Ringing in the New Year

Happy New Year, everyone!  I hope we all have a good 2011, full of interesting stitching and good health for all.

Because this is a new year, it is appropriate to lead off with Barbara Elmore's glimpse of one of her new designs for 2011.  This will preview at the TNNA trade show next week but thanks to Barbara's hints, we know there is a pretty border and a cat in it.
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2010/12/introducing-new-year-new-designs.html

Ruth Schmuff is showing off her newest charted Puzzle project.  This one is in Christmas red and green.  If you like to stitch Happy, this is for you.  Ruth's pieces are always cheerful.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2010/12/christmas-colors-puzzle.html

Just want something stitch-related but not a new project?  Pocket Full of Stitches recommends some accessories with glitz for 2011.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2010/12/bling-ing-in-new-year.html

Want a winter-themed project?  Nimble Needle has come to the rescue with these snowy pieces.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2010/12/winter-stitching.html

Now let's break out the scissors and needles and start 2011 with a few stitches.

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

Good News for Jim Wurth's Fans UPDATED

I am quoting Jim Wurth who posted this message on the NP Etc. Yahoo Group:

"Beginning Jan 2, all Jim Wurth designs (excluding teaching pieces) will be available from Threadneedle Street at ThreadSt@AOL.com. This includes individual ornaments from the Dodecagon series. Kits are available. Contact Marianne at the Street. She is taking advanced orders this week."
Jim Wurth

I believe Jim is talking about Threadneedle Street in Palm Desert, California, not the shop of the same name in Washington State.  I think there is a Threadneedle Street shop in Mississippi, too.  Yes, the one in Mississippi specializes in charted designs from Walter Anderson.  But the one I think that will sell Jim's charts is in Palm Desert.  Their phone number used to be 760-340-0411 but I don't know if this is still the right number.

Jim Wurth doesn't have a website but you can see his Dodecagon series on Pierrette's blog.  She took the original cyberclass on these magnificent pieces and posted photos of the finished designs.

http://mystitchinggallery.blogspot.com/search/label/Jim%20Wurth

UPDATE:  Liz is stitching Jim's Xanadu with her guild this year.  I thought you'd like to see the photo as this is featured in Needle Pointers which means anyone with a copy can stitch it, too.  Actually, I think once I finish Stars, it'll be my next counted project.  (Many thanks to Liz who corrected me when I said the instructions were in NP Now.)
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2010/12/xanadu-by-jim-wurth.html

Today's Canvas/Chart of the Day project is another of Jim's designs.

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

Remember Stars?

Tony Minieri's Stars

Looking back through Blog's postings, I see I put Stars for the New Millennium away October 26 when I started Luna.  I am home for a few days before another trip so I think I'll pick up where I left off and see if I can get the middle block in the next to last row finished.  There's not enough time to do anything on Luna but I hope I can complete Marilyn Monroe before I am off again.

Counted canvaswork lovers should note that Nancy's Needle has updated their website with the new designs from this fall.  Most of the designs seem to be based on traditional quilt patterns.  Recently I've seen four of the NN designs stitched and they are magnificent. My favorite is a Desert Star in warm pinks and roses with touches of orange sherbet and pale blue, but Evening Star is magnificent in the original colorway.
http://www.fromnancysneedle.com/Whats%20New.htm

http://www.needleandi.com/store/products.php?cat=7&pg=3

Everyone have fun browsing while I pull out my Stars book, set up the floor stand and pull out the threads Tony wants me to use to stitch Marilyn.  Remember, my colors are violet (A), black (B), terracotta (C) and copper metallic (D).

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

My Prayers Have Been Answered UPDATED

 The fabulous painted canvas designer SharonG is writing a book!  It will be called SharonG’s Simply Essential Needlepoint Stitch Collection.  It's due out in February which means you'll start seeing it in the shops in the spring.  You probably have seen Sharon Garmize's canvases in your shop or online.  Here's her website.

http://www.sharong.com/

You might not know Sharon herself is a fabulous stitcher.  I own several of her wonderful stitch guides, which are worth collecting even if you never plan to stitch the canvas the guide describes because they are full of great ideas and diagrammed stitches that can be used other places.  Lately she's been teaching in some of the larger shops and has distilled what her students want to know about stitching painted canvases into a book.

She tells me it will be a spiral-bound format with one stitch to a page in a 5x8 size.  Perfect to cart around with you in your stitching tote bag, in other words.  This first book will diagram sixty of the most useful and useable stitches she recommends to her students, plus include a little hint about each. There isn't going to be a lot of text. SharonG believes hardly anyone reads it. She thinks folks simply want a good diagram and a short explanation.  Sharon plans to publish more books with the later ones covering more oddball stitches, many of which she has created herself.)

So stay tuned.  I've seen the draft of the first book and it is going to be terrific for the painted canvas fanatic.  (Which would be me.  Wonder if I should buy two copies for when I wear the first one out?)

UPDATE:  The title of the new book has been changed to make the cover fit with the wire binding better.  The new book will be called SharonG’s Simply Essential Needlepoint Stitch Explanations. It is now subtitled "SharonG’s Needlepoint Sense" since this is the first in a series that will bear the same subtitle. I can't wait to have several volumes of SharonG's NP Sense on my bookshelves!


UPDATE #2:  SharonG has updated her blog with a description of the first book.
http://sharongneedlepointdesigner.blogspot.com/2011/01/i-gave-birth.html

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

Clubs for the Fireside

This morning's messages included one from Fireside Stitchery announcing their 2011 clubs.  There are candy canes, carolers and a cow--plus an acorn and corncob club to celebrate Autumn.  You can see the canvases and read more about each club on Fireside's website.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/clubs/index.cfm?fuseaction=getClubList&CategoryId=3&clubState=future

Fireside's email also mentioned their eBay sales program.  Got excess stash?  They will sell it for you and reimburse you via a shop credit or in cash.  Again, check their website for details.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/ebay/index.cfm

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