Scarab Rings Under Glass

Scarab Rings Canvas by dede Odgen

Once the cat topiary garden was finished, it was time to turn my attention to the last Christmas present I need to stitch for the year--a dede Odgen canvas that depicts an Egyptian scarab ring from the top and side. The design measures 4.75 inches by 2.75 inches and is on 18 count navy NP canvas.  It is a very pretty thing and perfect for the granddaughter who loves Egyptian history.

Sudberry Jewelry Box

But I have a problem--this canvas is intended for a jewelry box lid.  Here's the box, a discontinued Sudberry design.  See the lid?  It is covered in heavy glass.  When I pried the backing off the underside of the lid, I discovered that there is very little clearance.  My usual tricks of beads and fancy stitches won't work here.  I have to have a very flat surface on top of my canvas so that I can insert it and a piece of gold tissue lame behind it.

I see a lot of tent stitches in my immediate future!

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

Have You Ever Seen Anything So Beautiful?

Skeins of High Cotton

This arrived in the mail this week.   Am I lucky or what?!!?

Those reds and golds just glow!  And those pinks!!!

Here is a closeup so you can see the gorgeous colors better.  No photo can capture the colors well, plus it was very dark and dreary when I took the photos, hoping to avoid reflections from the protective covering.  I'm not taking them out of the bag yet.  These threads, all High Cotton skeins from Hyla Hurley at Point of It All Designs, are for a project down the road.

The Periwinkle skeins on the left are background threads for my project.

Here's another closeup.  I won't even open them until January sometime.  I don't want to be distracted from the stitching I need to accomplish before Christmas.  But I wanted you to see the wonderful stuff.  Some of the colors will premiere at the January TNNA trade show but Hyla says they aren't a state secret and I can show them to you.

High Cotton is a five ply cotton thread.  Each ply is a little crinkled when you pull it out of the skein so it has a slight texture.  In the skein the threads look slightly matte but if you use them in long stitches, you get a slight reflection, sort of like what carefully laid DMC cotton floss gives you.  Each ply of High Cotton is slightly thicker than one ply of DMC or Anchor cotton floss.  One strand of High Cotton should cover 13 count canvas nicely.  I normally work on 18 count needlepoint canvas, though, so I usually pull out individual plies for stitching, using 2-4 depending on what stitch I'm using.

The color card (with real snippets of the thread) shows 141 shades but at my last count, there were 162 glorious colors available.  I'm particularly impressed by all the shades of greens and blues but there are plenty of reds shading into pink and beautiful yellows.

You can see more of the new colors on Facebook. Peacock Alley in Michigan has posted photos on their shop page. Hopefully you can see the page whether you have a Facebook account or not.
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.304818359537169.81439.100000270232592&type=1&notif_t=photo_album_reply

I just love this thread.  Thank you, Hyla!  I do appreciate your sending these for that colorful project I will start shortly.  The rest of you, stay tuned. I'll reveal all once I recover from the holidays.  Just imagine what sort of project uses all these colors....


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

Class for the Truly Desperate Stitcher

The Needlepointer has an ornament finishing class scheduled at their store on December 10 from 1-3 p.m. If you have some ornaments you thought couldn't be ready this year for Christmas, why not schedule a class and learn to make them up yourself? It's a nice gift of knowledge to yourself and will save money that you can spend on that new project you've been lusting for.  (How's that for a rationalization?!  LOL)  The details are not on the shop website, but you can call them and get the facts if you happen to live close enough to The Needlepointer to take advantage of Brian Shaw's class.
http://www.theneedlepointer.com/contact.php


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

Angels and Fleas

When we went out yesterday to check out the clubs, we forgot to drop by Needle Works in Austin to check out Colleen's progress on the models for the shop's monthly club next year.  There are some hilarious pet Christmas snap trays pictured, plus finished owls from last year's club and a Leigh canvas that Colleen herself is stitching for fun.  Lots to see.  Good thing we left this stop until today when we are sober!
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2011/11/fleas-navidad.html


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

Double Trouble in Scissor Form

Double Trouble Cat Scissors

I had no idea that Dinky Dyes sold scissors. Colorful scissors! Shapes, styles and lots and lots of choices.  Those twin cat scissors on the left are darling.  I really like the ones with the various flags on them, too.
http://www.dinkydyes.iinet.net.au/scissors.htm

I was afraid they'd be expensive because they are imported from Australia but they aren't too expensive.  Just right for a little treat for someone you love--like yourself!
https://www.stitchingbitsandbobs.com/cgi-bin/Store/pageread.cgi?DinkyDyesScissors

You can even get a little sewing case to put them in.
http://www.dinkydyes.iinet.net.au/


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