Ruth Kern Talks Books

In the world of needlework books, Ruth Kern is a legend.  I enjoyed her newsletter for years until it became by subscription only.  (Jane is spelled c-h-e-a-p.)   Now Ruth has started a blog where you can get a taste of the books she carries.  Have fun!
http://ruthkernbooks.blogspot.com/2013/11/needle-news-and-book-reviews-november.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.

Relax. Breathe. Stitch.

Brenda Stofft

Most of us view our needlepoint as relaxing but you can over do it, you know.  Barbara has a lovely stretching exercise for our hands.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/reduce-needlepoint-hand-stress.html

UPDATE:  The above has been so popular that Barbara talked her yoga instructor into doing a series of articles for needlepointers on Barbara's blog.  Here is the first lesson.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/needlepoint-yoga.html


Seeing Barbara's posting reminded me of the lovely Buddha and mandala themed painted canvases available. I thought I'd find some for you to enjoy.  The image above is Brenda Stofft's Buddha Cat.
http://www.brendastofftdesigns.com/Cats%20and%20Dogs.htm


Lani has Buddhas in many sizes and styles, and also Zen symbol canvases.
http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/buddahs.aspx


http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/art.aspx


http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/zensymbols.aspx

http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/details.php?pid=11811&pname=Buddha


Melissa Shirley has a jolly Buddha canvas in two different sizes.  Kaffe Fasset has a somewhat similar Buddha in bright yellow and pastels charted in his Glorious Needlepoint.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?cat=27

http://www.infostitch.com/search/search.php?op=details&pid=160

HP Designs has several serene Buddhas in various sizes and styles.
http://annieandco.com/products/hp-designs-b141-13

http://www.hpneedlepoint.com/ASIAN6X6.html

Rosalyn has created a wonderful mandala design.  Read all about it here.
http://www.stitchamaze.com/gallery-orchestral/mandala.aspx

Counted thread fans can use charted mandalas on needlepoint canvas.  There are painted canvas mandalas, too.  The second link has them on 10 count canvas for those of us who want a large count.
https://www.cross-stitch-art.com/crossstitch3/SubjectListingsMandalas.htm

http://www.needlepointdesigningwoman.com/gallery.php

There's also a Shining Needle Society class on a mandala pattern but I am not sure if this class is for this year or was last year's.
http://www.stitchelegance.com/Stitch_Elegance/Stitch_Elegance.html

I've found a website that apparently will have spiritual needlepoint designs but it is under construction.
http://www.spiritualneedlepoint.com/

Relax.  Breathe.  Stretch.  Walk around and enjoy the day before you pick up a needle to meditate again.

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

Rosalyn Cherry-Soleil on Needlepoint as Art

Don't miss this interview with Rosalyn Cherry-Soleil talking about her needlepoint art.
http://www.stitchamaze.com/about.aspx

Her website is full of photographs and more details about pieces she has stitched or which are in progress. Explore and enjoy. Of course people who subscribe to Needlepoint Now magazine will have read her articles about her work and inspirations over the past year.

Thanks for doing this, Rosalyn. You don't know how inspiring it is to see an artist at work using our own needlepoint canvas!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Is It Time for Spring Cleaning and No One Told Me? UPDATED

The totally fabulous Stitchamaze website has a new look. If you like charted geometric pieces, don't miss Lorene Salt's work in the Guest Gallery. Her original designs will blow your socks off!

http://www.stitchamaze.com/Default.aspx

On October 8 Kelly Clark's new website will be up. This is next Wednesday-mark your calendars! Don't worry if the link below stops working for a bit. The old website will have to come down and the new one be uploaded first.

http://www.kellyclarkneedlepoint.com/

Rishfeld Designs has updated their website with many more photos of their expanding line of canvases.

http://web.mac.com/rishfelddesigns/Site/Welcome.html

Finally, CBK Needlepoint Collection's site isn't brand new, but it's new to me.

http://www.cbkneedlepointcollections.com/

Congratulations on the websites to all. But I'm beginning to think this is spring instead of October!

UPDATE: Orna Willis is also planning to revamp her website. It really is spring cleaning time!

Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

"While I Sit and Ponder"

Once again Rosalyn Cherry-Soleil has updated her website newsletter with photos of her current projects, wonderful links to explore (don't miss the Japanese embroidery and beadwork at Blue Bonnet Studio!), and a guest gallery featuring even more of the terrific stitching of Daphne Goodyear whom you met here on my blog when I showcased her fabulous Wild Women canvases. Got several hours? Then what are you waiting for?! Explore!

http://www.stitchamaze.com/stitchtalk.html

The lovely photo shows part of a Melissa Shirley canvas adaptation of one of Linda Carter Holman's paintings. Rosalyn has just started this piece. I can't wait to see more!

Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow