Odd and Ends (with Videos)

Are you a visual learner?  Are you curious about DMC's memory thread?  (That's the thread covered wire DMC sells.)  Then you'll have fun watching these two videos that demonstrate how to couch memory thread, how to make multi-colored twisted cord from it, and how to best shape and curve it into shapes like coils and bows.  When one video ends, the other will automatically begin.  These will take just over five minutes to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F36hsPbEl8I

Are you one of those folks who just loves stitching animals in needlepoint?  Then you are going to be very happy visiting Nenah's Needle.  I've been featuring a few of her designs as the Canvas of the Day recently because I like them a lot.  Many thanks to Judy Harper, who found this site and turned us all on to the lovely work here!
http://www.nenahsneedle.com/home

By the way, Anne of ABS Designs is stitching one of the Nenah custom dog pieces.  Isn't it darling?!
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2010/10/always-room-for-one-more.html

Do you avoid using overdyed threads on your geometric projects because you can't figure out how to balance the color on each section?  Jeanne has a great explanation of how she handles this problem on her blog.
http://juststring.blogspot.com/2010/10/easy-way-to-control-color-with-multi.html

Finally, I have a second video for you.  This one is from the owner of The Point of It All and it shows how to hold a belt canvas in your hand as you stitch it.  This is perfect for folks who hate using frames of any kind.
http://blog.thepointofitallonline.com/2010/10/tip-holding-belt-canvas.html

While you have fun, I'm going to go play around with stitches for Luna's full moon.

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

Threads for Your Tree Branch

I finished the tree branches last night, but the photo shows them partly done so you can compare the wispy lower painted branches to my stitched ones.

The photo makes the branches look green although they are actually a dark gray that is a good match for the paint colors.  Mysteries of the Camera strike again!

I used Pure Palette's dark gray Empress wool/cashmere/silk blend to stitch the trees so that there would be a slightly fuzzy look to the branches, which I thought would look best.  But you could also use a #12 perle cotton or silk for a slightly smoother look.  Pliable cotton or silk floss would give you an even more delicate look.

A strand of Appleton crewel wool or one ply of Trio would look about like my Empress branches do, but plying Paternayan and using one ply would make the tree branches look a bit craggier.  Using a strand of Vineyards Silk or Impressions will make them more prominent still.

It all depends on just how close you want the tree branches to seem to Luna.

It's amazing how different something can look if you just play around with different threads in the same stitch.  I choose what I thought best brought out the slightly craggy look of the branches but there are many threads available today.  You could play around with threads from your stash and choose whatever thread brand gives you the emphasis or de-emphasis you want here.

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

The Grass Grows Green in Chilly Hollow

Fortunately, it doesn't have to be mowed!

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

Seminar and Class News

As folks slowly recover from travel, they are posting about their Seminar and class experiences.  Here's what Orna Willis has to say about her teaching at the ANG Seminar in Columbus--
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2010/10/dues-and-donts.html

While you are at Orna's blog, you may find the stitching doodles her assistant found while tidying up the studio in Orna's absence fascinating.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2010/10/saturday-post-studio-conquered-and.html

SharonG just taught at Bristly Thistle's Florida location.  Michele has a quick report about what happened in class.  I am jealous!
http://bristlythistle.wordpress.com/2010/10/16/sharon-g-classes-the-bristly-thistle/

Speaking of classes, Laura Perin has taken a new step--she's going to teach a cyberclass!  The details of the project are on her blog and her website, including the exciting news that she will try using Skype to connect with students during the class.  What fun!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2010/10/something-totally-new-and-exciting.html

http://laurajperindesigns.tripod.com/id33.htm

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

Flipped

My Original Stitching

Remember Friday I posed a question about what the diagonal line of stitches on the cracked tombstone would look like if I switched the direction?  Robin King has answered my question through the magic of Photoshop.

Robin Adds a Flipped Area to See Directional Change

Robin explained how she managed the flip:

"Here's how I did it:
• In Photoshop, I made a new Layer.
• Using the Clone Stamp Tool, I sampled your Stitching.
• Then I Flipped Horizontal to get the reverse direction.
I often use Photoshop for previewing a stitch."

Thank you very much, Robin! Looks like I made the right decision after all. Here's the current state of the cracked tombstone. I was too tired to finish the bottom area last night but I hope to do that this morning and then stitch the grass tonight.

Progress to Date

If you have Photoshop on your computer, you might want to use Robin's instructions the next time you are wondering what something will look like.

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