Stitch Ripper: The Movie

The Needlepointer has a little video demonstrating how to use their stitch ripper.  This is what it looks like.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/stitch-rip/?goal=0_3621358244-daa8ce2421-69335125&mc_cid=daa8ce2421&mc_eid=73961ee0ea

And this is how to use it safely.

https://vimeo.com/674308644?goal=0_3621358244-daa8ce2421-69335125&mc_cid=daa8ce2421&mc_eid=73961ee0ea

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 7, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Get Organized

If you like to work multiple projects simultaneously, you need some way to keep the threads for each organized in some way. The Needlepointer has posted a video of their mini foldable storage boxes, showing how you can write the name of the project (or the owner) on the outside.
https://vimeo.com/346465615

These come in various colors, so that you can put your Halloween project in a Halloween-themed box and your birthday gift for your best friend in the balloons one.  You can also buy an insert to keep tools organized and a wall mount for hanging.  I'm not sure that any of the boxes except the white board one can be written on.  Plus these have no lid so if you have to keep the dust or pet fluff out, you'll need to put your threads and canvas in a plastic bag before you put them away in one of your colorful boxes.
https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/mini-fold-able-box-assorted-colors-and-patterns/

These are inexpensive enough that your shop might provide them for retreats so that everyone knows where they put their scissors or reading glasses or phone.  They also make a nice present for a stitching friend who loves polka dots or stars or lime green.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 6, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Latest Shop News

The Needlepointer included a video tour of the latest items in the shop in their last newsletter. It's a fun browse to see their new line of totes and visit some of the Kelly Clark trunk show.
https://vimeo.com/259023306

A Thread Garden/Bead Time has opened in their new location!  Here's all you need to know to visit the shop if you happen to be in the Newbury Park, California area.
http://hosted.verticalresponse.com/575576/0ef0b6a585/288950941/ecfecd4855/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 8, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlepointer's New Website Is Ready for Inspection

The Needlepointer's updated website is now ready!  I am thrilled for Jill's taste in canvases is close to mine.  It is always fun to browse her selection.  The website showcases some of their customers' finished pieces, the current trunk show (Kathy Schenkel Designs), their upcoming classes and clubs, links to their Pinterest site, and more.  Have fun exploring. 
http://www.theneedlepointer.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.

For the Love of Stitching

Karen of The Pine Needle Shop just shared information about the needlepoint "road show" she and Jill at The Needlepointer have organized for September for Castle Pines, Colorado.  Mark your calendars!  Here's what Karen said--

"The Colorado Needlepoint Road Show will be held September 6th, 7th and 8th of September, 2013 at Castle Pines North Community Center.

The American Needlepoint Guild Inc. (ANG) defines needlepoint as any counted or free stitchery worked by hand with a threaded needle on a readily countable ground. According to The National Needle Arts Association, Needlework has been around almost as long as humans have clothed themselves. It goes back at least as far as the ancient Egyptians, who used small slanted stitches to sew their tents. I can tell you, it’s not your Grandmother’s needlework any longer. Our industry has come along way since 1500 b.c.

Jill Likes, owner of the Needlepointer in Everett, Washington, along with Karen Barton, owner of The Pine Needle Shop in Castle Pines, Colorado, will be hosting a weekend of what Needlepoint has to offer in 2013. There will be hand painted canvases by internationally known artists such as Melissa Shirley, Kathy Schenkel, Kelly Clark, Susan Wallace Barnes, Warren Kimble, Maggie Co, Birds of a Feather and more.

Some of the country’s latest fibers will be on sale by Planet Earth, silk ribbon by River Silks and the very popular overdyed threads by ThreadworX.

There will be classes offered for beginner stitchers to intermediate stitcher to advanced stitchers. New stitchers will learn the basics of needlepoint and be able to take home a project they can admire and use for years to come. Intermediate stitchers will learn the art of thread painting, beading, and working with ribbon. There will also be a hand painted canvas by Melissa Shirley Class taught by our own Colorado native, Janet Gebow, certified Master Teacher Journeyman Level from the American Needlepoint Guild.

Join us for a weekend of learning, networking with other stitchers, meeting new friends, shopping, and a fun weekend of sharing a love of stitching. For more detailed information you can email us at pineneedleshop@hotmail.com and “like" us at facebook.com/ColoradoNeedlepointRoadshow."

Thanks for the invitation, Karen!

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.

Finishing and Finishers

Finishing and finishers are always a subject of fascination to me.  I thought it might be helpful to post information about finishers for those who need someone.  Of the alphabetical list below, I've only used Marlene's, Summer Truswell and West Coast Finishing.  I can highly recommend all three.

Cheryl's Needlework Finishing (near St. Louis, MO)
http://www.cherylsfinishing.com

Marlene's (San Francisco, CA)
http://www.marlenecustompillows.com

Quick Stitcher Designs (near Santa Clarita, CA)
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2010/02/introducing-sharon-quick-of.html

Summer Louise Truswell (near Seattle, WA)
http://www.summerlouise.com

Vikki's Stuff (Austin, TX)
http://www.vikkisstuff.com

West Coast Finishing (Oregon)
http://www.westcoastneedlepointfinishing.com

Un Chiffon Bon Bon (highly recommended by Canvases Be Gone in Arizona)
https://www.facebook.com/Unchiffonfonfon
 or email mcrobbins@cox.net

For those who don't need a finisher but love the eye candy, here are some photos of wonderful finishing from Nimble Needle's customers followed by more wonderful finishing from The Needlepointer's talented stitchers.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2013/06/customers-gallery-june-2013.html

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=6b74712b44&e=73961ee0ea

I should mention that most needlepoint shops have local finishers they use.   You will need to take your completed pieces to the shop and they will take it from there.  Before you send things off for finishing, make sure you and the finisher are completely clear on a few things--exactly what you want and don't want, the cost, and approximately when your piece will be ready.  If your shop is the intermediary, a written description and photos for the finisher might be useful to turn over with your piece.

Got any contact information for finishers?  Please email me at chilly hollowat hot maildotcom or post a comment below.  I'm sure I missed folks.  The list above was done off the top of my head but I can always update it.

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.

Tips from the Experts

I've been collecting links that have all sorts of wonderful tips for us stitchers.  The first summarizes information from a Margaret Bendig class at Quail Run, particularly tips on how to anchor a new thread so it is both secure and invisible on the front.  There are some lovely photos of Margaret's charted work, too!
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2013/03/sunday-sampler-of-tips-from-margaret_24.html

The second link shows off progress on the latest Enriched Stitch and talks about how to achieve dimension on this very complex piece that shows both the exterior and interior of a needlework shop.
http://astheneedleturns.com/rebecca-banner-class-1/

The third is to a report on a Meredith Willet class at Bedecked and Beadazzled.  The ideas she came up with for each and every canvas are exactly perfect!  (Meredith is an author, shop owner, distributor of needlepoint canvases, oversees a fabulous finishing business, and also is famous for her goldwork classes.  You name it, she can do it.)
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/03/the-marvelous-miss-m.html

My final link isn't to any tips but shows two wonderful purses made from canvases that normally wouldn't be made up into pocketbooks.  Very clever!
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=643258383e&e=73961ee0ea

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.

Sighing Over the Finishing

If you are like me, you love to see finished stitching.  Fancy Stitches has lots and lots of items for us to drool over on their website. This is the Stand Ups, Boxes and Easels area.  You can find other types of finishing in the lime green Finishing pull down menu at the top of the page.  So pour yourself your favorite beverage and enjoy the show!
http://www.fancystitches.com/page9.html

If you don't have a lot of spare time right now, you can come back to the link above later and just enjoy the Halloween finishing The Needlepointer has on display.
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=17248e6186&e=73961ee0ea

If you have some time, then visit Mary's house and see all her Halloween ornaments and pillows!
http://www.livingwithneedlepoint.com/2012/10/28/halloween-tree-treat-mary-roddys-big-tree/

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