How to Make a Dimensional Olive: The Movie

Chaparral's Instagram has a fun video demonstrating now to make a dimensional stump work olive for your martini design.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C_is-xYx_Xw/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright September 5, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Roundel Pattern from Jane Nicholas

Many of us are fans of the stumpwork and goldwork designs by Jane Nicholas.  Her work is gorgeous!

https://www.needlenthread.com/2023/02/cherry-blossom-roundel-from-jane-nicholas.html

You can find the link to the free instructions here.  Add to the cart and check out to download (although you will have to share an email and address).  These things can be done on needlepoint canvas with a sharp needle and things like those lovely leaves are something you can use on any needlepoint floral.

https://janenicholas.com/cherry-blossom-roundel-downloadable-instructions/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright February 20, 2023 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Facing Down Failure

I always try to choose something special for important days, something to inspire Blog's readers or make them think. For the first day of 2017 I've chosen this article by Tricia Nguyen, written for the people in her Casket of Curiosities class.  
http://thistle-threads.blogspot.com/2016/12/the-fear-of-failure.html

It may not seem relevant to those of us who mostly do needlepoint,  but think about it--how many times have you not started (or even purchased) a canvas or chart because you think it's too hard or you have no clue how to get started?  Tricia is teaching a class for those who want to design and then stitch a reproduction 17th Century stumpwork piece for a casket or mirror.  Her students are taking on a huge challenge.  

Tricia knows a lot about failure.  A little background here--she's a materials engineer who is dyslexic.  Between helping understand how 17th Century threads and stitches and stumpwork were made so that she can teach them, she brings reproduction techniques and materials back into production for her classes, and works with kids on the First Lego League robotics challenges and contests.  Failure is just another daily occurrence for her, on par with getting meals on the table, dealing with the day job and of course stitching her brains out.  Moms learn quite early to take failure in stride and move on to the next challenge.  

Please read Tricia's article carefully and think about how it applies to your personal stitching. Then take on a challenge despite the fact that you are going to fail.  That's not such a bad thing, you know.  You are going to learn from the things that aren't perfect the first time.  You are going to learn A LOT.

So promise me you will fail in 2017, ok?  It'll make me happy to know you are learning.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 4, 2016 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Craftsy Does Stumpwork

By now you've probably heard of Craftsy, the online video classroom that teaches various crafts. Mary Corbet has been reviewing their stumpwork class.  She's also reviewed their gold work class and there's a link to that if you want to know more, plus a link to a discount on the stumpwork class if you are interested.  But act fast--the discount is only good through November 17.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/11/stumpwork-embroidery-essentials-online-class.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 10, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stumpwork Embroidery (A Book Review)

Mary Corbet is back with a new book review, this time of Kay and Michael Dennis' new book, Stumpwork Embroidery. Kay Dennis and her husband have been publishing books on stumpwork for quite a while now and this big book is a sort of compilation of all their others.  (So if you own other books by this talented pair, you probably can skip this one unless you are a Major Fan of their work.)
http://www.needlenthread.com/2015/03/stumpwork-embroidery-book-review.html

Here is their website.  You can buy their books here or just gaze at the wonderful stumpwork embroidery.  Don't miss the Amazon Adventure jungle piece!  If you happen to be in England, you can sign up for classes, too.
http://www.kaydennis.co.uk

If you are thinking of getting a stumpwork book and don't know which one, here is Mary's review of Jane Nichols' Stumpwork Embroidery.  You can see how her style is more formal than the Dennis couple's.  I own several of Jane Nichols' books and they are fabulous but I think Kay Dennis does better people. Jane is more interested in insects and flowers.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2009/03/book-review-stumpwork-embroidery-by.html

Jane's Butterflies and Moths book will blow your socks off! (second link)
http://www.needlenthread.com/2014/02/stumpwork-butterflies-moths-by-jane-nicholas-a-book-review.html

I guess Jane Nichols' work is more reminiscent of 17th Century stumpwork while Kay Dennis' designs are more modern in feel.  It's up to you which book you pick for stumpwork but anything by either author will be a great addition to your library.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Callaway Eye Candy

Here's one of the Callaway School of Needle Arts award winners.  Hope you can see this lovely piece of stump work!  Use the right arrow to see a closeup.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203259134305662&set=pcb.10203259138385764&type=1&theater

Here's another, stitched by Marty Lawrence.  This also won a Judges's Choice ribbon and is a color variant of StitchPlay's "Shady Colors."
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=532019773506741&set=a.532019753506743.1073741827.100000961681919&type=1&theater

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.