Glass Eyes

Apparently the March-April 2023 version of Needlepoint Now magazine talks about glass eyes.  This website was mentioned as a good place to find them.

https://handmadeglasseyes.com/

You can choose by size, style and the type of back (button, flat back, wire posts or high domed).  The eye color selection and pupil shape are very large, too.  I've heard Megan the site owner will also do custom eyes if you ask.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 2, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tanya Goes Picasso

Tanya Bentham has posted a fascinating face on her blog.  Tanya's an expert tutor on Opus Anglicanum, which is the medieval style of embroidery.  The face is done in split stitch I think.  The fascinating part is she used different colors to emphasize how the various parts of the face are stitched in different ways.  I found it absolutely fascinating.  I particularly loved how she rendered the eyes.

https://opusanglicanum.wordpress.com/2022/04/11/funny-face-2/

It will come in handy if I ever stitch a needlepoint face all in split stitch, which is something I'd like to try. I might not use lime, purple, sky blue, peach and pale yellow, though!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 11, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching Owl Eyes

Owl from Tapestry Fair's Belleza

With Halloween in the air, October 1 is a great time to post this link to Needlepoint for Fun's article on stitching owl eyes.
https://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com/grandma-what-big-eyes-you-have---the-best-needlepoint-stitches-for-owls-eyes.htm

The owl above is one I stitched with sequins and beads for eyes.  The design is an element in Manuel Salas' Belleza de Halloween (Halloween Beauty), adapted for needlepoint canvas by Tapestry Fair.

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

Bringing Eyes to Life

I like stitching people and have always been surprised by folks who say they find stitching faces hard.  After some thought I've realized that it is because one stitch can make a huge difference in expression.  Gay Ann Rogers talks about the impact of one stitch on the eyes on her website.
http://www.gayannrogers.com/4seeingeyes.html

You can see the difference by comparing the Before and After photos.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 8, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meredith Invents Bubble Technique

Meredith Willett of M's Canvashouse, Meredith Collection canvases, Big Buddies needle minder magnets and more has another invention to her name—how to create bubbles.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/1659354074141744/

Elizabeth took an embellishment class from Meredith to help her with this Labors of Love Halloween figure and got the tip there.  You can see the untouched googly eye front and back in the picture and see how bubbles look with the eye positioned over them.  This is what the package looks like in a big box craft store.  Basically you peel off the back to create a clear bubble shape and put those on the canvas.
http://www.michaels.com/creatology-wiggle-eyes-flat-back/M10043499.html?dwvar_M10043499_count=118

Elizabeth is going to try to pierce holes in them to stitch them in place, but I am pretty sure you will need to glue these into position.  Just FYI.

Thanks, Meredith!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 21, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Skin and Eyes UPDATED

Before we talk about faces some more, I thought I'd post some online resources to help you with that face that is driving you nuts. First up are thread colors and types of skin.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2012/09/skin-tones-in-dmc.html

http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2011/10/threads-for-perfect-skin.html

Here are some wonderful tips for stitching "speaking" eyes.
http://www.funkandweber.com/create-eye-sparkles-in-cross-stitch/

All these links are in my  "Tutorials and Tips" tab above but I've noticed most folks don't realize that is there so it bears repeating in the main part of Blog.

UPDATE: Jane G. reminded me of the Access Commodites skin tone kits.  They come in a clear plastic box with instructions on how to use them written by Tony Minieri.   Jane says each set comes with a wide variety of silks.You can see them on the Access Commodities website but you'll have to click on "Silk Thread Kits" and then on "Access Commodites Skin Tones" to see them.

http://www.accesscommodities.com/products

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 12, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.