Playing Cards and Business Cards

Melita has created several self-finishing items for cards in 2024.  First, she stitched this Stitch and Zip case from Alice Peterson to hold a friend's business cards.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/12/20/stitch-zip-sewing-card-case/

Then she stitched this charming Lee/Colonial Needle case to hold playing cards for her husband's magic tricks using a chart that looks like playing card suits. 

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/12/21/ang-2024-seminar-in-kansas-city-mo-and-grab-n-go-lee-credit-card-case/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/12/27/lee-credit-card-case-a-magical-finish/

Very clever use of self-finishing items!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 22, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Name Tag Fun

Melita had great fun stitching her ANG chapter name tag.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/01/24/ang-central-jersey-chapter-name-tag/

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2024/01/26/ang-central-jersey-chapter-name-tag-finished/

It's based on a Lee's Needlearts canvas designed exclusively for her chapter.  Melita raided her stash and spent most of a snowstorm working on it.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 25, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Memorializing Wilma's Contribution

Scrimm Discovery Needlepoint posted this photo of a Lee kimono a customer had nearly finished when their dog Wilma decided to "help."

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=729220808993386&set=a.322497892999015

For those who can't access Scrim Discovery's posting, it shows the chewed kimono design framed along with a picture of the unstitched canvas and a very happy Wilma, who is obviously thrilled to have contributed.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 12, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Self-Finishing for Ornaments: Three Inches Versus Four Inches UPDATED

This fall I bet a lot of folks are thinking about self-finishing items for ornaments.  I'm just talking ornaments, now, either round or square, that fit inside three inch versus four inch self finishing items.  There are other self finishing items (purses, tissue boxes, snap trays) for larger pieces but I'm not considering those here.

If you have a three inch round item, your choices are the Lee purse, 

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Crossbody-Bag-Navy-Leather-Self-Finishing-3-opening-x36321354.htm

…the Lee leather needle box…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Leather-Needle-Box-Red-3-Insert-x35454725.htm

…the Lee leather gift box…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Self-Finishing-Gift-Box-Black-4-w-3-opening-x36997694.htm

…the Lee cosmetic bag (available in several finishes)…

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Self-Finishing-Cosmetic-Bag55x753-opening-x51899916.htm

…the Lee leather snap tray…

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/small-square-snap-tray-assorted-colors/

…or the Lee luggage tag.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Luggage-Tag-Fucshia-Snakeskin-Self-Finishing-accepts-3-round-x36165587.htm

If your item is three inches square, Planet Earth has square leather coasters.

https://needlepoint-for-fun.com/products/leather-needlepoint-coasters

Some coasters for the three inch square design come in sets of four.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Blue-Coasters-Set-of-4-Self-Finishing-Canvas-area-3x3-x33169093.htm

Planet earth also has boxes that are for a three inch square design.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Leather-Jewelry-Case-Bellflower-Blue3x3-opening-x50489034.htm

If your ornament is a four inch round, this Lee leather box might be just right.

http://www.parkavenueneedlepoint.com/shop/Self-Finishing-Products/p/Gray-Leather-Round-Case4-design-area-x41461397.htm

I'm not sure which company offers these for four inch round designs.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/round-leather-case-assorted-colors/

These silk boxes are also for a four inch round design.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/round-silk-self-finishing-case/

If your round is a bit larger than four inches in diameter, this Lee leather coaster that has a magnetic back and a loop to hang might be just the thing.  

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/coaster-magnetic-ornament-assorted-colors/

This large snap tray will also handle a four inch round or even one that is four and a half inches round.

https://www.theneedlepointer.com/product/large-square-snap-tray-assorted-colors/

If your piece is four inches square, Vallerie Needlepoint Gallery has two styles of coasters, both with a glass insert to protect your stitching.

https://vngcanvas.com/self-finishing-coasters-and-designs/

Whether your ornament is three inches or four (or even a bit larger), shop around once you settle on your preferred style.  

UPDATE:  Eye Candy shows off the various Planet Earth self-finishing boxes and their own designs which fit perfectly.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2021/04/finishing-freedom.html

UPDATE #2:  Stitch by Stitch Larchmont shows off a range of self-finishing items, including the new luggage tags from Planet Earth that take 2x3 inch designs.

https://www.stitchbystitchneedlepoint.com/accessories?utm_campaign=62d391f9-4d5a-43e4-b279-ef40a9c6338e&utm_source=so&utm_medium=mail_lp&cid=68c6d8c4-6311-4db7-a6af-6c56ebef78b3

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tissue Toppers

Over at Needlepoint Nation, someone asked if there were tissue toppers for needlepoint.  The answer is yes!  If you are interested in the long rectangle tissue box covers, Leigh Designs has eight that are lovely.

https://www.fleurdeparis.com/product-category/canvas_designs/leigh-designs/tissue-toppers/

There are stitch guides for three of these.  I'm sorry the photos aren't better.  They are fabulous stitched! West Coast Finishing made these up and says they aren't hard to do.

https://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-tissue-toppers-leigh-designs-pat.html

Lee's Needle Arts has a long rectangular leather box with room for a needlepoint insert that is 2 3/4 inches wide by 6 inches long.  This is self-finishing.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/2019-Black-Leather-Tissue-Box-made-for-Holding-a-Needlepoint-Canvas-by-LEE/372598558303?hash=item56c09ace5f:g:avMAAOSw3qdbL-nf

Lee also has a small tissue box cover in leather with a round insert that is about 2 3/4 inches.  Both styles of Lee tissue box covers come in a variety of leather colors.  This is also self-finishing.

https://www.needlepointbywildflowers.com/collections/lee-needlearts/products/copy-of-accessories-mahogany-finish-octagon-box-for-needlepoint-cross-stitch-photo-sudberry-house-1

For a while Needlepoint.com had acrylic tissue boxes with a space for a canvas insert but they don't seem to have these any more and I can't find them elsewhere.  Regardless, your tissues can be just as pretty as the rest of your home in this unusual way to showcase your needlepoint.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 13, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Planet Earth Self-Finishing Box Tutorial

Ever worried about how to attach a canvas to the lid of one of those Planet Earth Fiber self-finishing boxes?  Someone asked on Needlepoint Nation and got lots of help.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3312862558790879/

In case you've never seen these, they look like this and also come in lime green, orange and pink.

https://needlepoint.com/products/planet-earth-leather-jewelry-case-navy

The Pointing It Out podcast (available on YouTube) has a whole series about self-finishing items if you want to see more options.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6SMSdhD6Fr0

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com 

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com 

© Copyright September 15, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Using Planet Earth Boxes to Store Cords and Chargers

After yesterday's posting about Apple watch bands, I thought today I'd link to Karen's posting about various boxes that can be used to corral all those computer cords and chargers we have hanging around our desks.
https://nimbleneedlenj.com/cord-control/

These would make fabulous Christmas gifts for the techie in your life!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright Jun 23, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jewelry Boxes in Many Colors and Shapes

Lee has added two new colors to their line of self-finishing jewelry cases.
https://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2019/02/new-jewelry-case-colors.html,

Planet Earth Fiber has another style of jewelry case available.  Their colors are more limited but this is very new for them.
https://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2019/02/planet-earth-jewelry-cases.html

You can browse the Colonial Needle website (they own the Lee line) for canvases sized to fit their jewelry boxes.  Look for the BB canvases.
https://colonialneedle.com/pages/lees-needle-arts

Planet Earth Fiber has canvases sized to fit their cases, too.
http://blog.planetearthfiber.com/leather-self-finishing-jewelry-cases/

And of course other designers are creating pieces that fit.  Mindy's new designs for the Planet Earth Fiber jewelry cases are a good example.  These are so new they are not on the Mindy website yet, just her Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10212492530620626&set=pcb.2123679094375904&type=3&theater

https://www.facebook.com/mindysneedlepointfactory/photos/a.407751296547/10155680155751548/?type=3&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 272019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Self-Finishing Items for that Last Minute Gift

The Needlepointer in Washington State has listed all their self-finishing items in their latest newsletter to help you pick something fast and fun to stitch for the holidays. You can treat yourself or a friend or relative with any of these goodies.
https://mailchi.mp/theneedlepointer.com/take-a-look-at-all-our-great-self-finishing-products?e=73961ee0ea

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 12, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Brief History of Canvas Copy Painting Companies UPDATED

Mary Agnes of Needle Nicely produced a brief history of the companies that painted needlepoint canvases for designers on her blog.  I'm going to expand on what she said, for those who are interested in the business side of needlepoint.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/05/canvases-from-copy-painting-services.html

Many needlepoint design companies (and some shops) paint their own canvases.  Leigh Designs has in-house painters for theirs, for example.  Leigh says this has given them a lot of control of their product.  Theresa Lee of Lee's Needle Arts also had in-house artists.  More on this in a minute.*

There are several large painting companies now. I think the first was Americanvas, which contracts with nuns in the Philippines to reproduce needlepoint painted canvases for the designers who wish to use the service.

*The Collingsworth family which owns Colonial Needle also got into the canvas painting business when they purchased Lee's Needle Arts several years ago as Lee's painters came with the business.  Now Colonial Needle distributes Lee's canvases, the line of Lee leather goods and runs a painting business as well as the needles they are well known for.  They also now own the Kelly Clark line of canvases, distribute the fabulous Finca perle cotton and floss line, etc.  I understand the painting service that Colonial runs has grown enough that they also contract with overseas painters.

I've also heard that DC Designs (that's Amanda Lawford's son, Derek Clark, for those who are keeping score) has opened a canvas painting service.  See a theme here?  Needlepoint companies for the most part are family businesses.

All this explains why it can take a while for canvases to arrive after you order from your favorite shop.  The overseas shipping can take a while as things have to clear customs.  And of course the various painting companies can get backed up with all the needlepoint designers wanting everything at the same time for the January show, for example.   So the next time you order a canvas and have to wait three months for it, think of the magic fingers of elves painting your canvas and many others in various far-flung places!

UPDATE:  I'm told there is a painting service in China, two in the Philippines and one in Hungary.  I don't have specifics of any of these, though.

UPDATE #2:  It looks like the owner of Chaparral is involved in Ndlpt Paint, a new wholesale painting service in the Philippines.

https://www.instagram.com/ndlptco/

https://ndlptdesigns.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 10, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New from SOS Designs

Colonial Needle has a new designer--SOS Designs (it stands for Son of a Stitch because the designs are the brainchild of the son of the owner of Colonial Needle).
http://astheneedleturns.com/fresh-from-the-showroom-floor/

The little geometric rounds are perfectly sized for the Lee leather goods (boxes, pouches, snap trays, cosmetic bags, etc.) which makes sense as Colonial owns the Lee design line.    If you need something fabulous but without the high costs and long wait times of professional finishing, you will want to check out what's available from Lee, Colonial and SOS Designs.
http://www.colonialneedle.com/files-customer/catalog/LeesNeedlearts_Leather_Catalog.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 15, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Julia's YouTube Channel

Julia's YouTube channel has lots of videos of needlepoint.   You can admire DJ Design's New Orleans stocking, two videos of two versions of Kathy Schenkel Designs' little Nativity set (one finished and one with the stitching underway), and an interesting video of frog and turtle beanbag canvases showing them unstitched and made up.  It's a fun way to see finished and unfinished pieces. Thanks, Julia!
https://www.youtube.com/user/homespon/videos

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 25,  2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Army Life (and Later)

Virginia has received her wonderful Lee Army ornament back from the finisher. This is a tribute to her husband's military career.  It turned out wonderfully!
http://stitchstyleblog.com/2015/05/lee-army-round/

Speaking of the military, you may have noticed the fund raiser for Sandy Sandell that has appeared on the right side of Blog.  Sandy has intestinal cancer.  He is a minister in northern Thailand, close to the border of Myamar, who practices dentistry among various tribal groups who don't have access to a dentist.  He's been doing this for decades.  The insurance his church sponsor offers covers a third of his medical treatment costs and friends are trying to raise more money.  If you can help, please do so by clicking on that link to donate.  You can read more about Sandy's amazing careers here.
http://helpsandy.net

Are their kids in your family who play the Call of Duty games on video game consoles like the xBox and Playstation?  If they are playing Call of Duty:  Black Ops they are playing what Sandy did for real in Vietnam.  Fred Lindsey's book has excerpts of some of the things Sandy did for his country in the war to keep South Vietman independent of the North.  I've heard many more stories about him along the same lines.  His spiritual descendants are carrying out covert missions today, with much better equipment, but the same tactics Sandy and his friends devised 40 years ago.
http://tinyurl.com/kmtoep8

The media have portrayed Vietnam vets as either crazy maniacs or damaged Jason Bourne-type superheroes since the Vietnam War ended.  They have no idea how heroic most of them still are in their daily lives.  We lost a saint when Sandy Sandell died.
http://www2.lcc.org/index.php/missions

https://vimeo.com/164117944

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 18, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Letters from Kate

Virginia shows off her newest finishing--letter ornaments from Kate Dickerson.  These can be finished many ways, some of which Virginia shows off in photographs.
http://stitchstyleblog.com/2015/04/kate-dickerson-letters/

The Kate letters are a great personalized gift and if you go the self finishing route, you can work from stash and have a lovely and rather inexpensive present for someone special.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jan Copies Me (But Better)

Mika Fash Insert from Leigh Designs

Jan wanted a tote bag for Christmas so she had a place for her current projects, so she called Michele at Come to the Point (hereinafter referred to as Santa's Helper or The Temptress, take your pick).  Jan ended up with the same Lee nylon tote I own except that I use mine as a purse and have carried it almost daily for about three years.  I love it!  
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2014/12/27/nothing-like-picking-your-own-present/

https://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2015/01/06/lees-snowman-progress-2/

https://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2015/01/20/snowman-insert-finale/

The only difference is that I have never had the time to stitch an insert for mine.  Someday....

Smilin' Jack Fash Insert from Leigh Designs

I use mine to model various canvases when I finish them.  That's what you see in the photos above.  My tote came with two sticky backed inserts so you can switch canvases at whim.  More inserts are available separately if you want to change each month, with the holidays, or just to match your favorite outfits.  Lee has a great product in these purses.  I absolutely love mine so I am sure Jan will absolutely love hers, too.

Your shop can order the Lee purses and leather goods from Colonial Needle.  Have fun browsing the catalogue and picking out your favorites!
http://www.newleesneedlearts.com/html/catalog.html


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 28, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Rug for the Winter?

Horse Country Chic certainly has a good idea--pick up a rug canvas for winter stitching! I don't know why this didn't occur to me, but having a nice rug on your lap for those cold winter nights in front of the television is a great idea!
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2014/11/new-needlepoint-rugs.html

Lee's has a ton of classic rug designs.  Start browsing here.
http://www.newleesneedlearts.com/files/catalog/catalog-canvas/index.html

Jean Smith has some amazing floral rugs.  And these are just two designers out of many.  Ask your local shop to help you browse rug patterns from your favorite designers.
http://jeansmithdesigns.com/index.php/about-jean

If you are a fan of charted rugs, you need to visit Jan's Thread Medley site and her blog....  No drooling on the keyboard!
http://www.threadmedley.com/Thread_Medley/Charted_Designs_-_Rugs.html

http://threadmedley.wordpress.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 11, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Missed the Christmas Finishing Deadline?

If you missed the Christmas finishing deadline at your local shop, Stitch By Stitch points out it is not the end of the world. Simply pick up a self-finishing piece and go to town like the ones from Lee that the shop has in stock right now. 
http://stitchbystitchlarchmontny.blogspot.com/2014/09/hello-stitchers_48.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 7, 2014 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.

Suzanne's Self Finishing

Suzanne talks about her experiences with the self-finshing leather goods from Lee/Colonial Needle, and how she replaced the first canvas with a second.
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2012/11/whats-on-your-wallet.html

Speaking of self finishing, I think this Sudberry House wooden mirror is lovely.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2012/11/sudberry-house-wooden-hand-mirror-with-mounting-area-for-needlework-.html

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

How to Make a Snowman

Needle Nicely shows us how to make a snowman in needlepoint in the link below. The canvas is delightful and the fact that Needle Nicely is in Florida where it almost never gets below freezing adds to the charm for me.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/10/frosty-snowman.html

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