Needlepoint Bookmarks

Jan's finished her ribbon sampler so she is doing a few original designs on bookmarks, just for fun.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/02/09/2nd-finish/

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2026/02/11/another-quick-finish/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 12, 2026 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Designing on the Fly

Jan did a little designing for this adorable ornament.  Hopefully we see what she's stitching on her trip before this publishes in two months.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2025/08/02/no-title-%f0%9f%98%83/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Bluebird

Melita copied a painted bluebird she received as a gift to create an original needlepoint.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/05/31/bluebird-for-sher/

She used a light coverage stitch over the shading in the background and stitched with a medium shade of the background cover, a tip she got from Amy Bunger.  I didn't know Amy had said this but in my own experience, a medium shade works very well in light coverage over complex shading.    You can also try a contrasting color or a metallic for a rich effect but this only works well on certain designs.  You'll have to experiment, but luckily light coverage stitches are easy to rip out if you don't like the effect.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 1, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy Speaks (and Designs and Finishes)

Amy Bunger just posted about two original designs she created and finished as presents on her Amy's Golden Strand Facebook page.  (Look for her January 21, 2025 postings.)

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057451930024

The finishing instructions are very clear so why not try this?  Amy's designs were six inches square.  I wouldn't go much smaller for your first try.  It's easier to finish big than little because your fingers get in the way of sewing or gluing things together when you are working with small items.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright January 23, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Summer Challenge 2024

Jan Sprague, the Stitch Lady, is designing an original project as part of her local chapter of ANG's Summer Challenge.  They all will design a small original piece, no larger than 6 inches, and choose the colors.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2024/07/28/summer-challenge-2024/

Jan has decided on red, navy and yellow for her star inside a circle design. 

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2024/08/03/summer-challenge-the-beginning/

Making sure everything lined up properly took some work.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2024/08/24/summer-challenge-2024-2/

I think it turned out great.  I love the yellow tips on the star points!

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2024/11/25/summer-challenge-2024-3/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 4, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Jan Says Just Play

Jan advocates just playing around with scrap canvas and leftover threads.

https://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2023/08/20/just-playing-around/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 22, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Learning to Draw and Paint on Needlepoint Canvas

Melita is taking an EGA course with Laura Smith on how to draw and paint designs on needlepoint canvas.  I'll update this as Melita posts about her class progress.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/08/09/ega-correspondence-course-draw-and-paint-with-laura-smith-on-canvas/

For the sake of completeness, I'm including Melita's lesson about painting on silk.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2023/08/13/ega-correspondence-course-draw-and-paint-with-laura-smith-on-silk/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 10, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Design Your Own Dreidel

Ridgewood Needlepoint has put together a booklet explaining how to design your own dreidel.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/2023/05/design-your-own-dreidel-2/

It's a fun idea and one that will expand your creativity.  Contact the shop to get the booklet.

https://ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Kevin's on the Wall

Kevin Lusk just posted the link to this cooking video on Needlepoint Nation.  It's a cooking v-blog that covers pickling recipes in this segment.  BUT from time stamp 3:57  to 4:30, the video talks about Kevin's original needlepoint.  His framed artwork is on the wall behind Beryl throughout much of the video, too.  You can follow Kevin on his Instagram account, or...

https://www.instagram.com/lustikart/

...check him out on Facebook.

https://www.facebook.com/LustikArt

Bonus:  easy pickling recipies.  Win-win!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 2, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Table Runner

The Stitching Studio and Gift Boutique in Richmond, Virginia proudly shows off a customer's original designs which she stitched and then made into a six panel table runner featuring plants and animals.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=499087122223129&set=a.480441277421047

It's magnificent!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 8, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Topiary Garden Parterre

Rachel's going on a Topiary Garden adventure.  Her first attempts at this original design are described on her blog.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/07/26/testing-testing-phase-one/

UPDATES:  First she does some testing using threads from her stash to work out just how wide the trellis pattern should be.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/08/30/testing-testing-3/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2023/12/12/borders-in-the-knot-garden/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/03/12/getting-back-to-the-parterre/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/03/19/more-progress-on-the-corner-borders/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/04/02/planning-the-long-borders/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/04/16/long-borders/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/04/30/more-on-the-long-borders/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/05/14/the-octagonal-borders-are-giving-me-trouble/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/05/21/some-thoughts-on-the-path/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/07/23/octagonal-borders-taking-some-time-to-resolve/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/08/06/parterre-where-had-i-got-to-again/

Hard to believe it's been a year since Rachel started on this!

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/08/20/parterre-progress/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/09/03/parterre-final-stages/

It's done except for blocking and perhaps a bit more trimming on the central bush.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/09/17/parterre-no-these-are-the-final-stages/comment-page-1/#comment-17149

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollo

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

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

Virtuosew's Latest Adventures Begin

Rachel at Virtuosew stitched an original design a while back that she tucked away in a drawer until her sister begged for it and turned it into a fabulous pillow. 

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/02/08/another-new-project-to-think-about/

Her sister wants a similar design so Rachel's starting to mull over the possibilities.  I'll update this as she starts to create something new, perhaps in greens....

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/05/24/a-site-visit/

And we are done!  I'm so glad this has a good home.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/07/19/last-details/

Rachel's also starting to stitch an old kit she found.  She plans to use the scale differences possible in penelope canvas to her advantage.

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2021/12/28/something-that-wants-finishing/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/02/15/getting-going-on-that-canvaswork-picture/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/06/28/a-second-conversation/

Rachel's take on the dog and horse having a conversation is fabulous!

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/07/12/dobbin/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/08/02/adding-the-saddlecloth-and-other-details/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/08/23/william-himself/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/09/06/bemusements-and-puzzles/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/09/20/moving-on-with-william/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/10/04/more-thinking-about-that-border-design/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/10/18/williams-border-the-background/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/01/still-working-on-that-border/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/15/border-design-finally-nailed/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2022/11/29/border-transfer/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2024/12/17/raising-a-needle-at-last/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 8, 2022 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Ode to a Dissolving Consciousness

You will be awed by Cathy's original design.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3919497648127364/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright April 28, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fishie Experiments

Rachel over at VirtuoSew has been experimenting with a fish design.  She's not entirely happy, but it is just an experiment.  She's about to start another fishy design and there's even a video so you can watch!

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2021/03/30/first-fishie-experiment-finished/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 30, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Celtic Illuminated Manuscript Designs

Joseph M. Dunn created an original series of needlepoint designs based on Medieval Celtic patterns in illuminated manuscripts.  You can see his work on Needlepoint Nation and read a bit about them at this link.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3803066523103811/

Lovely work!  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright March 17, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Footstool UPDATED

Rachel of Vertuosew Adventures is going to create a canvas footstool using inspiration from her grandmother and stash threads.  It will replace a footstool her grandmother stitched that her mother has worn out.

http://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2020/11/17/another-footstool/

http://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2020/12/01/the-stash-busting-canvaswork-footstool/

UPDATE:  More progress on the sections of the footstool.

http://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2020/12/15/stash-busting-canvaswork-footstool-2/

http://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2020/12/29/stash-busting-canvaswork-footstool-3/

http://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2021/01/05/the-stash-busting-footstool-4/

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2021/03/16/finishing-the-stash-busting-cushion/

And it is DONE!

https://www.blog.virtuosewadventures.co.uk/wordpress/2021/08/24/footstool-finished-and-set-up/

It's really easy to come up with something fun to stitch from your stash, even if you don't have an old footstool that needs a cover.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright December 1, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Homage to Harburg

Harriet created an original bargello design in homage to Yip Harburg, whose musical contributions to our cultural are immense.
https://harrietalonso.com/2018/10/04/bargello-oz-an-homage-to-yip-harburg/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 4, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Antioch Mosaic UPDATED

Arlene Cohen has a new website to sell her designs and there is also a link to Arlene's blog.  One thing you'll want to read is her story about the inspiration behind and the evolution of her Antioch Mosaic design. It is a fascinating story!  If you are charmed, check Arlene's "Gallery" section to see more of her original work.
https://worksbyabc.com/2018/10/02/the-antioch-mosaic/

https://worksbyabc.com/2018/10/04/the-antioch-mosaic-part-2/

https://worksbyabc.com/2018/10/07/a-last-bit-about-the-antioch-mosaic/

UPDATE:  Colour Complements shows off some of their overdyed threads used in four of Arlene's designs.  Lovely!  If you like it to, follow the link to Arlene's Etsy store.
https://colourcomplements.com/2018/10/needlepoint-55.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 14, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Carol Martine, Artist in Dimensional Needlepoint UPDATED

Carol Martine has decided to do more dimensional needlepoint. Her blog shows off three pieces she's already finished. Now I cannot wait to see what she is working on now!
https://carolmartinedotcom.wordpress.com/2018/06/13/original-expressive-needlepoint-things-past/

Here is what Carol is starting.  What do you think?
https://carolmartinedotcom.wordpress.com/2018/06/14/new-plunge-into-original-needlepoint-piece-june-2018/

She's trying to pick her focal point and establish a good layout.  Note that she has labeled some areas of the design to remind herself of the dimensional effect she wants.
https://carolmartinedotcom.wordpress.com/2018/06/18/the-evolution-of-the-needlepoint-piece/

Carol stenciled the background pattern around the border, using various colors but making sure each color was used in three locations.  I thought that interesting.
https://carolmartinedotcom.wordpress.com/2018/06/21/the-evolution-of-the-needlepoint-piece-some-more-steps/

Carol has started with the padding for leaves on her background border once she traced the stems and leaves onto the border.
https://carolmartinedotcom.wordpress.com/2018/06/27/evolution-of-the-needlepoint-continues/

Now the stenciled background has been stitched and some of the leaves are in.
https://carolmartinedotcom.wordpress.com/2018/07/01/the-needlepoint-evolution-closing-in-on-the-end-of-the-background-layer/

Carol's having way too much fun with silk ribbon!
https://carolmartinedotcom.wordpress.com/2018/07/15/the-needlepoint-evolution-continuing-step-by-step/

Now that Carol's thinking about the center of her design, she'll pulling supplies as a way to help focus her ideas.
https://carolmartinedotcom.wordpress.com/2018/07/30/progress-notes-on-new-needlepoint/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 14, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

An Original Design UPDATED AGAIN

Orna Willis shows off original design that her students have created.  They're not finished and are still evolving, but it shows how effective Orna's design classes are in creating original works of art.
https://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2018/06/how-my-students-became-designers.html

https://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2018/07/another-student-to-designer.html

UPDATE:  Another student crosses over into the world of designer.
https://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2018/07/student-to-designer-mary-frances-kelly.html

UPDATE #2:  And another!
https://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2018/08/sally-barton-journey-she-took-in-my.html

UPDATE #3:  Orna is so proud of her students!
https://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2018/09/how-do-you-control-heart-exploding-with.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 29, 2018 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.