My Beading Heart (Nancy Cucci)

Brenda's Needlepoint Studio worked another Nancy Cucci chart, this one called "My Beading Heart."  It's very pretty and like all Nancy's designs, has lots of beads and sparkle that don't show up in photographs.  Brenda also learned how to cover white canvas with paint while working this, a useful skill!

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2026/02/heart-my-beading-22426.html

You can find the instructions in the January/February 2010 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine.  It's out of stock at the magazine's website but you can find copies on eBay or perhaps borrow one from a friend if you didn't subscribe back then.

https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/jan-feb-2010/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 25, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Heart My Pastel by Nancy Cucci

Brenda has stitched another very pretty Nancy Cucci heart.  This one is called "Heart My Pastel" and you can find the chart in the July/August 2012 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine.  That's excellent news as usually Nancy Cucci charts are only available through her classes.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/08/heart-my-pastel-82725.html

The digital version of the magazine is $4.50 on the Needlepoint Now website.

https://www.needlepointnow.com/product/july-august-2012-digital-edition/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 29, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Anniversary Heart (Nancy Cucci)

Brenda has been quite busy stitching Nancy Cucci's "Anniversary Heart." 

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/08/heart-anniversary-81225.html

Wish we could see all those beads better!  Cameras are blind to sparkle, sheen and shine.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 12, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Black and White and Jeweled All Over Heart (Nancy Cucci)

Brenda's Needlepoint Studio is a big fan of Nancy Cucci's work.  (As am I.  I can't wait to see it made into an ornament!

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/07/heart-black-and-white-and-jeweled-all.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 29, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Emerald Isle Heart (Nancy Cucci)

Brenda and some of her fellow ANG guild members stitched Nancy Cucci's "Emerald Isle Heart," which is lovely.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2025/07/heart-emerald-isle-71625.html

There are a lot of beads, so photos don't do this justice.  Sadly, I think Nancy Cucci's pieces are only available through ANG classes.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 17, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitches in Sterling (Nancy Cucci)

Nancy Cucci's class pieces for ANG are always beautiful.  Melita started this a long time ago in an ANG chapter class, but recently picked it up again.  

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/02/05/stitches-in-sterling-by-nancy-cucci-background/

It didn't take long and I bet it's really sparkly in person.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/02/26/stitches-in-sterling-by-nancy-cucci-beaded-center/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/12/27/stitches-in-sterling-by-nancy-cucci-tar-river-trail-by-gail-stafford-both-framed/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 12, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

My Vintage Heart

Brenda has finished her Nancy Cucci project.  It's called "My Vintage Heart" and was an ANG CyberPointers project I think.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2020/12/my-vintage-heart-1262020.html

Nancy's projects are classes only* but they are quite beautiful.  They also have a ton of beads, which means they never photograph well but Brenda's photos really showcase "My Vintage Heart" well.

*I just remembered that Nancy's hearts are occasionally charted in Needlepoint Now magazine.

https://www.needlepointnow.com/project-information/project-index/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 6, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Creating Distance through Sparkle (Or Lack Thereof)

Melita got to take a pilot class from Nancy Cucci and showed it off on her blog.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/11/04/sisters-from-nancy-cuccis-pilot-class/

The thing I find fascinating is that Nancy put all silk squares in the background and made them small.  The medium-sized squares use silk and metallics.  The large ones use silk and beads.  The sparkle and size of the squares make them seem closer or further away.  Fascinating!  Who knew you could create depth in your design this way?!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 4, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

At the ANG Seminar in Houston 2019

ANG's annual seminar is in Houston, Texas this year. Lots of folks are going.  I have a ton of links to information and reports from Seminar-goers, so pour your favorite beverage and browse!

ANG has posted a list of exhibit winners here.
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.needlepoint.org/resource/resmgr/seminar/ang_awards_for_website.pdf?fbclid=IwAR22OOnzaO2IeT1PA7e5NjRn1MIh4P9XqRzF40c07HbztEV9nMqZts0hHk4

Melita is there with friends, so they make a shop run, then she registered for Seminar.  She's taking a Kay Stanis silk and metal embroidery class.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/14/texas-needlepoint-run-and-registration-day/

https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/16/a-toast-to-tiffany-2019-seminar-class-with-kay-stanis-day-2-of-3/

https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/17/a-toast-to-tiffany-2019-seminar-class-with-kay-stanis-day-3-of-3/

She also did a one day class with Cynthia Thomas on manipulating threads and stitches and had a lot of fun designing stitches.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/19/thread-and-stitch-manipulation-with-cynthia-thomas/

Plus Melita won a ribbon exhibiting this lovely piece which is her original design. Congratulations!
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/22/tahitian-treat-2019-seminar-exhibit/

DMBstitch also took Cynthia's class.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/21/last-day-at-seminar-stitch-manipulation/

Melita had fun buying books at Expo Night.  You might be interested in the two she found.  The Lone Star Chapter's book of stitches is available from several of the Texas shops.  See the second link below for a list.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/18/expo-night-at-seminar-2019/

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b37ed75cef372bdd50ce75a/t/5d5fd5b6d7c1240001f8db49/1566561719109/Order+Information.pdf

Jan is having a very nice time.  Besides indulging in lots of relaxation, she is taking Nancy Cucci's "December Dazzle."
https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/08/17/seminar-2019-houston-tx/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/08/18/seminar-quick-post/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/08/23/home-from-seminar-2/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/08/25/big-goof/

Rosie is taking Jennifer Riefenberg's "Winter Lights" (and showing off her new Woodlawn souvenir earrings).
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/15/houston-seminar/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/16/winter-lights-second-and-last-day/

Rosie also is taking Cynthia Thomas' painted canvas class, "Lady with Mandala II."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/17/lady-with-mandala-ii/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/18/lady-with-mandala-ii-day-2/

DMBstitch is taking Toni Gerdes' class "Abyss."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/15/ang-seminar-2019-day-1/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/17/abyss-day-2-ang-seminar-2019/

She's also taking Jennifer Reifenberg's "More Color Play."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/18/more-color-play-day-1/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/19/more-color-play-day-2/

JA Williams is taking Lois Kershner's "Mt. Whitney Waterfall," which is a photo transfer design.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/17/mt-whitney-waterfall/

Sue is taking "Beaded Bermuda Reef," a class (with beaded fringe) by Kathy Rees.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/17/beaded-bermuda-reef/

Sue is also taking a class with Wendy Moore.  It looks wonderful!
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/20/a-livelier-iris/


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 14, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NJNA Goes to New Orleans UPDATED with Melita's and jan's Visits

Some of the folks who belong to NJNA (that's the New Jersey Needle Artists chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild) are going to ANG's Seminar in New Orleans that is happening this week.  Here's their various reports posted to the NJNA blog.  I'll update these so you can follow along with their adventures, organized by classes if possible.

Here is Nancy Cucci's class, "For the Love of Chocolate."  Tasty!
https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/seminar-in-nola/

UPDATES:
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/28/for-the-love-of-chocolate/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/29/day-3-of-for-the-love-of-chocolate/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/nola-seminar-day-5/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/08/chocolate-update/

Jan is taking this class, too.
https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/seminar-in-nola/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/back-to-class/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/more-chocolate/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/18/chocolate-covered-strawberry/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/fudge-and-ice-cream/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/molten-lava-cake/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/10/13/chocolate-update-2/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/10/18/truffles-done/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/chocolate-on-the-home-stretch/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/11/12/chocolate-is-complete/


Terry Dryden's "African Images" is lovely.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/27/new-orleans/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/28/african-images/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/28/african-images-2/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/31/2330/


UPDATE:  Here's Gail Sirna's class, "Florida Palm."  I think this is particularly lovely.  I also greatly admire Gail's work.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/28/first-class-at-seminar/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/30/first-touring-day-in-nola/

UPDATE:  Here is a big about Gail Stafford's class "At the Beach."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/29/at-the-beach/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/31/commanders-palace/

Gail is also teaching a one day class called "Swirling Tulips."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/31/seminar-days-4-and-5/

UPDATE:  All about Nancy Cucci's "Sisters" class.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/day-1-of-sisters-by-nancy-cucci/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/uber-delicious/

UPDATE:  This is all about "Beets" which is one of Jennifer Reifenberg's vegetable series.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/beets-day-1/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/beets/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/from-chocolate-to-beets/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/home-from-seminar/

UPDATE:  Melita's not a member of NJNA but I thought it made sense to add her visit blogging here as well.  She's taking Lois Kershner's "Provence Pottery Shop."
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/08/29/provence-pottery-shop-with-lois-kershner/

https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/ang-auction/

Melita took Margaret Kinsey's "Learning about Rozashi--Patterns in Blue and Green" class.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/ang-seminar-2016-classes/

Melita tells us a bit about the ANG Auction.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/mello-joy-coffee/

Here's a bit about Expo.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/bits-and-pieces/


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

ANG Seminar News

ANG's annual seminar this year is in New Orleans from the end of August until early September.  You can read more about it here.
http://needlepoint.org/Seminar-16/index.php

The teachers are busy doing pilot classes...
http://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2016/04/sisters-by-nancy-cucci-pilot-class.html

https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/04/28/sisters-with-nancy-cucci/

and hearing about signups for their classes.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2016/04/it-is-official-i-have-been-notified.html

Stay tuned for more fun!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 27, 2016 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.