Mystery of the Missing Jane

You are probably wondering where I am since missing posting for several days in a row isn't like me. I've been sick, courtesy of a tick that latched onto my arm. I have a sore arm, inflammation around the bite site, and both nausea and fever. I haven't really felt like stitching and I have not felt up to posting, either. Putting two words together and then typing them has been beyond me. But I am better, courtesy of the antibiotics, and I'll learn Monday if the blood tests show anything that means I need more antibiotics. It's almost certainly a skin infection, courtesy of the sharp tick teeth, but the blood tests are to make sure.

While I curl up in the comfy chair with a good book, you might have fun reading a two-part interview Mary Corbet did with the fabulous Austrailian goldwork/stumpwork designer Alison Cole.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2008/11/designer-spotlight-alison-cole.html

http://www.needlenthread.com/2008/11/alison-cole-on-publishing-needlework.html

Orna Willis has redone her website. It is easier to navigate but each nook and cranny has lovely things to see and perhaps stitch.
http://www.ornadesign.com/

Laura Perin has continued to post more great border ideas on her blog.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2008/11/border-bits.html

http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2008/10/bored-with-borders-yet.html

I hope to be back stitching this weekend. Sorry for the delay!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Mystery of the Missing Bear UPDATED

Have you seen this bear? Susan was traveling and tired and let the final piece of twelve slip out of her bag on an airplane. She's had no luck in finding her lost canvas or in tracking down a replacement canvas as this is an older piece from TS Designs that is a Bar Mitzvah Bear. It came with fringe to put on the tallis and is 14 count. She also lost the photo of the finished piece and the instructions, so even those are better than nothing if you stitched this bear and have them buried in the bottom of your closet.

The piece she lost was the bottom section in the above photo. So rummage through your stash, search the local shop's inventory, and rack your brains. If you have seen this bear anyplace email me at chillyhollowat hot maildot com and I'll forward your message to Susan.

Thanks! You all are The Best!

UPDATE: We now have a lead on where to contact the former owner of TS Designs and know where the bear was painted so we can contact them for a copy of the piece pattern. You guys are amazing!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Three Women and a Peach

My next painted canvas is from Squiggee. As you might expect, this is an Asian design showing three women, one of whom is looking down at the peach in her hand. The canvas itself is the brown (not ecru) canvas in 18 count and the women wear rather muted colors. The circle surrounding the women is 7 inches in diameter. The official name of this canvas is "Three Geishas and a Peach." Here it is on Squiggee's website.
http://www.squiggeedesigns.com/

Despite the theme of this canvas, it is my first Japanese geisha piece. I normally choose more realistic and Western interpretations. To see what I mean, check out this Susan Treglown design of three young women.
http://www.elainemagnin.com/threegeishas.html


Or this Michelene Love Snow Princess.
http://elainemagninneedlepoint.stores.yahoo.net/snowgeisha.html

Contrast these more Western versions of Asian women with the first four HP Designs ladies on this page which are more in tune with how women are depicted in Japanese art.
http://www.hpneedlepoint.com/ASIAN5X5.html

My Westernized views of geishas turned out to be the biggest stumbling block with this design. Next time I'll explain why my views of what a typical geisha is had to be put aside to stitch this piece successfully.

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Buttonhole At the Base

I have the wizard's base half stitched now. I ran out of steam last night after almost two hours of using buttonhole stitch around the base to attach it to the back of the standup figure. I'll attempt to get the bulk of the hand sewing done tonight. I am using buttonhole stitch using sewing thread and putting each stitch very close together in the hopes this will wear well. After all, the rocks in the base will put a lot of pressure on the seam.

This is taking longer than I thought but then my schedule is sometimes unpredictable and I can't always count on as much stitching time as I'd like. Know the feeling? :)

To keep you entertained, how about I tell you about my next two projects, my new painted canvas and what I plan to stitch for the ANG Auction in Milwaukee next September?

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

More About Squiggee

Squiggee (Gail Hendrix) is one of my favorite designers. I've stitched her darling little Halloween trick or treaters stocking and the beautiful koi ornament, and my next piece is going to be a Squiggee design as well. My admiration for her work made me especially happy to see a profile of Gail herself (and Squiggee, her dog) on Margaret's blog.
http://cranecottage.com/stitchingblog/?p=433

Gail blogs about her work and today there's a new piece up showcasing the fascinating peacock rollie Judy Harper stitched. This piece will also be for sale with Judy's stitch guide.
http://squiggeedesigns.blogspot.com/2008/11/peacock-rollie-back-from-finishers.html

Very talented lady! I am eyeing her little Snow & Ice Gingerbread House (above)....

Disclaimer: My stitch guide for the goldfish koi piece is for sale with the canvas on the Squiggee eBay store.
http://stores.ebay.com/Squiggeeland-Needlepoint

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow