Breaking News: Carole Lake Has Died UPDATED

The admins of Needlepoint Nation have just announced the death of Carole Lake on January 5, 2024.    She was so funny, so talented, so clever, and the author of some wonderful designs and terrific books, some in collaboration with Michael Boren.  If you haven't seen Carole's work, here is the StitchPlay website.

https://stitchplay.com/

Carole was a long time teacher for ANG and worked tirelessly behind the scenes to make Facebook's Needlepoint Nation a success.  Fiber Talk has reposted the interview they did with Carole on their website if you'd like to listen.

https://wetalkfiber.com/2024/01/07/fiber-talk-remembers-carole-lake/

I'll miss you, Carole!

UPDATE:    From Carole's Obituary:

"We will be honoring Carole with a Celebration of Life held on Saturday January 27 which will be held at 2 pm at The Church of Highland Park, 5206 Balcones Dr., Austin, TX 78731.

Carole was an avid supporter of the Texas Preforming Arts. In lieu of flowers donations to the Texas Preforming Arts youth program are encouraged to assist in keeping generations to come enjoying the fine arts that Carole so cherished."

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

More about Melita's Books

Melita reviews two more books in her collection--Father B's and SharonG's.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2022/10/28/books-in-my-library-father-bs-21st-century-book-of-stitches-and-sharon-gs-simply-essential-needlepoint-stitch-explanations-sense/

Father B's book comes in various editions.  Suzanne Howren (you know her as one of the authors of the Stitches for Effects series) has taken some of his best stitches and rediagrammed them for modern stitchers.

https://www.needlenook.com/product/a-father-b-sampler-stitches-for-the-21st-century/

SharonG's one of my stitching heroes.  Her SENSE book is small but fabulous and full of good information.

https://needlepointus.com/proddetail.asp?prod=SENSE

Neither book is large but both are worth having.

UPDATE:  Melita picks up Ruth Dilts' Needlepoint 101 and 202.  Both are good books, especially for a beginner at embellishing canvases.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/02/14/books-in-my-library-needlepoint-101/

UPDATE:  Melita has three of Carole Lake and Michael Boren's very useful books.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/09/27/books-in-my-library-painted-canvas-embellishment-an-idea-book-desert-island-stitches-volume-1-ideas-for-small-spaces-and-volume-2-ideas-for-creative-borders-by-carole-h-lake-and-michael-boren/

UPDATE:  Melita also owns a fascinating book from 1980, Edith Anderson Feisner's Needlepoint and Beyond:  27 Lessons in Advanced Canvas Work.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/10/08/books-in-my-library-needlepoint-and-beyond-27-lessons-in-advanced-canvas-work-by-edith-anderson/

UPDATE:  Making Needlepoint Landscapes looks interesting!  I have a copy of dede Odgen's That's Not Needlepoint and it's quite interesting for those stitching underwater ocean scenes.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/10/09/making-needlecraft-landscapes-by-mary-carroll-and-thats-not-needlepoint-by-dede-ogden/

UPDATE:  Melita owns a copy of Kathleen Whyte's Design in Embroidery.  I've seen it but it is mostly about embroidery design.  If that's a topic that interests you, you may be able to find a copy in a used book store.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/10/29/books-in-my-library-design-in-embroidery-by-kathleen-whyte/

UPDATE:  Anna Griffith's An Introduction to Embroidery sounds interesting.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/10/31/books-in-my-library-an-introduction-to-embroidery-by-anna-griffiths/

UPDATE:  Melita owns several of the A to Z series of books.  They are really good, especially the silk ribbon embroidery book to help you create flowers from ribbon.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/11/06/books-in-my-library-a-to-z-series/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 29, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fiber Talk with Carole Lake

Fiber Talk interviewed Carole Lake on their most recent podcast.  You don't want to miss this! Carole talks about the origins of her Anasazi series of designs, how she started stitching and then teaching, the story of her partnership with Michael Boren, the Wall of Shame, and much more.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/06/17/fiber-talk-with-carole-lake/

Here's the direct link to Carole's website.   Don't miss the Free Patterns section for a little free fun.
http://stitchplay.com/carole-lake-designs/

P.S.  Thanks for the nice words about Needlepoint Nation, folks!

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

The StitchPlay Make Over

StitchPlay Designs (the brainchild of Carole Lake and Michael Boren) has had a makeover.
http://stitchplay.com

If you are a fan of counted canvaswork, you'll want to visit.  If you aren't, you probably are still going to be tempted by all the colors and patterns, not to mention the great books!

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

Fiber Talk: Interviewing New Shop Owners UPDATED

Gary and Christine interview Melissa, the new owner of The Wool and the Floss and Kim of Sassy Jack's Stitchery about starting your own stitching shop.  Follow the links to the shop websites if you want to explore more.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2017/08/06/fiber-talk-with-melissa-macleod-and-kim-young/

UPDATE:  Donna visited Sassy Jack's during the EGA seminar in Asheville, NC.  Here's her mini review.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2017/08/tuesday.html

If you are a little curious about Marnie Ritter--one of my stitching heroes!—visit her website.
http://www.mritter.com

And if you want to know more about Michael Boren—a fabulous guy and a fellow Threadaholic—check out his website.
http://www.stitchplay.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 7, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ariadne's New Colors

Lorraine, the owner of Colour Complements, has used her hand dyed threads to stitch an original version of StitchPlay's "Ariadne." AND if you happen to have the chart, you can order the thread kit from Lorraine.
http://colourcomplements.com/2017/06/ariadne.html

"Ariadne" isn't listed on the StitchPlay website right now, but Michael says he and Carole have copies to sell.  Just email carole@stitchplay.com and ask. There are plenty of other fun things to stitch available to see on the website in case you want to browse.
http://www.stitchplay.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 23, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Twisty Stitches Two: A Review

Twisty Stitches Volume Two Cover

Those of you who read Blog daily know that I gave Twisty Stitches Volume One:  Amadeus through Jessica a rave review.  (If you aren't a regular reader, here's the link to the review of the first volume.)
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2016/07/twisty-stitches-review.html

UPDATE:  Sorry the link was wrong!

And now Carole and Michael have followed up with a second volume on string art stitches covering the Mistake Stitch to the Walento.  Go buy this book.  It's like nothing else available.  The only people who don't need this book are those who only do basketweave.  Everyone else, whether you do a lot of counted canvaswork or specialize in painted canvases, can benefit from Michael's and Carole's help.  After all, everyone needs to do these 3-D type stitches occasionally and some of us use them all the time.  Since they aren't done in just a step or two, they can be difficult to understand and when you go wrong, it's hard to figure out why.  Twisty Two, just like the first volume, makes how they are constructed easy to understand and helps you see how to create variations on the basic stitch.  String art stitches without pain?  The ghost of Jean Hilton (the designer who made string art stitches needlepoint) approves this book!

Now for the fine print.  Just like volume one, this is a spiral-bound book with heavy plastic covers.   Twisty Two is 52 pages long (including the cover page, a one page bibliography, and a color page showing off the various stitches) and covers seven stitches:  Mistake Stitch, Plaited Rays, Rhodes Stitch, Sheaf Stitch, Sprats Head, Waffle Stitch and Walento.  Why is a book about seven stitches so long, you ask?  Because each stitch is diagrammed step-by-step with a little color thumbnail photo for each step.  They even include a photo of what the reverse side of a stitch looks like.  There's a general introduction with tips that apply to all these type stitches but each stitch section has tips to help you with that stitch in particular.  Plus Carole and Michael diagram stitch variations for each of the Main Seven Stitches.

Sheaf Stitch Diagram and Thumbnail Photos from Twisty Two

I choose Sheaf Stitch at random to show you how the diagramming of the main stitch looks.  (Click on the thumbnail for a better view.)  The actual examples are stitched with red, green, blue or pink threads, which means folks with a vision problem can probably still see them ok.

More Diagrams Showing Variations of Sheaf Stitch

The variations for each of the seven stitches have their own little diagram and a color photo to show how they look stitched.  There are twenty variations of Sheaf Stitch, each with a little diagram and photo, for example.  Four of the variations are shown above.

Both volumes are Must Haves for the serious needlepointer, even if you only use them as reference material a few times a year.  If they are a little pricey for you, see if your local shop or guild chapter will buy both volumes for everyone to share, or go in with a group of stitching friends.  Trust me, you are going to be glad you have access to these great books!

Now, how do I stitch an Airy Rhodes again...?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 29, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Twisty Stitches: A Review

Twisty Stitches, Volume One

I mostly stitch painted canvases, so why on earth did I add Twisty Stitches: String Art for Needlepoint Volume One to my stitching library?   Because it's the best book on Jean Hilton-type stitches there is!  Heads up:  you need this book.
http://www.stitchplay.com/index.html

Why? Because the stitches Jean Hilton created and made famous are involved and intricate and there is no better source available for understanding how they are done correctly.  I own one of Jean's book that diagrams the stitches she came up with but it is thirty years old.  The newest variations aren't covered and it is hard for me to understand in places. Computerized graphs have come a long way in 30 years.   I am not good at counting so these intricate layered stitches are confusing for me.    I need a lot of help.  Twisty Stitches provides it.

A Peek Inside....

Carole and Michael's Twisty Stitches Volume One covers how to work the Amadeus, Chilly Hollow, Crescent, Double Fan, Double Fan Doubled, Eight Point Star and Jessica Stitch plus a great many variations of each.  For example, the Amadeus is diagrammed in 21 steps (with a numbered black and white diagram and 21 little color photos of stitched example of all 21 steps).  There is also a color photo of the finished stitch and a color photo of the back side of the canvas when this is worked correctly.  The only way you are going to understand this stitch better is if Michael and Carole are sitting on either side of you, cracking jokes and explaining what you are to do with each and every step that creates the arrow shape of an Amadeus Stitch.  Then the book diagrams (also with a numbered chart and a color photo) seven variations of the Amadeus!  The authors show you how to create an Amadeus heart, two triangles, a shorter and fatter arrow shape, a bat wing shape, and both a tongued Amadeus and a rounded Amadeus arrow.  Plus there is a photo of the classic Amadeus so you can compare it to its seven cousins.

It's brilliant!

If you do a lot of counted work, you will need this book.  It's going to make that stunning Threadles chart a lot easier to work and help you when you create a Walneto that just looks "wrong" to understand where you made a mistake.  Well, Volume One doesn't cover Walento Stitch but Volume Two (which will come out in September 2016) will cover it.

If you only want to add an occasional Rhodes heart or Jessica Stitch circle to your painted canvas, you need this even more.  These stitches are not often used on painted canvases so you won't be familiar with them.  Twisty Stitches covers them all (or it will when Volume Two comes out) so you can just grab the correct volume and go to town without hitting a barrier that is hard to overcome unless you have an experienced stitcher in your vicinity to help.

Now for the details:  The 8 1/2 x 11 inch book is spiral bound with a plastic covered cardboard cover and back for durability. There is an introduction and two pages of Frequently Asked Questions about string art stitches with answers culled from Carole's and Michael's years as teachers of counted designs and painted canvas embellishment.  The next 42 pages are diagrams and photographs, all large enough to see without squinting.  There is a bibliography for those who like delving into more detail that includes a lot of reference material beyond Jean Hilton's three books.  There is no index but the final page is a photo collage of these stitches done in wildly colorful threads, which gives a taste of what you can do with color and string art combined.

Any needlepointer who ventures beyond basic stitches--if only occasionally--needs this book.  I am already saving up for Volume Two when it comes out in the fall.  This isn't a series I will use often but when I need it, it's going to be a life-saver!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 26, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Help with Borders

Mary Legallet has written a series of great articles about border stitches on her blog. 
http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/2/4/dont-fence-me-in

http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/4/6/turning-a-corner

http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/4/13/go-wide

http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/4/20/beetle-border

http://www.whimsicalstitch.com/whimsicalwednesdays/2016/4/27/randomness

Bookmark Mary's blog if you haven't already as each month she tackles stitches for a certain area or effect.  Very educational!

If you need more borders help than just stitch ideas, treat yourself to Michael Boren and Carole Lake's latest Desert Island Stitches book--Ideas for Creative Borders.  Here's a bit about it. I found it really helpful working my Leigh Designs Gold Digger Miami border.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2016/02/border-help-from-carole-and-michael.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 28, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Border Help from Carole and Michael

I just got my hands on Desert Island Stitches, Volume Two:  Ideas for Creative Borders.  This is one of the two newest books from the creative minds of Michael Boren and Carole Lake. (The other is Twisty Stitches Vol. 1, but more about that later.)  I was lucky to get an early copy since my current piece, Leigh's "Miami Gold Digger" has an elaborate border for which I needed ideas.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp505x.html

This is a little book, like all the Desert Island Stitches books.   The Desert Island Stitches series are meant to be portable idea machines, not encyclopedias of stitches.  It's spiral bound with a laminated front and back cover for durability.  Borders is eighty pages long, if you count the title page and the list of reference books for further reading at the end.  Twenty-three of those pages are diagrams of border stitches.  There are anywhere from three fat borders to ten skinny borders diagrammed in black, white and gray on each page.  Each chapter deals with a separate type of border and typical examples are also diagrammed in that section.

Folks who prefer their stitch diagrams numbered should note that Michael and Carole do not number the stitch path.  They want people to figure this out on their own, which reflects their backgrounds as needlepoint teachers and designers.  They know there are many ways to work a stitch, depending on how much thread you have and the look you want.

The bulk of the book is an explanation of the various types of borders (borders that run all around the perimeter without a break, borders with corners or center motifs, borders that have mitered corners, etc.,) and tips on how to count out and create such borders.  Chapter introductions to each type of border and the crucial Rules of Divisibility counting tips page are printed on pink paper to make them easy to find.  The Rules of Divisibility section was of the greatest help to me since counting is always a problem.  I was able to figure out with Carole's and Michael's help how to position the border I wanted to use (found on page 59) so that it counted out correctly.

Anyone who uses a lot of decorative borders, striped backgrounds or narrow bands on their needlepoint will want a copy of this book.  Anyone unable to count out borders successfully (like me) will find it a great help.  I highly recommend it to anyone who collects needlepoint books since there are not that many books about needlepoint borders widely available.  I didn't even know June McKnight or Jane Zimmerman had books on borders!  (See the reference book list for more.) This would be perfect for a local stitching chapter's lending library or for a shop's reference shelf.

Your local shop can order this from Rainbow Gallery, Michael and Carole's book distributor, or you can order it directly from the authors.
https://www.four51.com/UI/Customer.aspx?p=Catalog&CatID=PQ0DWi8Xy3jvBKPf-szSRzvwov3vUw-sktHeo6qVC7l4vuVvGFj5kuig-e-e&CatInteropID=994CA9D3-3E43-46A1-B308-D4B2A8F38D02&CEI=6815749b-863a-46e2-8447-9c4fe231f2f4

Miami Gold Digger has a Border!

By the way, here's my border underway.  There's more border to come, courtesy of Carole and Michael who took a lot of mystery out of creating decorative borders!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 7, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Leigh Designs Goes to Market UPDATED

Leigh's Seashore Santas in Deux Bijoux Bijoux Double Tray

Leigh Design's monthly newsletter is out and it is full of news from the San Diego TNNA Market.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/News/

I assembled as many links as I could find to the things Leigh mentioned in the newsletter.  Her Deux Bijoux Bijoux tray, complete with Seashore Santas, that a shop took home is pictured above since I know it's not on the DBB website yet.

UPDATE:  Deux Bijoux Bijoux has updated their website with all the new trays, frames and such that came out during the San Diego show.
http://www.deuxbijouxbijoux.com/category_26/Needlepoint-Gallery.htm

You can see the four available Santas who are at the beach and the crowns Leigh mentions on her website.  I believe four more Santas in this set will appear in June at the TNNA summer show.
http://www.leighdesigns.com

Here is Nenah Stone's longhorn.  While I was searching for it, I discovered there is a similar stocking (second link below).
http://www.yarnbarnsa.com/needlepoint-canvas/hand-painted-needlepoint-canvas-nenah-stone-longhorn-summer-13m-sc227/

http://www.yarnbarnsa.com/needlepoint-canvas/hand-painted-needlepoint-canvas-nenah-stone-ch83-longhorn-santa-stocking/

I don't think Strictly Christmas has an online presence but I did find a sock monkey with Christmas tree on eBay that is cuter than cute.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Strictly-Christmas-Sock-Monkey-with-Tree-Handpainted-Needlepoint-Canvas-/121781568892

You can read about the newest StitchPlay books on Michael Boren and Carole Lake's website.
http://www.stitchplay.com/index.html

Rainbow Gallery hasn't updated their website yet but you can see the Entice, Capri and Silk Lame colors from this fall there.
http://www.rainbowgallery.com/whatsnew.cfm

Leigh's already told you how dangerous it is to get anywhere near Hug Me bags.  But if you are feeling brave, here is their website.  The pretty red Passport fabric is on the right side, third row from the bottom.
http://www.hugmebags.com/styles.php

I didn't find a photograph but you can read about the Stumpwork Implement Kit from Access Commodities here.
http://www.accesscommodities.com/blog/function-designed

Here is a bit about the Spanish style gold work class Leigh mentions.  For more of her jaw-dropping work, visit her blog in the second link below.
http://bluebonnetstudio.com/classes-and-fees/2016-407-spanish-baroque-goldwork-flower-in-bud-or-fleur-de-lys

http://artebordadooro.blogspot.com

Hope you had fun reading about the show from the Leigh perspective!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 19, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Colorful Puffins Online

Registration is open today through July 1 for the cyberclass "Miss Puff A Very Colorful Puffin." This is taught by Carole Lake and Michael Boren via the Shining Needle Society, using a stitch painted canvas from Pajamas and Chocolate. All the details are below, with plenty of pictures of the finished piece, including the limited edition self-finishing tote bag created to match the canvas.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/46618682/SNS-Miss%20Puff-2015.pdf 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 2, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Now Appearing at Woodlawn UPDATED

I've started assembling links to items about Woodlawn.  First, Melita has sent this profile portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to the show. 
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2015/02/04/the-queen-is-visiting-woodlawn/

The New Jersey Needle Artists have all submitted "Frankies" to the show.*  If you are curious about the process, Sue describes it here.  The second link below shows off the various Frankies in all their glory.  The third is Linda's trip to see the show and the Frankies on display.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2015/02/06/ten-frankies-now-entered-in-woodlawn-exhibit/

http://njneedleartists.org/njna-workshops/frankie/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2015/03/22/woodlawn-needlework-exhibition-ii/

Here are the Frankies.  Photographs are only allowed if the stitcher wants to pose.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/832643590146134/

*UPDATE:  I forgot not everyone is familiar with Michael Boren's tribute to Frank Lloyd Wright's stained glass pieces.  This is his "Frankie" chart.
http://www.stitchplay.com/kits.html

And this link is all about Sue's first trip to Woodlawn.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2015/03/16/woodlawn-needlework-exhibit-wow/

Brenda went to Woodlawn with friends and won ribbons!
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2015/03/woodlawn-52nd-annual-needlework.html

In Stitches is the counted thread/knitting/needlepoint shop very close to Woodlawn.  They posted this photo on their FB page.  Since the photo was taken inside Woodlawn I assume this rug will be shown there.
https://www.facebook.com/521595701209417/photos/a.533100450058942.1073741828.521595701209417/798046886897629/?type=1&theater

In Stitches also talks a bit about a customer's pieces at the show in this blog entry.
http://institchesshopblog.blogspot.com/2015/03/woodlawn.html

Lynn posted a photo of her prize winning lobster on a checked tablecloth on Facebook. Isn't it charming!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=980956608581795&set=gm.831389933604833&type=1

Rona found this video (in Farsi?) taken at Woodlawn in 2013.  They don't normally allow photos but apparently this was taken for educational purposes. It not only shows off the range of items on display but gives you a feel for the old house.   Enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uXBKJdx17ds&sns=fb

UPDATED AGAIN:  Melita reports on what she saw at Woodland.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2015/03/30/woodlawn-roadtrip-2015/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 5, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Two New Books and Mini Reviews

Homestead Needle Arts posted two mini reviews of the new Julia Snyder and the new Michael Boren & Carole Lake books in the shop e-newsletter. I thought folks contemplating buying either would like to read what Theresa says about what's inside. If you aren't into stitching books, don't worry. There's lots more in the newsletter!
http://us8.campaign-archive2.com/?u=75cc9d0ed2d76a48c9e165ab2&id=b9e0cf9756&e=810b807e3a

If you want to pick up a copy, you can get on Theresa's order list for Julia's book or pick up one of the Carole/Michael books at her website.
http://www.homesteadneedlearts.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Book for Castaways UPDATED

Add caption

Guess what? Carole Lake and Michael Boren have a new book out!   It is called Desert Island Stitches:  Volume One -- Ideas for Small Spaces and is the first in a series of little books that concentrate on stitches that Carole and Michael find very useful and which they'd take with them if they were planning on being stranded on a desert island.  (Hopefully one with a great hotel, room service, and a pool with cabanas and a bar.)

Sneak Peek Inside

The Desert Island Stitches:  Small Spaces book is divided into five sections: tent stitches, diagonal stitches, oblique stitches, straight stitches and cross stitches.  Above is a page I picked at random from inside the book so you could see what the diagrams are like.  It's 78 pages long and the diagrams are black and white and are not numbered.  Each page has multiple stitch patterns diagramed on it.  Carole says it is about the size of the Stitches to Go book, so it is definitely tote bag or briefcase-sized.

The book is intended to be something you flip through when you are looking for ideas for small areas.  Carole says, "It's for when you have that stupid little space and you want something flirty and cute but not out of proportion to the space."

Start Packing for the Remote Stitching Island....

The book will be available through Rainbow Gallery at the TNNA show.   Carole says shops can preorder from Rainbow Gallery now.  Here's to a bunch of happy Robinson Crusoes in 2015!

UPDATE:  Needle in a Haystack has copies and tells us a bit about the book size and layout on their blog.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2015/01/new-stitchplay-designs-book.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 29, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Counted Canvaswork Rumor

The rumor mill says that Michael Boren is currently working on a third piece (to be named Salome) in his Reborn Series.  Counted fans probably have seen Daphne and Aurora.
http://www.customhouseofneedlearts.com/charts/SSD/ShenandoahStitcheryDesigns.html

Stay tuned!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 5, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kreinik Talks Silk Gauze

I love stitching on silk gauze. I haven't done any silk gauze pieces since I did Michael Boren's "Schererazade" on 40 count but I'd love to do another piece some day when I have more time for my own stitching. If you are intrigued by silk gauze, you should read what Kreinik (which is a silk gauze distributor) says about it.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2014/03/what-to-stitch-on-silk-gauze.html

The comments that the counted thread and framing shop We of the Needle did about silk gauze might be of interest to you.  Follow the link mentioned to the Erica Michaels site for further information.
http://weoftheneedle.blogspot.com/2014/04/the-myth-of-working-on-silk-gauze.html

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

Amy's Newsletter

The newsletter for Amy's Golden Strand is up on the shop website, ready for your viewing pleasures. Read what Amy's been up to and see lots of new eye candy, from magnets to canvases to new thread colors to Valentine scissor fobs to the new Home Study piece, Oh, Henry!  Amy reviews the new books from Julia Snyder and the writing team of Michael Boren and Carole Lake.  There's a bit about the new Wicked guide that Cindy McKowen is writing for the shop, mentions the guides Amy's going to be writing, and shows off lots of Valentine and heart-themed canvases to drool over.  Thanks, Amy.  You wrecked my monthly budget once again!
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0214.pdf

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.

A Bit More about Painted Canvas Embellishment: An Idea Book

I happened to be talking to Sally London of Rainbow Gallery this morning and discovered she's actually read Carole Lake's and Michael Boren's new book (photo on left).

Naturally I asked Sally what she thought.   "I have the #1 book right from the printer out of the box yesterday, and read it last night. It is an excellent book giving ideas and encouraging new stitchers to make that first painted canvas purchase. Tons of info on threads of all types plus stitches categorized by which area they would best be suited for your canvas. Just a personal note about this book, I love the way Carole and Michael have written this, not too wordy--not too technical, you can see that they have a passion about this, and for the average garden variety stitcher it will be a fantastic tool."

She might be a little prejudiced as Rainbow Gallery distributes the book but knowing Carole and Michael, I doubt that plays much into Sally's mini review.  They are pretty smart about needlepoint. threads and painted canvases.  Plus, Sally read it in one night!  That alone tells me I need this book.

By the way, I was curious about the cover.  I think the photo is from StitchPlay's Flyaways design.  What do you think?
http://www.stitchplay.com/classes.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.

Ruth Talks Carole and Michael UPDATED

Ruth Kern talks books at "Needle News and Book Reviews," but she also introduces Carole Lake and Michael Boren and their brand new book.    !!!!!
http://ruthkernbooks.blogspot.com/2014/01/january-2014-happy-new-year-welcome-to.html

Carole is the funniest stitcher I know and Michael is the nicest (plus he is a threadaholic so you know he's ok).  To hear they collaborated on a book is music to my ears!  It is called "Painted Canvas Embellishment:  An Idea Book."

You can get it from Ruth.  Oh, she reviews a lot of other books in the latest posting, but Carole's and Michael's is the only one for me!!

Here is their joint website.  Watch this area for more book news.
http://www.stitchplay.com/aboutus.html

UPDATE:  The StitchPlay website now has information on how to order directly from the authors.  I understand that Rainbow Gallery is already sold out and has ordered more copies.  I have been told Ruth Kern expects her shipment of Painted Canvas Embellishment on Friday (Jan. 10) and will ship out to those who have purchased a copy immediately.
http://www.stitchplay.com/book.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.