The Delights of Counted Canvaswork

If you don't understand the charms of counted canvaswork, read what Ruth has to say about the Counted Room in her shop.  Think about it--picking a background color and then threads for a lovely pattern, all in a space dedicated to counted designs.  What fun!

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/04/make-it-count.html


Ruth is charmed by one of Kurdy Bigg's designs, Cat's Eyes.  I saw the original Cleopatria colorways at Woodlawn last year and it is magnificent!  Ruth gives you the link to Threedle's website but I think the best place to see all the versions of this design (and others from Kurdy) is at Scarlet Thread.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ScarletThread/-strse-Charts-cln-Threedles/Categories.bok

I can feel the charm of this piece whispering to me but for now, I'm going to watch Needleartnut stitch it.  She likes the blue Venus version of this piece.  After all, I'll have to be able to count correctly to stitch this, which is always problematic for me.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/search/label/Cat%27s%20Eyes


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

I Didn't Know I Needed That

After a friend mentioned her new ribbon laying tool from Fireside Stitchery, I took a little tour of their Accessories page.  There are 20 pages of stuff I didn't know I needed!
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/accessories/index.cfm?fuseaction=accessorySearch&searchString=&showStart=1&groupNo=1

I didn't know that there are bullion needles, that there are frog magnets available (charms against having to Rip It), what Oli clips are and much much more.  By the way, the ribbon laying tool is called the English Laying Tool and it is on page 20.  Short and dull tipped, she swears it really works great with silk ribbons.

If you want to see how Oli Clips work and see some of the canvas colors available from Nature's Palette, Pocket Full of Stitches has information for you.
http://www.pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2012/02/natures-palette-and-oli-clips.html

If you just need a new magnet, here are some hand painted ones in stock at Needle Bug.  There are lots of sheep, Christmas and just things like a gnome working at his desk.
http://theneedlebug.com/2012/02/handpainted-magnets/


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

Who Knew...?

...that needlepoint canvas comes in such luscious colors?
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2012/01/bounty-of-beautiful-canvas-and-threads.html


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

And Even More Monthly Club News

This is the time of year when announcements of the new monthly clubs are popping up all over.  Seeing how beautifully Denise's floral calendar pieces are turning out reminded I promised to summarize even more club news the last time I mentioned these clubs.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2011/10/another-month-goes-by.html

I think you can still sign up to stitch Raymond Crawford's monthly flowers at the shop like Denise did, but they do have a neat Kelly Clark tiny witch series that just started.  I think if you search on Raymond Crawford on Denise's blog, you will see good photos of all the series she's done to date.
http://www.needlepoint-knitting.com/stitch-clubs.htm

Now for the newest clubs!  Starting off the list is Fancy Stitches in Texas with their Thanksgiving Stars set from Kathy Schenkel.  With the holiday just around the corner, this is a perfect time to start on a set for next year's display. They have done Kathy's Halloween and Nativity Stars in the past, so you could have a stars ornament theme going for each holiday.  Just sayin'....
http://www.fancystitches.com/page3.html

The French Knot (also in Texas, the birthplace of monthly clubs!) has updated their website to show the latest finished ornament of the month models.  This year they have chosen Christmas themes.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/x-ornofmonth.htm

Nashville Needleworks is doing a monthly club with the Tapestry Tent/Susan Roberts Halloween March canvas.  You'll work a part of this larger piece every month until all the darling children in their trick or treat outfits are finished.  Looks like you can still sign up for their spring Egg club, too.
http://www.nashvilleneedleworks.com/home.html

If none of the above appeal, you can  order from the Heart Kit Collection from Nature's Palette, the company behind the custom colors of NP canvas.
http://www.naturespalettecanvases.com/Heart_Kit_Collection.html

I think that's enough for now.  I promise more clubs later.

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

Reviewing Nature's Palette

No, I'm not critiquing Mother Nature.  Nature's Palette is a company that produces special colors of needlepoint canvas.  Janet Perry just reviewed their products on her blog.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/natures-palette-canvas-product-review

Remember Luna from the Ladies of the Night series (from Leigh Designs)?  She's one of my projects listed on the right side of the page.  Luna is painted on one of Nature's Palette's canvases, the one called Storm Cloud (in the Custom section in the link to their website below).  It's a gray canvas with charcoal speckles and flecks.  Perfect for this moody and atmospheric design!
http://www.naturespalettecanvases.com/Home_Page.html

Counted canvaswork folks should check out the Laura Perin section of their website as they sell a kit for some of her geometric charts done on their canvases.  Anyone looking for a special background color needs to consider Nature's Palette.

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

Stocking Stuffers and Vacations

Lots of new things to talk about today, including the class Sundance is going to teach at TNNA in January.  If you are a shop owner, you might want to take "Do What You Love".
http://sundanceinstitches.blogspot.com/2010/12/do-what-you-love-class-at-tnna.html

Stitchers' Treasures in Escondido, California is planning an all-day stitch in party to celebrate the holidays.  Wish Chilly Hollow was closer so I could go!
http://stitcherstreasures.typepad.com/whats-up-at-stitchers-treasures/2010/12/all-day-stitch-last-one-before-christmas.html

Need a stocking stuffer for that fellow stitcher on your Christmas list?  Ruth's got the perfect thing for you.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2010/12/perfect-stocking-stuffer.html

Laura's posted photographs of all the lovely canvas colors from Nature's Palette.  Luna is on one of their custom colors--a misty gray--but there are many more to choose from if you want to treat yourself to a lovely piece to stitch something special on.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2010/12/luscious-canvases.html 

Susan's been traveling and has a review of Key West from a needlepointer's perspective.  For some of us, a trip to the Keys is the perfect holiday destination.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2010/11/island-inspired.html

But if you are just staying at home, Susan has a window shopping experience just for stitchers like you.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2010/12/holiday-window-shopping.html

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