Turning in the Margins

Pat is working away on a darning stitch background for her Bitch canvas from Bloomin' Stitches.  The pretty pink heart stitch she is using is done with horizontal stitches worked across the row, left to right or right to left.  It takes seven passes across the width of the canvas to create a row of hearts.  To have the threads lay flat without twisting, Pat has to work a little pin stitch outside the margin of her design.    I thought you'd like to see how she is doing it in case you want to use a darning stitch yourself and need a smooth look.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2016/09/more-background.html

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

Visiting Cabbage Row Shoppe

Pat of the Needleart Nut blog is on vacation and stopped in Cabbage Row Shoppe in Charleston, SC. Here is what she found! 
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2016/03/cabbage-row-shoppe.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 16, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Interview with Machelle Sommerville

The Needleart Nut has an interview with the new designer Machelle Sommerville.   
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2015/08/meet-machelle-somerville.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 24, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Timeless Tiger is Traveling

Timeless Tiger from Leigh Designs' Imari Series

As you can probably tell from the change in the background, my Imari tiger piece is finished.  He is traveling to the Leigh Designs studio where he will be framed as a model. If you are a shop, you can visit him in Phoenix in January at the TNNA trade show if you stop by to tell Leigh and Robert hello.  I'm putting the finishing touches on the stitch guide right now, which is available from Leigh when your shop orders the canvas or you can get it directly from me if you aren't a shop.

He was a great deal of fun and at only six inches in diameter, he only took me about five weeks to finish, even though a lot of what I did in terms of needle felting was experimental.  I imagine if you stitch almost every day you could finish him in about a month.

Another View of The Tiger

Despite all the beading and the needle felting, the bulk of this classic design was done in basketweave, diagonal mosaic and brick stitches.    I wanted the tiger and flowers to look as if they were coming alive from a flat Japanese Imari plate so the majority of the design needed to be basic and flat to contrast well with the dimensional tiger and flowers.  Do you think I succeeded?

If tigers aren't your thing, check out the rest of the Imari series.  It comes in two sizes, both on 18 count canvas.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp629x.html

http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp628x.html

A rumor has reached me that Sandy Arthur will teach the Flaming Fowl at TNNA. If you aren't a shop owner going to the trade show, there are at least three other stitch guides available for these beauties.

Roar!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 17, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

My Favorites from Destination Dallas

Now that the excitement of Destination Dallas is over and the shop owners and designers have dragged their bodies home, unpacked and slept for a week, it's time for a recap of all the things I thought interesting. This is me, mind you, with all my biases. There is something for everyone in the world of needlepoint so don't miss browsing the running dialogue on the Destination Dallas tab as shops and designers let us know what caught their eyes or what they are particularly proud of.  Here's the link.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/p/destination-dallas.html

dede's Bear

My favorite new canvases are from dede Odgen and Vicki Sawyer.  Here is dede's "Snowy Nap Bear."  I love the realism of this piece.

Vicki Sawyer's Sheep Angel

Vicki Sawyer (a new artist whose work Melissa Shirley is reproducing on needlepoint canvas) has a fabulous sheep Nativity angel.  I love the whimsy of this piece.  You can see more of Vicki's work on Melissa's website.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?bsn=1

My Katie Boo for Leigh Designs

But more than animal canvases caught my eye.  My favorite new series is Leigh Designs' Lil Goblins.  I can't top what Leigh wrote about them--

"Our neighborhood kids are all grown up and gone. Regardless, every Halloween we decorate and have candy on hand -- and every Halloween the doorbell remains silent as the night moves on undisturbed. To remedy this pitiful scene, I created our own neighborhood kids. Now, on All Hallows Eve, the Lil’ Goblins stand up on our dining room table. Smiling, we happily devour the candy ourselves! There are eight spooky 6” tall designs on 18 mesh French Blue mono."

Of course I have to reveal I stitched Katie for Leigh and my friend Pat is going to stitch Janie.  My stitch guide is ready already but Pat won't start on my namesake with my trademark pony tail until October.  (Sorry, I write these weeks ahead of the publication date and Pat's started her Lil Goblin.  You can watch her blog stitch Janie at the second link below.)   I am pretty sure Sandy Arthur is going to stitch one as well so stay tuned for much stitch guide fun.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp520x.html

http://needleartnut.blogspot.com

JT Morrow Geisha with Fans

My favorite new designer is JT Morrow.  JT has two wonderful geisha canvases.  The dancing geisha with fans is pictured above but you'll have to click on this link to see the graceful geisha with her umbrella.
http://nashvilleneedleworks.com/whats-new/

When it comes to books, I want to get my hot little hands on Lynda Richardson's first book, Stitches a la Carte.  Lynda is the genius behind Dreamhouse Ventures and her book sold out at Dallas.  Here's a sneak peek.  Doesn't it sound like a book with personality?  I get tired of the useful books full of stitch diagrams but no real glimpse of the author.  I use them all the time but I remember the great books about needlepoint that Sylvia Sidney and Mary Martin wrote in the 1970s.  This book might have both diagrams and soul.
http://needlepointland.com/2014/08/24/stitches-a-la-carte/

I need some of that hot pink Frye Werks!  It is called Super Pink.  Trust me, it'll jump out from the photos at you.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2014/09/new-2014-fall-colors-and-threads-from.html

I liked seeing all the designer model photos that Erin took.  I'm not really interested in any of the projects but a good finisher works magic and there are some great display ideas here for those who don't have room for another pillow or picture.
http://needlepointland.com/2014/09/09/dallas-outtakes/

Everyone has their favorites from the show.  What's yours?  Post in the comments below.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 10, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pangea as a Tote Bag (More Finishing Friday)

Thanks to Sue Dulle, I heard about Kurdy Biggs' latest design, Pangea, made up as a tote bag and stitcher's tool wallet. It's magnificent! 
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2013/Pangea/Pangea_BagAndWallet.html

Here is the charted design in its three colorways devised by Kurdy herself.  Her work is astounding in person.  Photos don't capture the complexity or show the crystals and beads she uses.
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2013/Pangea/Pangea.html

By the way, the Needleart Nut is stitching Kurdy's Mariposa butterfly if you want to see how the design develops.  Pat is doing hers on a custom dyed canvas.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com

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.

Finished and Gorgeous

Today I have a wide range of finished projects for you to admire.   The Needleart Nut has been hanging out in the bars with Sloe Gin Sadie (Leigh Designs).  I don't know what I like best, the hat, her dress, her jewelry, her hair...?!
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-final-touches.html

Here is Nine Lives for your viewing pleasure.  This is a hilarious canvas! The designer is Stephanie Stouffok of Ruth Levinson Design.  Their website is the second link, if you'd like to browse.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/11/nine-lives.html

http://levisondesign.com

Liz has finished her Charley Harper of thieving raccoons making off with the Christmas decorations.  That "popcorn" looks real!
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-caper-finished.html

Mary Agnes shows off a fabulous director's chair. Bet it is a hit when it goes on display at her shop.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/11/flower-basket-directors-chair.html

Nimble Needle has all sorts of goodies to show off.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2012/12/customers-gallery.html

Vicky DeAngelis has picked up Cats' Night Out (SharonG) from the framers.  It is magnificent!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/a-purrfectly-stitchy-day/

Ada's been busy creating new spring designs for Eye Candy.  Check out the hot spring colors of this biscornu.  It's in the new (December 2012) Needlepoint Now as well.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/11/skipping-ahead-season.html

Barbara Bergsten has her newest models back from the finisher.  Aren't those Santa Stitches darling?!  Each one is designed to teach a different stitch on their bodies, so these are great beginner projects.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/12/more-finished-needlepoint.html

What have you finished lately?  Send me photos at chillyhollowathotmaildotcom and I'll post them here.

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

Stitch and Zip eBook Reader Project

My Stitch and Zip eBook Project

I was amazed to see this little Stitch and Zip cosmetic bag on the Needleart Nut's blog tonight because I have just started a Stitch and Zip project myself.  Here is what Pat's done on hers.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2012/11/cosmetic-bag.html

I wanted something to stitch on Election Day as I anticipate that there will be lulls in voting while I am helping at the polls as an election official for my county.  Belleza is way too large to take with me although I expect she would draw a LOT of attention!  Instead, I am taking an eBook Reader case with me.  I bought the coffee themed one on sale at the local big box crafts emporium last summer.
http://www.stitchandzipkits.com/kindle-cases/

The person I want to give this to doesn't drink coffee, so I decided I would use a charted pattern on the cover instead.  I choose SharonG's gorgeous Brocade Variation stitch from her 2005 Stitch of the Month project for ANG.
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2005/nov.php

I have recently been given some of Planet Earth Fiber's new wool so I choose a skein of that in dark green (Juniper #062) to set up the grid that is the basis for this stitch.  That's what you see being done in the photo above.
http://www.annieandco.com/collections/planet-earth-wool/?view=5000

I left the case unzipped in the photo so you can see the Stitch and Zip front and back.  The back fabric is a sturdy thin velveteen.  I will probably put padding beneath my needlepoint and then slip stitch a piece of Ultrasuede over the back side to give extra padding and protection for the front of the eBook reader itself when the case is zipped close.

I have to say the Planet Earth wool is quite nice stuff.  You can see the strand of green in the photo plus an unopened skein of tan in the photo.   It is 90 percent wool and 10 percent nylon so it doesn't feel scratchy.  If I didn't know better I would think it was a silk/wool blend with just a little less shine than these threads normally have.   I am allergic to wool and never stitch with it in the summer when it is hot.  But I haven't felt the itch with this wool.  Still, it has been unseasonably cold and this might be less easy to stitch with next July.  It covers well on the 14 count interlock canvas used by Stitch and Zip cases.  Interlock does occasionally rub off a tiny bit of wool if I am using too long a length but I think that is just because interlock abrades threads more than regular canvas does.  I am using a size 20 needle and trying to remember to cut smaller lengths and haven't had a problem very often, only when I pick out and restitch an area because I can't count properly.

I'll post a photograph of the finished piece once it is done.

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

The Floozy's Necklace and Betsy's Stars

If you have been curious about Wonder Ribbon in action, Needleart Nut has used some for the necklace on her Leigh canvas from Leigh Design's Floozie series.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2012/10/lets-do-jewelry.html

Stephanie's stars on her Betsy Ross canvas (one of the Wild Women series by Melissa Shirley) have been diagrammed by Needle Works in Austin who graciously allowed Stephanie to post the diagram for us all to use.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2012/10/happy-halloween-treats-included.html

Whoops!  Almost forgot.  Here's more about Wonder Ribbon courtesy of Quail Run's blog...
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/07/wonder-ribbon-by-collection.html

,,,and Annie and Company in NYC.
http://www.annieandco.com/products/the-collection-503-wonder-ribbon-gold

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

Boxes and More Boxes

I've been thinking about boxes to insert stitching in ever since the Needle Art Nut began to think about a box for her SharonG scissors canvas.  After all, we aren't all going to be lucky enough to have a painted box by our mother to use!
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2012/08/lets-do-some-finishing.html

Sudberry is the classic source for boxes.
http://www.sudberry.com/catalog/index.html

HP Designs has lovely lacquered ones.
http://hpneedlepoint.com/PRZlacquerboxes.html

Stitchers' Workshop makes wonderful custom boxes.
http://www.stitchersworkshop.com/tools_category.php?Manufacturer=Dugan+Specialties&Category=Finishing+and+Framing+Supplies

So does Lee of Patt and Lee Designs.
http://pattandleedesigns.com/woodworking_products

Surely there's a box for us all in the above?  Do you know of other great places to find stitching boxes?

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

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

For Charley Harper Fans

Here's a special treat for fans of Charley Harper designs.  They are all stitched with the same or very similar stitches and framed the same way to make a unified collection of cardinals.  Fabulous!
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2012/02/flying-together.html


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

They Finished Stars!

Tony Minieri's Stars for the New Millennium is one of the two iconic counted canvaswork pieces of the 20th Century. Jan and Liz have worked their way though the project and posted their final photos on their blogs. Make sure you check out Jan's inventive border touch that will avoid an expensive mat cut to fit the pointed shapes in the borders.
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2012/01/17/stars-of-the-new-millennium-finale/

http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2012/01/stars-for-new-millenium-finished.html

This gorgeous Stars is being created by Donna, who might just have it done in time to show at the delayed Woodlawn Plantation show. Which means I might see it in person. Yeah!
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2012/01/seeing-stars.html

SL's working her Stars, too. It's my favorite colorways of all time because they are just so cheerful and happy together.
http://remedialstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/01/new-year-new-resolve.html

What's the other iconic counted piece, you asked?  Marnie Ritter's Aurora Borealis (which has a second version called Aurora Revisited).  Pat is working on that now.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2012/01/aurora-borealis-pattern-7.html

This is Aurora Borealis Revisited.  The original design, which is similar with softer colors is in the second link.  By the way, the newer version is spread out over several magazines but the original is all in that one issue.
http://www.needlepointnow.com/back_issues/2001/2001_05/2001_05_cover.html

http://www.etsy.com/listing/6787126/needlepoint-plus-magazine-1990-counted

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

Loretta Spears Mystery #10

By coincidence two different stitchers are working Loretta Spear's Mystery #10, which is appropriately named Fascination.  Both are going to post progress on their blogs.  Here are the links--
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2011/12/lesson-one.html

http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2011/12/four-five-and-six.html

http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2011/12/seven-eight.html

http://diet-pepsi-and-xanax.blogspot.com/2011/12/mystery-10-fascination.html

http://diet-pepsi-and-xanax.blogspot.com/2011/12/fiber-not-fabulous.html

http://diet-pepsi-and-xanax.blogspot.com/2011/12/fascination-day-1.html

This is the only Loretta Spears design I've actually seen after it was stitched.  If you would like to see the finished piece, here's Joni Stevenson's version, which is gorgeous in person.  But if you would rather be surprised, don't click!
http://www.needlepoint.org/WhatIs/2001/fascination.php

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

Red Birds of Glory

Check these framed Charley Harper painted canvases out!
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2011/11/cardinals-are-framed.html


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

The Snowbird (with Magi)

Now that the trauma of snow before Halloween has receded a bit, I can send Blog readers over to see a finished Dorothy Lesher class piece called Snowbird. It's GORGEOUS! First, Pat has posted a finished photo.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2011/10/viola-fini.html

Then she posted closeups of the sections. The metallics and beads and the shine of the silks don't photograph well, so you can imagine how great this is going to be when it is framed.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2011/10/all-closeups.html

By coincidence, Just String is posting photographs of Dorothy's The Magi as she works it.  This particular entry is very interesting because Dorothy told her students to use ink to create a shadow on the Ultrasuede.  Fascinating tip!  If you want to see more, click on the Just String title and read the postings on the first and the previous page that show her progress creating this piece.
http://juststring.blogspot.com/2011/11/ink-unusual-embellishment.html

Sadly, Dorothy doesn't have a website but if you look for ANG and EGA Seminar classes she's taught or check what she plans to teach at Callaway or at the Shining Needle Society, you might be able to find a class you can take from her.

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

Happy Dancing All Over

I'm not getting much done in Chilly Hollow due to my work obligations but there's a whole lot of stitching going on the Blog-o-sphere.

Barbara Bergstein has just finished her mermaid canvas (see Feb. 18, 2009) for a purse and has started a seahorse (Feb. 20). Her seahorse posting is especially interesting as she talks about the things she must consider as she chooses threads for this new project. You might enjoy scrolling down and reading about the Silk Lame thread (mermaid tail) and Boucle thread (mermaid's blonde towsled curls) she used on the mermaid project as well. Lots of fun going on at Barbara's blog!
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/

The Linda half of the Stitching Sisters just got her latest project back from the finishers--it's an amazing stitching toolbox. This you have GOT to see!
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2009/02/stitch-is-finished.html

Anne Stradal has posted another tutorial on blending colors for a sky on her Cape Stitcher blog. It shows off one of her beautiful lighthouse canvases very well and tells you something of its tragic history.
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2009/02/mississippis-lonely-lighthouse.html

Finally, Pat has finished her Tudor Dog in the household pet guardian angel series. It will go off with its brothers and sisters to the ANG Auction in Milwaukee next fall to raise money for ANG programs. Someone is going to love this as much as I do! Thanks, Pat. Your dog and rabbit are simply beautiful.
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2009/02/royal-angel.html

Hopefully I'll get some stitching done this weekend so I can add wonderful items to Blog also.

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow