app) has decided to post a weekly lesson about stitches and where to use them on the shop website to get us all through quarantine smarter and more relaxed.  Five lessons are currently posted as PDF files to download.  Click here and have fun.
https://classes.mscanvashouse.com/?fbclid=IwAR1nVSjQIv_nAceLL1F8vrjYFiD-RnOWiy_Pqz_uheXAqNF-UNPCZ9-6oCA

Kudos to you, Meredith!  And thanks.

Here's to the cleanest needlepoint in history!  LOL

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Mach 17, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, May 3, 2019

How to Do the Binding Stitch: A Video

M's Canvashouse does a lot of finishing and has created a video tutorial on the blinding stitch.  This stitch is used for the edges of belts before finishing.  However, not every belt finisher wants you to use the binding stitch as some finishing styles don't require it.  So ask before you add the binding stitch.  You may be ruling out the finisher and finishing style you are planning to use.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6kenW41SbQ

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, December 1, 2014

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.

Wednesday, September 3, 2014

Shop and Thread News

Just got word today that Nordic Needle has new owners.   Many thanks to Needlework Retailer for posting the link to this article announcing the change.  If you have not visited the website for this iconic shop which does mail order all over the world, the second link below will be a treat to visit.
http://www.inforum.com/content/stitch-time-business-1975-nordic-needle-has-new-owners

By the way, the NN website has a notice on the home page saying Dinky-Dyes has discontinued their cotton flosses and perles.  Stock up now if you are a fan.
http://www.nordicneedle.com

The other bit of shop news is from Meredith Willet who just announced via newsletter that she is closing the Louisville branch of M's Canvashouse as she just doesn't have the time to devote to two shops.  The Lexington shop will happily care for Louisville customers in the future.  Everything in the Louisville shop will be thirty percent off from September 8-12 to help empty the inventory.
http://www.mscanvashouse.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 2, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Magic Hat Mystery Class (Meredith Included) UPDATED

M's Canvashouse is teaming up with Share One's Ideas on an exclusive Halloween canvas to be stitched as a mystery class.  The Mystery Magic Hat Class design has five different witch hats in a row, each different and unique.  The class starts in May with a new lesson shipped out every six weeks or so plus messages from Meredith Willet (the M in M's Canvashouse) who is creating this mystery experience for you.  Alas, there is no photograph on their website but if you email the shops, I bet they will send you one to see the starting point.
http://www.mscanvashouse.com/index.html

UPDATE:  More about the class.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/the-magic-is-in-the-hat/

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.

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Introducing Meredith

Thanks to Barbara Bergsten, we have a link to a news profile of Meredith Willett, teacher, author, shop owner and also the force behind Elizabeth Turner Collection and a fabulous finishing business.  Truly she does it all!
http://www.kentucky.com/2013/06/24/2690196/love-of-needlepoint-turned-lexington.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.

Thursday, February 28, 2013

Happy Birthday (with Presents!)

Vicky DeAngelis is celebrating her second anniversary blogging with a nice giveaway of many brand new and cool items.  Just leave a comment to enter.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/were-having-a-party/#comment-41746

Never enter contests?  You'll still want to see the prizes as they are all new items:  a roll up and go bead tray from Sundance,  a polar bear magnet to celebrate Kirk and Hamilton's polar bear canvas that will be featured in the next Needlepoint Now, the new Bead Buddies box, Oli Clips (perfect for holding that chart next to the canvas you're stitching), and the Access Commodities project bag.  Even if you don't win, you might want to pick one of these up for your own stitching.

Happy Birthday, Vicky's 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.

Monday, December 17, 2012

Color Your Own Beading Thread UPDATED

Someone mentioned this on Facebook (I'm sorry, I don't remember who) and said that Meredith Willet of M's Canvashouse and Elizabeth Turner Designs recommends this technique of coloring beading thread.  Please note that the person at Beading Daily is a jewelry maker who uses a braided beading thread, not floss or the brands of beading thread we are familiar with through Sundance and our local shops.  I would assume that you can color any beading thread besides the braided but I don't know that for a fact and of course some colored threads markers won't do much to change.
http://www.beadingdaily.com/blogs/inside_beadwork_magazine/archive/2012/11/29/stitch-pro-coloring-braided-beading-threads-like-fireline.aspx

UPDATE:  Vicky DeAngelis is the person!  Here's what she said in the Comments section of this article~
"That was me Jane...and you might want to mention that it is not just any colored markers, they are Sharpies. And the thread should be waxed."

Thanks, Vicky!

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

Saturday, June 9, 2012

Look at Kelly and Ruth! (and Vicky)

The Internet has allowed us all to peek over the shoulders of some fabulous designers and teachers as they work on class projects to tempt and delight us.  If you come over here and look through this link, you'll see Kelly Clark's latest stitching progress on two of the Thanksgiving canvases (Indian Brave and Pilgrim Gent) she is stitching as a class project for Needle Works of Austin, Texas.  The beaded moccasins and the rifle are inspired!
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/05/pilgrim-gent-indian-brave.html

http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/06/kelly-goes-stumpwork-crazy.html


There's nothing Kelly doesn't know about dimensional touches on needlepoint canvas.  If you are charmed and want to know how to join Kelly's Elegant Thanksgiving class, talk to Needle Works in Austin.



If you are more a Halloween Whimsical person than an Elegant Thanksgiving one, check out the mystery class Ruth Schmuff has just announced for this fall.  This is from the same Share One's Ideas Design's witch shoe series as the very popular "It's All About the Shoes" piece that both Needlenook of La Jolla and M's Canvashouse have done classes on.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/05/broom-parking.html

If frogs make your skin crawl, here are the two class projects using "It's All About the Shoes" in alphabetical order.
http://www.mscanvashouse.com/

http://www.needlenook.com/needle-nook-university/


If elegance is your thing, look at Ruth's pear collage mystery class which she just finished.


By the way, Vicky's working away on her Cats Night Out by SharonG.  It's fun to watch this wonderful canvas unfold and to read why Vicky chooses the stitches she does  There will be a stitch guide--eventually!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/05/31/cats-night-out-4/


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

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Meredith at Work

Thanks to Katherine on Facebook's Needlepoint Group, I found a link to a newspaper profile of Meredith Willet, owner of M's Canvashouse and Elizabeth Turner Designs.   Meredith is also known for her silk and metal embroidery, which she teaches occasionally for ANG.
http://bizlex.com/2012/05/needlepoints-finest-calls-lexington-home/

Please note that there are TWO M's Canvashouse shops now.  One is in Lexington, KY and the other in Louisville, KY.  You can read more about the shops, classes and see a few of the goodies on offer at the M's website.
http://www.mscanvashouse.com/

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

Tuesday, January 10, 2012

Way Too Cheerful About Snow Part Deux UPDATED

I hate snow.
This snowman ornament worship has to stop! We hate snow in CH!!!  Stitch anything BUT snowmen!!!!  Please?

Well, you can tell that no one at Serendipity Needleworks pays any attention to Moi.  Their newest monthly club information is on their blog, and the first canvas is a snowman ornament from Debbie Mumm/Melissa Shirley Designs.  They call their club Home for the Holidays, and the Mumm ornaments feature stitch guides written by Julia Snyder.  Obviously they haven't heard about Winter 2010 when I was trapped at home for a total of 28 days over three blizzards.  No groceries, no mail, no leaving the house except to shovel the porch and walk the dogs.  The photo above memorializes the Horror Of It All.  I ran out of coffee....
http://serendipityneedleworks.blogspot.com/2012/01/happy-new-year.html

Here's a bit about how to sign up.
http://serendipityneedleworks.blogspot.com/2012/01/home-for-holidays-2012-ornament-club.html

Here are the ornaments and which month they'll arrive.
http://serendipityneedleworks.blogspot.com/2012/01/these-canvases-starring-in-home-for.html

Needlepoint.com has also caught the snowman madness with their monthly club.  Where's the beach clubs?!?!??!  Ok, Kirk and Hamilton have done darling "snow cones" but I want crabs and mermaids and sea horses!  I'm with Nancy and can't wait to see what she finds at market.
http://www.needlepoint.com/blog/?p=883

Nancy, M's Canvas House has a fabulous Christmas ornament set that are all beachy!   It's called A Beach Lover's Twelve Days of Christmas.  Each is about 4 inches in diameter on 18 count canvas.  They cost $50 retail and if you buy all twelve you get a discount bringing the total cost for the entire set to $550.  I suppose they are from Elizabeth Turner Designs but they aren't on their website or on the M's website either.  Good luck finding a beach set!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxRfqmMmJ4I

UPDATE:  The Beach Lover's 12 Days set is going to be offered at Needle Orts (Altamonte Springs, FL).  I'm told in the Comments they'll have an ad about the club in the upcoming issue of Needlepoint Now.  Makes me happy.  Nothing is on their website club page yet but stay tuned.  Thanks, Anon!
http://www.needleorts.com/on_sale.cfm

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

Monday, November 21, 2011

The Well Dressed Witch

The fun we stitchers have with Halloween projects hasn't gone unnoticed.  Meredith Willet and her mom made scissor fobs for folks taking her fabulous witch shoes project.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/10/it-all-about-shoes.html

Anyone need matching witch shoes scissors?  Or the coordinating scissors keep?
http://www.theneedlepointer.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=70&products_id=9891

http://www.anitalittlestitches.com/kneedleminders.html

See? You don't just have to keep your shoes in your closet.  They work in your stitching bag, too.  LOL

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

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Classes, Past and Future

The Stitching Sisters blog just reported on a wonderful Saturday spent in class with SharonG.  Lucky them!
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/06/wonderful-day.html

http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/06/perfect-weekend.html

Nimble Needle has reported in about their class, too.  Check out the photos!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/06/day-with-sharon-g.html

M's Canvashouse is going to do a five part class on the witch shoes canvas.  You can see the canvas and read the details on their website.
http://www.mscanvashouse.com/

Ruth Schmuff has managed to snag Robin King to teach at Ruth's shop in the Baltimore suburbs.  What fun they will have!  No word yet on what Robin will teach (it is a new ornament in the Creepy Characters series) but that almost doesn't matter, as talented as Robin is.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/06/save-date.html

Start saving your pennies.  I bet both the upcoming classes will allow mail order students.

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

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

YouTube for Needlepointers

For a while now I've been collecting YouTube videos of interest to us needlepointers.  Want to meet Kirk and Hamilton at their TNNA Booth? (Check out the fabulous poison bottles.)  The interview is by the nice folks behind NeedlepointFun.com
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulNvQiHqs8M

They also visited the Alice Peterson booth.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HeOKkz4qcM&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL

Want to see the top five selling needlepoint kits from 2009?  These were chosen from among Dimensions, Janlynn, etc. kits.  Do you think this is much different from what sells in hand painted or charted designs?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gh43x_pZZ3w&feature=related

How about a tutorial?  M's Canvashouse shows how to do a binding stitch along the edge of your belt canvas to finish it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F6kenW41SbQ

By the way, there is a video visit to M's Canvashouse newest shop (there is one in Louisville, KY and one in Lexington, KY) for those who love to see the shops behind the websites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e-A1ck4_fUY&feature=related

There's nothing like seeing things in motion!

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

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Shop News





There's been a lot of shop news going on while I was looking the other way.  First of all, M's Canvashouse has expanded.  They have a new shop in Louisville, Kentucky which expands their presence in Lexington, Kentucky.  The owner, Meredith Barnhill Willet, is well known as the co-author of Knots, Fur and Turkeywork, the owner of Elizabeth Turner Designs, and for the superb finishing her shops do for the stitcher who needs canvaswork shoes, purses or other items. If you live in Kentucky, you'll want to visit either shop when you can.  If you are not local, you can see a bit about both shops in the videos posted on their website.
http://www.mscanvashouse.com/

The Needle Works' new shop in Austin, Texas is going up fast.  Construction of their new and larger store is moving along quickly to meet the July opening date.  You can see photso of the vaguely Craftsman style building on the shop blog.  Click on New Store in the Categoruies list on the left side of the page to read more about the interior.
http://www.theneedleworks.typepad.com/

I don't know about you, but I find this expansion news heartening during this bleak economy with so many out of work.

By the way, this isn't shop news but Martha Stewart has a new book out on crafts, especially sewing.  DMC went to the book launch and reports on their blog about the shindig with plenty of pictures.
http://dmc-threads.com/?p=1252

If you aren't familiar with Martha Stewart, check out her website.  The recipe and project database (which I worked on at my former job) is fabulous to browse.
http://www.marthastewart.com/

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