Seeing Staccato

A Cappella from the Staccato series (Leigh Designs)

I know Carol S. and probably several other folks are dying to see the new Staccato line from Leigh Designs.  They are on the LD website now.  There's a bit about the design inspiration on the home page, plus a link to see all eight of the designs.  Some are more abstract, others are more realistic, but all have a jazzy beat.  Me, I like Intermezzo.  How about you? Which is your favorite?
http://www.leighdesigns.com/

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

"Tis The Gift To Be Simple"

I'm quoting the first bit of the most famous Shaker hymn because Betty Chen Louis has this gift.
http://www.gayannrogers.com/site_2/Home_Page.html

Gay Ann Rogers has posted a photograph of Betty's newest design (which might be offered as a cyberclass through the Shining Needle Society) on her website.  It's a beautiful and simple view of London's skyline, done with 3-4 threads and perhaps 6 stitches.  If you are interesting in taking this as a class, email Shining Needle Society at KateGaunt@aol.com.  An email isn't a promise to take the class--Kate just needs to know if there is enough interest in this piece to offer it as one of the cyberclasses SNS sponsors.

Elegant, isn't it?

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

Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides Site Updates

I've recently updated the article on the CH Stitch Guides blog about Tapestry Fair stitch guides and written a new article on Terry Christopher's Melissa Shirley stitch guides for 2 The Point.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/

I've also updated the tab called "How to Buy Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides" to explain the types of stitch guides I sell.  I am also in the process of writing two more stitch guide writer articles so stay tuned!

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

Brainstorming Hair

Now that we've seen some interesting hair techniques, how about we brainstorm how to do hair on various needlepoint canvases?

I'll start--here's a series of small canvases from A Collection of Designs, all women in hats.  Here is the website where I found them.
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/storedir/products.php?cat=26&pg=5

This slightly wavy hair might look good using Robin's twisted lazy daisy stitches in two shades of brown.

This hair is dead straight.  I might try couching rows of a brown silk perle in a #8 or #5 size, then use a smaller size cotton perle (#8 or 12, depending on the size of the brown hair thread) in black to make the shading lines.  The contrast between the thicker shiny brown silk and the thinner and duller black cotton would add interest to her hair style.

The blonde has slightly wavy hair and a lot of it.  I think I'd try using stem stitch for this sort of long hair.  Since the earring and necklace are the same yellow, I'd have to make sure the hair thread looked different than the jewelry thread by using beads and/or metallics for the jewelry.  Luckily the other ladies don't have the same issue with their hair color and jewelry but it can be an issue on some canvases.

This lady has especially fun hair.  I might use the same stem stitch technique but look for a thread with a slightly feathery texture such as Viola or Cashmere or even Angora.  Remember how Robin used twisted lazy daisy stitch with two different threads and got too very different looks?  I think the same thing would work well here although I'm not talking about using the stitch Robin did, just switching thread types.

Here's the final lady.  She's my favorite.  How would you stitch her hair?

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

Stars and Finishing

As a special treat, I have several new photos of Stars for the New Millennium.  This isn't my version, mind, these are other folks' take on this classic design.  First of all, a friend of Donna's has taken her beautiful version of Stars to the framers.  You'll be interested in hearing how she dealt with the pointed edges of the design.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/05/sneezy-report.html

Coni has started her version, using a patriotic color combo of red, white, blue and gold.  I love the scarlet framework she has set in place!
http://spinsterstitcher.blogspot.com/2011/05/oey.html

Speaking of finishing, Melinda shows off the finishing of one of her Halloween figures from Amy Bunger's Halloweenies class to help a fellow stitcher who needs finishing ideas.
http://melindaslivingthegoodlife.blogspot.com/2011/05/by-special-request.html

And finally, just in case you aren't interested in Stars or finishing, Donna's written up a little shopping expedition in Maryland for our virtual pleasure.  I've heard great things about all three LNSs she visited but alas!  I've never been to any of them so I was particularly glad Donna took us all along.
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2011/04/road-trip.html

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