Pepperberry Goes Cross Stitch (Plus an Interview)

Needlework Retailer announced recently that Pepperberry's Easter lollipop designs are now available as cross stitch charts.
https://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2019/02/cross-stitch-easter-lollipops.html

You can see all 11 designs on the Pepperberry website.
http://www.pepperberry-designs.com/cross-stitch/

By the way, Jinny at Stitch Stash just interviewed the artist behind Pepperberry Designs. It's a fun short interview.
http://stitchstyleblog.com/2019/02/meet-diane-pepperberry/

By the way, here's the gingerbread house mentioned in the interview.
https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=44575&title=3%20Dimensional%20Gingerbread%20House&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 17, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitch and Listen to (or Watch) Fiber Talk

Fiber Talk has three new interviews with needlepoint designers available. First up is Lorene Salt, counted canvaswork designer.
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/01/07/fiber-talk-with-lorene-salt/

Lorene creates amazing geometric designs.  You can browse her designs, classes and available charts here.
http://lorenesaltneedlearts.com

The second interview is with Diane Bertelson.  Her name may not ring a bell, but I bet her company name, Pepperberry Designs, does!
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/01/14/fiber-talk-with-diane-bertelson/

Browse the Pepperberry website and prepare to fall in love there, too.
http://www.pepperberry-designs.com

The third is with Diane Herrmann, teacher and designer of the iconic "Walking the Water's Edge."
http://wetalkfiber.com/2018/01/28/fiber-talk-with-diane-herrmann/

Here is her site, of course!
http://dianeherrmann.com

By the way, Fiber Talk did a video tour of Sign of the Arrow which is on YouTube.  Hint: it's not just another needlepoint shop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feMSKTZnl_s&feature=youtu.be

Here is their website.
http://www.signofthearrow.com

Kudos to Gary and Christine for making wonderful needlepoint audios and videos.

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

Winter 2018 TNNA Favorites UPDATED

Each trade show I try to pick my favorite canvases. It's hard, as that is a very personal choice and there are so many great things!  But here are my favs in no particular order:

Scary Books, By Melissa Shirley Designs

The first piece that caught my eye is Melissa Shirley's "Scary Books," complete with angry rat.  This a a fairly large piece, at 16x9 inches on 18 count canvas.  I love the fancy book bindings!

"Dragon" From Kimberly Design

Kimberly's "Dragon" is perfect for the little boy in your life.  Check out the swords and the dragon peeking down at the top!  It's also on 18 count and is 10 inches by 11 inches.    Kimberly's designs are distributed by Ruth Schmuff, by the way.

Seaside Topiary is from Pepperberry Designs.  I find the pastels soothing and charming and I think the background could be made gorgeous to set off the little topiary tree.  It's also on 18 count and is 7x11 inches.

Zecca's "Smile Mask"

I really like Zecca's "Smile Mask" which at 12 x 9 1/2  on 18 count. It's bigger than it looks but it would be a blast to stitch.

VNG's "Perk Up"

Speaking of a fun stitch, how about Perk Up from Vallerie Needlepoint Gallery?   It cracks me up!  I don't know the size or stitch count on this one yet, but I love the lime green and the graphic nature of this cutie.  Coming up with the right background stitch (tiny coffee cups?) would make this a hilarious gift for those of us who aren't alive until that morning cuppa is drunk.

Three of the Eight Leigh Design "Tissue Toppers"

These Tissue Toppers from Leigh Designs are a sentimental favorite as I watched Carolyn stitch the patriotic model and Pat stitch the animal skins and poppies beauty.    They are gorgeous in person.     I also like that there are 8 versions, each totally different.  Click on the photo of each that has a stitch guide listed on the Leigh website to get a good view of them flat and finished.  They are 9 x 5 1/2 finished on 18 count but there is more stitching involved than that since you have four sides and the top.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp730x.html

Mary Lake-Thompson's Border Collie

I am really fond of the winter dogs and cats from Mary Lake-Thompson/Melissa Shirley.The small Border Collie portrait above is just one example of these really fun designs.  They come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are on 18 and 13 count.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?bsn=1

John Johannsen's "Indian Angel"

Speaking of Melissa Shirley Designs, she has reproduced this gorgeous John Johannsen portrait.  It is big at 20x10 on 13 count, but it is beautiful.

And there you have it, my favorites from the Winter 2018 Market.  By the way, Carolyn Hedge Baird tells me the themes she noticed at the show were hedgehogs, llamas and French themes.  So what did you see and what did you fall in love with?

In case you haven't seen it, Stitch by Stitch Larchmont did a short essay on their favorites from Market.
http://www.stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/so/1M55Dn_y?cid=68bf7f60-0c49-4a61-b2cc-4a9944579072#/main

UPDATE:  Sheena has done an article on her favorites, too.  It's fun to see what all the different pairs of eyes found and liked.
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/january-market-finds/


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 26, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Gingerbread House in NP Now

Moore Than Needlepoint says this charmer of a gingerbread house will be featured with a stitch guide in the November-December 2017 Needlepoint Now magazine.  The design is by Pepperberry.
https://www.facebook.com/665326530168183/photos/a.669952133038956.1073741827.665326530168183/1703456063021886/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 12, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Trend Spotting: More Elves from Sheena UPDATED

Raymond Crawford

Because of the heavy snow we got last week, I didn't get all the new elf canvases Sheena's spotted at the Winter 2016 TNNA show mentioned on the article I wrote with her help. I even found some myself.  So here are more elves!  The photo above of elves with Santa's sled is from Raymond Crawford.  There are three single elves that are similar on his website in case you want to stitch the entire set for Christmas display.  Wouldn't this be cute sitting on a buffet for the holidays?
http://www.raymondcrawford.com/designs/whatsnew/

Debbie Mumm's Elves from Christmas Village

Debbie Mumm has a Christmas Village set (bottom of the page in the link below) that includes three little elf characters.  Sheena's favorites are shown above.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?bsn=1

Princess and Me Booth Shot

The Princess & Me hasn't updated their website but Sheena spotted this darling elf holding Christmas presents in a photograph of their Market booth.  There may be a second elf hiding behind Mrs. Santa.   I'm not sure....

Pepperberry's North Pole Elf

Elves with presents seems to be a theme.  Pepperberry also has an elf with wrapped packages. The shoes and the title of "North Pole Elf" are a dead giveaway, don't you think?
http://www.pepperberry-designs.com/whats-new/

I hope you've enjoyed all the elves from Market.  Thanks, Sheena!

UPDATE:  I'd forgotten Ada did elves before they were trendy.  Glad to hear more are on the way!
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2016/02/oh-so-trendy.html

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

Market Favorites from Ginny

Ginny went to Market with the Needlepoint.com shop and distribution staff (they handle Elizabeth Bradley, Kirk and Bradley and A Collection of Designs, now renamed Burnett and Bradley) and posts about her favorites among all the wonderful things there.
http://stitchstyleblog.com/2016/01/san-diego-market/

It's great to have more pairs of eyes looking and showing off what their personal tastes draw them towards!

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

Sheena's Sweet Stitches Reviews TNNA Winter 2016

Sheena shows off her favorites from the Winter 2016 show.
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/what-a-show/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 15, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

TNNA Columbus May 2015 Favorites

I've started to assemble a collection of my favorites from TNNA's Summer Show in Columbus, Ohio.  These are personal favorites, things I'd like to stitch myself, and listed in no particular order.

Melissa Shirley has created a huge number of new pieces for the summer show.  
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?bsn=1

Melissa Shirley's Christmas Tree Angel Ornament 1879-D

I am particularly fond of Melissa's little angel ornaments (also available in a larger standup size),  but the dog ornaments in the Best Friends Collection from Mary Lake-Thompson are also charming!  Some of them repeat dog portraits that were released earlier as full sized pieces.

Border Collie Ornament (Mary Lake Thompson) MLT325-F

Not to worry, there's a cat among the dog ornaments.

Vicki Swayer's Snowy Nadia VS152

Fans of Vicki Swayer's animal portraits won't be disappointed.  There's a cow, a huge number of funny chipmunks, birds from the beach (and other places), a hare and a toad, and my personal favorite--this polar bear.

Leigh Designs has released their normal series of eight--this time the Gold Diggers.  Each beauty features typical gear for a gold digger in that neck of the woods.  Recognize anyone?  LOL
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp505x.html

Leigh's Gold Digger Miami

Leigh's friends have been busy created stitch guides for this beautiful crew of ladies looking for the big bucks!    Sandy Arthur has done a guide for Hollywood, Pat Miller has done Vegas, Houston is by Carolyn Taggart, and Sharon Quick has done Scottsdale.  My personal favorite is Miami and I'll be stitching that once I finish No Flying Monkeys.

Spooky Pumpkin H-011 from JP

Juli Poitras of JP Needlepoint has a lot of classic pieces, but my very favorite is "Spooky Pumpkin" from her Halloween banners.
http://www.jpneedlepoint.com/Newdesigns.html

Pepperberry's Cool Reindeer

Pepperberry Designs also has dog ornaments (Do I sense a theme developing here?) but my favorite is this Cool Reindeer ornament!
http://www.pepperberry-designs.com/whats-new/

Labors of Love's Mini Mermaid LL510T

Labors of Love has added new clip on birds and a dimensional turkey and 2-sided snowmen, but their series of eight mermaid ornaments is my favorite.   They've also added to their Storybook characters series and have created a "bridal tree" club.
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/see-whats-new.html

Ewe and Eye's Winter Sleigh Scene with Custom Frame

Ewe and Eye and Maggie have collaborated again with Lisa Krause for some wonderful custom frames.  There is even a mirror and a dry erase board!  My personal favorite is this winter sleigh scene above.  I don't usually like folk art designs but I find this one charming.
https://www.facebook.com/NeedlepointCom/photos/pcb.839615632797446/839614979464178/?type=1&theater

Scott Church/CBK Beaver working on Candy Cane

CBK has some new Scott Church Creative pieces.  The beaver above cracks me up.
https://www.facebook.com/519994421356592/photos/pb.519994421356592.-2207520000.1433078779./910783172277713/?type=3&theater

Those are my very favorites but I know there are many great canvases I missed.  What's YOUR favorite?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 29, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Everybody is Stitching Snow But Me

Everybody is stitching snow it seems!  Even I am stitching snowflakes although I am pretty sure I'll be shoveling them tomorrow as we are supposed to get from 10-18 inches  have two feet of snow already and more is predicted.  I am sick of winter but luckily Ada of Eye Candy is stitching a cheerful snowflake star for winter to bring us out of our doldrums.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/02/canvas-of-week-holiday-star.html

Ruth Schmuff''s mom has finished the Ewe and Eye and Friends' twirling snowmen piece, which I think is an instant classic.  I'm pretty sure if you ask nicely Ruth will send you a stitch guide, canvas and threads.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/02/celebrate-snow.html

Vicky DeAngelis is adding a little snow to her life by stitching the Patches snowman from Pepperberry Designs.  This will be a class at Newport Needlepoint in Costa Mesa, California.  Bet if you call and beg you can have him boxed up and shipped to your door even if you aren't close enough to take the class.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/so-what-am-i-stitching-these-days/

I hope these snow projects charm you even as you dig out from another storm in This Winter That Never Ends.

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

Sandy Arthur's Classes for TNNA Winter 2014

We regular stitchers aren't the only ones who take classes. Your shop owner does, too. They want to learn interesting techniques and play with the newest threads just as much as you do and they are always trying to keep up with things to help their customers, so TNNA offers classes at the trade shows. Here are all the fun things that Sandy Arthur is going to teach this winter in San Diego.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2013/10/to-market-to-market.html

There is a huge variety of designs to choose from and you know the best part?  Sandy is probably willing to teach these at a shop near you.
http://www.sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2013/11/popularclasses-for-2014-looking-for.html

http://www.sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2013/11/more-new-to-consider-after-market-leigh.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.