Vintage Resources

Jenny of Jenny Henry Designs collects vintage needlepoint books. Her collection is taking over so she's sharing her collection on her Etsy page at a very good price. 
https://jennyhenrydesigns.wordpress.com/2015/05/15/vintage-needlepoint-books-as-resources-for-today/

My favorites are the Sylvia Sidney and Mary Martin books, but the Maggie Lane books are classics as are the ones by Mira Silverstein for Bargello designs.
https://www.etsy.com/shop/Jennyhenrydesigns?page=2

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 15, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The South African Bead Junkie Speaks

Was I surprised to find the South African embroiderer Hazel Blomkamp loves beads enough to stock beads in her online store? Nope. What stitcher does not love beads?!  (Some of us don't like them on our stitching, true, but we love to look regardless!)  Hazel's announcement about now carrying beads is worth reading even though we here in the States have easier access to beads than Hazel does.  She has lots of photos in each section that demonstrate wonderful ways to use that bead shape in embroidery.  This is a good series of articles to bookmark for inspiration later.  Hazel is wildly inventive in every way and that shows in how she uses beads.
http://therebelliousneedlewoman.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-range-of-beautiful-beads-for.html

If you want to see good pictures of the various types of beads Hazel is talking about, visit her website.  The photos of loose beads are good enough that you can see the shapes and the finishes, although you'll have to click on thumbnail photos to get a good look.
http://www.hazelblomkamp.co.za/component/virtuemart/03-supplies/02-beads-and-crystals/08-japanese-beads

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.

Smashed

I'd never heard of a smash book until someone mentioned they used them on the Facebook Needlepoint Group.   Danielle took the idea and ran with it.  Thanks for the postings!  Now I understand what they are and the possibilities.
http://peaceloveandstitching.blogspot.com/2012/08/smash.html

http://peaceloveandstitching.blogspot.com/2012/08/smash-book-update.html

Jane, not smashed in CH yet but maybe one day....

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