The Jimmy Fund

If you haven't lived in Boston, you probably haven't heard of the Jimmy Fund, which raises money to understand and fight cancer. The Red Sox are big contributors, as are many other sports teams and lots of other businesses and private citizens in the Boston area.  Now our own Anne Stradal of ABS Designs has stitched a Fenway Park pillow that will be auctioned off in August to add more cash to the fight.
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2012/04/fenway-finale.html

If you happen to be around Boston in August when the radio telethon starts, please contribute.  After all, we want Anne's Fenway pillow to go for big bucks and we want cancer to be stamped out.

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

The Glamour Girl UPDATED

Pocito's Fingernails

I'm not the only person stitching the Day of the Dead canvases that decorate the upper left hand corner of Blog.  My friend Janet Moyer is stitching Pocito.  Janet has given Pocito a back story that in life she was a glamorous person and continues so in death, so Janet is adding bling to her canvas in a major way. The fingernails you see in the photo above are just one manifestation of this. (The others will be revealed later!)  Janet used glow in the dark orange Kreinik for the fingernails because there is so much red on the design already.  The fingers and other bones are stitched in Neon Rays+ glow in the dark white.

BeStitched has also stitched the Day of the Dead ladies.  If you have a Facebook account you will enjoy seeing their version of the lipstick for Belleza.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=398455886851657&set=o.108537025890131&type=1&theater

UPDATE:  BeStitched posted the same photo on their blog as on Facebook, just in case you couldn't see it at FB.
http://bestitchedneedlepoint.com/day-of-the-dead-class-part-2/


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

Let's Talk Finishing

How you finish a completed piece of needlepoint is always a question that faces us stitchers. Doesn't matter whether you did a counted piece, worked something entirely in basketweave, or embellished the heck out of a painted canvas, what to do with the finished piece is always a puzzle.  Of course finishing is predetermined if you already know you are making a rug, or as Barbara Elmore is doing, a model to display for your classes or at trade shows to sell your painted canvases.  As always, Barbara has fabulous finishing ideas for her canvases.
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2012/04/more-is-more-marie.html


One of the greatest resources for finishing ideas is your local shop, as Mary Agnes points out.  Don't forget to consult with them, and even more importantly, don't ignore their advice!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/04/youve-stitched-it-now-what.html


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

The Classic Thing: Needlepoint Rugs

Janet Perry just posted a link to an online article with lots of photos of needlepoint rugs.

http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/how-to-decorate-with-a-needlepoint-rug

The direct link is here, just in case Janet's website article changes and the link disappears.
http://info.asmarainc.com/blog/bid/55004/14-Gorgeous-Rooms-How-to-Decorate-with-Needlepoint-Rugs-and-Red-Rugs


Rugs are one of the classic uses for needlepoint.  I know a rug is a huge commitment in time and materials, but these things are heirlooms that will last a very long time.  Why not start with a smaller piece, like one of Jan Fitzpatrick's fabulous classic rug designs?  She's currently working on a Chinese rug, but the chart for her Mosaic Rug, which is based on traditional Moroccan rug patterns, is now available (second link).
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2012/04/21/chinese-rug-progress-10/

http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2012/04/22/mosaic-rug-instructions-now-available/

If you prefer the English floral patterns of Elizabeth Bradley, her kits are made so that you can mix and match center designs and borders to make the size of rug you prefer.  The second link shows the border and corner designs available, and how to purchase the corners and borders to get your size.
http://www.elizabethbradley.com/theamericas/kits/

http://www.elizabethbradley.com/theamericas/carpet-borders-1

The classic Arts and Crafts rugs by Beth Russell are a set size, but very beautiful.
http://www.bethrussellneedlepoint.com/needlepoint/needlepoint-rug.htm


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

The Newest Thing

Designers are posting new things online again in a sort of preview of what's going to be available this summer. Let's start with EyeCandy's fabulous new pirate mermaid.  Doesn't that look like a fun stitch?!  Don't forget to scroll down and see the wonderful scissor fobs.  I can't decide whether I "need" a cat or a starfish one but those pastel owls are pretty durn wonderful, too.  What is your favorite?

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/04/spring-and-summer-preview.html

There's a cowgirl witch as well.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/04/couple-of-characters.html


For the counted canvaswork enthusiast, Orna Willis has come up with a new colorways for her classic Midnight Garden piece.  I love the original but a black background isn't the easiest thing to stitch, so Midday Garden will suit those who prefer not going blind when stitching.  The new Contemporary Tartan piece is going to be a classic, in my opinion, while the Beader's Toolboxes are a fun treat for oneself or a friend.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2012/04/new-colorways.html

Vicky's got a new Snap Tray.  The variety of these fabric trays that unsnap at the corners to lie flat for travel amaze me but really they are a fun organization touch for your stitching.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/21/green-your-world/

Pat Mazu has a new charted series out--Snacking. It's perfect for Halloween decorations.
http://stitches-heart.com/pat-mazus-new-snacking-candy-corns/

Pat does wonderful mini stockings. You can see more of her designs, plus her finishing book, at the Stitches from the Heart website.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

Painted Pony Designs has new travel ornaments for the adventuresome stitcher.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/2012%20Ornaments.htm

They've also put all of their popular "dress forms" canvases up on their website.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/DressForms.htm

Finally Sandy Grossman-Morris has posted a few of her new designs on her site.  Scottish ghosts?  How wonderful!  If you find these charming, too, there are links to her website and to her shop if you don't have a local shop to order for you.
http://sandygrossman-morris.blogspot.com/2012/04/macboo-brothers.html


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