Melissa's and Megan's Journey

I imagine a lot of folks are like me on Halloween, without any little kids coming to my door for candy, so let's do something totally different and listen to the two Pointing It Out podcasts where the hosts, Melissa MacLeod of The Wool and The Floss, and Megan Holmes of the Needlepoint Clubhouse, interview each other.  

The first video is all about Melissa.  You can learn a bit about her career before needlepoint, how she became a shop owner, the impact of Covid on needlepoint, the re-branding Melissa has done, and the fact that despite her business background, she goes to Market without a budget.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rANCbnxAhUM

You can even tour Melissa's stitching room via this Instagram video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-k0vToRDji/

The second video is all about Megan.  You can get to know her, learn a bit about her shop and discover how she's gone from shop owner to canvas distributor to new owner of Susan Roberts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBALTmmV_30

The websites for The Wool and The Floss and the Needlepoint Clubhouse are here--

https://woolfloss.com/

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Tour of Susan Roberts Needlepoint

Megan of The Needlepoint Clubhouse in St. Louis visits the Susan Roberts Needlepoint workroom, showing off some great coaster designs from Susan Roberts.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C5WldaBSSWL/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 10, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Compensate

Unless you are doing needlepoint in all tent stitches, sooner or later you'll have to adjust your stitch at the edge of an area.  Many people find this compensation confusing, so I thought I'd assemble all the great minds who've given us help on compensation in one place.  Read through the links to find the article that makes the most sense to you.

Ruth Schmuff makes compensation look easy in this article about flower stitches.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2017/03/compensation-games-2/

Sandy Arthur takes an analytical approach in this "Tips to Treasure" article at the bottom of her blog.

https://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2017/08/classes-as-we-prepare-to-post-upcoming.html

Abigail Cecile just places her needle in the hole she should go if the area hadn't been cut off, then backs up into the correct area.  She's doing what Sandy does, just with less thinking.  

https://www.abigailcecile.com/pages/how-to-compensate

Amy Bunger taught Steph to cover her stitch diagram with a sticky note to figure out what to do.

http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2020/06/tricks-i-learned-from-amy-bunger.html

Besides Amy's paper cover trick over the diagram, Needlepoint.com uses what they call ghost stitches.  Ghost stitches are a thin thread in a contrasting color stitched over the area where the compensation occurs.  Because the thread is thin, you can see the paint underneath.  This helps you figure out how to compensate the stitch at the edge of an area.  Take a photo, rip out the ghost stitches and using the photo as a guide, stitch with the usual thread with the stitch truncated to fit.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/tips-tricks-of-compensating-stitches

Melita takes photos of an area when she's trying to figure out compensation that looks good to her.  She uses the photo to diagram the stitch she's trying to adjust.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2022/01/31/orchid-and-bamboo/

Are you a visual learner?  This article and video on compensation by Unwind Studio may help.

https://www.unwind.studio/blogs/unwind-studio-blog/how-to-do-compensation-stitches?_pos=1&_sid=8741d4daa&_ss=r

If you really need more help, Susan Sturgeon Roberts' little book, Compensation 101: The Art of Partial Stitches for Needlepoint, may be useful.

https://www.needlepointteacher.com/books-by-susan/compensation-101-the-art-of-partial-stitches-for-needlepoint/

It's a Kindle book, available from Amazon.

https://www.amazon.com/Compensation-101-Partial-Stitches-Needlepoint-ebook/dp/B01MSDEBQ4/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3HZU6P0M4TRX9&keywords=compensation+101&qid=1707144455&sprefix=compensation+10%2Caps%2C129&sr=8-1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Liz Goodrick-Dillon Has Died

A friend just posted to Instagram that Liz Goodrick-Dillon died in June.  Liz is the genius behind Tapestry Tent, which is now part of the Susan Roberts family of designs.

https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/name/elizabeth-goodrick-dillon-obituary?id=52283849

Her work was beautiful so I am glad Susan Roberts will continue to sell her work. I'm also glad that her daughter Ashley Dillon-Davis designs for Susan Roberts, too.  The legacy lives on.

My sympathies to Liz's family and friends.  She was a great talent.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 4, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Self Finishing Mezuzah Kits

I've discovered that Susan Roberts sells self-finishing mezuzah kits which Gone Stitching stocks.

https://gonestitching.net/product/needlepoint-mezuzah-kit-gone-stitching/

The kits come with painted canvas, stitch guide, ultrasuede for finishing and the plastic tube.  They are available in various colors.  If you also need the prayer, ask Gone Stitching.

https://gonestitching.net/product/needlepoint-mezuzah-kit/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 30, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Let's Stitch Cacti

Palma Seljan has been busy stitching quite a few of the Ashley Dillon "march" canvases that Susan Roberts sells.  Her latest is the Cinco de Mayo March.  The cacti on this one are magnificent!  I noticed because I have a seven foot version of these growing in my breezeway and what Palma did very much resembles what I water once a week.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/4953320568078395/?comment_id=4954482897962162&reply_comment_id=4957123087698143

Palma says she took inspiration for her amazing cactus plants from this video on YouTube. There are three ways of stitching cacti demonstrated, each wonderful, and each useful for those who have Southwestern designs in their stash.  Thanks for sharing, Palma!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrL8oiYo_Ss

By the way, here's how the canvas looks now that Palma's finished.  Cynthia Thomas is writing a guide for it.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228198993179509&set=gm.5000464383364013

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 27, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

We Have a Winner!

Homestead Needle Art's latest newsletter reveals that Theresa, who owns the shop, won the People's Choice Award at the ANG Virtual Seminar in 2021!

https://mailchi.mp/199c9066393a/happy-new-year?e=810b807e3a

The design is a Tapestry Tent piece called "Our Lady of Perpetual Hope," distributed by Susan Roberts.  It must be stunning in person.  You can visit the virtual exhibit on the ANG website.  Theresa's piece is second from the top.  Or watch the slide show for a better look at everything.

https://www.needlepoint.org/general/custom.asp?page=2021VirtualExhibitGallery

Here's another view.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10228041936181715&set=gm.4693382537405534

Great work, Theresa!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollo

 Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 2, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Diagonal Chop Sticks

NeedlePaint.com has introduced three new stocking cuffs to their line of printed designs and as is their practice, they have listed stitch suggestions on their blog.  One stitch they have diagrammed for us is the Diagonal Chop Sticks, which I'd never seen before.  It looks like a capital K to me.  This comes from one of Susan Robert's books which are available in Kindle format only through Amazon. (Second link below)

https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2021/09/02/needlepaints-new-stocking-cuffs/

https://www.needlepointteacher.com/books-by-susan/needlepoint-dictonary-of-stitches/

However, Susan's website has plenty of free stitch diagrams (just not Diagonal Chop Sticks) and you can browse all the e-books she has available there, too.

https://www.needlepointteacher.com/stitches/

Many thanks to NeedlePaint.com for this new stitch!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 3, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Feathering a Turkey Tutorial

Palma Seljan is working on one of the as holiday March canvases from Ashley Dillon.  She posted photos of how she feathered her turkey using real feathers on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3560617367348729/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 14, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Compensation Help

Unless the only stitch you ever use is a tent stitch, eventually you will have a stitch that doesn't fit the shape you are stitching. That's when you have to compensate. But how do you to that? Not to worry, we have lots and lots of help.

Ruth Schmuff has a lovely little trick to help you compensate an area.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2017/03/compensation-games-2/?cn-reloaded=1

Sandy Arthur has some good information at the bottom of this blog article in her Tips to Treasure section.
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2017/08/classes-as-we-prepare-to-post-upcoming.html

If compensation drives you nuts and you need more help, you might be interested in Susan Robert's Compensation 101: The Art of Partial Stitches for Needlepoint. It's the only book that is all about compensation I know about. It is 45 pages long, so it's not a big book.
https://www.amazon.com/Compensation-101-Partial-Stitches-Needlepoint-ebook/dp/B01MSDEBQ4/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=stitsuzi-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=186208ae8224b7245c43d0a570b4f0c4&creativeASIN=B01MSDEBQ4

I've not seen it but it's gotten rave reviews from purchasers on NP Nation. Please note this is a Kindle book, so you will have to buy it from Amazon and will need the Kindle app downloaded to read it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 23, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Book on Compensation

If compensation drives you nuts, you might be interested in Susan Robert's Compensation 101:  The Art of Partial Stitches for Needlepoint.   It's the only book that is all about compensation I know about.  It is 45 pages long, so it's not a big book.
https://www.amazon.com/Compensation-101-Partial-Stitches-Needlepoint-ebook/dp/B01MSDEBQ4/ref=as_sl_pc_qf_sp_asin_til?tag=stitsuzi-20&linkCode=w00&linkId=186208ae8224b7245c43d0a570b4f0c4&creativeASIN=B01MSDEBQ4

I've not seen it but it's gotten rave reviews from purchasers on NP Nation.    Please note this is a Kindle book, so you will have to buy it from Amazon and will need the Kindle app downloaded to read it.

You can visit Susan's Needlepoint Teacher website and check out all her books in the right hand column. All are available from Amazon as Kindle downloads.
https://www.needlepointteacher.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 22, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Paint a Needlepoint Canvas UPDATED

Folks ask over and over what paints or markers to use to paint a needlepoint canvas.   So I thought I'd provide a link to ANG's website where several professional designers explain how they do it, and…
http://www.needlepoint.org/FAQ/designing.php

…then provide a link to the late Lula Chang's website (the designer behind Wooly Dreams) for more information.
http://www.woolydream.com/WDtextpaintcanv.html

Now!  That doesn't sound too hard, does it?

UPDATE:  I just found a video by Susan Roberts on how to transfer a line drawing to needlepoint canvas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjA9giTC2t0

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 19, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Stocking Tale (with Rattlesnake)

Another Christmas stocking tale posted by Past Times Needlepoint….
https://www.pasttimesneedlepoint.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 10, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Coffee with Your Needlepoint

Vicky DeAngelis shows off several coffee-themed designs in her blog.  Of course not everyone drinks coffee, so I looked for teapot designs.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/do-you-know-that-today-is-national-coffee-day/

Julia Mar has a charming teapot and tea cup design.
http://www.stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=27293&title=Christmas%20Bride%20-%20Teapot&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Annie Lane makes us laugh with her Earl Gray chicken.
http://www.stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=27469&title=Earl%20Gray&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Susan Roberts has a darling tea party stocking, created by Liz Goodrick-Dillon of Tapestry Tent.
http://www.stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=28992&title=Christmas%20Tea%20Party%20Stocking%20-%2018ct&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Pepita has a cute tea doily.
https://www.pepitaneedlepoint.com/product/kits-canvas/tea-doily

For the more fanciful among us, how about dede Odgen's Majolica rooster teapot?
http://www.stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=29297&title=Majolica%20Rooster%20Teapot&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Whatever your favorite beverage, enjoy stitching it!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 29, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Hunter's Stocking

The Renegade Needlepointer shows off a Christmas stocking perfect for the hunter in your family.
http://renegadeneedlepointer.com/2016/03/30/ethereal-sounds/

In case you missed her stocking for the fly fisherman in your life, click here.
http://renegadeneedlepointer.com/2016/03/02/i-do-not-like-to-excercise/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 30, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Berlin Wool Work? Or Ecclesiastical Embroidery?

Hands Across the Sea is an English blogger who often talks about historical embroidery and needlepoint.  I think she's wrong that Berlin wool work is the same thing as ecclesiastical embroidery, particularly church needlepoint cushions and kneelers, but I'm willing to let her talk for the sake of the lovely pictures.
https://hands-across-the-sea-samplers.com/1298-2/

You will enjoy the video about making Surrey Knots.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LajCBqqCSg&feature=youtu.be

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 13, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Needlepoint Wreath UPDATED

Horse Country Chic loves Susan Robert's needlepoint wreaths. They are the essence of spring.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2016/02/needlepoint-wreaths.html

Melissa Prince came out with a bunch of wonderful wreathes in January.
http://www.melissaprincedesigns.com/new-canvases.html

These join Melissa's Robin's Wreath which will be a Sandy Arthur mystery class in September 2016 for a full set of seasonal wreaths.
http://www.sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2015/12/online-mystery-class-schedule-2016-i.html

Any of these will make for a delightful stitch and an amazing display when finished.

UPDATE:  Horse Country Chic's wreath is back from the finisher!
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2016/03/woodland-needlepoint-wreath.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 2, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Wrong Lime

The cute gumdrop house from Susan Roberts had the lime section stitched, but it wasn't right, so Katherine tried again. It is definitely better! 
http://bootsandbeads.blogspot.com/2015/05/creating-candy-house.html

Just goes to show you shouldn't settle.  A tiny tweak can make all the difference in the world.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 26, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Peeking Through Joan's Window

Joan Eidman of Fiori shows off her studio during her annual thread sorting party.  Alas!  There don't seem to be refreshments but there is a great brick cover lion from Susan Roberts and three Melissa Shirley dragonflies.  There is also a pillow and a seat cover that I can barely see but I think are Joan's own designs.
http://joaneidman.com/spring-cleaning/

I hope the next time Joan puts away her threads by color she invites us over.  I'll bring the drinks!  (in covered cups to protect the stash)

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.

Happy Anniversary to Susan Roberts!

Needle Nicely is at Market and has just sprung a surprise on Susan Roberts in honor of thirty years in the business.  It's more proof that stitchers are the nicest folks on the planet.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2015/01/susan-roberts-30th-anniversary.html

Happy Anniversary, Susan!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.