All About Kreinik's Threads UPDATED

Want to learn more about Kreinik's blending filament? This is the place!
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2017/01/14-facts-that-make-you-kreinik-blending.html

I have to admit I don't like using it much but it makes fabulous beards if you add it to your needle, no matter what stitch you are using.

UPDATE:  Kreinik next showcased their size 8 fine braid.  A bit of history and tips with using it make this a fun read.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2017/04/how-to-use-most-versatile-metallic.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 17, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy Does a Newsletter

The latest newsletter from Amy Bunger's shop is now available!  For April 2015 Amy offers a look at Access Commodities' new lace trims, tassels, Russia braid, and new soft metallic cords.  There's also an explanation of basketweave beading (done with straight stitches instead of the way Don Lynch of Associated Talents does it) and a bit about her Mysteries of Needlepoint book club.  Of course there's more but I'll let you find it all for yourself by clicking on this link.
 http://www.amybunger.com/f/0415.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pat Mazu for Christmas

The October 2013 newsletter for Needlepoint Now magazine is out and it features a free chart from Pat Mazu. Pat is famous for her small stocking and ornament designs, all of which use fancy stitches and open spaces to create something wonderful.   (Oh, there's a preview of the upcoming issue of the magazine, just in case you can't wait.)
http://www.needlepointnow.com/wp-content/uploads/NN_NWSLTR_Oct13.pdf

By coincidence, ANG has also published a free Pat Mazu design as part of their Needle Pointers magazine's Web Extra series, this time a little stocking called Star in the Meadow.  You can see the finished piece at the ANG website, and there is a link to the free chart on that page also.  (Note the cord and tassel making instructions on the same Web Extra page if you want to try out making your own trims, just to know how.)
http://www.needlepoint.org/magazine.php

If you need a little ornament for a friend for Christmas or want to add another needlepoint piece to your tree, spend a little time with Pat.  With the help of Needle Pointers and Needlepoint Now, you can have a Pat Mazu stocking and ornament set for Christmas morning.  And if you fall as much in love with Pat's work as I am, Stitches From the Heart sells her charts and her finishing book, too.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

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.

February 2010 Chilly Hollow Newsletter Article

Morning all! We are snowed in here in Virginia, with more on the way, so it seems a good time to go visit a museum. After all, one can only stitch, stare at the Weather Channel or shovel snow for so long before you need a break!

Let's start out with an exhibit of kimono from the 1910-40 period which are for sale. These were the first mass-produced kimonos in Japan and the bold, graphic patterns would make great NP designs.
http://marcusonandhall.com/exhibitions/meisen-kimonos

Are you an admirer of samplers? Then you'll want to read this article about getting the most out of the V&A's online exhibit of samplers before you go browse their museum site.
http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2010/02/getting-most-out-of-v-sampler.html

Are you enthralled by the elaborate clothing of the Elizabethean period? Then you will want to browse this collection of gloves. They are astounding!
http://www.glovecollectioncatalogue.org/Spence-Collection-at-Bath-23337-to-23361

The trim on those 17th Century gloves is amazing but it turns out, trims and edgings are an even older craft. The Vikings made them, even. Examples of Medieval trims in silver and gold are shown on this site which explains a bit about them.
http://m-silkwork.blogspot.com/2010/02/silver-and-gold-ornaments-of-vikings.html

Somehow the snow doesn't seem so important when we browse the stitching of our spiritual ancestors.

Before I close, I want to let you know that Ruth Schmuff's It's Not Your Grandmother's Needlepoint blog has moved to a new site. Bookmark at, then settle in and read about Ruth's Valentine canvas. Ruth, hope it is snowing pink spangles and silver rhinestones on you, not the real stuff!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow