Take One Needlepoint Canvas....

Summer Louise first stitched a geisha canvas from The Collection UK, then she used it as the central pattern in a kimono fabric quilt.  The end result is magic.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2015/01/kimono-needlepoint-quilt-finished.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday Finishing: West Coast Style UPDATED

The Needlepointer has posted a lovely mix of pillow and ornament styles to showcase the work of their customers and finishers.  Please enjoy.
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=3f64e5fbfe&e=73961ee0ea

Summer Louise also lives on the West Coast.  Isn't her Amanda Lawford pillow amazing?!  Summer is also a professional finisher and quilter, so her sewing and color matching skills are shown off in this lovely summery piece.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2014/04/amanda-lawford-needlepoint-pillow.html

UPDATED:  Just in, more finishing from Enriched Stitch and Ridgewood.
http://astheneedleturns.com/more-finishing-2/

http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/05/blog-post.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 7, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Special Christmas Friday Finishing

As this is the Friday before Christmas, I wanted to share a special piece of holiday finishing that Diane just got back from Marlene's.  This Melissa Shirley Christmas Pear banner was an Amy Bunger class.  It's amazing what happens when you combine a great design, a great class, a great stitcher and a great finisher.
http://www.dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.com/2013/11/the-christmas-pear-banner.html

The sentiment brings me to tears.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2013/12/mary-engelbreit-ornament-finished.html

The love that has gone into these pieces is amazing.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/12/blog-post_12.html

Merry Christmas Pears to all!

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.

Finishing and Finishers

Finishing and finishers are always a subject of fascination to me.  I thought it might be helpful to post information about finishers for those who need someone.  Of the alphabetical list below, I've only used Marlene's, Summer Truswell and West Coast Finishing.  I can highly recommend all three.

Cheryl's Needlework Finishing (near St. Louis, MO)
http://www.cherylsfinishing.com

Marlene's (San Francisco, CA)
http://www.marlenecustompillows.com

Quick Stitcher Designs (near Santa Clarita, CA)
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2010/02/introducing-sharon-quick-of.html

Summer Louise Truswell (near Seattle, WA)
http://www.summerlouise.com

Vikki's Stuff (Austin, TX)
http://www.vikkisstuff.com

West Coast Finishing (Oregon)
http://www.westcoastneedlepointfinishing.com

Un Chiffon Bon Bon (highly recommended by Canvases Be Gone in Arizona)
https://www.facebook.com/Unchiffonfonfon
 or email mcrobbins@cox.net

For those who don't need a finisher but love the eye candy, here are some photos of wonderful finishing from Nimble Needle's customers followed by more wonderful finishing from The Needlepointer's talented stitchers.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2013/06/customers-gallery-june-2013.html

http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=6b74712b44&e=73961ee0ea

I should mention that most needlepoint shops have local finishers they use.   You will need to take your completed pieces to the shop and they will take it from there.  Before you send things off for finishing, make sure you and the finisher are completely clear on a few things--exactly what you want and don't want, the cost, and approximately when your piece will be ready.  If your shop is the intermediary, a written description and photos for the finisher might be useful to turn over with your piece.

Got any contact information for finishers?  Please email me at chilly hollowat hot maildotcom or post a comment below.  I'm sure I missed folks.  The list above was done off the top of my head but I can always update it.

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.

Cracker Club Alert UPDATED

Summer Truswell has a new publication out--how to finish Christmas crackers.  Of course this will work nicely for Halloween, Easter, Valentine, or Fourth of July cracker ornaments, too!  This is available for the Kindle but I think Summer can send you a PDF version if you are not a Kindle user and she may be able to do one for iPads as well.  Just ask in the Comments section.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2013/02/christmas-cracker-design-finishing.html

UPDATE:  Yes, PDF versions are also available.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2013/04/christmas-cracker-additional-formats.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.

Nutcracker Santa

Wait'll you see what Summer Louise is doing with one of those large Amanda Lawford standup Santas!  This is Nutcracker Santa and if I remember correctly, he's the mid-sized version on 18 count.  I think he's going to be a heirloom masterpiece.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2013/01/amanda-lawford-nutcracker-santa-2.html

http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2013/01/amanda-lawford-nutcracker-santa-finished.html

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

More Christmas Inspiration

This time of year stitchers are inspired to show off their Christmas stitching, often with tips on how they achieved the effects they wanted.  So pour a cuppa and sit down and take notes!

Isn't this a great Princess ornament?  Sadly, I think it is a Petei design which means it is probably almost impossible to find.  But we can dream, can't we?
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/11/any-princess-would-love-this-ornament.html

Stephanie went to class at Needle Works and took photos of some of the fabulous models on display.  There is a nutcracker (Beau Geste?  If so also unavailable.) and Brenda Stofft's Texas Santa, riding toward your house on his Texas longhorn.  The details on each piece are amazing and worthy of close study.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2012/11/fun-things-fromthe-needle-works.html

Speaking of nutcrackers, Summer Louise has started the Nutcracker Santa from Amanda Lawford.  It is going to be amazing, so bookmark this and keep an eye out for more postings about what Summer does to bring this canvas to life.  She's already stitched Amanda Lawford's Royal Santa.  Follow the link to see him in all his glory.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2012/11/amanda-lawford-nutcracker-santa-1.html

Kimberly has finished her fabulous ornaments.  These are colorful and happy and just wonderful to see.  Hopefully these ornaments are available from Needle Works in Austin.  I don't know if they are painted or counted, but they sure are terrific regardless!
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/some-finishing.html

I love how Anne of ABS Designs subtly changed the same sock design to make a boy/girl version!
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-double-finale.html

Colleen found a totally different stitch for Santa's fur trim.  It will work well on large areas I think and is very pretty, too boot.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2012/12/share-a-stitch-sunday-december-2.html

Quail Run is stitching the letters of Joyeux Noel in a huge variety of ways.  Very inspirational!
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/11/stitches-for-letters.html

I hope you enjoyed the show and all the wonderful ways folks are stitching Christmas.

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

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

Finishing Tips

Summer Louise has an important finishing tip for those who plan to bead a piece that will be blocked later.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2012/10/catherine-coleman-january-ornament.html

She also tells you a great place to find cording fibers if you make your own twisted cord.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2012/11/believe-by-madeline-lake-santa-ornament.html

But the best tip comes from Needle Nicely who has great advice for stitchers who are contemplating buying a piece that they won't finish themselves--talk to your shop in detail before you buy!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/11/finishing-from-customers-viewpoint.html

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

Missed the Finishing Deadline?

If you missed the finishing deadline to have things ready for Christmas, you can always stitch them together yourself.  Here's what Michelle of Bristly Thistle says about self-finishing.
http://bristlythistle.wordpress.com/2012/09/21/sandys-finishing-touches-2010-edition/

I do a lot of my own finishing, particularly ornaments.  I don't enjoy it since being patient is a big requirement (and I'm not!) but it sure saves a lot of money!  I don't own any finishing books, but I have used Summer Louise's tutorial to finish a mini sock and it turned out very well!
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2008/11/learn-to-finish-miniature-christmas.html

Summer's book on needlepoint finishing (and other books) are available here as paperbacks, eBooks, and PDF downloads.  I've not seen any of her books but I found the tutorial above very helpful.
http://www.lulu.com/shop/search.ep?contributorId=636550

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