The Easter Bunny (and Friends)

With today being Easter (and Passover just past) I thought you'd enjoy seeing some Easter themed pieces.  First, look at the darling Easter houses that Robin has stitched.
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/04/where-does-easter-bunny-live-and-shop.html

Vicky has an Easter Egg house she's getting ready to stitch.  Look at those cute chicks! This canvas is by Needle Deeva and there is a matching bunny and basket house (second link).
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/14/easter-parade/

http://store.apneedlearts.com/fahath.html

Lastly, notice who shows up in the comments to give Vicky some really great pointers for stitching her house.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/17/looking-for-inspiration/

By the way, Vicky drops a hint about an article that will appear in Needlepoint Now (Vicky is the projects editor for the magazine) in the next few issues.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/15/almost-finished-with-that-pische-pocket/

Happy Easter, everyone.  Eat a chocolate bunny for me!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Yoga for Needlepointers

Remember that Barbara Bergsten posted a hand exercise on her blog recently?
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/reduce-needlepoint-hand-stress.html 

That was so popular that Barbara has talked her yoga teacher into writing articles to help us keep from hurting ourselves during the long stitching sessions we love to indulge in.  Here's the first article.  I'm printing it out and sticking it next to my stitching chair.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/04/needlepoint-yoga.html

Thanks, Barbara!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Politicians, Finishing, Charts, and Books to Delight

Pocket Full of Stitches has one more series of photographs for you to see from the Dallas cash and carry trade show--photographs of finished pieces folks brought to show off their goods.   The finishing is unusual and eye-catching and usually the designer is identified, just in case you fall in love with something.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/04/finishing-display.html

Nimble Needle has just  had their ribbon cutting ceremony to christen their new shop location. Want to see them charm the local mayor with needlepoint?  It is a fun film and of course the photos of the shop interior make me want to drive the thousand miles to visit!
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/04/see-our-ribbon-cutting-day.html

K. asked me this morning about diaper patterns, which of course sent me looking for Ann Strite-Kurz's books and pamphlets as Ann has written about diaper patterns extensively and also uses them quite often in her designs.  Seeing all her charts and books laid out on the Needle Artworks page reminded me that some counted canvaswork folks might really love seeing everything together.  Ann does intricate layered patterns that remind me of blackwork.  She is primarily a teacher and her books are delightful.  Click on Teachers at the top of the page to read more about Ann and her classes and to see even more of her work currently only available as a class.  She teaches a lot of Charley Harper designs, by the way.  I know fans will want to see her unique take on his work.
http://www.needleartworks.com/dsgnr/ask/askimages.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Maggie Trunk Show

In Stitches (Atlanta) is having a Maggie trunk show.  Canvases in the trunk show are 20% off.
http://www.institchesatlanta.com/

Old World Designs (Menlo Park, California) is also having a Maggie trunk show, but this one is something different.  It's a one day trunk show visit to Maggie's studio.  They are renting a bus and heading out to see Maggie's place on June 30.  Lunch and  a visit with Maggie herself is included.  Contact the shop for details, which aren't on their website.
http://www.oldworlddesigns.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Sundance Sequins Up Close

Sundance's New Sequins

If you read the Dallas cash and carry show reports carefully, you saw that a lot of folks mentioned that Sundance Designs has sequins now as well as beads.  I managed to get my paws on some courtesy of friends, and I think they are something folks who like to embellish their canvases will want.  I can buy sequins locally at the crafts emporiums in the nearest large city, but the Sundance ones are better quality and have more variety.  Craft emporium sequins look cheap next to the Sundance ones.

The photo above shows the large variety of sequins Sundance has available.  I am sure there are more colors but these are just what I was given.  There look to be 30+ sequins in each little envelope.  I don't know if you can tell how high quality they are in the photo, but in person they are much nicer than the craft emporium sequins I have available to me locally.

The packets are (left to right, top row)--
Opaque Flower BDS-SQ101 and

embossed disks (no label) which are flat on one side and have circles carved into them on the other side.

(left to right, middle row)--
Raised Flowers BDS-SQ103, which are cupped sequins with a curved flower edge in pastel colors,

Etched Panel Square BDS-SQ110 which are in jewel tones and clear, and

Silver BDS-SQ114 which are flat silver sequins.  They reflect the light well which is why they look two-toned in the photo.

(left to right, bottom row)
Animal Square BDS-SQ106 which have a holographic surface covered with black animal spots and

Black Shimmer BDS-SQ112 which are black with a holographic shimmer of highlights in red, navy, orange, yellow and green.  They feel flat but look faceted.

All the sequins have one center hole.   They are all 4-6 mm across except for the big flower sequins which are roughly 15 mm.  The holes are fairly small.  It looks as if a size 22 tapestry needle will go through most of the holes although some of the smaller sequins might need a 24 or 26 needle.  Any Mill Hill or Sundance 11/0 bead will easily hold these sequins in position.

I'm hoping Sundance will update their website or their blog with more information about the available colors.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com