Brenda Talks iPads and iPens

Brenda's Needlepoint Studio has a neat idea about using her iPad and iPen to photograph a chart then mark up sections that are done.  She has discovered the iPen works great as a laying too, too!

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2022/01/graph-management-12822.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 28, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Breaking News: New Book App UPDATED

Meredith Willet's little spiral bound book, Knots, Fur and Turkey Work,  will be available as an app March 15, 2018.  It will cost $12.99.  You can find a link on The Meredith Collection’s website on March 15, or find it in the app store.  I am assuming this is Apple only and available only on iTunes but I don't know for certain.
https://www.wellesleyneedlepoint.com/product/knots-fur-turkey-work/

Remember, apps that are not updated as your phones and tablets are updated constantly will cease to work.  That's how software is, it goes out of style eventually.  Buying an app is not like buying a book.  Just FYI.

UPDATE:  I'm told Meredith has added more stitch diagrams to the app version of the book, which is a nice touch!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knots-fur-turkey-work/id1356293032#?platform=ipad

https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/knots-fur-turkey-work/id1356293032?ls=1&mt=8

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 9, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The iPhone Icon Belt

NeedlePaint.com just designed a fun new belt that uses the classic iPhone icons as decorations. Got an iPhone lover who needs a belt? This is the one! 
http://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2014/04/09/classic-phone-app-needlepoint-belt-for-tech-lovers/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 9, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Stitched iPhone Cover

Scarlet Thread has the new iPhone covers in stock.  They come in black or white with patterns you can use or you can design your own.  Does this look like fun?
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2012/06/diy-cell-phone-case.html

Sadly, they only work fit the iPhone 4 or 4S.


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

Custom Cell Phone Cases for Stitchers

I have a basic cell phone. It's about six years old and a hot pink flip style. (Stop snickering!) The only thing keeping me from switching to a better phone is that cell phone coverage is very spotty in Chilly Hollow. Even when I drive to the nearest large towns, the phone won't work much of the trip.  So I don't bother with the latest phone since the functions that are so cool aren't available unless you can actually get onto a phone network.  HOWEVER, that doesn't mean I don't lust after a really cool cell phone case.  If I did have a fancy phone, I'd stitch a themed case, that's for sure!  Courtesy of the DMC blog, I just discovered easy instructions on how to make your own plus a link to a company that makes stitchable cases (second link).
http://weelittlestitchescrossstitch.blogspot.com/2011/10/stitch-your-own-cell-phone-case.html

http://connectdesign.co.kr/front/php/product.php?product_no=170&main_cate_no=1&display_group=2

The other way to go is to have a photograph of your favorite piece of needlework made into a phone case.  Like Tricia did.  How cool is this?  It's expensive but still when I win the lottery and install a cell phone tower in my back yard....
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2010/10/iphone-case/

http://custom.case-mate.com/imakemycase


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

Shapes of Needlepoint Series 2 eBook Available UPDATED

Sandy Arthur just posted on her Facebook page that her second book, Shapes of Needlepoint Series 2 (Diamonds, Hearts, Octagons and Stars) is now available from the iTunes store as a digital download for iPhones, iPads and iPad Touches. Just search on Duo Designs (Sandy's company) to download.
http://duodesignsinc.com/wpsite/

UPDATE:  Sounds like the new Landscape Stitches book will be an eBook in November of 2011.  Here's Janet Perry's rave review.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/landscape-stitches-book-review


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

Shapes of Needlepoint App

I read on the ANG email list that Sandy Arthur's new book, Shapes of Needlepoint, is now available for download as a smart phone app.  It looks like it is available from iTunes and from Sandy's website for iPhones (not Android phones) and iPads.  It works for some iPod Touches also.  I would email the author if you have a 3rd generation iPod Touch but the 4th generation Touch probably works with this.  Check to see if your device is running OS 4.2 before you pay for this.
http://duodesignsinc.com/wpsite/apple-app/shapes-of-needlepoint-series-1-is-an-apple-app.php

UPDATE:  I've heard from folks who use this on their iPads.  They say it runs, but you have to click on 2X to resize it and it doesn't look as good on iPads as it does on iPhones.  Just so you know....

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

I'm iPhone Mobile Now

In my march into the 21st Century (dragging my needlepoint behind me in a little red wagon borrowed from Beloved's grandson) I have made Blog "mobile enabled."  This means that if you want to read Blog on your smart phone, it is in a format made specifically for mobile devices.

I actually prefer the usual format when reading blogs on mobile devices.  If you are like me, scroll down to the bottom of the page when using your smart phone and click on "View Web Version" and you'll be back at a regular computer view that shows the column on the right hand side of the page.  You can toggle back to "View Mobile Version" if you change your mind.

For those who blog via Blogger, Google seems to be rolling out this feature to those who use their Blogger in Draft setting.  When it is available for your blog, you'll get a message from Blogger when you log into your account that allows you to turn on the mobile view if you wish.

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

Skulls Cell Phone Case Finished

As you can see, the cell phone case is finished. I sewed the snaps inside the lining so a phone can be secured inside, then whipstitched the lining to the NP outer case.  The final touch was adding narrow trim to hide the join.  I deliberately let a bit of the lining show above the trim to add to the interest.

I'm happy with how it turned out.  The video doesn't show the sparkle well (it is almost blinding in the full sun) but you can see the color changes from the beads in the above.

Do you think the new owner will like it?  LOL

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

Finishing the Cell Phone Case: Part One

Yesterday I worked on the cell phone case. The first step is to put your needlepoint face down on top of your fabric (with the fabric's front side touching your needlepoint front) and cut out a piece of fabric the same size.  In the photo my lining is a little bigger so you can see there is fabric under the NP.

Next I turned under the margin along the top of the needlepoint and the top of the lining fabric...

...and pinned these down.

The next step is to fold the NP into a pouch form, right sides together.  Sew around the bottom and side, but leave the top open.  The top is where you turned the margin down and pinned it.  Note that by now the raw NP edges are fraying a bit. This is why you leave a big margin of bare canvas. Once everything is secure you can trim it a bit, but I think wider margins are better to start with.

Repeat this step with the lining, right sides together.   Sew around the bottom and side again but remember to leave the hemmed top open.

Trim around the side and bottom raw edges nearer the stitching for both the NP pouch and the lining pouch.  I trimmed everything to about 1/2 inch away from the sewing.  As you can see, there's just a little free room around the cell phone case I borrowed to test but there will be more without the plastic ribbed cover, so I'm ok here.

Turn the NP pouch right side out.  This takes a bit of gentle pushing with your fingers until you can't reach to push any more, then use the eraser end of a pencil to push more.

Use the eraser end especially at the bottom corners.  Remember, you are only turning the NP pouch right side out.  Leave the lining pouch as is with the wrong side out.  After all, your phone will slide inside and you want the right side to touch the phone.

Now I attached the jump rings to the lining.  These rings are where the detachable chain handle will go.  Below is a close up so you can see the left ring being attached and how the detachable shoulder strap slips over the jump ring.

I didn't go any further with the finishing because I realized that the snaps I have here are the wrong kind.  I can't stitch them to the lining to close the pouch.  The finishing will have to wait until I get the correct type of snaps.

The sharp-eyed will realize that I didn't follow much of Summer Truswell's finishing after all.   I realized when I got started that her mini sock finishing technique will work better for a cell phone case that has two separate sides instead of being in one piece.

Hopefully I'll be able to pick up snaps today.  If not, I'll work on Stars until I can get the proper hardware to complete the finishing.

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

Back to Skulls

I hope everyone found Deborah's question about how I stitched Japanese hair on my geishas interesting, particularly since I reposted old information about how my canvases were worked.  My original blog is no longer easily available, so reposting was the best option to help Deborah.  My apologies to long time Blog readers to whom this was old hat and to those who aren't really that interested in stitching hair.

As you can see, I've been busy finishing side two of the cell phone case.  This has been rather relaxing after Cha which involved trying new techniques and coming up with stitches to interpret the lovely design.  I am about to start assembling this into a pouch.  I have Ultrasuede cloth (very thin version of Ultrasuede) in purple for the lining and a long chain for the handle.  The background above is the lining fabric but I forgot to include the chain in the photo.  Sorry.

Once everything is put together I'll add beads to the side seam where they were omitted when I stitched this.  I doubt I'll put trim on the edges as it will be carried a lot, so I'll have to be very careful to make a neat seam.  I'm going to adopt these mini stocking instructions to make it up.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2008/11/learn-to-finish-miniature-christmas.html

Wish me luck!

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

That Skull Winked at Me!

Since Cha is finished and on the way to Leigh Designs to be a model, I am settling down to finish up the iPhone case.  Side one is finished and I've completed the skull and crossbones border across the top of side two.  I stitched the skulls on the second side, thinking that I would put them in a different place, just to be more interesting, before I started the background grid.  As you can see, one of the eyes in the left skull is very different from the rest.  I ran out of black thread when working on that eye and as I reached for the card to cut another length to finish, I looked down at the skull and saw what a neat pattern I'd get by not finishing the eye hole all in black.  I did a square of holographic purple Kreinik first, then finished the eye with the same light purple JL Walsh silk/wool thread that is used for step one of the background stitch.  It's a touch of whimsy that I hope will help remind the owner of the iPhone case that the little open pocket inside in the lining is on this side of the case.

Before I forget, Elizabeth saw another of Leigh's Brazil Series (Mambo?) in the 60% off bin while she was traveling last week.  She thinks she saw it on sale at this Spartanburg, SC shop.  If you have a hankering to stitch something like Cha, you should follow up on this sale.
http://www.theneedleandcanvas.com/index.html

Here is the full set of Brazil if you want to check out what Cha's sisters look like.  They are all 12 inches square on 18 count pink mono canvas, so 60% off is a good deal.  I think you could stitch all of them using the ideas I came up with for Cha with only a little modification.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp403x.html

Sorry it took so long to get this posted.  My ISP is having problems this morning.


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

Delayed Posting (Beaded Skulls)

Saturday morning my Internet service was down so I didn't get to post this image of the work I've done on the iPhone case.  I decided to skip step four in SharonG's brocade variation and finish up with step 5, which is beading.  As you can see, I put beads in all the rows except for the ones on the left and right side.  I'll wait until finishing to decide whether beads are needed on the right side and will wait until the other side of the case is stitched to add beads to the left side.  I don't want anything close to that area where I can snag threads.  After all, if a thread can snag on anything, it will!

In the above photo I have outlined the bottom skull with black silk. If you compare it to the upper skull which I have not touched, you can see why I wanted to backstitch lines around the area to set it off from the background.

Hopefully I will be able to post this Sunday morning along with progress on Cha.  (Cross your fingers!)

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

Cha Waits While the Floral Background Grows

I know I am close to finishing Cha but I don't have the energy or focus at night to work on her this week.  Too much is going on!  Oh, well, things should calm down shortly.  Right?  RIGHT?!!

In the meantime I started the third step (of five) in SharonG's brocade variation stitch.  You can see that it is changing the background substantially.  I may have to outline the skulls to separate them from the background. I didn't expect that but it is easy to do.  Part of the fun of this stitch is watching it change as you add another layer of simple stitches.

Even though it is very hot here, the seasons are starting to change.  I found my first frog in the garage this morning.  Reptiles try to sneak inside where it is cooler during the heat of the day.  Thankfully it was a baby toad this morning, not a snake!  Above you see him just before he hopped out of my hand onto the mossy ground out back.   Yes, I washed my hands!

Speaking of which, the thing on the screen and in my hand is a jar fly.  You know them as cicadas.  They love the heat and spend all day sitting in the tops of trees, buzzing to each other.  Judging by the racket, there must be thousands of them all around us.  Despite the numbers, I rarely see them as they are usually very high up, but yesterday I found this baby sitting on the screen.  He is about 2/3 grown.  (Yes, I did wash my hands again.)  He has the same bulging eyes that the toad did. Odd how nature creates a similar look in different creatures.

The critters we share Chilly Hollow with are fascinating to me.  It's a sign of the summer season changing to fall when I start actually seeing them.  Usually we hear, but do not see them, as they are shy around people.  I hope you enjoyed a quick look at a few of them.

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

Floral Background Comes Into View

Yesterday was hectic again, as we cleared up the downed trees and piled up wood to be split for the winter.  Chores are never done, are they?  I was so tired that I barely managed to finish Step 2a of the iPhone case's floral background and start on Step 2b.  You can see in the photo above how adding the + sign on top of the big X adds to the design.  I've done the first column on the left and started on the second.

In other news, The Needlepointer says the Tapestry Tent stockings in their trunk show are 10% off.  These are large stockings and are expensive but if you've fallen in love, you'll want to check out the trunk show due to this discount.
http://np.theneedlepointer.com/trunkshows.php

Vikki Clayton's e-newsletter this week mentioned a new product--paper linen.  Curious, I headed over to her website to see what on earth this is.  There are examples on the home page and free project instructions in the  "Articles and Information" link on the left side of the page in the Menu box which is the third box from the top.  Click there and then choose a project.

http://www.hand-dyedfibers.com/oscnuked/

I've found an interesting collection of Oregon canvases at The Playful Needle.  Normally I see state canvases for places that draw a great many tourists (Florida or Cape Cod) but these are interesting and fun for anyone who has ties to the state.
http://www.the-playful-needle.com/Index_oregon.html

I have two more monthly clubs to mention:  Family Arts has a Halloween ornament of the month club and a Christmas ornament of the month club for the reasonable price of $40 for each one.
http://www.familyartsneedlework.com/Clubs.html

Little Shoppe of Stitches has added a Twelve Days of Christmas ornament set to their collection of clubs.  These ornaments are notable because they are shaped like pears.
http://www.littleshoppeofstitches.com/clubs.html


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

A Grinning Border

Not too many borders are as cheerful (in a macabre way) as the one I finished last night for the iPhone case.  No, I didn't work on Cha again.  We are busy cleaning up a tree that went down in the storm that took our power out last week and I was just too tired to do anything besides a simple charted pattern.  Maybe today I'll get back to Cha if we don't finish clearing away the treetops and stacking the part of the tree that is suitable for firewood.  I am getting too old to do physical labor and still be able to sit and concentrate on needlepoint later.  Sigh.  Oh, well, the mess is almost cleaned up.

As you can see, the top border on one side is finished.  I also positioned the first motif in the border that will continue to the other side of the iPhone case while I had the count down.  Then I finished the grid on one side and have started filling it in with large Xs.  Once they are all done, a large + sign goes on top of the X in each box.  I'm using the new holographic Kreinik for the border but a regular purple Kreinik in size 4 braid for the background pattern.

This is easy stitching as long as you don't totally zonk out while doing it.  Just what I needed last night!

I'm getting nostalgic for the endless tent stitch background on Cha.  At least I was making progress on that design but didn't have to think while I was working it.  Here's wishing you some mindless relaxing stitching of your own today....

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

The Grid (With Skulls)

Life continues to be exciting here in CH, so I was dead tired last night and ignored Cha for the easy stitching to be had on the new iPhone case I'm creating.  I've almost finished the grid that is the first step in SharonG's brocade variation stitch.

I'm using one ply of JL Walsh silk/wool (it comes in a strand that breaks down into five plies).  I'm stitching one side of the case at a time.  In the photo above you see two skulls floating on top of the background pattern and that I have started a border at the top.  The black thread is Silk Lame Braid which I love/hate.  The effect is lovely but I find I have to use short lengths as this thread unwinds as it goes in and out of holes.  I'm going to switch to a size 20 needle the next time I work on this project as I think it might protect the thread better than my current size 22.

Which reminds me--you probably will want to take a look at Gay Ann Rogers' latest technique tips on her website.  Gay Ann is a counted canvaswork teacher who creates beautiful, feminine designs, particularly samplers and "smalls" which are the little scissor and needle cases that needleworkers love.  This time her tips are all about thread tension.  It is a Must Read for anyone who wants to improve their stitching.  If you have never visited GAR's website before, have fun exploring.
http://www.gayannrogers.com/site_2/Techniques_13.html

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

Powerless

Last night we temporarily lost electricity due to a big series of thunderstorms that moved through the area, so once again I didn't work on Cha's tail feathers.  Instead, once the power came back on I started to count the SharonG brocade stitch to see if it worked within the 5x6 inch space I am going to stitch for an iPhone case.  If you click on yesterday's link to the Stitch of the Month project SharonG did and look at brocade variation stitch, you'll see it is a framework of over two stitches that build up a block.  I counted out the blocks and then worked out how many would fit into the space without too much compensation.  I will put a border at the top and bottom of the case to fill out the area, and have started putting the stitch on one side of the iPhone case.

I also counted out the main motif I choose (which luckily has a border included) and have done a little stitching there, just to see how it would look.  Luckily this was a quick stitch as I didn't have a lot of time before bed once the power came back on.  The chart I am using is below.  No laughing!  I am stitching this for someone who really likes scary things and I remember how obsessed with Egyptian history and mummies I was at her age.  This chart is from Goosefairy.  I suspect it is a knitting chart as knitters, much more hip than I ever will be, are into knitting skulls on their scarves/gloves/sweaters/hats.  If you google "skull charts" you will be overwhelmed with various sizes, shapes and patterns of skulls and bones.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/67828223@N00/3268797153/sizes/z/

Keep your fingers crossed that nothing interferes with my working on Cha tonight!  Else I'll be stitching purple skulls again.

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

This and That

Since the lion stitching is pretty slow going right now, I thought I'd post a general message about this and that rather than boring you with a photo of the Stuart Plaid Lion that isn't too much different from what I posted yesterday. One doesn't eat a watermelon in a minute, you know!  Besides, there is lots of interesting stuff in the stitching Blog-o-Sphere you might like to know about.

First of all, Ruth Schmuff has put her first CD of stitches on the iPhone!  Cell phones don't work well in Chilly Hollow or I would be trying to figure out how to afford a smart phone, all the wonderful apps, and a monthly cell phone bill that would keep me in needlepoint threads forever very nicely, thank you.  I hope more folks than Ruth and SuZy Murphy take advantage of smart phone technology so we have more stitch information on the go.  These smart phone apps are terrific for the Big City Stitcher on the go.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2010/04/another-giant-step-for-needlepoint.html

Anyone who has followed the story of the 18th Century reproduction embroidered jacket will want to pick up the newest issue of Victoria magazine next week.  It has a feature article about the creation of the jacket.  If you are interested in a behind-the-scenes peek at what it takes to have a magazine publish articles on needlework, you will want to browse Tricia's blog to read how much work was involved to get this published.
http://thistle-threads.com/blog/

Remember Elmer, the candy cane dog canvas I just finished stitching?  (photo above)  He's one of the animal canvases from Kirk and Hamilton, an English painted canvas design team.  Needlepoint.com is having a trunk show of their canvases and says that they create the Elizabeth Bradley designs.  Interesting tip about a great new company!  Here's the blog entry with more photos of Kirk and Hamilton's more classic designs.  If you go to the home page of their website and look at What's New, the very last 8-10 canvases are new Kirk and Hamilton designs with their signature mix of humorous Christmas pieces and traditional designs.
http://www.needlepoint.com/blog/?p=451

In other gossip, remember Hope Hanley and her books about needlepoint?  Her daughter stitches for The Point of It All in D.C. and the shop blog features some of her current work, including a huge dog rug her mother designed.
http://blog.thepointofitallonline.com/2010/04/staff-spotlight.html

Lovers of all things Asian like me will be enthralled with Jane Smith's new Japanese Embroidery project.  With the help of her JE teacher, Jane has simplified a wood block design of a Japanese woman playing with a yo-yo and transferred it onto silk.  She is starting to stitch it in the JE style.  You can see the first stages here and start to imagine all the work she is going to do.
http://nuido.blogspot.com/2010/04/playing-with-colour.html

Watching her work is tempting me to start an original design myself, but that will have to wait.  I have too many things to accomplish already this year.

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