Showing posts with label Toni Gerdes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Toni Gerdes. Show all posts

Sunday, January 11, 2026

Ho Ho Ho (Toni Gerdes) UPDATED

Brenda's Needlepoint Studio jut finished "Ho Ho Ho," a fun project from Toni Gerdes did with the Shining Needle Society.

You can get the stitchable buttons from Toni herself.

UPDATE:  The Sun City Stitcher is also working on Ho Ho Ho.


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 11, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, September 9, 2025

Purple Hearts (Toni Gerdes)

The Sun City Stitcher has pulled out an ANG Seminar project by Toni Gerdes called "Purple Hearts," and is working away at it.  


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 9, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, August 14, 2025

"Merry" Santa Cap by Toni Gerdes

The Sun City Stitcher is getting a jump on Christmas by stitching Toni Gerdes' "Merry" Santa cap.

It was a quick and fun stitch from one of Toni's classes.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 10, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, February 9, 2023

Melita Takes Autumn Three Ways

People who are stitching the leaf wreath design sponsored by Needlepoint Now magazine will enjoy watching Melita work a Toni Gerdes class called Autumn 3-Ways.

This was an ANG chapter workshop taught over Zoom by Toni Gerdes.  I'll update this as Melita posts about her progress.

Here is the finished, framed piece.  It's upside down by accident but Melita and her husband decided they like it this way.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 2, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, December 7, 2022

A Sneak Peak at ANG's 2023 Stitch of the Month (and more)

Melita's been very busy!  Besides her SOTM design, she's taking a Toni Gerdes class and stitching on various chapter projects.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 21, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, December 30, 2020

Two Kimono Classes from Tony Gerdes

If you haven't heard, The Shining Needle Society is offering two Toni Gerdes classes in 2021.   Here's all the information on how to sign up.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 26, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, November 26, 2020

Finishing Firecrackers: A Tutorial

Brenda has been stitching three firecracker canvases by Toni Gerdes for several months.  Now that they are done, she is busy making them up for display.  Her blog has a tutorial for how to finish a tube stand up shape, which is what her firecrackers are, but often nutcrackers are also the same shape.  The tutorial works for either.
https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2020/11/firecrackers-updated-11232020.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 23, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, October 7, 2019

At the ANG Seminar in Houston 2019

ANG's annual seminar is in Houston, Texas this year. Lots of folks are going.  I have a ton of links to information and reports from Seminar-goers, so pour your favorite beverage and browse!

ANG has posted a list of exhibit winners here.
https://cdn.ymaws.com/www.needlepoint.org/resource/resmgr/seminar/ang_awards_for_website.pdf?fbclid=IwAR22OOnzaO2IeT1PA7e5NjRn1MIh4P9XqRzF40c07HbztEV9nMqZts0hHk4

Melita is there with friends, so they make a shop run, then she registered for Seminar.  She's taking a Kay Stanis silk and metal embroidery class.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/14/texas-needlepoint-run-and-registration-day/

https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/16/a-toast-to-tiffany-2019-seminar-class-with-kay-stanis-day-2-of-3/

https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/17/a-toast-to-tiffany-2019-seminar-class-with-kay-stanis-day-3-of-3/

She also did a one day class with Cynthia Thomas on manipulating threads and stitches and had a lot of fun designing stitches.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/19/thread-and-stitch-manipulation-with-cynthia-thomas/

Plus Melita won a ribbon exhibiting this lovely piece which is her original design. Congratulations!
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/22/tahitian-treat-2019-seminar-exhibit/

DMBstitch also took Cynthia's class.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/21/last-day-at-seminar-stitch-manipulation/

Melita had fun buying books at Expo Night.  You might be interested in the two she found.  The Lone Star Chapter's book of stitches is available from several of the Texas shops.  See the second link below for a list.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2019/08/18/expo-night-at-seminar-2019/

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b37ed75cef372bdd50ce75a/t/5d5fd5b6d7c1240001f8db49/1566561719109/Order+Information.pdf

Jan is having a very nice time.  Besides indulging in lots of relaxation, she is taking Nancy Cucci's "December Dazzle."
https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/08/17/seminar-2019-houston-tx/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/08/18/seminar-quick-post/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/08/23/home-from-seminar-2/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/08/25/big-goof/

Rosie is taking Jennifer Riefenberg's "Winter Lights" (and showing off her new Woodlawn souvenir earrings).
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/15/houston-seminar/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/16/winter-lights-second-and-last-day/

Rosie also is taking Cynthia Thomas' painted canvas class, "Lady with Mandala II."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/17/lady-with-mandala-ii/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/18/lady-with-mandala-ii-day-2/

DMBstitch is taking Toni Gerdes' class "Abyss."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/15/ang-seminar-2019-day-1/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/17/abyss-day-2-ang-seminar-2019/

She's also taking Jennifer Reifenberg's "More Color Play."
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/18/more-color-play-day-1/

https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/19/more-color-play-day-2/

JA Williams is taking Lois Kershner's "Mt. Whitney Waterfall," which is a photo transfer design.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/17/mt-whitney-waterfall/

Sue is taking "Beaded Bermuda Reef," a class (with beaded fringe) by Kathy Rees.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/17/beaded-bermuda-reef/

Sue is also taking a class with Wendy Moore.  It looks wonderful!
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/08/20/a-livelier-iris/


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 14, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, August 29, 2019

Learning About Wonder Ribbon and Flair

Rosie just got home from the EGA regional seminar and is happy to share what she learned in Toni Gerdes' class.  She took Toni's Mackintosh Rose Kimono class where she learned to stretch and manipulate both Wonder Ribbon and Flair.
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/04/08/ega-regional-seminar/

Looks interesting!  For those who are curious about Toni Gerdes, here is her website.
http://www.tonigerdes.com/classes_

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 9, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, April 19, 2019

Jan Goes Piloting

Jan and three friends just took pilot classes from Jennifer Reifenberg and Toni Gerdes in Colorado.  Pilot classes are a test drive of a new project from a teacher.  Folks are invited to take the class out for a spin to help proof the directions, see where the hard parts of a project are for most stitchers, find out what needs to be added to the directions that the teacher just assumed folks would know, etc.  It's a useful thing that teachers often do with various ANG and EGA guilds in their area.
https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2019/03/10/needlepoint-adventure/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 11, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, April 17, 2017

Fiber Talk with Toni Gerdes

This week's Fiber Talk interviews Toni Gerdes, needlepoint designer and teacher extraordinaire!
http://wetalkfiber.com/2017/04/16/fiber-talk-with-toni-gerdes/

If you haven't seen Toni's teaching designs, go visit her website.  You will love what you see.
http://www.tonigerdes.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 16, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, March 29, 2017

Blue Bonnet Stitching Retreat 2017

Melita went to the Blue Bonnet Stitching Retreat in Texas recently and reports back on what she saw and did in this blog posting.
https://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2017/02/26/blue-bonnet-stitching-retreat-2017/

If you are curious, the website for Blue Bonnet's retreat is here.  There is already information about the 2018 retreat up in case you will be able to go.
http://bluebonnetstudio.com/about-bbst-retreat

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 27, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, May 6, 2016

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.

Saturday, August 23, 2014

Heidi Goes to Seminar with NJNA UPDATED 8/27

Heidi and her friends from the New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter have arrived in Chicago for the 2014 ANG Seminar.   They plan to blog about the experience and have invited us to listen in.  Here are their postings so far.  I'll update this article as classes begin.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/22/getting-to-chicago/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/22/we-have-arrived/

UPDATES:
Rosie is taking Chicago Blues from Joni Stevenson.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/23/chicago-blues/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/24/chicago-blues-day-2/

Carol's in the class as well.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/24/first-day-with-chicago-blues/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/25/chicago-blues-second-day/

Carol is also taking Margaret Kinsey's Little Yellow Basket class.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/27/the-little-yellow-basket/

Heidi is taking American Mosaic from Gail Sirna.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/23/day-one-of-american-mosaic/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/24/day-two-of-american-mosaic/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/25/day-three-of-american-mosaic/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/27/day-four-of-american-mosaic/

http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2014/09/im-back.html

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/09/02/forward-plans/

So is Sue.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/23/stitching-across-america/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/24/almost-to-the-mississippi-river/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/25/crossing-the-mississippi/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/27/roaring-thought-the-western-states/

DMB is taking Puzzle Pieces from Jackie Murawski.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/23/puzzle-pieces-first-day-progress/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/24/puzzle-pieces-day-2/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/27/puzzle-pieces-day-3-and-4/

Heidi is starting her second Seminar class, Toni Gerdes' Geometric Butterfly Angel, explains what a class angel is, and reports on her door prize!
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/25/geometric-butterfly-angel/

Rosie's also taking the Toni Gerdes class Geometric Butterfly.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/26/geometric-butterfly-bittersweet-endings/

Sue is taking Toni Gerdes' Jasper class and is finished!
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/12/26/jasper-completed-on-christmas-eve/

Sue is taking Nancy Cucci's beading class and learning how simple changes can make a big impact.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/28/beadazzled-is-dazzling/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/29/end-of-a-great-seminar/

Heidi is in Sue Reed's Spirit class.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/28/the-spirit-of-chicago/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/29/all-good-things-must-come-to-an-end/

Sue worked on Sedona: Cathedral Rocks from Lois Kershner and has finished it.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2015/02/16/sedona-cathedral-rock-complete/

So of course everyone is hungry!
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/24/dinner-at-weber-grill/

Wednesday is often a free day with no classes so Heidi took tours.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/27/not-your-grandmothers-needlepoint/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/27/an-unstitched-day/

http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/28/silent-auction-teacher-expo-excursions-and-expo/

So did Sue and Rosie.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/27/stitching-what-is-that/

Diane has taken the time to summarize her Seminar experience now that she is home.
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/28/reflection-on-seminar/

Heidi's home, too, and exhausted!
http://blog.njneedleartists.org/2014/08/28/back-in-new-jersey/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 23, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, July 18, 2014

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.

Wednesday, June 3, 2009

The Plumber Ate My Homework UPDATED


The plan was for me to finish one pet guardian angel ornament each evening but I'm only half way through stitching the front and back of the Tudor Dog together. Things never go to plan in Chilly Hollow and yesterday was no exception. Instead of taking my husband to his regular checkup, I stayed home to let the plumber in to deal with no hot water, and ended up learning a lot more about hot water heaters and brands of faucets that I would have believed possible. (Tip from Joe the Plumber: buy Delta faucets. They are sturdy but easy to fix. The expensive Kohler ones the hardware stores push are very nice to look at but difficult to repair.)

The end result was I was too tired from cleaning up before and after the plumber arrived to get poor Holi put together all the way last night. Sorry! How about I distract you with things other folks are working on? I hate for you to be disappointed after you came all this way to visit!

Terry Dryden's Tropical Jazz piece is coming together. I can't wait to see how she finishes stitching this and then what beads and sequins she chooses to add on top! Wouldn't you like to explore her embellishment stash?!

I don't know when she plans to teach this but two years ago Carole Lake told me Terry Dryden was a teacher to watch and I have to say, Carole, you hit the nail on the head with that prediction.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2009/6/3/tropical-jazz-update.html

By the way, Terry sells handmade scissor fob/threader sets that look wonderful. I found them when I was looking at her retired teaching kits which are for sale. (By the way, Whirlygig is one of the ones you can buy. I used it to illustrate this piece because it makes a gorgeous tote bag emblem.)
http://www.terrydryden.com/handmade-stitching-accessories/

Madonna is stitching a very pretty pink bargello pattern from Toni Gerdes called Pink Orchids. I might have to reconsider not liking bargello much as I love flowers and I love pink. It's coming together very nicely, too.
http://frontrangestitches.blogspot.com/2009/05/pink-orchid-bargello.html

Judy Harper has posted a little article about silk ribbon embroidery (SRE) on her blog. If you thought the wisteria teapot looked nice and you want to explore SRE a bit, read what Judy has to say about books and crazy quilting. I didn't know crazy quilters used a lot of silk ribbon embroidery but Judy finds their work very inspiring and uses it to choose color schemes for her original needlepoint designs. The next time you are trying to come up with colors that go well together, you might want to visit the sites Judy finds inspiring.
http://fairy-crafts.blogspot.com/2009/05/more-color-and-inspiration.html

UPDATE: Judy's added another posting about SRE and her crazy quilt style needlepoint pieces. She talks about what stitches and size ribbon she used for the various flowers which I found fascinating. Thanks for sharing, Judy!
http://fairy-crafts.blogspot.com/2009/06/more-silk-ribbon-and-color.html

Michele has some new sign canvases from Elizabeth Turner in her shop in Michigan. Her favorite is "Drink Coffee -- Do Stupid Things Faster." LOL
http://bristlythistle.wordpress.com/2009/05/30/new-needlepoint-signs/

And on that note, I'll go top up my coffee cup and try to finish Holi right now before the day begins officially! (Wish me luck....)

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow