Gathering Supplies

Beads from SJ Designs

I've always liked the beads from SJ Designs.  They come in the smaller size 14 as well as 11, and I love the various finishes and the pastel colors in their collection.  But it is hard to find their beads around here.  Not anymore.  I just discovered their website!
http://www.sj-designs.com/

The photo above shows the beads I ordered with my next two projects in mind.  I'm not telling what they are yet, but I thought you'd like to see the range of beads available from SJ Designs.  These are the ones that caught my eye. They carry metal spangles, large beads, mixed sizes, just about anything you might want.  The website is fun to explore.  They even have antique stitching books occasionally!

Another view of SJ Designs beads and pearls

The beads are (top row, working from left to right)--hex shiny gold 18128 size 14/0, hex darker gold Matte 1828 size 14/0, hex satin size 11/0 in Aqua, round size 14/0 in  green 1852;

(second row from top, left to right)--
red round size 14/0 #1826, round blue size 14/0 #1831, hex size 14/0 pale aqua 1875, plastic 2mm imitation dyed pearls in turquoise

(bottom row, left to right)--
plastic 2mm imitation dyed pearls in purple, round hot pink size 14/0 #1842, pale pink 11/0 pearls #10, iridescent pink round size 14/0 in 1881

While we are talking about gathering supplies, Nimble Needle shows off a new thread from Kreinik which they think will make wonderful snow on canvas.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2011/08/snow-white.html

Whether you need snow or beads or something else, now's the time to lay in supplies for the winter stitching.

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

More on the Baltimore Trade Show UPDATED

Sometimes I think these trade shows are just a way to bring folks together at mealtimes in good restaurants!  By the way, the Hooty Owl canvases the lucky students took home will have a stitch guide published in the next issue of Needlepoint Now.  Boy, are they going to have double fun!
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2011/08/teaching-and-feasting-in-baltimore.html

Baltimore--it's not just about painted canvases any more.  (See? I can count heads.  At least a quarter of you want to read about Sara Leigh's adventures.)
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2011/08/goodies-from-baltimore-market.html

UPDATE:  Laura Perin has announced a new design.  You can read all about its inspiration here and see the three colorways available.  If you want to visit her updated website, the link to LAURA PERIN DESIGNS is in the Favorite Blogs and Links list in the right hand column of her blog.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2011/08/stitching-journey.html

Ok, back to our regularly scheduled painted canvas programming!
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/news-and-updates/to-market-to-market/

Ruth reports in on her shop class with Robin King and Bones!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/08/what-says-halloween-more-than-robin.html

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

Skull and Bones (and Pumpkins)

The latest Leigh canvases for the August trade show are now viewable on the Leigh Designs website.  Skull and Bones is their name (and bridge is their game-LOL!).   There are eight ladies, all in fancy hats, some with 1960s style bracelets, some with drinks, some with fancy sunglasses.  Leigh designed them in pairs so folks could do a coordinating set if they wanted.  I had fun looking at the entire series, trying to find the common denominator between them and looking for the funny touches, like a gold tooth or the red dot in the center of an empty eye socket.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Grp514x.html

I have it on good authority that at least one name came from a high school teacher Leigh is pretty sure she put in an early grave....
http://www.leighdesigns.com/Sgl5140.html

By the way, Smilin' Jack is now viewable in all his glory on the CH Stitch Guides blog.  I find it charming that two of the Skull and Bones "ladies" carry miniature Jacks. Do you think they are having a pumpkin fight?  LOL
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/2011/08/smilin-jack-stitch-guide-available.html

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

Vicky Is Packing

All our friends who went to the Baltimore cash and carry show are packing up and heading home after a wonderful but busy weekend. Vicky shows off a bit of Ruth Schmuff's shop (Bedecked and Beadazzled is in the Baltimore suburbs) and makes us wish we were there, even if we would have to be heading home right now, too.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/08/15/visiting-bedecked-beadazzled/

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

Ruth in Three Formats

Ruth Schmuff not only teaches, runs a needlepoint shop, and creates and distributes painted canvases, she writes books.  Since this is the 21st Century and Ruth is a very modern stitcher, her books come in three flavors:  CDs, e-books and regular books.  Here is her website in case your local shop doesn't have these in stock right now.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/products.php?catid=56&firstcid=6

Her latest volume is now appearing in book form.  It's not downloadable to iPhones and iPads yet, but I expect that in the future.  In this latest blog entry, Ruth tells us a bit about the new version of Backgrounds Volume One.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/08/now-its-book.html

The physical book versions are expensive because they contain so many stitch diagrams.  I use the CDs which are perfect for me, but nothing beats a good browse.  However, if you travel a great deal, you might want to explore getting Ruth's books as downloads for your smart phone.  Search for Ruth Schmuff at the iTunes store.

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