More Whining

Yesterday's blog posting about Donna's Woodlawn report is showing up as the latest blog entry and hiding today's posting about various Internet links.  That's my fault, I'm afraid.  Somehow the Woodlawn report published a day early but with a later date.  You may not understand this (I certainly don't!) but the bottom line is that there is a later posting just underneath the latest Woodlawn report.  Sorry!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Another Woodlawn Report

After I begged shamelessly, Donna has posted a review of the Woodlawn Plantation exhibit on her blog.  She was a docent at the show and tells us a bit about how the show is laid out this year and remarks on her favorites.  It's a two part article and here are both links.  The photo above is the Jeff Kulick piece she voted for in the People's Choice award.  I shamelessly ripped it out of the Woodlawn photo album so you could see how wonderful it is.  This is almost certainly an original design.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2010/03/request-re-woodlawn.html

http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2010/03/woodlawn-part-ii.html


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Weird and Wonderful Stitching

I've been collecting links for odd and wonderful things for a while now and thought you might enjoy browsing through them instead of looking at even more photos of my basketweave progress up the side of the Tardis.  So, without further adieu, here's the stitched Stylophone.  Note that the title says this is NP but it looks like a cross-stitched keyboard on aida cloth to me.  You might want to play the video to listen to the sound.  Whether it is NP or not, it does work.
http://blog.craftzine.com/archive/2010/03/needlepoint_stylophone.html

I've had Mr. XStitch on my Google Reader for a while now.  This site features handwork of all types, half of which is NSFW (which means Not Safe For Work and seems to be replacing "X-rated" as a term among the 20-30 age group).  There are more stitchers than I ever imagined who like to stitch semi-pornographic scenes and Mr. XStitch showcases a lot of them. Or maybe I am just prudish?  Regardless, everyone will enjoy seeing the stitched line drawings on paper in this article which is totally safe for any setting.
http://www.mrxstitch.com/2010/03/18/the-cutting-stitching-edge-peter-crawley/

The remaining links are of wonderful stitching.  The Needleartnut has her Boots Bailey purse flap back from the finishers.  Please join me in swooning over how it turned out!
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2010/03/surprise.html

Are you a fan of Noah's Ark pieces?  This little box is special.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2010/03/gails-noahs-ark.html

Are you a Halloween fan instead?  Or have you always been curious about how Amy Bunger's mail order classes are done?  Then you'll want to keep an eye on the NP Study Hall and watch as folks from Amy's shop stitch their Kelly Clark Halloween House and the attendant monsters.  The latest lesson includes tips on stitching the witch's belt buckle, but Peggy has given tips on the witch's cloak, hat, dress and face in earlier postings.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/

Finally, DMC's blog talks about needlepoint briefly this week.  They do a lot of thread giveaways and some of their articles about DMC itself are terrific.  The blog doesn't say where the above photo came from but it is a really wonderful and simple thing to stitch in case you need a Keep Out sign on your stitching door.
http://dmc-threads.com/?p=1095

Don't mess with Momma when she has sharp pointy things in her hands!  LOL

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Out Come the Slanting Lines

True to the stereotype of feminine behavior, I've changed my mind about using interlocking Goblein stitches for the Tardis walls.  If you look at the free standing right side door, you can see how after only three rows and no compensation, the stitch looks messy and bunched, not like the smooth Tardis walls in photos.  So I will rip this out tonight and replace it with tent stitches.

I've been busy stitching the side of the Tardis with another stitch.  See the difference in the effect?  The side wall is a lot smoother, the tent stitches (basketweave is a tent stitch, along with half cross and continental) sit next to the diagonal long stitches well, and I have to admit it was very relaxing to basketweave last night instead of fussing over getting the interlocking Goblein in the right holes on black canvas.  It looks like the side panels show up well against basketweave in the same blue, although I may backstitch around one end to have a shadow there.  Haven't decided that yet.

One step back, then two more forward.  When things don't work out, I just change direction.

And practice my swear words.  [LOL]

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

The Police Sign and Slanting Lines

I'm making good progress on the Tardis now.  Last night saw me outline the Police Box sign on the front top of the Tardis by stitching long stitches over my perle cotton with my floss.  Then I filled in the sign center with tent stitches using my perle cotton.  I will add the letters on top of this later.  I plan to alternate working out the roof of the Tardis with filling in the exterior walls.

After a lot of experimentation with various stitches that Tony Minieri recommended in his Needlepoint Now articles on stitching architectural elements, I decided that Interlocking Goblein (over three threads) works best to cover the black canvas and give me a smooth wall.  I have started this stitch on the right door piece and will work my way down the door while I figure out how to stitch the top of the Tardis.

I want to point out two areas of the Tardis that are problems because I choose to work a three-quarters turned view of it instead of just a straight on view.  See how the police sign on the front has drops to the top periodically?  I can't do a slanted sign (which the correct perspective requires) in the stitch I've chosen that is smooth.  I have to drop down a thread periodically.

The other problem area is the base of the Tardis.  Again, I can't do a slanted padded line well because of the stitch I've chosen.

I could have avoided this by choosing a head-on view.  If this sort of thing bothers you, don't stitch your buildings or architectural elements any way except straight on.  Or choose another stitch that does slants better.  But really, all I need to do is convey the idea of a Tardis.  It doesn't have to be perfect and I know better how to do the next building more realistically after stitching this.

No problem is just an error--it is an opportunity to learn.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow