Mary Agnes' Shop Reborn in Vero Beach

Nothing makes me happier than seeing a shop outlive its owners.  When Mary Agnes died, I though that Vero Beach's Needle Nicely was lost forever, but it has been reborn as Seaside Needlepoint.  If you are in Florida and near the shop, please stop in and tell them hello from Mary Agnes' Fan Club!
https://www.seasideneedlepoint.com/pages/about

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

Breaking News: Death Comes to Needlepoint UPDATED

It's been a sad few days in the world of needlepoint as we have lost both Mary Agnes Ruhudy Cussen of Needle Nicely in Florida and the Needle Deeva.
https://needlenicely.com

https://www.facebook.com/296478407860/photos/a.452211247860/10155929818117861/?type=3&theater

http://www.needledeeva.com

I enjoyed Mary Agnes' blog where she talked about the realities of owning a needlepoint shop and I loved the fun designs that the Needle Deeva gave us.  Our sympathies to their friends and families.

UPDATE:  For those unfamiliar with Needle Deeva's work, The Needlepointer was having a trunk show when news of her death broke and made two videos of the show.  You may like to browse the designs, just to see what a talent she was.
https://vimeo.com/289471703

https://vimeo.com/289541599

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

The Upholstered Chair

Peggi of Tapestry Fair has collected vintage stitching for years, hoping to turn it into an upholstered chair. And this year she did it!  Kudos to you, Peggi.  Love the little faces on the arm fronts.
https://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2017/12/early-christmas-present.html?spref=fb

Mary Agnes has read this and been inspired to reuse her old shop models this way.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/12/uses-for-old-stitched-needlepoint.html

http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2018/01/uses-for-old-stitched-needlepoint-ii.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 24, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Agnes' Frogging Tip

Needle Nicely's Mary Agnes is working the Kimono chart in her shop as a class.  Here's a bit about it.  Sorry, the Shining Needle Society class mentioned here is long over.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2011/11/evolution-of-maggie-lane-kimono.html

There is a lot of outlining to do before starting to fill in the sections, and of course folks make counting errors.  Here is how Mary Agnes rips out and then cleans up the line afterwards.  Clever!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/12/cleaning-up-after-ripping.html

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

Recycling that Old Belt

Needle Nicely has a lovely show-and-tell on their blog today, featuring old belts that have a new use as basket purse decorations.  I'm beginning to think that needlepoint belts are the most versatile thing we can stitch….
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/04/one-familys-use-of-basket-purses.html

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

Why We Cover Bricks

Today Needle Nicely reminds us why we need door stops.  Besides the fact that they are cuter than anything has a right to be, I mean.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/03/blowin-in-wind.html

Now I need to rethink my use of a painted iron chicken as a door stop n the kitchen....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 9, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

"Is There A Needlepoint Shop in _______?"

Needle Nicely talks about customers, how far they are willing to drive, and how to find out if there is a needlepoint shop in a town.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/02/is-there-needlepoint-shop-wherever.html

Here is TNNA's online directory.  Not every needlepoint shop belongs to TNNA, but it's a good place to start a search.  Choose "Needlepoint" from the Main Product or Service pull down menu and then select a location.  Once you have results, click on the shop name for further information.
http://www.tnna.org/search/custom.asp?id=113

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

Mary Agnes Is Collecting Nobuko Stitch Variations

Mary Agnes of Needle Nicely in Vero Beach is collecting variations of Nobuko Stitch and making a sampler of them. You can see it here (click on the photo for a closer look).
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/01/a-study-in-nobuko.html

If you know of other versions of Nobuko, could you let Mary Agnes know?   You can add a comment with a book and page number of where you found the variation or you can contact her via the shop.
http://www.needlenicely.com

Happy collecting, MA!

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

More About Kumihumo Braiding UPDATED

Last week's post about Kumihumo Braiding was quite popular.  Here's the link in case you missed it.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2016/10/kumihimo-braid-to-trim-needlepoint.html

In fact, it was so popular that Needle Nicely rummaged around  and found Kumihumo Braiding kits (both beginner and more advanced) that are on sale in case you are interested.  I told Mary Agnes I'd let everyone know since Blog's readers and hers don't always overlap.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/10/kumihimo-braid.html

Thanks, MA!

UPDATE:  Here's a bit more from One Off Needlework, with plenty of tips for those who want to try making their own kumihimo braid.
http://www.oneoffneedlework.co.uk/blog/making-my-own-cord-trim/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 30, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Teaching Needlepoint When You are Young and Carefree

Mary Agnes tells a tale of teaching needlepoint on vacation when she and Trubey were mere children.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/06/teaching-needlepoint-to-masses.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 25, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Storm Prep

Mary Agnes at Needle Nicely is a pro at packing for her Florida coastal store to withstand water damage from hurricanes.  With Hurricane Matthew in the news today, I thought you'd like to see what she's written about her preparations.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/10/havent-i-danced-this-hurricane-dance.html

Anyone who endures constant power outages will agree with Mary Agnes.  An old style plug-in phone is a must.  (We own two.)
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/10/old-style-telephones-that-work-when.html

Keep your fingers crossed that everyone in Florida, Georgia and the Carolinas stays safe during and after the storm.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 6, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Shoe Finishing, Styles and Costs

The cost of making up needlepoint shoes has been a question ever since I realized needlepointers lived online in my computer. I researched the places where needlepoint slippers could be made in the early 1990s.   Even then they were really expensive and a lot of shops no longer offered shoe finishing as a service as the fit was never good and customers never happy after spending all that money.  Needle Nicely talks about the styles available now and the costs of finishing (that's in the comments and will vary slightly by shop).  It's even more restrictive now than it was then but the prices are about the same, which is interesting.  After all, 1993 was 23 years ago.  How many things cost the same now as they did then?
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/07/needlepoint-sandals.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 17, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fancywork and Fantasies

Needle Nicely profiles the charts from Carol Costello in this interesting post.  It's proof that a classic design lasts for decades.  Maybe you can't get the threads that were popular then now, but the design is ageless.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/08/carol-costellos-fancywork-and-fantasies.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 14, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Agnes Goes to Dallas

Mary Agnes of Needle Nicely explains a bit about the upcoming Destination Dallas show and what she'll do while she is there.   Wish we were all going!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/08/destination-dallas-classes_51.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 11, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mary Agnes is Going to Destination Dallas

You've love hearing about her travel plans and checking out her very clever box handle.  I bet all the shops will want this!
https://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/07/another-needlepoint-market.html?showComment=1468459043843#c5713648034546301783

I love hearing behind-the-scenes stories like this.  Regular stitchers have no idea all the work or expense involved in a shop owner going to the trade shows.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 13, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Belt and a Basket

Mary Agnes shows off a very clever use of a belt canvas with a basket tote.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/07/another-use-for-belt-canvas.html

If you fall in love, contact Mary Agnes at her shop, Needle Nicely, to see if she has any baskets left.  If you ask nicely, she'll help you pick out a belt to go with.
http://www.needlenicely.com

By the way, apparently Cabbage Row in Charleston, SC has the baskets also.  Here is what they did with Patricia's monogram ornament. Apparently the shop sells the baskets and will paint the monogram for you and attach it when you are done stitching.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2039723459586672&set=gm.1084591788284645&type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 2, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Plea for Checks and Cash When Shopping

Needle Nicely lays out the case for helping your favorite shop by buying with checks or cash instead of plastic.   Mary Agnes doesn't mention another benefit--not having to worry about your credit card numbers floating around a small business without the resources to put effective security procedures in place.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/06/can-we-talk-credit-card-and-debit-cards.html

I guess I won't feel like such a weirdo paying cash for my mail order needlepoint purchases any more!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 1, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Belts - Five Different Ways

Mary Agnes has outlined the five different ways her shop (Needle Nicely in Florida) finishes belts.  I thought those contemplating a belt would find this fascinating.  I had no idea there were so many ways of closing a belt or how that effects how long the belt should be stitched.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/03/various-methods-of-belt-finishing.html

Once again, thanks, MA!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cure for Streaky Perle Cotton Stitches

Mary Agnes at Needle Nicely has a great tip for avoiding the streaky look you sometimes get with perle cotton threads.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/03/streaky-perle-cotton-stitches.html

Very clever, MA!  I think you just won today's Smart Cookie Award.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 20, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Why Vero Beach?

Mary Agnes of Needle Nicely occasionally writes about the history of her shop, as well as tidbits about the business of needlepoint which we regular stitchers never know about. Today's essay is about how Needle Nicely came to move to Vero Beach, Florida from the mountains of North Carolina.   Fascinating!   And I love the orchid bench.  Thank you for letting us hear fascinating stories, MA.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2016/03/why-vero-beach.html

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