Stitch Guides and Newsletters

This week there have been a flurry of articles on the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog.  Since I had several, I thought I'd let them all publish, then let you know it is time to ride the magic carpet over to visit instead of publishing "there's a new article!" every day.   If you are new to Blog, just look in the right hand column for the magic carpet icon.  Click on it and you'll be magically whisked to the Stitch Guides blog.   The magic carpet photo is there, too. Click on it again and you'll be returned to Blog.

Since not everyone is in the market for a stitch guide right now, I've added Quail Run's August newsletter link here so that there is something for everyone.  There is a free stitch guide that talks about beading, a little article on suiting your needle to your canvas and thread, and a lot of wonderful photos of finished needlewor art.  By the way, that photograph of the pink faux leather iPad case is almost enough to make me buy one!
http://siterepository.s3.amazonaws.com/510/test_1.pdf

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

Biscornus and More UPDATED

If you aren't a counted thread person or a sampler fiend, you might not have heard of biscornu patterns. These are oddly shaped pin cushions and they are all the rage among the counted thread set, as Ada Hayden describes here.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/07/biscornus-and-humbugs-oh-my.html

Kimberly is working on original biscornu designs (with matching original fabric) to be a monthly club at Needle Works in Austin.  You can see some of the patterns she is creating on her blog.
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/05/ta-da.html

http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/05/biscornu-two.html

http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/06/borders-corners.html

http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/06/full-weekend.html

http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/07/ive-been-busy.html

UPDATE:
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/a-glimpse.html

http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/look.html

http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/08/button-button.html

http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/09/my-holiday.html

http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2005/nov.php

You can see the full set of Kimberly's designs for the club which will start next January in the latest Needle Works e-newsletter.
http://theneedleworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/201207newsletter.pdf

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

Blackwork and Blues from Laura Perin

I'd forgotten that Laura Perin also creates blackwork designs besides her bevy of terrific geometric and realistic counted thread designs.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/07/friday-flowers-some-stitched-hydrangeas.html

This second link is to the collection of blackwork patterns on her website and her book of patterns.  There are a lot of them!  It's a great look at another side of her talents.
http://www.laurajperindesigns.net/blackwork-collection.html

She's also posted a collection of designs in blue on her site as an antidote to the summer heat.  That's a great idea!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2012/07/hot-days-cool-projects.html

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

Two New Apps for Your Stitching Pleasure

One thing I've really noticed in the last two years is how many folks have abandoned PCs for iPads and Macs. Apple machines used to be in a minority but not any more. Macs and PCs seem to be neck and neck.  When it comes to the folks who visit Blog, iPads are really popular and nearly five percent of Blog readers visit via smart phones.

So it should be no surprise there are stitching apps suitable for smart phones (particularly the iPhone) and iPads.  I've just learned about two more.  iBead helps with bead sizes and calculates how many beads you'll need to make so long a strand.  This isn't something everyone will want to use and it is just for iPhones and iPads, but if it helps you, it's going to be worth the price.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/07/ibead-app-for-your-phone-and-ipad.html


Jan has a great app for rug lovers and also one to help with cotton floss conversions.  Sadly, both are for Apple machines but again if you happen to need these, they are great little tools for your iPhone.
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2012/07/25/phone-apps-and-inspiration/


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

From Needlepoint To Knitting

Who would have thought that needlepoint techniques make knitting better?
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/07/applications.html

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