Eighteen Pages and Ten Million Beads

Those interested in monthly clubs will want to visit Needlenook of La Jolla's home page to see more of their monthly stocking club finished.  These A Collection of Designs pieces are being stitched by Julia Snyder.  Click on any of the three finished models to see the bare canvases these are based on.  By the way, there are photos of some of David McCaskill's custom eBook reader covers right under the stockings in case you would like a custom cover created just by you.
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/

While we are visiting NN of LJ, check out the coming attractions.  There's a retreat, a cyberclass with videos, what seems to be a question and answer video series, and a new monthly club featuring the Halloween bats that Kelly Clark just released.  My thanks to Becky who noticed this and has emailed to get more information about the classes and videos from David McCaskill.
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/events/coming_attractions.html

Barbara demonstrated an unusual and effective way of using overdyed threads as a dividing band on her stocking.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/01/x41-wreath-mitten-decorative-needlepoint-stitches.html

Susan, who loves couture clothing as much as I do, takes a careful look at the beaded and embroidered Chanel collection for the spring.  I love Karl Lagerfeld's work but the petal pink (my favorite color), embroidery and beads make this a collection to delight in.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/01/let-there-be-light.html

Speaking of beads, Peggy shows off a new magnet with a sticky top, made to hold beads.  These are new from the TNNA market so expect to see them turning up in your local shop over the next couple of months.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/01/new-beading-toy.html

If you are interested in historical textiles or are planning a trip to London that will include a visit to the V&A, then you'll want to read about the closure of the textiles rooms in order to move them to a more easily viewable location.  Tricia has all the story here on her Thistles Blog.
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2011/01/storage-dilemma-at-the-va/

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

Twister, Wild Hearts, and A Knitter Runs Amuck

Something must be in the air because I found two different versions of Twister on the World Wide Web today.  Here is the red and gray one, still underway...
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2011/01/twister-progress-4.html

...and here is the finished pink and ecru one.  Love it!
http://sukylady.blogspot.com/2011/01/continued.html

Twister is a charted design from the late Patricia Spencer.  If you are interested in seeing other charted pieces, you should look at what Scarlet Thread just added to their online shop.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2011/01/check-out-new-items-just-added-today.html

If you are a painted canvas fiend, you'll enjoy Squiggee's Wild Hearts.  They come in zebra, cheetah, and more.
http://squiggeedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/01/wild-hearts.html

Nimble Needle is showing off the new Birds of a Feather canvases they have in stock.  There's going to be a trunk show from the same designer there soon, too.  If you are sick of the gray winter outside, this is a good antidote.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/01/craving-for-color.html

Since we are visiting Nimble Needle, romantics will want to check out the two colorways of the new William and Kate royal marriage canvas from Designers Forum.  Their wedding is the end of April, which seems very close these days.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/01/royal-wedding-sampler.html

The final link is for those who need a laugh.  Knitters apparently suffer from the same problem needlepointers do when it comes to starting new things instead of finishing old ones.
http://www.yarnharlot.ca/blog/archives/2011/01/10/news_item.html

Maybe I shouldn't call myself the Master Enabler.  Maybe I am a virus in disguise, spreading needlepoint far and wide?

Jane, off to think it over here in Chilly Hollow

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

More New Canvases

The Needlepointer is starting to update their website with the new things they bought at the January trade show.  The designs are listed by their description.  There are many styles and designers to enjoy here, so take a browse and see what catches your eye.  Not everything is brand new but everything is choice.
http://www.theneedlepointer.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=47

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

Odds and Ends

Need some cheap scissors for teaching kids to stitch or for that trip you are planning?  Check out the new items on the Needlepoint Tool Time site.
http://www.needlepointtooltime.com/category/22868497

Are you puzzled by how to use overdyed threads?  Janet Perry mentions a XS site article with basic tips on the ways to use overdyes.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/overdyed-thread-techniques-demonstrated

Wondering if your shop is going to be able to get in the colors of Paternayan wool you need?  Needle in a Haystack updates us on the situation.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2011/01/paternayn-supplies.html

The great English needlepointer Anna Pearson has posted an article about the differences between continental, half cross and basketweave on her blog.  If you ever wondered why basketweave was harder wearing, this article is for you.
http://anna-pearson-needlepoint.blogspot.com/2010/07/stitch-knowhow.html

Just want to look at eye candy?  Are you interested in Halloween?
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/01/its-halloween-somewhere-right.html

Do you prefer Christmas?
http://melindaslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2011/01/noel-is-finished.html

Are you a fan of Laurel Burch's art?
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/01/were-feeling-laurel-burch-y.html

Or do all things kimono set your heart pounding?
http://japanese-embroidery.blogspot.com/2011/01/beauty-of-kimono-and-obi.html

I hope you find something in all the links above that interests you.

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

Kelly's Tassel Club

If you were paying attention yesterday, Kelly Clark posted a comment on Blog about her new tassel club.  Remember the pear club that lots of shops offered last year?  This year Kelly's doing another club.  The painted canvases are on her website but not the finished photos. More canvases are on the next page so don't forget to push Next.
http://www.kellyclarkneedlepoint.com/winter_tnna?page=3

Ruth Schmuff has a photo of the finished models on her shop blog.  You can see the back side of one tassel in the photo and there's a note that the club itself will start next June.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/01/my-oh-my-oh-my.html

In her comment, Kelly promised her website would be updated soon with photos of the tassels and offered to send me photos to post here.  I can't wait to see more!

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