Two Striped Cats (Patt and Lee)

Jan at StitchLady is stitching one of the iconic Patt and Lee pieces, the double striped cats.  Jan stitched this originally in the colors it was painted and had so much fun, she decided to stitch it again, this time in cat fur colors.  The first step is doing the black outlines of the two cats.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/05/17/un-named-cat-the-second-time/

The smaller cat is done. I vote No for eyes.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/05/27/quick-cat-update/

Looks like Jan is choosing browns, tans and golds for the larger cat.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/05/30/more-cats/

The big cat is nearly done, so Jan is pondering the background.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/06/10/getting-close-to-the-cat-finish/

The cats are finished.  Now Jan has to decide on the background color and stitch.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/06/17/cats-done/

Jan runs into a dyelot issue with her background.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/06/28/cat-background/

Almost done!

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/07/21/almost/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 18, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

"Friends,"Johanna Virtanen's Mystery Class

"Friends" by Johanna Virtanen is Bedecked and Beadazzled's Mystery class for Summer 2026. What do you think is going on between the cat and the bird?!  Ruth will gradually Reveal All and I'll update this mystery class as she does.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/04/these-two-are-up-to-something/

I'm stealing this background idea for sure!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/06/a-garden-full-of-posies/

Now there is a tulip and lots and lots of polka dots!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/07/tall-thin-polka-dotted/

There are more tulips now plus leaves.  It is really adorable.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/07/friends-and-a-whole-garden-of-tulips/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 13, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Dots Upon Dots: Winter 2025 Mystery

Ruth Schmuff has announced her Winter 2025 Mystery class--Barbara Basso's "Dots Upon Dots." It 's whimsical and fun and as always, it'll be interesting to see what Ruth does with this design.  I don't usually post about upcoming classes but Ruth shows off her progress photos, making this something you'll want to keep an eye on.  You'll get plenty of good ideas for your canvases, especially if they have polka dots, cats or elegant ladies.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/11/whats-next-dots-upon-dots/

The first lesson of "Dots Upon Dots" has Ruth wearing dots and creating a dotty background.  Interestingly, she does one side of each dot row bottom up to the top, then does the other side top to bottom to complete the row.  She also added a border at the bottom of the design and gave the flowers stems.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/02/getting-our-dots-in-a-row-literally/

The second lesson has given Dottie a face, hair and most of an amazing dress.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/02/dottie-in-the-spotlight/

The third and last lesson gives the cat a face, body and stitches the flowers.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2026/03/and-then-there-was-the-cat/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 17, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mystery Class: Window of Opportunity (Zecca)

Ruth at Bedecked and Beadazzled will offer a class this month featuring "Window of Opportunity" from Zecca as her spring mystery.  There won't be any Zoom classes with this triptych, just kits sent to your house.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/mattye-hamilton-ruth-schmuff/

The fun has begun with an all over background and one stealthy orange cat!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/11/window-of-opportunity/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Tip for A Beaded Ornament

Donna entirely beaded this cute Halloween ornament and suggests if you bead 100 percent of something, add two tent stitches rows around the edge.

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2023/10/all-beads.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 23, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bohin's Colorful Embroidery Scissors

Bohin is a French company known for their high quality stitching tools such as needles and seam rippers.  I didn't realize that they have colorful limited embroidery scissors, too.  Needle Nook of La Jolla carries some of their birds, cats, and Russian nesting dolls series.

https://www.needlenook.com/product-category/accessories/scissors/

The Bohin website shows all sorts of fun scissor patterns, including a seahorse, Eiffel Tower, lobster, octupus, squirrel, tiger, etc.  I haven't seen these in person so I can't judge their quality but they are relatively inexpensive.  Some Bohin decorated scissors would make a good present for your stitching bestie or something to tuck in a travel bag.

https://boutique.bohin.com/en/collections/ciseaux-a-broder?page=1

By the way, I found this gorgeous mother of pearl scissors fob while looking for Bohin scissors.

https://www.anitalittlestitches.com/product7079.html

There are two versions, one with a larger clasp for regular scissors.

https://www.anitalittlestitches.com/product7080.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 5, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: JJ Needlepoint Designs

Congratulations to Jane and Jennifer for their brand new website, JJ Needlepoint Designs!

https://jjneedlepointdesigns.com/

Jane recently retired from owning Two's Company in South Carolina.  Now she and her daughter Jennifer have started a wholesale needlepoint business, with Jane's wonderful series and customer work available for your favorite shop to order.  DO NOT miss her cats and dogs of the month.  These are classics!  You can see them under the "Standup Series" drop down menu.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 1, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitches for Dogs (and a Cat?)

Stephanie Dresher-Mandelbaum of Ridgewood Needlepoint is stitching a fun Maggie canvas of dogs and posting about the stitches they choose for each of the six dogs (and one cat) in this charmer.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/05/new-stitch-monday-81/

I'm hoping they will continue to add dog fur stitches each Monday.  If they do, I'll update this article.

Hurrah!  This time Stephanie stitches the tan and white dog on the far right side.  It's darling!

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/06/new-stitch-monday-82/

The body of the tan dog on the left looks good.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/06/new-stitch-monday-83/

Now the tiny cat is finished as well as the doxy in the upper right hand corner.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/06/new-stitch-monday-84/

Stephanie has added glass eyes from Etsy, started the sky background and stitched the black Scottie.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/07/new-stitch-monday-85/

The Dalmatian is done and after a little help from Julia Snyder, the black terrier's tail is enhanced and superb.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/07/new-stitch-monday-86/

"Under Cover" is finished!  Stephanie ends her discussion of this fun piece explaining the threads and stitch used for the sky.  

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/07/new-stitch-monday-87/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 22, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ada Shows Off Her Black Cat Ornament

Ada Hayden of Eye Candy shows off her Halloween Cat from the September-October 2022 issue of Needlepoint Now magazine, available now.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2022/09/black-cat-ornament-in-latest-issue-of.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 15, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Halloween Mystery Piece for 2022 ("Flying Witch")

Ruth Schmuff has announced the Halloween mystery class at Bedecked and Beadazzled:  David Galchutt's "Flying Witch."  I'll update this article as Ruth posts progress photos.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/08/halloween-mystery/

Those cats!  The witch has a nose and a cheek you won't believe.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/09/witchs-face/

The canvas now has moons, stars and bats (and graphs for the stars).

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/10/bats-and-stars/

And there are bats and pantaloons.  (and that apron is genius)

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/11/more-bats/

Now the witch has hair, a fabulous broom and lots of ruffles.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/11/ruffles-2/

Pink beaded shoes, a pumpkin with crystal candies, and an elegant moon finish up the design.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/12/yikes/

Here is the Flying Witch, framed two different ways, both adorable.  Happy Halloween!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/09/shes-framed/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 8, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pet Portrait Embroidery: A Review

If realistic dog and cat portraits enthrall you, you'll want to look at Mary Corbet's review of "Pet Portrait Embroidery."

https://www.needlenthread.com/2022/03/pet-portrait-embroidery-a-fabulous-book.html

Note that this book is mean for those embroidering animals on ground fabric like linen, but you can use the same principals on needlepoint canvas if you switch to a small needle with a very sharp point.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 12, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

What Is It With Cats and Needle Minders?

I was looking for something on Etsy and realized how many cat and coffee-themed needle minders there are. I thought these were charming. Enjoy the browse.  (By the way, there don't seem to be dog+coffee ones.  Odd!)
https://www.etsy.com/listing/699790559/kit-tea-cat-needle-minder-cat-magnet-cat?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=needle+minders&ref=sr_gallery-1-8&organic_search_click=1&bes=1

https://www.etsy.com/listing/586378462/lazy-grey-tabby-coffee-cat-premium?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=needle+minders+coffee&ref=sr_gallery-1-47&organic_search_click=1&cns=1


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

Meredith Does a Cat and Dog Background

Speaking of Meredith Willet, her latest free stitch diagrams are stitches suitable for a cat and a dog canvas.  Here are the fish diagrams for a cat.
https://classes.mscanvashouse.com/pdf/quarantine/Quarantine_Lesson_13.pdf

Here is the dog bone one.
https://classes.mscanvashouse.com/pdf/quarantine/Quarantine_Lesson_14.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 1, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Summer Mystery, By Ruth Schmuff UPDATED To Two Mysteries

Ruth Schmuff has revealed the mystery class she'll be teaching at Bedecked and Beadazzled throughout the summer of 2019—Johanna Virtanen's "White Cat."
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/05/whats-up-pussycat/

As always, I'll update this article with Ruth's steps in stitching this charmer as she blogs about each lesson.

UPDATES:  Ruth has started with the background and the cat's body, both using open stitches to allow the paint shading to add depth behind the stitches.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/07/how-to-stitch-a-painting/

The cat has a body, ears and wonderful eyes.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/07/its-all-in-the-eyes/

And the White cat has flowers!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/08/flowers-are-growing/

MANY flowers!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/09/joie-de-vivre/

Here is White Cat framed. It's wonderful.  The companion piece will be Ruth's mystery class for July-August 2021.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2021/07/time-for-a-finish-and-a-start/

Special Update:  Ruth is adding Johanna Virtanen's "Wings" as a second mystery class because they are so similar.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/08/wings/

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/08/fairy-wings-and-gowns/

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/11/gown-for-a-party/

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2020/02/gorgeous-wings/


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 29, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Medici on Film

Needle Works has posted a video of the dimensional needle felted cat named Medici (after the shop cat) that Brenda Stofft has designed and which Brenda will teach in the shop this September.  It's pretty amazing! I don't usually post about classes but this is so astounding that I wanted everyone to see it.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2018/06/medici-is-in-the-house.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Animal Angel Ornaments Fund Raiser

Nenah Stone Designs has a new series called Animal Angel Ornaments, with a portion of the proceeds going toward animal rescue charities.  You can read a bit more about them on Nenah's website.  Many thanks to Victori-Anne's Treasures for mentioning this.
http://www.nenahstonedesigns.com/christmas/animal_angel_ornaments

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 29, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Cat and Mouse Game—A Mystery SOLVED

Ruth Schmuff has revealed the Winter Mystery class design for this month and next—Dominic Bourbeau's "Cat and Mouse Game."
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2017/12/its-game.html

As Ruth posts progress reports, I'll update this article with them so everything is in one place.

UPDATE:  The cat's head and rear are beaded, then his body mimics the pattern in threads.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/02/shapes-and-patterns/

UPDATE #2:  Check out that background and tail!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/02/atomic-power/

UPDATE #3:  It's all finished!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2024/03/fun-and-games/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 11, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Happy Birthday to the Animal Lover

Robin King's latest blog entry is about the "birthday bash" fund raiser Needle Bug in Montgomery, Alabama does each year to raise money for animal shelters in the area.  Robin even contributes a bunch of stitch diagrams, most suitable for dog or cat-themed canvases as her birthday treat.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2017/09/birthday-bash-at-needle-bug.html

If you want to participate, act quickly.  The Birthday Bash ends on September 17.
http://www.theneedlebug.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 4, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Turning the Fat Cat into B.B. King the Cat

Louise's Needlework has released a new shop newsletter, complete with the story of how the fat cat canvas from Vicky Mount turned into B.B. King.  If you've ever hesitated to change a canvas to suit yourself, read this.
https://siterepository.s3.amazonaws.com/530/newsblastmay2017.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 7, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Cats from MAP Designs

Kreinik's latest blog showcases the cat artwork series of canvases from MAP Designs.  Check out the Hot Wire whiskers on the last cat!
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2015/06/the-art-of-needlepoint-cats.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 5, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.