How to Prevent Dandruff (and Why)

Diane is about to start stitching a large nutcracker canvas with a huge amount of white background. She has decided to paint the white background so that no matter what stitch Amy Bunger recommends when Diane takes this canvas to an Amy class, no white bits of canvas (often called "dandruff") show.  Here's how she learned to paint out white background.
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/dry-brushing-nutcracker-canvas.html

If you are unfamiliar with canvas dandruff, or want to know other ways of preventing it, settle down with Joni Stevenson for another terrific explanation of stitching techniques and how to improve your finished project.
http://creative-stitch.blogspot.com/2012/05/canvas-coverage.html

http://creative-stitch.blogspot.com/2012/05/look-at-cross-stitch-and-fabric.html


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

Sands of Time Colors

Once again Scarlet Thread has assembled thread kits for Threedles' Sands of Time. Here's the original, done in the Calypso colors.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ScarletThread/-strse-3343/charted-needlepoint%2C-canvaswork%2C-Kurdy/Detail.bok

Here are the Calypso threads as well as threads for the Kolam version, soft pastel greens and lilacs with mauve and blues thrown in.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2012/05/weve-got-your-color.html

If you need more eye candy, look at the thread kits for Laura Perin's Spring Long Panel at the bottom of the previous link.  The link below shows the finished Spring Long Panel.
http://stores.intuitwebsites.com/ScarletThread/-strse-3357/charted-needlepoint%2C-canvaswork%2C-Laura/Detail.bok

The beautiful colors almost make me want to attempt one of these beauties. Excuse me while I go wash my mouth out with soap....

Jane, waving from CH where I have too many painted canvases lined up to start lining up charts too!

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

Another Thanksgiving Character

Kelly Clark has posted a photograph of her latest finished Thanksgiving character from the series she is doing as a mail order class with extra lesson information on her blog at Needle Works in Austin--the Indian Brave.  Isn't he handsome?  I love his bow!
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/05/indian-brave-is-stitched.html

You can see all five of the canvases in the series here.
http://theneedleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/201112newsletter.pdf


Here is the other finished character, the Pilgrim woman Rebekkha.
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2011/11/rebekkha-is-done.html

Now we just have to wait for the Pilgrim man, the Indian maiden and the turkey!


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

Shops Love Dog and Cat Canvases UPDATED

Actually, I think we all love dog and cat canvases. Even folks who don't want a pet in real life enjoy seeing those sweet, expressive eyes or a funny pet canvas. Rittenhouse has highlighted several dog canvases from their collection.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/gone-to-dogs.html

UPDATE:  Now Rittenhouse is going cat!
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/05/cats-cats-cats.html

Needlepoint of La Jolla is going even further.  They are Going to the Cats and Dogs in June.   Check with the shop for details.  If you scroll down and down and down, you'll get glimpses inside the shop and find a map to locate the fun.
http://www.needlepointoflajolla.com/


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

Hot Fun in the Summertime (with your needle and Barbara)

Barbara Bergsten has been experimenting with video and music to showcase her stitch painted canvases that come with stitch guides and great stitch diagrams. You'll see the bare canvases, the diagrammed stitches (you download those free from her website) and stitched examples.  Easy and fun, that's Barbara's mantra.  This link is to her blog so after you click on the underlined title and sing among to the music, you can go back and explore her website.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/05/summertime-needlepoint-1.html

Very clever advertising, Barbara!

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