How to Fake Beads

Francie at the FrancieNeedlepoints Instagram account shows off her fake beading-

https://www.instagram.com/p/C9IXy0NP2BV/

To summarize for those who don't have an Instagram account, Francie uses either Fyre Werks or Neon Rays Plus in cross stitches to give her stitching a beaded look without beads.

Fyre Werks is a very shiny flat ribbon from Rainbow Gallery.

https://needlepointjoint.com/products/fyre-werks

Neon Rays Plus, also from Rainbow Gallery, is also a flat ribbon-like thread with less sparkle than Fyre Werks but because many of the colors have metallic woven in, there is some shine.

https://www.needlenook.com/product/neon-rays-rainbow-gallery/

Normally these two threads are used in long stitches to show off the metallic look but a tiny cross stitch fakes a very good bead!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Neon Rays and Neon Rays Plus: The Movie

Needlepoint.com's latest video talks about two Rainbow Gallery threads--Neon Rays and Neon Rays Plus.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/thread-talks-all-about-neon-rays-neon-rays-plus

The video explains the difference in the two threads and offers some tips for stitching with them.  If you are tempted to buy a card or two, just to see, KC Needlepoint has photos of many of the colors of both threads on their website.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/search?type=product,article,page&q=neon%20rays*

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/neon-rays-1

If you don't have a favorite shop you support, shop around as prices vary a little.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Ruche Neon Rays Plus: The Movie

Ruth Schmuff of Bedecked and Beadazzled has posted another tutorial video on her Instagram page.  This time she shows how to ruche Neon Rays Plus to make fluffy feathers. It's so easy!

https://www.instagram.com/p/C22W_N_MmbM/

This and many other videos are available on the Bedecked and Beadazzled YouTube channel.  In fact, you can learn to do almost anything if you just watch what Ruth (and occasionally Kimberly) does here.

https://www.youtube.com/@bedeckedandbeadazzled/featured

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 3, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Neon Rays Tips

Louise's Needlework has some great tips for stitching with Neon Rays in this month's shop newsletter.

https://media.rainpos.com/530/News_Blast_May_2023_Final.pdf

Basically, Jill advocates using a flat iron to smooth cut lengths of Neon Rays, and to use a metal laying tool to lay each stitch since a wooden tool can sometimes snag this tender thread.  If you are doing padded satin stitch with Neon Rays, Jill likes to use Very Velvet as padding underneath for extra depth.

Stitching Shop advocates dampening the thread or popping it by cutting a length and then pulling each end simultaneously.  They also mention using steam or a flat iron to smooth Neon Rays and have tips on keeping this slippery thread from sliding out of the needle's eye or wiggling out from the back of the canvas where the ends are buried.

https://www.stitchingshop.com/store/index.php?l=product_list&c=105

If you aren't familiar with Neon Rays, this is from the Rainbow Gallery website.

https://www.rainbowgallery.com/product/neon-rays/

If all else fails, Neon Rays+ is a good substitute.  The bit of metallic filament woven in this thread makes it easier to stitch with than the original.

https://www.rainbowgallery.com/product/neon-rays-2/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 5, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

I'm Glowing UPDATED

Turn off the light!

Actually I'm not the one glowing--it is my threads. Rainbow Gallery has outdone itself with new colors of glow-in-the-dark threads.  There are all sorts of colors and Petite Treasure Braid and Silk Lame Braid also have white glowing threads.  Fun!

We really are lucky to be stitching right now.

UPDATE:  Kreinik has added a section about its glow-in-the-dark threads to their website in 2024.

https://www.kreinik.com/store/shop-needlework/glow-in-the-dark-threads/how-to-use-glow-in-the-dark-threads

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.

New and Fun

This morning I have a round-up of new or fun items I've seen while cruising the World Wide Web each morning.  Randi's stocking some fascinating new frame weight canvases for her shop.   Never heard of frame weights?  Randi explains why a stitcher might want one in their stitching nest very well. The second link is to Randi's shop website, in case you have more questions or want to order.
http://twisinc.blogspot.com/2013/03/more-new-canvases.html

http://www.twisinc.com

I've never seen a Hanukkah pillow before.  What a great idea!
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/03/ruth-is-all-set-for-hanukkah-with-this.html

Threadaholic alert!  Vicky's posted great photos of the new colors of thread from Rainbow Gallery.  There's Silk Lame Braid, Petite Silk Lame Braid, Fyre Werks, and Neon Rays Plus (including their new glow in the dark orange).
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/new-threads-from-rainbow-gallery/

I've never seen earmuff canvases before.  The finishing is superb!  Of course you can make a double sided ornament if you don't want earmuff style finishing, but this is a very different and fun way to make up ornaments.
http://astheneedleturns.com/mini-earmuffs/

By the way, the earmuff canvases are from Linda Lahm Designs.  Don't miss Rudolph in earmuffs!
http://www.whatsthepoint.biz/lindasearmuffpics.htm

On a slightly different topic, Orna Willis is proudly showing off finished projects from her students.  I have to say, things look great!  Nothing makes you see a charted piece with fresh eyes than seeing it stitched, often in different colors from the original.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2013/03/bursting-with-pride.html

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.

A Treat for the Eyes: New Threads

Vicky has posted photographs of many of the new threads that came out in Baltimore.   They are mouth-watering!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/09/26/one-can-never-ever-have-too-many-threads/

By the way, here are the new DMC overdyed floss and perle cottons.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2012/09/new-dmc-color-variations.html

And here are the new Wisper colors again, which happen to match Robin's cat perfectly.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2012/10/new-wisper-colors-from-rainbow-gallery.html

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