Almost There

All the basketweave is finished on Luna's gown.  The next step is to finish the beading as the largest black area and the last three gray ones are still not beaded to my satisfaction.  I'm not going to bore you with a photograph today. I'll wait until this area is done.  Instead, I thought you might like some other wonderful things to look at.

I'm way behind in mentioning that the Gone Stitching/Planet Fiber original design contest is over and the winners announced.  Congratulations to everyone who participated.  It was really great of you to do so!
http://www.gonestitching.net/ourworldcontest

In TNNA news, the classes that shop owners will be able to take at the January market have been announced.  Patt of Patt & Lee Designs has posted a list of all the NP ones she saw offered.  I think I might need to buy a shop just to take some of these classes!
http://pattandleedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/11/needlepoint-classes.html

As a teacher, Robin King is quite excited to be teaching two classes among such an illustrious group.  She's posted a leaf chart from one of her classes so that those of us who can't go (this is a wholesale only affair) can participate in a small way.  Thanks, Robin.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2010/11/news-and-mower-news.html

In trunk show news, the Barbara Bergsten Trunk show is at Stitches Etc. in Bay Village, Ohio, so if you are there also, stop in and admire the gorgeous models that are posted on Barbara's blog.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2010/11/bbd-trunk-show.html

It's Veterans Day here in the United States and time to honor current and former members of our armed forces.   We thank you all for sacrificing a bit of your life (and often your health) for our country.

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

For My Counted Canvaswork Friends

I am not really a sampler person but I'm told this online collection of samplers from Tennessee is a wonderful browse.
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2010/11/tennessee-sampler-exhibit/

Sara Leigh has found a great new charted designer called Threedles.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2010/11/exciting-new-designer-threedles.html

Enjoy!

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

The End Is in Sight

Most of the black areas of Luna's hem are finished.  I need to thicken the bead clusters in the largest section of the black hem on the right and then finish the gray areas.

By the way, I took the photo of Luna while she was lying on the large sheets of red tissue paper that protect her when I'm not stitching.  That's why her sleeves have the dark blood red tint.  No, Luna's not been changing her clothes while you weren't looking!

Before I forget, any "follower" of Blog should comment on Sunday's Nov. 7th article "100 Followers, 1 Book" if you are interested in the almost new copy of Brenda Hart's Stitches for the Millennium which I have to give away.  I'll draw a name at random tomorrow morning, check to make sure they are signed up as a follower, and then announce the winner so I can get the book in the mail to them ASAP.

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

(Video) Stitch Resources

Mary Corbett is redoing her online stitch videos.  These are really useful for when a diagram just doesn't make sense.  I thought you'd like to browse and possibly bookmark this site.
http://www.needlenthread.com/videos

There are a lot of online stitch diagrams such as ANG's Stitch of the Month pages on their site.  Do you have any favorites to add in the Comments?
http://www.needlepoint.org/Stitch.php

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

News While I Bead

If you don't watch Ruth Schmuff's blog to watch her stitch her mystery classes, you probably don't realize that stitching the canvas isn't the last step for Ruth.  The last step is perfect finishing!  She just posted photos of her Harvest Colors Puzzle as a purse ornament.  Ruth tackles the problem of snagging the stitched piece in a very creative way!  By the way, Ruth's Harvest Colors Puzzle is now charted.  After all, she loves counted thread folks almost as much as she loves us painted canvas fanatics.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2010/11/harvest-colors-puzzle-mystery-solved.html

Speaking of counted canvasworks pieces, Orna Willis has several new small designs available.   They are called Tiny Trinkets and come with three small frames with the set.  You get all the threads needed to stitch the design three times, in three different color combos.  This is a quick and fun way to see how color makes the same pattern change.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-designs-at-ornaments.html

When it comes to learning how to do something, many of us have trouble reading book instructions and understanding what they mean.  Videos are a perfect tool for visual learners and I've got a dandy for you today--Mary Corbet shows how to use a laying tool!   Please note you don't need to run out and buy yourself a laying tool to learn with.  Try using a smooth chopstick, the largest needle you own, or even a toothpick.  I know folks who have grabbed collar stays in an emergency to use as a laying tool.  Anything not too short or long that is smooth so it won't snag your thread will work to practice with until you get the hang of using a laying tool.  In fact, I use the nut pick from my nutcracker set with ribbon-like threads.  It does a better job with ribbons or ribbon floss than any of my fancy laying tools!
http://www.needlenthread.com/2010/11/how-to-use-a-laying-tool-video.html

In the new product catagory, Chapel Hill Needlepoint has a great belt featuring all the landmarks of Chapel Hill, NC.  This is perfect for any Tarheel, particularly if stitched in Carolina Blue.  (If you are a Duke fan, try stitching the outlining in deepest navy.)
http://chapelhillneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2010/11/new-chapel-hill-needlepoint-belt.html

The Cabin Fever canvases from Leigh Designs aren't new; they are being brought back due to popular demand.  Don't they make you think of cabins and fall leaves, wood fires, a hearty stew and playing board games?
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2010/11/cabin-fever-from-leigh.html

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