A Three Generation Tree Skirt

Needlepoint in Paradise shows off a customer's huge nutcracker tree skirt, which the customer stitched along with her daughter and granddaughters.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C8xFnVNOBCW/?g=5&img_index=2

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 29, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Manage Larger Projects

The Pointing It Out Podcast talks ways to manage bigger projects.  If you are traveling with a bigger project, working a Christmas stocking, or just need ideas about how to manage a bigger project you are thinking you might buy, this is a must read.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eI-6yt_mvrU

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 11, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ruth Does Thanksgiving with a Custom Nutcracker

Ruth Schmuff's traditional Thanksgiving weekend class for 2023 features a custom nutcracker from Kelly Clark.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/10/thanksgiving-plans/

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2023/11/gratitude/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 11, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Speedy Nutcrackers

Coco Frank Studio has two small nutcrackers that are a very quick stitch.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CtwpqetL4qm/

And to prove how fast this project is, she's posted a video on how to finish them yourself.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct1MFqTsjKw/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 24, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Kelly Clark Nutcrackers Stitched

Suzanne is a big fan of Kelly Clark's nutcrackers.

http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2022/03/delicious-christmas-nutcrackers-by.html

http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2022/04/delicious-christmas-nutcrackers-by.html

http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2022/04/delicious-christmas-nutcrackers-by_0342372773.html

If you are also a fan and want to see more, Ruth Schmuff used the Cookies and Cocoa Nutcracker as her Winter 2021-22 mystery class.

https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2021/12/the-winter-mystery-class-cocoa-and.html

Kelly Clark has a large group of nutcrackers, some with dessert themes, some with playing card themes, some with musical instrument or animal themes and a few themed with stripes and polka dots.

https://colonialneedle.com/collections/kcn-nutcrackers

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 26, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Winter Mystery Class: The Cocoa and Cookies Nutcracker UPDATED

Ruth Schmuff has announced the winter mystery class at Bedecked and Beadazzled.  It will be Kelly Clark's Cocoa and Cookies Nutcracker, a shop exclusive for now.  The details, including the class dates in December 2021 and January-February 2022, are here.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2021/11/cocoa-and-cookies/

The first lesson gives the nutcracker cute rosy cheeks, and elegant nose, and starts the layers of the background.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2021/12/cookies-anyone/

Lesson two works on the background more--and gives the nutcracker pink boots!  The checkerboard sections are also being started.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2021/12/backgrounds-pretty-backgrounds/

Dots (and Jessicas) are everywhere!   Ruth has included links to help you make a lovely Jessica.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/01/did-someone-see-dots/?mc_cid=db5c5b2d51&mc_eid=60242fbe68

The final lesson has pearl decorated teacups, fat chocolate strawberries, and a darling bow.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2022/02/who-loves-chocolate-covered-strawberries/

Ruth has done videos on messy beading and making bows to help with this section.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEe-4tc3tjE

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pJ-ovepxzUY

If you'd like to see the nutcracker finished, here you go.

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

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 22, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Cupcake Nutcracker Class

Suzie Vallerie of The Enriched Stitch is planning a class via Zoom for this Cupcake Nutcracker.  I think (although I'm not certain) that the designer is Susan Roberts.

https://astheneedleturns.com/cupcake-nutcracker/

Personally I find nutcracker canvases creepy (those teeth!) but this one is exceptionally interesting in all the effects Suzie has chosen to bring Mr. Cupcake to life.  You can sign up for the class on the Enriched Stitch website.

https://enrichedstitch.myshopify.com/products/cupcake-nutcracker-kit?_pos=1&_sid=819f7642b&_ss=r

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 22, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Finishing Firecrackers: A Tutorial

Brenda has been stitching three firecracker canvases by Toni Gerdes for several months.  Now that they are done, she is busy making them up for display.  Her blog has a tutorial for how to finish a tube stand up shape, which is what her firecrackers are, but often nutcrackers are also the same shape.  The tutorial works for either.

https://brendasneedlepointstudio.blogspot.com/2020/11/firecrackers-updated-11232020.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 23, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Nutcracker Mystery (hosted by Ruth Schmuff)

Ruth Schmuff has revealed the mystery class she'll do this Christmas—Eleanor Grosch's abstract "The Nutcracker."
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/10/the-nutcracker/

As always, the physical classes are at Bedecked and Beadazzzled in the Baltimore suburbs but you can participate via mail order.  Once the class is over and Ruth's had time to update the instructions with any changes or clarifications that the class pointed out, she'll mail you the kit for that class.

Christmas fun is guaranteed!

I'll update this article with Ruth's class reports after each of the December 2018 get-togethers.

UPDATE #1:  The tree!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/12/respect-the-art/

UPDATE #2 - Fairy dust!
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/12/fairy-dust/

UPDATE #3 - The Rat King is all decked out but Clara's dress is going to be even more fabulous.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2018/12/cliff-hanger/

UPDATE #4 - Told you the dress was going to be fab.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/01/say-yes-to-the-dress/

UPDATE #5— Framed with a beautiful mat.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2019/12/clara-and-the-mouse-king/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 26, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

With Everyone in Our Area Trapped in Alaska Winter....

With everyone in our area trapped in snowy, cold weather with wind chills that are below zero for days on end, Horse Country Chic is dreaming of Christmas needlepoint.   
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2014/01/christmas-needlepoint-im-not-kidding.html

Me, I'm dreaming of Miami....

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

Leigh Re-Releases Christmas

Leigh Designs has re-released some of their vintage Christmas stockings. The stockings come in two shapes and a variety of styles. There are stockings with houses in winter, nutcrackers,  stockings featuring candles and fancy candlesticks, some amazing harlequin stockings, Christmas tree stockings, and of course the famous Byzantine stockings.  If you are in the market for something just a little different but classic for your 2014 Christmas stocking, this is the place to look.
http://leighdesigns.com/ImgIdx2i.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.

For the Nutcracker Nuts

Stephanie just posted a series of nutcracker designs stitched by or for a friend of hers who loves nutcrackers.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/12/nuts-for-nutcrackers.html

Sheena also posted some fun Christmas finishing, which includes a cowboy and girl nutcracker set.  That's something you don't see every day!
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/merry-tex-mas-stitched/

I have to admit they seen a little creepy to me--those teeth!--but I know there are many nutcracker collectors.   And occasionally I find a nutcracker canvas that really charms me--like this Peter Ashe nutcracker and mouse king piece.
 http://www.bristlythistle.com/past26.html

Whether you are a nutcracker lover or not, hope you enjoyed the nutcracker collector's designs.  Got a great nutcracker to recommend to fellow collectors?  Just comment below....

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.

Nutcracker Santa

Wait'll you see what Summer Louise is doing with one of those large Amanda Lawford standup Santas!  This is Nutcracker Santa and if I remember correctly, he's the mid-sized version on 18 count.  I think he's going to be a heirloom masterpiece.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2013/01/amanda-lawford-nutcracker-santa-2.html

http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2013/01/amanda-lawford-nutcracker-santa-finished.html

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

More Christmas Inspiration

This time of year stitchers are inspired to show off their Christmas stitching, often with tips on how they achieved the effects they wanted.  So pour a cuppa and sit down and take notes!

Isn't this a great Princess ornament?  Sadly, I think it is a Petei design which means it is probably almost impossible to find.  But we can dream, can't we?
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/11/any-princess-would-love-this-ornament.html

Stephanie went to class at Needle Works and took photos of some of the fabulous models on display.  There is a nutcracker (Beau Geste?  If so also unavailable.) and Brenda Stofft's Texas Santa, riding toward your house on his Texas longhorn.  The details on each piece are amazing and worthy of close study.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2012/11/fun-things-fromthe-needle-works.html

Speaking of nutcrackers, Summer Louise has started the Nutcracker Santa from Amanda Lawford.  It is going to be amazing, so bookmark this and keep an eye out for more postings about what Summer does to bring this canvas to life.  She's already stitched Amanda Lawford's Royal Santa.  Follow the link to see him in all his glory.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2012/11/amanda-lawford-nutcracker-santa-1.html

Kimberly has finished her fabulous ornaments.  These are colorful and happy and just wonderful to see.  Hopefully these ornaments are available from Needle Works in Austin.  I don't know if they are painted or counted, but they sure are terrific regardless!
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/11/some-finishing.html

I love how Anne of ABS Designs subtly changed the same sock design to make a boy/girl version!
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2012/12/a-double-finale.html

Colleen found a totally different stitch for Santa's fur trim.  It will work well on large areas I think and is very pretty, too boot.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2012/12/share-a-stitch-sunday-december-2.html

Quail Run is stitching the letters of Joyeux Noel in a huge variety of ways.  Very inspirational!
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/11/stitches-for-letters.html

I hope you enjoyed the show and all the wonderful ways folks are stitching Christmas.

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

The Nutcracker

The latest newsletter for Amy's Golden Strand is up on her site now and it is all about the nutcracker!  Amy became famous for her treatment of the Danji nutcrackers, each of which is an amazing character with unusual stitches and backgrounds out of Amy's imagination.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/1212.pdf

I have to admit I don't like nutcrackers.  All those teeth creep me out, but I do own one of Amy's nutcrackers.  Robin Hood, Amy's guide and I think all the threads live somewhere in my stash.  If you are interested, email me and we'll figure out a deal so he can come live with you since I know I'll never stitch this.  I'm at chillyhollow at hotmail dot com.

In honor of nutcrackers, today's Canvas of the Day is one of the more unusual nutcrackers I've seen--Susan Roberts' Astronaut Nutcracker.  Go NASA!
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/handPaintedCanvas/index.cfm?fuseaction=hpCanvasSearch

Thanks for the nutcracker show and tell, Amy.  That was fun!

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

How to Prevent Dandruff (and Why)

Diane is about to start stitching a large nutcracker canvas with a huge amount of white background. She has decided to paint the white background so that no matter what stitch Amy Bunger recommends when Diane takes this canvas to an Amy class, no white bits of canvas (often called "dandruff") show.  Here's how she learned to paint out white background.
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/dry-brushing-nutcracker-canvas.html

If you are unfamiliar with canvas dandruff, or want to know other ways of preventing it, settle down with Joni Stevenson for another terrific explanation of stitching techniques and how to improve your finished project.
http://creative-stitch.blogspot.com/2012/05/canvas-coverage.html

http://creative-stitch.blogspot.com/2012/05/look-at-cross-stitch-and-fabric.html


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

Face and Hair Stitches

Sue has written a great article about stitching faces with tent stitches on her Sudukc blog.  She uses color to give her faces personality.  Make sure you click on the tiny thumbnail photos of each face.  Those marks you see are actually numbers so you can see exactly the examples she mentions in each section and understand what she did where and perhaps use these ideas on your own faces. The eye treatment of the geisha is particularly clever, but each face shows how you can mix tent stitches with the right color to get a wonderfully expressive face whether your face is realistic or more cartoonish.
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/torin-ailfred-opatrick-and-faces/

If you find Toppy irresistible, here are more postings as he grows.
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/with-a-sparkle-in-my-eye-and-a-smile-on-my-face/

http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/too-many-irons-and-toppy-too/

http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/my-plate-broke-but-i-am-back-toppy-too/

By coincidence, Janet Perry has a short article up about three ways to stitch hair. None is particularly difficult but they all give realistic hair effects.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/ideas-for-stitching-hair

Many thanks to both ladies for showing how simple stitches can breath life into a needlepoint face!


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

The Morning After

It's the day after Christmas and I'm sure we all ate too much.  So before we all take yet another nap, here are some fun holiday things to dance through your needlepoint dreams.  Robin has been decorating with stockings and with nutcrackers. How festive!
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2010/12/stockings-galore.html

http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2010/12/nutcrackers-and-smokers.html

Lilystitch has wonderful Santas for us to delight in.
http://lilystitch.blogspot.com/2010/12/santa-claus-is-comn-to-town.html

Nimble Needle's finished Kelly Clark pears are gorgeous.  Thank you for the beautiful items, ladies.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2010/12/trio-of-pears.html

Peggi has a great idea for finishing next year's Christmas ornaments!  I bet you can pick up some holiday wine bags right now at a good price, too.
http://phoenixneedlepointnews.blogspot.com/2010/12/another-christmas-needlepoint-idea.html

If you can't face another Christmas ornament right now but you do want something small to stitch, Squiggee has hats, sweaters and mittens that would make delightful ornaments.
http://squiggeedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/very-seasonal.html

And Barbara Bergsten has an idea how to avoid all the Christmas madness next year.  LOL
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2010/12/needlepoint-holiday-saying.html

Laura Perin is creating new designs that are just perfect for the new colored canvases from Nature's Palette.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2010/12/silver-stars.html

Finally, I have a wonderful story of a pair of rescued Christmas ornaments and a miracle for Christmas.
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2010/12/23/rescued/

http://www.gayannrogers.com/site_2/Christmas_Story.html

Watson says Merry Christmas to all.

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

An Answer to the Mystery? UPDATED

Pocket Full of Stitches is closed today but I may have figured out what one of their new monthly clubs is going to be...

Halloweenies from Renaissance Designs!
http://www.pfos.com/PocketFullofStitches_RenaissanceHalloweenies.HTM

Decide for yourself.  Compare the snippets of canvas they showed on their blog over the weekend to the canvases in the link above. What do you think?  It is possible that the second series is the Kelly Clark pears squares that I've seen other places.  But somehow the second "clue" doesn't look like these designs....
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2010/07/sneak-peek-of-new-clubs.html

UPDATE:  PFOS has revealed All.  I was half right.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2010/07/more-detailed-look-at-2011-clubsenjoy.html

While in search of more clubs, I found In Stitches Atlanta has a limited edition Nutcracker music box set for sale. These are quite unusual and a great present for the right stitcher.  If that stitcher is you, bookmark the page and then print it out to stick on your refrigerator with BUY ME prominently written on top and the shop phone number circled. Just saying!
http://www.institchesatlanta.com/

In Stitches Atlanta is a newer shop with an expanding presence in the NP online world.  Its owners also own Labors of Love which designed the music box set above.  They are bringing in terrific teachers for their shop and I expect great things from them in the next decade.
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/gallery.php

By the way, the canvas above is Labors of Love's Pandora.  Wouldn't she make a wonderful box top lid, especially with a fancy Greek Key pattern border?  Pandora's Box, you know.  LOL
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/products.php?product=299

I'm off to stitch even more of Cha's background before someone throws a shoe at me.  Hugs to all!

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