Every Snowflake Is Unique

Susan Elliott's blog is terrific inspiration, even though in today's posting she is describing a crazy quilt block she created for a friend's calendar.  Those with snowflakes on their needlepoint will be thrilled to see Susan's snowflakes, each of which is beautiful and different and made from simple stitches combined with sequins and beads and crystals.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/10/winter-wonderbird.html

Those who admire Scott Church's designs for CBK should look at this and then decide how to incorporate Susan's ideas into embellishing this wonderful piece.
http://www.stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=24388&title=Chickadee's%20Snowman&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

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

Sick With Envy, That's Me

Susan goes to the flea market.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/10/button-porn.html

I go to the flea market and find nothing.  Susan goes anywhere and strikes gold.  It's a gift!  Sigh.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 15, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Whys and Hows of Koma and Japanese Gold Thread

If you ever wondered what koma are used for in Japanese Embroidery, Susan at Plays with Needles lays it all out. (By the way, koma come in pairs because in Japanese Embroidery, gold threads are laid in pairs, so you need two, one for each thread in the pair.) 
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/04/a-second-pair-of-hands.html

If you'd like to read more about koma, the Kreinik blog has a great article.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2012/05/need-another-pair-of-hands.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 23, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Over and Under Organza

I am hugely impressed by Gary Clarke's work.  He does beading, embroidery and whitework, but his embroidery on organza is astounding--look at the Budgie Fan!  Many thanks to Susan Elliott for mentioning him.  I hope she enjoyed the class a great deal.
http://www.garyclarkedesigns.com/products.php?category=Organza

http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2013/10/from-down-under-above-and-in-between.html

I have layered tulle over my needlepoint so this is very inspiring.  I can see there is a lot more I can do with thin fabrics....

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.

The Magic of Needles

Thanks to Susan, I have a short video about how needles are made for you this morning.
http://science.discovery.com/tv-shows/how-its-made/videos/how-its-made-sewing-needles.htm

Not all needles are made this way.  Japanese Embroidery needles were hand made.
http://japanese-embroidery.blogspot.com/2007/11/hand-made-needles.html

Sadly, the gentleman who made JE needles, famous for their round eyes, has died and his craft has died with him.  His needles live on, however, at least for now.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2013/03/a-precious-needle.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.

Reminder

Just a reminder, the Japanese Festival of Broken Needles (Hari Kyuo) is tomorrow, February 8th.  I do not practice Shinto, but I do believe in honoring the tools that have served me so well, so I when I discard all my needles before starting a new project with brand new needles, the old go into a little box to await the next Hari Kuyo.  Tomorrow I will take them out, wrap them carefully in aluminum foil for safety's sake, then wrap the little packet in fancy wrapping paper with a bow.  Then they will ceremoniously put away in the trash can, for removal.  I certainly am grateful for all the work they have done over the last twelve months and for all the fun they have brought into my life.

Susan is collecting links and comments about how stitchers are marking this day.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2013/02/growing-up-with-tea.html

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

Needlebook Class

Time to make needle books! And what beauties they are! If I were handier with my hand sewing I'd sign up but I guess I will just have to admire them from afar.  Besides, it is impossible to decide which class kit I like better.  Maybe Santa will bring me one of each?
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2012/10/its-needlebook-season.html

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

Hari-Kyuo: Making A Needlebook with Susan

If you greatly admired Susan's needlebook last year, this year she is offering an online course to teach you how to make your own.  Later on she'll sell the instructions but right now she is doing this as a cyber class.  You can see Susan's needlebook and learn about the course on her website.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/p/hari-kuyo-needlebook-e-course.html

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