Jan Stitches Safari (Terry Dryden)

Jan Sprague has started on Terry Dryden's "Safari," a delightful counted piece that celebrates Africa.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2025/01/10/you-ever-get-bored/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2025/02/03/safari-progress/

(You can buy Vicki Clayton's silk flosses here--)

https://www.hand-dyedfibers.com/

If you aren't familiar with Terry's designs and classes, browse her website.  It's amazing!

http://www.terrydryden.com/

You can buy kits, supplies and even cross stitch charts from Terry at her Etsy shop.

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TerryDrydenDesigns?ref=offsite_badges&utm_source=sellers&utm_medium=badges&utm_campaign=en_isell_1

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 11, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Threadaholic Alert: Essentials Available from Terry Dryden Designs UPDATED

Terry Dryden just announced she is now selling Planet Earth's Tilli Thomas Essentials and posted all the available colors.  This thread is half silk and half merino wool and works well on 18 count. (I find it a bit thin myself but your stitch tension may be much different than mine.)
https://www.facebook.com/TerryDrydenDesigns/photos/a.10153335918681489/10157591294836489/?type=3&theater

 If your favorite shop doesn't carry it you can pick up some from Terry's Etsy store.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/TerryDrydenDesigns?ref=shop_sugg

UPDATE:  Here's a mini review of Essentials from Terry.
https://www.facebook.com/TerryDrydenDesigns/photos/a.10153335918681489/10157618041706489/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 5, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

NJNA Goes to New Orleans UPDATED with Melita's and jan's Visits

Some of the folks who belong to NJNA (that's the New Jersey Needle Artists chapter of the American Needlepoint Guild) are going to ANG's Seminar in New Orleans that is happening this week.  Here's their various reports posted to the NJNA blog.  I'll update these so you can follow along with their adventures, organized by classes if possible.

Here is Nancy Cucci's class, "For the Love of Chocolate."  Tasty!
https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/seminar-in-nola/

UPDATES:
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/28/for-the-love-of-chocolate/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/29/day-3-of-for-the-love-of-chocolate/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/nola-seminar-day-5/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/08/chocolate-update/

Jan is taking this class, too.
https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/08/28/seminar-in-nola/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/back-to-class/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/16/more-chocolate/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/18/chocolate-covered-strawberry/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/27/fudge-and-ice-cream/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/molten-lava-cake/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/10/13/chocolate-update-2/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/10/18/truffles-done/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/11/08/chocolate-on-the-home-stretch/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/11/12/chocolate-is-complete/


Terry Dryden's "African Images" is lovely.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/27/new-orleans/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/28/african-images/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/28/african-images-2/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/31/2330/


UPDATE:  Here's Gail Sirna's class, "Florida Palm."  I think this is particularly lovely.  I also greatly admire Gail's work.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/28/first-class-at-seminar/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/30/first-touring-day-in-nola/

UPDATE:  Here is a big about Gail Stafford's class "At the Beach."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/29/at-the-beach/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/31/commanders-palace/

Gail is also teaching a one day class called "Swirling Tulips."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/08/31/seminar-days-4-and-5/

UPDATE:  All about Nancy Cucci's "Sisters" class.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/day-1-of-sisters-by-nancy-cucci/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/uber-delicious/

UPDATE:  This is all about "Beets" which is one of Jennifer Reifenberg's vegetable series.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/beets-day-1/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/beets/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/from-chocolate-to-beets/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2016/09/04/home-from-seminar/

UPDATE:  Melita's not a member of NJNA but I thought it made sense to add her visit blogging here as well.  She's taking Lois Kershner's "Provence Pottery Shop."
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/08/29/provence-pottery-shop-with-lois-kershner/

https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/08/30/ang-auction/

Melita took Margaret Kinsey's "Learning about Rozashi--Patterns in Blue and Green" class.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/09/01/ang-seminar-2016-classes/

Melita tells us a bit about the ANG Auction.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/mello-joy-coffee/

Here's a bit about Expo.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2016/09/01/bits-and-pieces/


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 28, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: Terry Dryden's New Look

Terry Dryden has an updated website, with easy access to an expanded Etsy store. This is good news for Terry's many fans.
http://us12.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a381bb9129864521944528fc8&id=6ab9092625

Here is Terry's website.
http://www.terrydryden.com

Here is her Etsy store.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/terrydrydendesigns

Shop til you drop!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 8, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Choosing Colors with Confidence

This three part essay on choosing colors is by Ann-Marie Anderson-Mayes of Beautiful Stitches in Australia.   It's worthy of careful study.  Don't miss the resource links at the very end.
http://beautifulstitches.com.au/choosing-colours-with-confidence-part-1/

http://beautifulstitches.com.au/choosing-colours-with-confidence-part-2/

http://beautifulstitches.com.au/choosing-colours-with-confidence-part-3/

Hope you enjoy these words of wisdom from Australia!

By the way, Terry Dryden is picking colors for a new project.  I thought you'd like to see how she does it.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2015/5/31/developing-a-colorway.html

Terry's a master of color.  To see some of her designs, click on anything in Current Portfolio while on Terry's website.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 27, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tropical Jazz Revisited

Terry Dryden is having to scramble to pick up threads for her older Tropical Jazz kits now.  This is something that happens a lot to us stitchers as the small businesses that create our threads and other supplies run out of stock and can't afford to make more or can't get the necessary elements to make more.  Terry looks on this as Revisiting a design, and I think that's a good way to think of it.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2014/11/30/embellishment-threads.html

So the next time you pick up a stitch guide and can't get some of the threads listed,
revisit the design and customize it to your own liking with something you can get your hands on.  After all, this makes it uniquely yours.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 2, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Revisiting the Casbah

Terry Dryden has decided to rework an older design of hers called "Casbah."  She's added a lovely wide border, switched the colors, and is using totally different threads.  Fans of counted canvaswork will be thrilled to see her new work and fans of lovely color combos will be interested, too.  Let's hope this comes to a seminar near us soon!
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2014/9/12/casbah-revisited.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 13, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Totalling Up The Stash

Fans of counted designs are going to go wild over Sara Leigh's revived blog.   Sara Leigh's photography when she ran Scarlet Thread was outstanding, so you know you are going to love the pictures of her Works in Progress (WIPs).  Let's hope Sara Leith will show many of these designs again as she works on them.
http://remedialstitcher.blogspot.com/2014/07/a-wip-is-wip-is-wip.html

If you are new to counted canvaswork, Sara Leigh will introduce you to designers you've never heard of.  Check the "Counted Canvaswork Designers" tab here on Blog to help you discover where to get these wonderful charts.  Some are no longer available and some are class pieces only, but occasionally you can pick up old class projects from the designer.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 17, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Classes and New Threads

Terry Dryden just finished her newest design, "Autumn Arrows."  It is beautiful!  Terry choose Treenway Natural Dye Threads, which accounts for the lovely colors.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2014/1/8/new-design-autumn-arrows.html

Treenway Silks is a small company that started out in British Colombia before moving to Colorado, which is why the threads aren't common in the shops. I have a skein in my stash that is just beautiful that I'm saving for a special project.  The threads make a design (see below), as we all know, so do take a little browse at the Treenway site to see if there's something there that is perfect for that project you've been wanting to start.
http://www.treenwaysilks.com

Here's proof that threads make a project.  Nimble Needle did photographs of threads as they pulled them for various canvases they sell.  Doesn't seeing the supplies with the canvas make your mouth water?!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2014/01/canvas-threads-too-please.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.

Friday Finishing: Repurposing and Ribbons

Terry Dryden just got a photo of one of her class pieces for a pillow roll stitched and made up into a darling tote bag. Isn't this lovely?!
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2013/11/14/fun-finishing.html

I am always amazed when a stitcher takes a design and makes it up into something totally different than the original model.  It's another way to personalize your stitching to suit yourself and your lifestyle.

By the way, Diane just found a wonderful online source for quality ribbons, which is very important for those who do their own finishing.
http://www.dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.com/2013/11/shopping-for-quality-ribbon.html

Two other sources I know of are Mindy's Needlepoint Factory and Chaparral Needlepoint, whose Carolyn Hedge Baird stocks a nice collection of ribbons and trims for finishing.
http://www.mindysneedlepoint.com/Home.html

http://www.ndlpt.com

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.

Terry at the 2014 ANG Seminar

Want a good luck at the 2014 ANG Seminar class Terry Dryden is teaching? 
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2013/8/8/a-trio-of-poppies.html

Poppies!  Gosh, they are pretty.  Notice that the background sky and ground is the same but different levels, and how similar/different the borders are on each piece.  Each flower has variations, too.  Very clever lady, that Terry Dryden!

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.

Baroque Diamonds Done

The latest Terry Dryden class piece is finished!  She calls it "Baroque Diamonds."  It appears to be in peachy orange with touches of purple and yellow and blue.   This will be taught at ANG's 2014 Seminar so probably for now it is unavailable for teaching except for a pilot class as ANG usually requires teachers to make designs taught at ANG exclusives until after the class date.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2013/7/23/new-design-finished.html

I think it is beautiful.  You counted thread folks are so lucky!  Fans of Terry's work can buy discontinued class kits from her website.
http://www.terrydryden.com/gallery-of-designs-for-sale/

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.

New Threads and More UPDATED

Well, these aren't exactly new threads--they are just new to the U.S. market.  First of all, Terry Dryden has new #5 perle cotton SILK overdyes from Stef Francis in England. The colors are so lovely!
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2013/6/17/some-new-perle-threads-to-try.html

UPDATE:  Terry says their new perle is silk, not cotton, and that it feels great in the hand.  Thanks for the update.  Can I come over and fondle your new threads?

Stef Francis' website is here.  Click on "Hand Dyed Yarns" and "Hand Dyed Ribbons" to see threads most of interest to needlepointers.
http://www.stef-francis.co.uk

Secondly, Needle in a Haystack has started importing DMC's Diamant metallic thread from Europe.  Mary Corbet reviews the thread here.  You'll learn why this thread is so smooth (it's treated with silicon) and see some of the available colors.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/06/thread-talk-dmc-diamant.html

By the way, Mary is giving away a full set of Diamant, courtesy of DMC.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/06/dmc-diamant-a-give-away.html

Vicky DeAngelis has also posted photographs of the Diamant colors as well as photographs of the flower beads from Sundance and the newest scissor fobs from Paprika Pi.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/how-about-some-stash-enhancement/

Enjoy looking at all the great things stitchers can choose from.  We are really lucky to be stitching in the 21st Century.

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.

And Now What the Pros Have Been Up To

Yesterday we looked at what regular stitching bloggers have been up to. Today's excitement is provided by the professional designers and teachers among us, long may they thrive!  Laura Perin has started a new free mystery chart that uses "winter colors" whatever you consider those to be.  She will post more of this free design over the next 2-3 Mondays.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/12/mini-mystery-monday-january-2013.html

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/01/mini-mystery-monday-january-pt-2.html

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/01/mini-mystery-monday-january-pt-3.html

Sheena shows how clever Ruth Schmuff is in her stitch choices, plus she will be taking Ruth's next mystery class, an Egyptian cat.  (By the way, I own another Egyptian cat canvas from Tapestry Fair. Lucky me!)
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/happy-new-year-with-patterns/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SheenasStitches+%28Sheena%27s+Stitches%29

Ruth Schmuff has more about her newest mystery class here plus a new thread color club for 2013.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/12/color-party.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/12/journey-back-in-time-with-me.html

Needle Delights has finished the last of the Double series.
http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2013/01/happy-new-year.html

Kelly Clark's just finished her Christmas crazy quilt piece, complete with out of this world seam treatments.  It is amazing!
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/12/christmas-crazy-quilt-is-finished.html

Terry Dryden is almost finished with a quadrant of her newest geometric and has started a realistic poppy series.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2012/12/30/baroque-diamonds-and-some-new-poppies.html

UPDATE:  Here is the arrow geometric, called "Autumn Arrows."  I think it is beautiful!
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2014/1/8/new-design-autumn-arrows.html

Barbara Elmore has released her teaching schedule.  Wish I could be there!
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2013/01/a-new-year-of-stitching.html

Catherine Jordan has done a lovely tree mirror.  I hope this becomes one of her classes because it is beautiful.
http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/12/catherines-landscape-mirror.html

Quail Run is going to have a Margaret Bendig class.  Hopefully folks can take this long distance because Margaret's work is lovely and her charts aren't usually available except through her classes.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/12/come-journey-with-margaret-bendig.html

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

How Do Designers Do That?

Just where do the designers we adore get their ideas?   Gay Ann Rogers gets them stuck in a traffic jam....
http://gayannrogers.blogspot.com/2012/09/needlepoints-creative-process.html

Here's how Terry Dryden starts to bring her ideas to life with preliminary sketches and possible threads and beads.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2012/9/16/working-on-a-new-geometric-design.html

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

More ANG Seminar News UPDATED

I have a bit more news about new things you'll see if you are going to ANG's Seminar in Philadelpha later this week. Terry Dryden's newest classes will be on display at the exhibit in the 2013 class model section.  ANG always shows off the classes for the next seminar at the current seminar.  It's a perk for attendees to see the new classes models in person.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2012/8/20/new-designs-on-display-in-philadelphia.html

If you are able to go to Merchandise Night, on 8/30, you can pick up some silk wrapped pearl purl from Nimble Needle's booth (which will have trunk shows there from Leigh, SharonG--who will be there in person--and Julie Mar and Friends).  Give Karen and SharonG hugs from me, ok?
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2012/08/silk-wrapped-pearl-purl.html


I don't know for sure that Orna Willis will be at Merchandise Night, but she usually is.  She'll have wonderful things like these kits that come with a design in many many color selections.  I have to admit Orna's pieces look too loud in the photos for my style but wait'll you see them in person!  They are a totally different thing when you actually see them.  She's a genius with color!
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/new-kit-just-like-cotton-candy.html

On a slightly different topic, Celebration of Needlework will have a show at St. Charles in Missouri at the end of September.  Here are some details but the second link has much more.  This is a counted thread show mostly, so I hope you are able to go to broaden the things you offer in your shop.
http://www.stitchersworkshop.com/blog/?p=1016

http://celebrationofnw.com/index.php

UPDATE:  Here are Rittenhouse's hours during Seminar.
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=9b9b7549e5c8f818070e0508c&id=ec71df774f

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

A Duet of Pears

Pears seem to be a very popular fruit in needle art these days. I just watched Beverly Churchfield's stitch guide for Vintage Pears (by Melissa Shirley) go for $60+ on eBay, and Kelly Clark pear ornaments were turned into a monthly club last year.
http://melindaslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2011/03/fall-trees-wrap-up.html

http://kellyclarkneedlepoint.com/pears

There are pear ornaments available with a velvet leaf for finishing, pear Christmas stockings, pear topiaries, and more!  Plus who could forget Ruth Schmuff's pear collage mystery class?  The model is just back from the framer's.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/08/what-difference-frame-makes.html

Now there is a new pears design available as a class from Terry Dryden.  Take a look at Pear Duet!
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2012/8/7/pear-duet.html

I don't know where this will be taught in 2013 but I hope it will become widely available once Terry retires it from teaching.

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

Class Announcements

Want to learn something new?  BeStitched in Arizona has a few openings in their Barbara Elmore shoes closet class.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/last-call-for-barbara-elmores-maries-shoe-closet-workshop/

If your guild wants a fun lecture, Terry Dryden has just developed one on design that sounds like great fun.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2012/7/23/created-a-new-lecture.html

Robin King's going to teach a fun vase of flowers class at Bristly Thistle in October.  You can get some hints about what she plans here.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2012/07/flowers-in-vase-nd-311.html

Family Arts Needlework is going to do an elephant canvas, complete with trinkets from your jewelry box, with Linda Coriossi.  Each one will be unique.
http://tapestryfair.blogspot.com/2012/07/636-painted-elephant-class.html?spref=fb

If you are anywhere near Nimble Needle August 5, get yourself into their canvas embellishment class with SharonG.  She and Brenda Hart are my stitching inspirations because they are talented from the tip of their heads down to their toes.  This is a Don't Miss opportunity.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2012/07/sunday-august-5th-with-sharong.html


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

New Out of Africa

Fans of Terry Dryden (and who isn't?) will be thrilled to see another new design, this one inspired by Africa.  Terry's designs are always bold and colorful and very interesting to stitch because of all the complex pattern.  I hope I get to take a class from her one day.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2012/1/13/new-african-inspired-design.html

As an added bonus, it looks like Terry is planning to walk us through the evolution of another new class design, Pears.  Because of the pintangle background, this one's going to be verra interesting, as the old folks used to say.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2012/1/14/pear-duet.html


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

Visiting The Summer Garden

If you have snow, gray skies and cold weather bothering you today, why not visit Terry Dryden's site and see her latest design, Summer Garden?  This will be a teaching piece once it is finished.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2011/12/27/summer-garden-collage.html

By the way, Terry occasionally sells some unique scissor fobs and threader sets.  You can admire them here.
http://www.terrydryden.com/handmade-stitching-accessories/


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