Fire & Ice & More Toni UPDATED

I just realized that Toni Gerdes has a website.  Isn't "Fire and Ice" amazing?!  Pour yourself a cup of your favorite beverage and have fun exploring the site.
http://www.tonigerdes.com/new_classes_

For those who don't get to many seminars, Toni is a nationally recognized teacher. This probably means her designs are only available in her classes, but it doesn't hurt to ask if you fall in love.
http://www.tonigerdes.com/about_toni

UPDATE:  ANG's San Barnardino Chapter will be offering two of Toni's classes in 2017.  Ghosts are welcome although you will need to join the SBCANG chapter to take the classes either in person or via mail.  It's a great group, even for those hundreds or thousands of miles away!
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org/workshops.html

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

The Nina Goerres Fund Designs UPDATED

Counted canvas workers everywhere are rejoicing (along with fans of the late Nina Goerres) at the release of the older Nina Goerres Fund designs to the public.  Nina was a much loved member of the San Bernardino Chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild.  She left money to the guild to use for educational purposes at her death.  SBCANG has used the funds to commission a yearly chart in Nina's honor.  Designers such as Carol Algie Higgenbotham, Janet Zigler Casey, Amy Wolfson, Sue Reed and now Carole Lake and Michael Boren have created designs for the chapter courtesy of Nina's legacy.  You can see all the designs except the brand new 2015-16 one here.
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org/index.html

All of the designs are free to chapter members and cost $20 for everyone else (for a PDF file version--mailed ones cost more to cover paper, postage, etc.).   (The 2015-16 design is not available to any but chapter members at this time.)  If you are interested in ordering, please contact the Nina Fund Chair at sbchapter+ngchair@gmail.com and put Nina's name in the subject line.

Thanks, Nina!

UPDATE:  Belle Sprague let me know that "Bonnie Brae," the newest Nina Goerres Fund design can been seen if you click on the link to the September meeting in the Programs section in the SBCANG website link above. There is also a link at the top of the home page to membership information. They love long distance members!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 8, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Puffins with Ann

Rosie of the NJNA chapter of ANG recently took an Ann Strite-Kurz pilot class through the San chapter of ANG.  It sounds fascinating!
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2015/03/17/two-puffins-etc/

Here's Ann's Razzle-Dazzle, by the way.  You can see why Rosie and her stitching buddies were enchanted!
http://www.needleartworks.com/dsgnr/ask/ASK45.htm

If you want to see more of Ann's work, here is her website.  The books (I highly recommend all of them but Backgrounds and The Science of Canvas Embroidery are my favorites) are listed in the top three rows while Ann's charts are the other rows.
http://www.needleartworks.com/dsgnr/ask/askimages.htm

If you subscribe to Needlepoint Now magazine, you've seen Ann's column on using common stitches in uncommon ways.  She's a true original when it comes to her creations and a master of hiding thread paths on the back of open patterns.
https://www.needlepointnow.com/current-issue/

Ann's "Posh Pansy Petals" is ANG's upcoming Workshop by Mail if you want to to studying couching with a master.
http://www.needlepoint.org/byMail/Pansy/index.php

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Counted Canvaswork Delights

Fans of counted canvaswork, particularly pieces by Jim Wurth and Kurdy Biggs/Threedles, will want to check out the SBCANG website to see some of their work stitched by chapter members. I love seeing the various colors and the ways the Threedles chart was turned into ornaments instead of one big piece.
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org/nov_2014.html

Fans of either designer who want to see more of their work and possibly buy charts should visit Blog's tabs labeled "Counted Canvaswork Designers" and "Counted Canvaswork Shops" to find more examples of their work and shops that Blog readers say stock a large number of charts.  To return here, just click on the Home tab.  See how easy I make it to spend way too much money on charts?  LOL

Enjoy the show.  Many thanks to SBCANG for being such a talented and giving group!

(By the way, if your shop has a ton of needlepoint charts and they aren't on the shop list, please let me know by either adding a comment below or sending me a quick note at chillyhollowathotmaildotcom.  Thanks!)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 9, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tint It

The San Bardardino chapter of ANG is famous for its classes and meetings, which are always fabulous fun.  They are happy to have long distance members, too, in case you don't have a local chapter to belong to and the Cyber Pointers Chapter isn't your thing.  At the latest meeting one of the members showed off a new product she found at the big box crafts emporiums--Design Master Tint it.  It works well to color your plain white canvas according to Dottie, who did quite a few test samples on white canvas to show off.
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org/sept_2014.html

Here is a bit more about the product.  I can only imagine all the fun you can have with this if you happen to love experimenting with your stitching.
http://www.favecrafts.com/Product-Reviews/Design-Master-TintIT-Multi-Use-Spray-Paint

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 8, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Perils of Travel (and the Delights of NP Classes)

Sandy Arthur has been on the road teaching at ANG and EGA chapters. It's not an easy job, but someone has to do it!   It sounds like she had a blast, even if travel is almost as demanding as taking the wagon trains West.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2013/07/california-dreamin.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 Dragon's Coming to Tea at SBCANG

Dorothy Lesher's "Dragon's Tea Party"

Since I have a friend who is wild for Dorothy Lesher's designs and they are available only in her classes (unless you get lucky with someone selling their kit on eBay), I thought I'd mention that one of Dorothy's dragon pieces is going to be taught at the San Bernardino chapter of ANG in early May.  This one is called The Dragon's Tea Party.  The design is shown above.

SBCANG's website has details of the class and mentions that "ghosts" are allowed.  Ghosts are people who can't be in the three day class but who will be sent the class instructions and materials in the mail so they can still take the class from Dorothy.  Not every teacher allows ghosts since not all class materials are complete enough to do the class without the teacher being present, but Dorothy's lessons are very complete.  Anyone can recreate the dragon tea party, from the floral painted teapot to choosing the colors for your little girl's hair to dressing a dragon in a rainbow of pastel colors.  You will pay the kit fee plus once the chapter knows how many folks will be attending, each person will pay a bit towards Dorothy's travel expenses.  All you have to do is be a member of the chapter which welcomes long distance members.  You can read about the class here and also join the chapter if you are interested.  Just follow the links.
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org/#Workshops

For dragon fans, here are as many of Dorothy's other dragons as I could find online.  First, The Dragon Master (a wizard taming a dragon).  Scroll to the middle of the section to find him.
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org/archives/2011/july_2011.html

Sun Dragon is all gold.
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org/archives/2011/july_2011.html

Moon Dragon is all sliver.
http://www.holidays.net/store/The-Moon-Dragon-Needlepoint-Canvas,-Threads-%26-Stitch-Guide-by-Dorothy-Lesher_180877543351.html

The Dragon's Castle features a green dragon with his castle, which looks a little apprehensive.  Wouldn't you?  That dragon looks HUNGRY!
http://www.ega-glr.org/docs/sem2013.pdf

Dorothy Lesher doesn't have a website but she does have a Facebook page and posts photos of her designs, not just the dragons, there.  If you have an account, you should be able to see the Fire and Ice double dragon portrait here.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=498101776874656&set=a.216244635060373.61060.100000245134211&type=3&theater

I hope you enjoyed Dorothy's Dragon Day!

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.

Fabulous for Halloween

Sandy Arthur just posted a good photo of the canvas she's teaching for ANG's San Bernardino chapter in California. She has a stumpwork nose! She wears a feathery party hat and her orange kinky hair is fresh from the beauty parlor. Her teeth are the sort that would catch the eye of any dentist.  I think she is ready for a night on the town.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2013/04/good-morning-is-going-to-be-another.html

Witches aren't really my thing but any stitcher should take a careful look at the navy swirl background and the fabulous braided look of the green border.  I think the witch has a green brick stitch face!

This class is offered to long distance chapter members and SBCANG welcomes those who live far away.  If you'd like to take the class and have access to other wonderful classes the chapter sets up, you can email Pat Correz at the address Sandy includes in her article or check out the chapter website.
http://www.sbneedlepoint.org

  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 Valentine to Guilds

On February 14 I like to send a big Valentine to someone or something that has helped my stitching a lot in the last year. This year's love note goes to my ANG chapter, San Bernardino Chapter ANG. It is constantly encouraging the membership, whether local or long distance like me, to learn and grow as stitchers. The results are on this page. http://sbneedlepoint.org/gallery.html

If you have trouble with the slide show or want to study the great stitching, just click on the link under the slide show navigation bar to see everything laid out.

Actually, here's to all guilds and their local chapters. Where would we be without our fellow stitchers!?!


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

Stars Needed UPDATED

As you can see in the picture above, the teacher nametag for the ANG Seminar at Indian Wells is almost done. All I need to do is attach the stars and it'll be done. The star brads, crystal and charms are in the location I plan to use. I moved things around quite a bit and this looks best.

The hardest thing in doing this was the lettering. I had a very long three part name to place and ended up cramming it into the middle of the space, not towards the right side as the instructions said. But there simply wasn't room for three words in one line.

This was interesting to do. The ribbon is painted to look like film. You cut a long piece in half and put the wrong sides together, then start tacking it to the congress cloth on the left side at an angle towards the right corner. Once you are about 60% across, you fold the ribbon and tack through it to hold it steady, then fold it back and attach at the side. The overlap of ribbon on both sides is to be turned under in finishing.

I'll pop it in the mail back to Laurie and she takes care of the finishing so they'll all be finished alike.

I should mention that this was designed by Angela Krause and charted by Margaret Bendig. Nice job!

UPDATE: This piece is in the mail to Laurie now. I simply added the extra L on the end of Mitchell I'd forgotten and attached the stars. Since the finished piece is essentially what you see above, I won't do another photo. After all, Blogspot limits the number of photos I can use here and I omit them when I can.

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

Next Up-Seminar!

I had planned to work on finishing the Squiggee goldfish canvas next but I need to make a visit to the crafts emporium for supplies and to see if my idea is workable first. And that can't happen for 2-3 days. In the meantime, I think I'll work on a very small project for my ANG guild.

I am a long distance member of the San Bernardino Chapter (California) of the American Needlepoint Guild. Here's the chapter website.

http://www.geocities.com/sanbernardinochapter/

It's a great bunch of folks and since I can't attend meetings locally, I have greatly enjoyed belonging to a guild that encourages long distance members. I can't participate in local classes but occasionally I do one that allows "ghosts" (classmates who aren't physically present) and have enjoyed belonging to SBCANG a lot.

Those of you who belong to ANG know that each year they host an annual seminar of classes for us rabid needlepointers. The location changes from region to region each year to enable the most number of folks to attend. The next seminar will be in Indian Wells, California and SBCANG is the host chapter. So we are busy getting ready. I'm not going to be a lot of help but I am going to stitch one of the nametags for the teachers. What you see above is the packet that Laurie McLellan sent me. I am to stitch it and return it by August 1. Laurie said I could post about it here in the hopes that it will encourage other chapters and members to volunteer to help run any seminar that might be near them. Here's the ANG website section on seminar so you can read all about it.

Now I need to read the instructions. What you see above are charts, ribbon that looks like a strip of film, star beads and charms, and a piece of canvas already taped and ready. Stay tuned and find out what star teachers are wearing at seminar this fall!

http://www.needlepoint.org/seminar.php

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