Sudden Realization: The Geisha Mystery

Ruth Schmuff knows just what I like—an elegant and haughty geisha!  This beautiful design from David Galchutt is named "Sudden Realization," and she will be the subject of Ruth's Winter 2019 mystery class.  Stay tuned!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/11/i-had-a-sudden-realization/

The first lesson is out—and the geisha has a face!  Her under gown is gorgeous.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/01/the-face-tells-the-story/

Ruth has a plan to handle the outlines.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/02/details-outlines/

And she uses thread layers and thicknesses to create interest.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/02/variations/

Now the geisha has Big Hair! (and pretty sleeves)
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/02/oh-the-hair/

The background is mostly in. I love the floating lanterns and the beads in the geisha's hair.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/03/details-and-texture-oh-my/

Flowers, flowers and more flowers!  This is the last lesson, so now I cannot wait to see this piece framed.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/04/the-more-the-merrier/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 20, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Miko's Face

Several years back I stitched Leigh Designs's Fash Insert "Miko" which is a portrait of a geisha sized to fit in those Leigh tote bags.  Here is the entire design for those interested in seeing the whole thing.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Sgl7616.html

Her face, eyes and lips are done in the most common way we choose to stitch faces--tent stitches for the skin and eyes and mouth.  There are lots of things to consider in going this traditional route, however--things like what type thread and technical issues like perfecting your stitches so they don't distract from the emotion on the face.  The two links below summarize Miko very well I think.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2011/09/perfecting-mikos-face.html

http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2011/09/mikos-lips.html

Leigh Designs' Miko 7616

Here is Miko finished for your viewing pleasure.  She's a totally traditionally stitched face, so next time I'll talk about using stitches other than tent for a face.

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.

The Needlepoint Portrait

Melissa Shirley's Red Geisha

I've been thinking about needlepoint portraits a bit lately, spurred by this counted canvaswork image of Catherine the Great from Gay Ann Rogers. Gay Ann's been posting finished versions of her design on her website home page. She also has photos of her Queen Elizabeth I, as well as Bess of Hardwick and Mary, Queen of Scots still on her website, too.  Click on "Elizabethean" to see them.
http://www.gayannrogers.com

It's interesting how each portrait is a tad different, even though they were all stitched from the same counted canvaswork set of instructions.  Each has a bit of their own personality added by their stitcher.  In needlepoint faces, one stitch can make a huge difference.  You can see this in Penny MacLeod's painted canvas portraits, too.  Look at all the women on The Collection's website (The Collection is Penny's distributor).  Each has a different expression--wary, inquisitive, bold, puzzled, friendly.
http://www.thecollectiondesigns.com/penny-macleod.html

Even stylized faces of geishas can have their expression changed with just one stitch.  Above is Melissa Shirley's Red Geisha which I stitched for her.  Look at her lips.  The expression could be very different if I hadn't left the tiny red stitch between her parted lips visible.  Now to me she looks like she is about to speak.

Maybe we'll talk about faces later this week.

By the way, Red Geisha is being discontinued so if you fall in love, act before Melissa runs out of stock.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galcol/?col=171

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.

More 2015 NAN Award Winners

The National Academy of Needlearts has posted more award winners on Facebook in the "Professional Non-Original Without Instruction" category.  The names of the winners are in the comments section for each photograph.  DO NOT MISS Shay Pendray's "Oriental Rug."
https://www.facebook.com/118153386709/photos/pcb.10152681700131710/10152681697261710/?type=1&theater

By the way, the NAN website has the 2016 class descriptions up on their website. Have fun here--Ann Strite-Kurz's "Elfie Selfie" is my favorite but you'll want to see them all.
http://www.needleart.org/Assembly/Assembly-2016-Class-Descriptions-and-Teacher-Biographies.pdf  

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

Limited (Labors of Love)

Each year Labors of Love combines a love of porcelain with a love of pattern and color to produce a limited edition canvas that comes with china attachments to create a dimensional doll of sorts that rises from a needlepoint background and wears needlepoint outfits.   Each year all ten-fifteen canvases sell out.   Nimble Needle talks a bit about Madame Pompadour, the subject of this year's edition, on their blog.  Click on each photograph to see it better.  This year's china pieces are the head and two arms, one holding an amazing fan.
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/introducing-madame-pompadour/

Most of the series are historical royal figures, kings and queens, although a couple of years ago JP Sligh did an amazing geisha figure.  You can see them all here.  I think my favorite is Anne Boleyn.  Can't wait to see her stitched!
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/limited-editions.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

My Personal Favorites from TNNA Winter 2015 Part Three

From Elizabeth Turner Collection's Vintage Fashion Series

As promised, I have a few more favorites from the TNNA Market that just ended.  I promise not to add any more owl canvases to the list, but I did notice another new trend at Market--dress forms showing off vintage fashions.  The red Chinese cheongsam above is from Elizabeth Turner.  It is one of quite a few fashion pieces, all displayed on a dress form with a plain background.

Lani's Fashion

Lani has also created similar pieces, most of which seem to be in a 1950s style. Many have a similar purse canvas, too, in case you want a framed set.  Lani's dresses are also on dress forms but she has patterned backgrounds and a border around hers.  Same theme--different interpretation.

Melissa Prince also does Fashion

When I think of fashion, I think of classic movie stars like Audrey Hepburn.    If you are movie-mad, this smaller and simpler piece is from Melissa Prince.  Small and simple doesn't mean unsophisticated, though.  Breakfast at Tiffany's, anyone?

Elizabeth Turner's Geisha

If you like fashion from the Japanese perspective, this Elizabeth Turner canvas spotted by Vicky DeAngelis might be right up your alley.

Lynne Andrew's Wild Animal Santa (Painted Pony)

If you love stitching Santas, this new one from Lynne Andrew/Painted Pony might catch your eye like it did mine.  Painted Pony has at least five other Santas in various colors and styles from Lynne's talented paintbrush but this one was my favorite with its woodland animal theme.  Lynne also does some wonderful primitive farm scenes that fans of Cooper Oaks and Ewe and Eye will enjoy.

DJ Designs in the Mayan Jungle

When it comes to wild animals, my favorite canvas is from DJ Designs.  The real leopard is echoed by a Mayan-style one in the background.

Elizabeth Turner's Foo Dog

I'm going to close with one more stylized animal--a Chinese foo dog.  This canvas is from Elizabeth Turner.  I love the colors and the lines.  This is the sort of thing I'd love to stitch, assuming I could give up sleeping!

This brings to a close my review of the canvases I particularly liked from the many, many new ones that have premiered at the TNNA Winter show in Phoenix.  You'll notice I didn't include links to any websites.  That's because these are so new that they aren't readily available yet.  Even the designer websites aren't updated with photos of them yet in many cases.  Many shops will have placed orders that will start appearing this spring, so stay tuned at a shop near you.

Thanks for patiently letting me show off my favorites.  Now, what were yours?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright January 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Queen of Or Nue'

One of Margaret Nicholson's Embroideries

Thanks to a chance mention on Kathy's Unbroken Thread blog, I have discovered Margarent Nicholson and her daughter Anthea Godfrey's website which has a lovely video biography of Mrs. Nicholson and her work, featuring many of her Or Nue' faces.   Anthea also sells cards featuring her mother's embroidery, which is where I found her Japanese geisha portrait in Or Nue' I have posted here to tempt you to explore further.  (Look under the Anthea Godrey tab to find Margaret Nicholson Cards in the pull down options.)  I understand a book on Margaret Nicholson and her embroidery is in the works.  I'm really looking forward to that!
http://www.grandmaslittletreats.co.uk/Welcome-to-the-World-of-Margaret-Nicholson

For those who are unfamiliar with Or Nue' here is the best description I could find, even though the link to how to do Or Nue' doesn't work any more.  Not to worry, though!  I'll talk about that tomorrow.
http://medieval.webcon.net.au/technique_or_nue.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.

Tantalizing Glimpses

Yesterday in the tantalizing way all us stitch guide writers have of showing off just a bit of our work, I posted two photos on Needlepoint Nation (the Facebook group of needlepoint fanatics) showing some of my two latest stitch guides.   Both are from Leigh Designs.   Can you guess what these two photos are?

The top photograph shows the maple tree from Leigh's Japanese Tea House.  This design was originally intended to be used in Lee's nylon tote bags but I think Leigh Designs plans to frame the model when it reaches them later this week.  Here's the original canvas.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Sgl7610.html

By the way, the little geisha magnet was from Mag Friends and I think they are sold out, but you might find one in a shop if you look around. I bought it nearly two years ago.

Leigh's Japanese Tea House Finished

Here is the finished tea house.  I used a layering technique to make the maple leaves more realistic and adapted Or Nue' for the painted and gilded eaves of the tea house itself.  The sage green background is unstitched to help provide contest with the Japanese maple leaves, but I listed the perfect thread to use in case you hate unstitched areas on your designs.  This piece was stitched with the new Silken Straw in three places, but I listed substitutes that will give a similar look for each area if you want to shop your stash instead of ordering a completely new thread.  

The second photo is a close up of one of Leigh's Water Babies.  This is Fantine, who has peacock eyes on her mermaid's tail.  (I've also written guides for Alta and Mimsy but there are no photos of them yet.)
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp441x.html

Everyone asks about the curls.  These were Sue Parson's idea.  They are made of ribbon floss.   Sue had seen this used somewhere and asked me how to create curls from this thread and with a little experimentation I was able to figure out the technique.   Sue did a lovely job creating the model.  Here is her finished and framed piece.  If your shop is going to the January TNNA show, I think they'll be able to see this in person at the Leigh Designs booth.  Sue is very kindly loaning it to Leigh.

Fantine All Stitched But Not Framed Yet

Your shop can order the guide and canvas of either of these for you directly from Leigh Deisgns, but you can visit the CH Stitch Guides blog and order the stitch guide only straight from me if you happen to have the canvas already.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/p/want-to-buy-chilly-hollow-stitch-guides.html

Hope you enjoyed the full disclosure!

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.

Row of Ladies Mystery with a Twist Finished (and Started!) UPDATED

Ruth Schmuff just finished her first Mystery with a Twist canvas, a series of six Asian ladies, all in fancy outfits.   Ruth decided that some folks enjoy relaxed mystery classes that are more than a few months long and which aren't really set to any deadline.  This is the result.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/10/now-party-can-finally-begin.html

UPDATE:  Ruth has managed to talk Lee Designs into a companion piece.  Six more ladies in fancy outfits!  This will be an upcoming Mystery with a Twist piece for the shop.  Email Ruth if you want to stitch the second row or if you never got around to the first row.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/12/what-more-girls-want-to-come-to-party.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/04/the-party-continues.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/09/haute-couture-girls.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/05/can-i-have-favorite.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2016/06/row-of-ladies-is-ready-for-their-next.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2017/08/purple-brocade-hmmmm.html

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2020/07/are-you-ready-for-a-party/

The next Mystery with a Twist is Melissa Shirley's Holiday Village.  You can see it here about a third of the way down the page.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/Mystery-Classes--a-24.asp

UPDATE:  The Holiday Village is coming right along.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/03/as-long-as-its-still-snowing.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/02/the-house-with-pink-eaves.html

By the way, Ruth's regular mystery class (Hal Mayforth's Boo) is coming right along.  Who would have thought to have little waving ghost hands!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/10/waving-from-bedecked-and-beadazzled.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.

How to Open a Skein of Soy Luster

I happen to like Soy Luster (a single strand of thread made from soy; 2-3 strands covers well on 18 count, depending on your stitch) but let me tell you, opening a skein can be like opening one of the joke cans that has a spring inside.  I opened a skein to use for a geisha's hair once and it immediately tangled into a huge mess.  (Made beautiful hair, though.)  Fortunately, Dream House Ventures has posted a video that shows you how to open the skein without pain.
http://www.dreamhouseventures.com/instructional-videos.htm

Here are all the pretty colors, by the way.  Soy Luster comes in solid or shaded colors.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Thread/TPP_SoyLuster.html

Closeup of Soy Luster Hair, Anne Jerlow Canvas

And here is my geisha's Soy Luster hair.  It's a thread perfect for the texture of hair, fur, tree bark, and certain types of clothing effects.

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

My Newest Geisha

My Newest Canvas Magnet

I've added a new geisha to my collection.  Isn't she cute?  She will be perfect for my next Asian canvas.  Sadly, the geisha magnets only come in pink, but since I love pink, that isn't a problem for me.   If it isn't a problem for you and you need a geisha magnet too, you can pick one up at Bedecked and Beadazzled.  They aren't on the website but Ruth confirmed yesterday that she has them in stock.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/


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

Thanksgiving Treat

Custom Canvas from Leigh Designs

Today's Thanksgiving treat is calorie-free and fabulous. As you all know, I stitch models for Leigh Designs. For the last two months when she and I talked, Leigh mentioned working on a huge custom design for a long-time customer. The canvas is finished and on its way to Pat Delp at Designer's Desk, the shop that placed the order for the customer and that will pull threads for it before sending it to its new home.  Luckily for us, Leigh and the customer allowed me to post a photo for your viewing pleasure.  The design is called "Life's Thoughts."

This is a huge canvas at 24 by 36 inches on 18 count canvas and there is a lot going on .  Leigh told me she enjoyed playing with various focal points to move the eye around the canvas to discover the special items she hid in the piece.  She included a lot of things the customer requested--the two geishas, the musical instrument, the moon bridge, the Japanese castle, and two types of flowers (mums and orchids).  There are wonderful little touches, too, like the purple tassel that hangs off the golden obi in the front geisha's hands and the two types of blossoms in the pink trees.  Leigh says the metallic paint doesn't show up except in person, so there is much we can't see.  But if you study the piece carefully, there is a great deal to discover and enjoy even in a photograph.

I am very sorry that there is just one of these as it is a work of art, but at least we can all see and enjoy the custom work Leigh Designs turns out as our special dessert this Thanksgiving.  Please join me in thanking Leigh Richardson and her customer for allowing me to show off their joint creation!

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

Perfect Skin Colors for the Non-Caucasian Figure

Not every face on a needlepoint canvas belongs to a blue-eyed blonde. Marilyn Leavitt- Imblum is a cross stitch designer who has long listed alternative flesh tones for her designs on her website.  These colors (all DMC cotton floss) are very helpful for someone trying to pick reasonably realistic tones for a face that isn't Caucasian.  You can take a list of these to your local shop, pull out the DMC threads, then match their color to other brands if you want silk, a silk-wool blend, nylon threads, etc.
http://www.tiag.com/background/altcolor.html

Another tip I've heard recently is about geisha hair.  Anne Stradal of ABS Designs told me she loves the blue-black shade of Silk and Ivory called "Midnight" for the stylized hairstyles these Japanese ladies wear.

Hopefully these tips will help someone stitch a face that pleases them.


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

The Hair of the Pumpkin

Leigh Design's Miko, Hair Step One

As long time readers of Blog know, I like realistic painted canvas designs and often choose a stitch by thinking about what something looks like in real life, then finding a stitch and thread combo that mimic how that object actually appears.  You probably have read all about my thought process for stitching a painted canvas on an article ANG put on their website.
http://www.needlepoint.org/FAQ/phobia.php

This isn't the only way to proceed, however, especially if the canvas you choose isn't realistic.  A friend mentioned in passing that she needed to remember realistic stitches aren't always the best choice for a canvas.  That got me thinking.  I'd seen this finished piece (stitched by Emily Sobol) and knew I wanted to use the stitches on the sides of the pumpkin for Miko's hair.
http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/3810047:Photo:51810?context=user

This is a stitch called Staggered Mosaic, which is basically a row of mosaic stitches separated by a wide row of slanted stitches.  It is not at all what real hair looks like, but I thought it was a beautiful stitch that would look great on the Miko canvas.  The design will read "geisha" no matter how I stitch the hair so I went with this stitch, mixing Kreinik metallic with Vineyard black silk for the maximum contrast between the two rows of stitches that make up Staggered Mosaic.

The pumpkin has a sort of brick stitch with two sizes in the center but that wouldn't work for Miko. See how her head is tilted?  A straight stitch is going to look odd down at the hairline because of the tilt.  I wanted a diagonal stitch which would look more normal with the tilting of the head  I went through all my stitching books, looking for variations on mosaic stitch.  I found Reverse Mosaic, tried it with my two threads, and it was perfect.  It is slightly smaller in scale than Staggered Mosaic because the spaces between the metallic mosaic stitches is narrower.  But that seems to look ok here.  I could have used the same Staggered Mosaic over Miko's forehead that I used on the rest of her hair, but somehow it seemed to me that a slight variation was called for here.

Of course all this is in black with black metallics so it doesn't show up well in photos.  That's why I did step one only before taking the photos.  The nape of her neck has most of step two put in.  You really can't see what's going on there because there isn't much contrast in the photos. Metallics don't photograph well.  I still have to put the highlight stitches in over her hair but I will do that later.  I need to get busy with cat topiary garden again.

The hair is really another background stitch, which I hope will show off the hair ornaments well.  I'll be thinking about them while I stitch something else.

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

Introducing Miko

It's time to introduce my next project, which is set in the world of the flower and the willow.  To get in the mood, watch this video, then read the article in the second link.
http://dsc.discovery.com/videos/discovery-atlas-japan-geisha-culture.html

http://people.howstuffworks.com/geisha1.htm

The canvas I am going to stitch is one of Leigh Design's Fash Inserts, a canvas intended to  decorate one of the Lee tote bags.  It is called Miko.  I should be working on my cat topiary garden but the huge amount of background was starting to get to me, so I picked up the next of my three Leigh tote bag pieces.  Because these Fash Inserts are small, they stitch up quickly.  I've had lots of fun with the background and her hair.  Monday I'll talk about her hair, which was inspired by a pumpkin.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Sgl7616.html

But for tonight, I need to stitch topiaries!

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

Hurricane Season

It never dawned on me what needlepoint shops on the coast do during hurricane season--they pack up the big rug canvases to keep them safe!  Needle Nicely is showing off some of their beauties as they are being packed away in waterproof containers until the season ends around October and the tourists start returning to Florida for the winter.  Stay safe, rugs!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2011/07/hurricane-season.html

http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2011/07/rugs-and-wallhanging.html

http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2011/08/they-said-it-wouldnt-last.html

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

Designer Updates

Jude's Skateboard Witch

Now that the TNNA show in Columbus is over, I've started browsing designer websites, looking for updates of the newest painted canvases.  So far, here's what I've found:

Renaissance Designs has some wonderful little kimono doll kits that might be perfect for teaching that child in your life to stitch.  As usual, their Halloween pieces are wonderful and that standup Patchwork Santa is pretty amazing, too.
http://www.renaissanceneedlepoint.com/new/new.html

Colors of Praise does wonderful birds and flower designs, but look! There's a geisha, too!
http://www.colorsofpraiseart.com/new_designs.html

Amanda Lawford has added some wonderful animal designs, particularly the funny dog pieces starting on page 7.  No geishas were spotted.  :(
http://www.amandalawford.com/products/new1.html

Canvas Candy has new juvenile and Christmas ornament/canvas sets.  (The geisha is under Asian.  LOL)
http://www.jlcanvascompany.com/Juvenile.html

A Dragon's Tale is featuring new fairy tale canvases based on her sister's paintings.  Since I love fairy tale canvases almost as ones with Asian themes, we'll let the lack of a geisha slide here.
http://adragonstaleneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search/label/Fairy%20Tales%20by%20Christine%20Mix

I believe the garden pieces are new also.
http://adragonstaleneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search/label/Gardens

Jude Designs has added some wonderful things to her line.  There's a magnificent Madonna and Child and the totally hilarious Skateboard Witch you see at the top of the page.  No geishas but her 12 Cajun Days of Christmas totally makes up for the lack.
http://www.spicyneedlepoint.com/Christmas_Halloween/default.htm

Finally, Julia's Needleworks has six pages of new designs.  Howl at the Moon Diva will capture some folks' eye while others will be totally charmed by the 3-D prairie dog needlepoint.  There is a Nativity set, a series of fashion plate ladies, Toby jug canvases, and an elephant on a flying carpet.  Fans of Peter Ashe will enjoy looking at his small round Nutcracker ornaments.
http://needleworks.ehclients.com/index.php/private-tradeshow/

Unique New Zealand has some wonderful geometrics and a line of hilarious Keep Calm signs.
http://www.uniquenzdesigns.com/newneedlepoint.html

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

Vicky Goes Asian

I can always count on Vicky DeAngelis to pick out elegant Asian-themed needlepoint canvases.  Wait'll you see what she photographed at Market!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/06/14/we-came-we-saw-and-we-shopped/

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

Geishas Are Big This Year

Colleen of Needle Works has started reporting on what she's seen so far at the Columbus show.  She showcases Robin King' Creepy Creatures for Needle Deeva and a wonderful Maggie tree in her first posting.
http://theneedleworks.typepad.com/the_needle_works/2011/06/fun-start-to-columbus.html

In her next report, there are geishas everywhere!  Some nice Rebecca Wood and Kelly Clark designs, too, but I only have eyes for the geisha canvases.
http://theneedleworks.typepad.com/the_needle_works/2011/06/rebecca-wood-designs.html

http://theneedleworks.typepad.com/the_needle_works/2011/06/lani-enterprises.html



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

Free, Amazing

Orna Willis has added the second free "family" design to her website.  I love the mix of red and purple in her version.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2011/06/second-free-design-and-giveaway.html

In the amazing category, Carole emailed me the link to this set of painted canvases intended to be made into a poof.  Of Geishas, of course!  Does Carole know me or what?!
http://artneedlepoint.com/bench-and-seat-cushions/geisha-pouf-set-of-five

Also amazing is the little owl with the floral eyes, one of the new designs featured on the Squiggee website.  I think the last 2-3 pages of the catalogue have new designs also, at least I don't recognize all of these.
http://www.squiggeedesigns.com/

The last amazing thing I have to show you is a box made by Marlene's, who specializes in magical finishing.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/06/needlework-box.html

Many thanks to Carole, Gail and to Orna, too.  And of course to the amazingly talented finishers at Marlene's.

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