The Needle Puller

While looking for something else, I stumbled across this great tool on the New Needlepoint site.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/needlepoint-miscellany/needle-or-thread-puller-tool

It's a needle puller, perfect for tugging a needle through a thick mass of threads.  I hadn't seen one before.  It's probably not a Must Have but it's a very nice little item to have around, just in case.

Do you have some interesting and useful tools in your stitching stash?  If so, Tell All in the comments below.  (Or if today's the day Blogger won't let you comment, just email me at chillyhollow at hot mail dot com.)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 24, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bargello is Back

According to this blogger, Bargello is back. Of course we needlepointers are always in style and we always did Bargello.
http://cdiannezweig.blogspot.com/2017/03/bargello-needlepoint-popular-in-1970s.html

If you want to try some new Bargello patterns, New Needlepoint has a lot of wonderful vintage (and newer) Bargello books…
http://www.newneedlepoint.com

…and Liz Morrow has some lovely Bargello patterns for sale as PDF downloads.  Instant fun!
http://www.lizartneedlepoint.com

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

Profiling Pat Mazu

This morning I wanted to share a profile of the counted canvaswork designer Pat Mazu I stumbled across when updating the Counted Canvaswork Designer tab.
http://www.bloombakecreate.com/2011/06/counted-canvas-with-pat/

You may have seen Pat's wonderful free designs in Needlepoint Now or Needle Pointers.
https://www.needlepointnow.com/project-information/project-index/

There is also a free project from Pat on the ANG website.
http://www.needlepoint.org/NeedlePointers/13-11/Nov2013MazuStarMdowStockingNPExtra.pdf

Pat's charts and her book on basic finishing are available from Stitches From The Heart.  I haven't seen the finishing book myself but it gets very good reviews.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

I hope you enjoyed reading about this very talented lady and working some of her terrific stockings.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Marianne's Worst Ever Book Review

New Needlepoint dot com is one of three well-known needlepoint book sellers online. Marianne's reviews are fascinating. When I am bored or killing time I often go to her website and read a few reviews of books I own, I might like to own, or in this case, a book I wouldn't give to my worst enemy.   (However if you need the perfect gag gift for your guild Christmas party, let Marianne know.)
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2403/handbook_of_needlepoint_stitches_by_mary_meister_walzer.html

Keep up the good work, Marianne.  I almost hurt myself falling out of the chair laughing.  Bet you sell this, too.  Someone is bound to want to see this turkey for themselves!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 19, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Need Books?

I don't know about you, but this time of year with Christmas on the horizon and winter closing in, I start to pull out my needlepoint books, re-reading old favorites and looking for new ones to add to my collection.   Of course I am always looking for a bargain and for books suitable for presents for my stitching friends (at least that's what I tell myself as I browse....)

Marrianne at New Needlepoint knows this and has started laying out the goods for my inspection.
http://needlepointtalk.net/2013/10/27/stitch-books-extravaganza#utm_source=feedly

Here's the link to her shop.  She specializes in books but she also offers canvases that she'll kit out for you.  Temptation is all over this site, so don't click unless you can resist the lure of a new (or new to you) book!
http://www.newneedlepoint.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.

Let's Talk Finishing Books UPDATED

Marianne at New Needlepoint asked about finishing books at the Needlepoint Group on Facebook as she was considering whether to add Pat Mazu's finishing book to her online bookstore.   Apparently it was a good choice as she has been selling them like hotcakes!  Marianne stocks the classic Sandy Higgins finishing book as well as an out of print finishing book by Katharine Ireyss.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=&keywords=finishing

UPDATE:   Michele at Bristly Thistle added in the Comments below that although Amazon.com stocks Sandy Higgins' Sandy's Finishing Touches:  A Step-by-Step Guide to Finishing Needlework, they have the 2008 edition.  Most needlework shops have the later 2010 edition.  Thanks, Michele!

I have used Summer Louise's finishing tips which makes me think her books would be very helpful.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2012_10_09_archive.html

I've also used The Needlepoint Doctor for finishing ideas for odder items.  This is an out of print book so you'll have to use Marianne or other used book sellers to find it.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2435/the_needlework_doctor_by_mary_kay_davis.html

Pat's book can also be found at Stitches from the Heart who also sell her charts.  Sandy's Finishing Touches from Mrs. Higgins used to be available from her website which is gone but you can find it a lot of places now, from Nordic Needle to Marianne's shop to Amazon.com.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

Anyone know of any other good finishing books, either out of print or new?

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

Shapes Three!

Sandy Arthur's third Shapes book, "Corners, Hexagons, Ovals and Parallelograms," is now available!
http://needlepointtalk.net/2012/08/17/shapes-series-3#utm_source=feed&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=feed

The first two Shapes books are available on iTunes but not the third, at least not yet.  (I just checked.)  New Needlepoint quotes the Needle Pointer's review which explains how this book differs from the first two.  If your local shop doesn't stock books or you don't have a local, you can pick it up from Marianne's online bookstore.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2868/the_shapes_of_needlepoint_series_3_by_sandra_arthur.html

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

Books for Sale

New Needlepoint has June McKnight's new Bling book (and the Halloween one from last year) at a very good price! I think shipping's free, too, so if you want these books, this is a good place to pick them up.
http://needlepointtalk.net/2012/02/04/june-mcknights-blingy-book


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

Liz Goes Mad

Liz goes mad? Oh, NO! Well, she has gone miter mad anyway.   That's not the same thing.  In fact, Liz Morrow is going to teach a cyberclass for ANG's CyberStitchers guild in the spring about her Mad Miters technique.  Details plus a link to the CyberStitchers' cyberclass page are on Liz's blog.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2011/11/more-mad-miters.html

If you are bargello mad (and who isn't, judging by the trouble my friend Marianne has in keeping bargello books in stock at NewNeedlepoint.com?) tell Santa this is on your wish list.

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

Marianne Reports In

New Needlepoint has just gotten home from the Baltimore trade show.  Marianne already has the new Sandy Arthur book ready to ship in case you don't have a local shop or they didn't order any copies.  This one is The Shapes of Needlepoint Series 2:  Diamonds, Hearts, Octagons and Stars.  The second link below is her online shop since Zac her webmaster doesn't have her links working (Bad ZAC!)  Before you go there, however, you'll want to Read All About the show, courtesy of Marianne.  She had a lovely time, discovered Sophia, and generally made good use of her trip to Baltimore.
http://needlepointtalk.net/2011/08/14/ta-da-really-big-one

Personally I can't wait to see the new goodies at her website!
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/

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

Circle August 15th on Your Calendar

If you are a big fan of Sandy Arthur's first book, Shapes of Needlepoint, then you need to circle 8/15 on your calendar.  That's when Sandy's second  Shapes of Needlepoint book is coming out.  Marianne at New Needlepoint is taking pre-orders for book two which will have diagrams for various sizes of diamonds, hearts, octagons and stars.
http://needlepointtalk.net/2011/06/21/the-shapes-of-needlepoint-part-2

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

Monthly Clubs and Big January Sales

A great many needlepoint shops have a January sale going on now.  Here are the ones I know about:

Needlepoint in the 21st Century has painted and printed canvases on sale.  Check out the home page and also the Clearance page for some big bargains.  I don't think any of their great book collection is on sale, however.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/

Old World Designs will sell in-stock painted canvases at 25% off from January 15-29.  Books, some threads and accessories are also on sale but the newsletter didn't spell out what or how much off.  They have a Shorebird Studio trunk show until January 12 if you are a fan of Kate Molineux's designs like I am.
http://www.oldworlddesigns.com/

http://shorebirdstudio.com/

The French Knot in Texas has a one day sale on 1/8/11 with in stock painted canvases between 30-85% off and some threads a dollar a skein.  They also will special order canvases at a 20% discount.  Remember, this is a one day only sale.
http://www.thefrenchknot.com/

Chaparral Needlepoint in Texas is putting almost everything in the shop on sale at 20% off from January 10-15.
http://www.ndlpt.com/

Needlepoint.com has added to their 50% off sale canvases page.  Note the sale runs until Jan. 15.
http://www.needlepoint.com/index.php/sale-items.html

When it comes to monthly clubs, ads in the needlepoint magazines are full of new items.  The Needlepointer hasn't updated their monthly club page yet, but they plan a ribbon candy canvas club, a club featuring Melissa Shirley's tiny fancy pumpkins that spell out Thanksgiving, and a peppermint patty club of double sided canvases that make sweet treats for all stitchers.  All these start this month, so hopefully the website will have this information soon.
http://www.theneedlepointer.com/monthly_clubs.php

Do you love Christmas and train sets?  Then the Toy Express series from Needleworks in Birmingham, Alabama is for you.
http://web.me.com/gritsnp/Site/Toy_Express_Train.html

Nordic Needle is jumping into the monthly club business with their counted canvaswork Seasonal Snowflakes.
http://www.nordicneedle.com/PROD/CLUB03.html

Chandail is working with Melissa Shirley to create Santa Bells, a series of her classic Santa designs in "snow globe bell" form.  Each bell is 5 inches high so these can be made up into ornaments or finished as a series of stand up designs.  You can see the first three Santa bells on their home page.  Follow the links for nice big photos.  My favorite is the red Santa holding the bird tree but you may prefer one of the more over-the-top designs that still manage to be elegant in true Chandail style.
http://www.chandailneedlework.com/

A Stitch in Time is offering Raymond Crawford flowers of the month in a cheerful club that will bring spring to you any month of the year.
http://www.needlepoint-knitting.com/stitch-clubs.htm

Finally, Old Town Needlework in Arizona is doing a kimono club.  The designs are darling but sadly only the details are on their website. No pictures!  The 3 x 3 1/2 inch kimonos are all from Lee or Patt and Lee Designs.
http://www.oldtownneedlework.com/KimonoClub.html

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

A Book Lover's Delights

I have a treat this morning for folks who adore stitching books.  I've found great new books (well, they are new to me) on the Alex Paras Needle Arts website.
http://store.apneedlearts.com/neli.html

Thistle Needleworks has a nifty small Quick Stitch Reference book that is perfect for travel.  I haven't seen this in person but I've seen Judie's stitching (your stocking is decorating my car rear view mirror this year, Judie) and I know this will be a useful little book.  If you travel, this might be the perfect gift for yourself.

Counted canvaswork folks love playing around with colors and patterns, so I think they might be interested in Stitching Inside the Box, which is from Finger Step Designs.  The book is about creating your own band sampler and can be used for both cross stitch and needlepoint samplers.

There is lots more here, but I think the Magazine section is of particular interest since AP Needlearts is selling old copies of Needlepoint Now and Embroidery and Cross Stitch at discount.  If you are missing issues or just want to explore these magazines at a lower than usual price, check them out.

There are many other great books listed here but anyone who wanted the out of print Knots, Fur and Turkeywork can pick a first edition up here.

Ridgewood Needlepoint Blog has posted photos of the new book versions of Ruth Schmuff's Stitches, Volumes One and Two.  Ruth's books originally were only on CD and as smart phone apps, but since many of us don't have computer or Internet access when we are stitching, hard copies were made available.  These are great books, by the way.  I have these CDs (but not the Backgrounds one, are you listening, Santa?) and adore them!
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2010/12/stitches-volume-i-and-ii.html

If you are love reading about books as well as reading them, then you will want to visit Marianne's blog where she talks about how the books she sells go in and out of fashion.  As usual, you can tell how much Marianne loves the books she describes in loving detail. I imagine what is happening is that the folks who love her books buy and more on, without new buyers finding out about books they might really enjoy.  So make a habit of visiting Marianne's website to keep up with books before they go out of style and disappear again.  Like me, you will find books you never heard of that tempt you to add them to your bookshelves.
http://needlepointtalk.net/2010/12/18/book-fashions

http://www.newneedlepoint.com/

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

Fashion Totes

I see that New Needlepoint is liquidating their stock of fashion totes from Claire Sanchez.  These are lovely bags at great prices and if I didn't have two brand new tote bags, I'd be buying one of the silk bags with the copper squares. I think they are lovely!  They certainly are a stylish way to lug your projects around.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-categories/cat-186/claire_sanchez_totes_bags.html

Speaking of tote bags, I was just told that Crate & Barrel has a great tote bag.  They aren't as nice as the Sanchez bags but they are practical and sturdy.  And there is a coordinating tote bag organizer (second link).  You know, I might need one of the organizers.  They seem a practical way to keep loose items organized in the oversized bags we lug around with us these days!
http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/bags-umbrellas/tote-bags/f38112

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/decorating-and-accessories/bags-umbrellas/portable-tote-bag-organizers/f38113

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

Books: Windows Into the Past--and Future

I don't know if you are a book collector like I am, but if you are, I have discovered a wonderful place to explore needlepoint books you once owned but have forgotten, to see books you never knew existed, and to read fascinating reviews.

Come with me to New Needlepoint and start to explore.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/

The Featured Items on the home page always include several books, but the bulk of the books for sale are listed on the left navigation column by category, each with a color photo and an interesting review.  Marianne specializes in Bargello books but she has all kinds, recent and vintage.  The way she lists each book gives you a good glimpse into what it is like from the comfort of your own home.

Marianne talks further about many of the books she gets in to sell on her blog, including today's walk into 1970s needlepoint style.  Want to see a mini skirt in its natural habitat?  LOL
http://needlepointtalk.net/2010/05/11/70s-chic-more

I know one reader emailed Marianne to thank her for pointing out a good book which the reader bought very cheaply elsewhere.  Remember, you might get a cheaper copy elsewhere, but Marianne's books are guaranteed to be in good condition.  She won't sell a book that isn't in good shape.  Besides, if we don't buy from book lovers like Marianne, they will stop selling and we'll lose the great reviews about books from the past we never heard of that will help us become better stitchers in the future.

Or at least remind us not to have photos taken in mini skirts.

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

Jane Has Gone Stitching

I've Gone Stitching. While I'm working this week I've been listing to this New Jersey shop's Internet radio program. It comes out each Monday and there are six episodes to date. I'm listening to the interview with Julia of Julia's Needleworks right now. What fun!
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/gone-stitching

I'm also over at Marianne's blog, "Needlepoint in the 21st Century," collaborating with her on a cute 4x6 piece of what may be the Loch Ness monster. It is going to be fun, even if Marianne is already referring to me as Groucho....
http://needlepoint.storeblogs.com/2009/08/10/where-i-crow-a-bit

Not to worry. With the Internet I can be all these places and still home at night working on Cape Cod Dogs!

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

Thoughts for the Day UPDATED

Blogs are great places to post your opinions and receive feedback from others who care about the same things you do. These blog entries from other stitch-bloggers have important topics for us to read and ponder. First, here is what one new shop owner says about needlepoint magazines.

http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2009/05/new-issue-of-needlepoint-now.html

My new Needlepoint Now magazine just arrived. The new format is becoming clear. There are new columnists, a new emphasis on publishing stitch guides for painted canvases which one can buy in the local shop and then stitch via the printed guide, and guides to new products and books as usual. I am a bit wary of totally abandoning line drawn designs in favor of charted pieces (although the Carole Lake/Tony Gerdes design is very clever!) and stitch guides for painted canvases which folks have to buy, however beautiful (and that Melissa Shirley flower purse is to die for!). I like the free-form line drawings one can fill with any color or stitch as I think that encourages creativity.

Speaking of any stitch, here is a new designer's take on where the emphasis on fancy stitches is taking us.

http://needlepoint.storeblogs.com/2009/07/13/the-fancy-stitch-monster

UPDATE: Marianne explains herself more here.
http://needlepoint.storeblogs.com/2009/07/14/iconoclast-me

I love fancy stitches myself, although I did do a piece entirely in tent stitches last summer. Remember that? It is surprisingly hard to do an all basketweave piece with even tension if you are constantly changing colors and thread types. I think the fancy stitches are easier for novices to execute well, but maybe I'm wrong. When you are looking at NP from the perspective of 21 years' stitch experience, you are not really understanding the beginner's problems.

Does anyone else think that what Marianne and Stephen are talking about is a return to the basics in needlepoint? I do know that what we online needlepointers do often has no relationship to the bulk of needlepointers who haven't discovered the online world we live in. There are even shops which discourage the use of stretcher bars, using anything except plastic canvas for a beginning project, only sell Paternayan wool, etc. Of course there are stitchers who deliberately only tent stitch designs but that is their preference, not something imposed on them because they and their shop don't know anything else!

It dawned on me after reading Ruth Schmuff's blog entry (link below) that although I use a lot of tent stitches on projects, I also use a great many fancy (and expensive!) threads. A personal challenge may be for me to blog-stitch something entirely in DMC cotton, something that isn't expensive for a beginner to try. Something along the lines of the outlined Sundance lady in a shawl project I did three summers ago to show how to fake expensive overdyes using DMC cotton....

http://www.tistheseason.org/blog/2009/07/new-stitchers.html

Now, something we all can agree on--

http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2009/07/support-your-needlework-store.html

I'd love to hear your thoughts on any or all of the above!

Jane, sending hugs to all stitchers everywhere from CH

UPDATE #2: The designer Barbara Bergsten adds her thoughts on her blog.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2009/07/decorative-needlepoint-stitches.html

UPDATE #3: Margaret adds her own thoughts to the discussion. Anyone else?
http://cranecottage.com/stitchingblog/?p=1136

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