The Great Bell Chant

Christmas and Hanukkah and other holidays this time of year are not always a happy time for folks.  Some of us don't have happy family memories, some of us have lost loved ones, some of us just don't like the commercialization of what is a time with profound religious meaning for several faiths.  So for everyone who is feeling a little down this holiday season, watch the Great Bell Chant.  It is a Buddhist chant meant to help end suffering in the world and to reveal and deepen the spiritual meaning of death.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j71kOClB4DA&feature=emb_logo

Our needlepoint, particularly basketweave, is a meditative journey but it is not the only one.

Here's to a healthy 2020 for us all.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 24, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Prison Embroideries of Mary, Queen of Scots

The Victoria and Albert Museum has a wonderful article about the needlepoint stitched by Mary, Queen of Scots and her household, while she was under house arrest in England.  
https://www.vam.ac.uk/articles/prison-embroideries-mary-queen-of-scots?fbclid=IwAR2nvnv7ekaum7UtxKJiy76IRo2SzrOU1Ykvitd2G6MzGPsKcGJrXC0WiuY

Many thanks to the designer Anna Pearson who mentioned this article on Facebook.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Free Lesson on Needle Painting from Trish Burr

Trish Burr has given us a lovely gift this holiday season!  She has turned one of her old video lessons about needle painting into a free video which is posted on YouTube.  If you are not familiar with Trish's books, classes and work, explore the website a bit before you go to the video link.
https://trishbembroidery.com/pages/the-long-the-short-of-it-dvd

It's called "The Long and Short of It," which is another term for needle painting.  The quality isn't fabulous but this hour and a quarter lesson has many tips for creating wonderful realistic birds, flowers and animals.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTr7bD8KYXU&feature=youtu.be

Thank you, Trish!  Merry Christmas!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Fun Christmas Trees from Colour Complements

Colour Complements has been encouraging stitchers to create simple Christmas tree shapes to fill in with various stitches using the variety of threads the the thread maker has created.  It is a fun exercise mixing creativity and the thrifty use of one's stash and a wonderful way to get into the mood for Christmas.  Here are the final results—
https://colourcomplements.com/2019/11/o-christmas-tree-needlework-colour-complements.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/11/christmas-trees-needlework-colour-complements.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/christmas-ornaments-colour-complements-trees.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/christmas-embroidered-trees-colour-complements.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/colourful-christmas-colour-complements-embroidery.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/christmas-decorating-colour-complements-hand-dyed-threads.html

https://colourcomplements.com/2019/12/christmas-tree-bonanza-hand-stitched-colour-complements.html

These are very easy to do yourself on scraps of leftover canvas using threads up from your pile of threads for other projects.  It's also a fun way to keep the kids busy over the holidays or during bad weather.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 22, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Christmas in Williamsburg with Needleworker's Delight

Two of the members of New Jersey Needle Artists Chapter of ANG went to the Christmas in Williamsburg retreat run by Needleworker's Delight.  What fun!
https://blog.njneedleartists.org/2019/12/06/needleworkers-delights-christmas-in-williamsburg/

Here is the website for Needleworker's Delight.  Looks like they have a summer retreat, too!
http://www.needleworkersdelight.com/index.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 7, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.