Let's Talk Finishing Books UPDATED

Marianne at New Needlepoint asked about finishing books at the Needlepoint Group on Facebook as she was considering whether to add Pat Mazu's finishing book to her online bookstore.   Apparently it was a good choice as she has been selling them like hotcakes!  Marianne stocks the classic Sandy Higgins finishing book as well as an out of print finishing book by Katharine Ireyss.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/advanced_search_result.php?search_in_description=&keywords=finishing

UPDATE:   Michele at Bristly Thistle added in the Comments below that although Amazon.com stocks Sandy Higgins' Sandy's Finishing Touches:  A Step-by-Step Guide to Finishing Needlework, they have the 2008 edition.  Most needlework shops have the later 2010 edition.  Thanks, Michele!

I have used Summer Louise's finishing tips which makes me think her books would be very helpful.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2012_10_09_archive.html

I've also used The Needlepoint Doctor for finishing ideas for odder items.  This is an out of print book so you'll have to use Marianne or other used book sellers to find it.
http://www.newneedlepoint.com/content-product_info/product_id-2435/the_needlework_doctor_by_mary_kay_davis.html

Pat's book can also be found at Stitches from the Heart who also sell her charts.  Sandy's Finishing Touches from Mrs. Higgins used to be available from her website which is gone but you can find it a lot of places now, from Nordic Needle to Marianne's shop to Amazon.com.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

Anyone know of any other good finishing books, either out of print or new?

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

Clever Ideas Shared

I've been collecting clever ideas this week from all the blogs I read. Ready to be amazed? First up, Brenda Hart taught Vicky how to cleverly create handles for What's the Point tote bag ornaments with rushed River Silks ribbon.  The second link has more information about the background stitches and shows off the inside of the totes better.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/its-all-about-the-finish/

http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/its-all-about-the-finish-part-2/

If you need some tote bag ornaments for your tree, here's the website.  These are from Linda Lahm, by the way.
http://www.whatsthepoint.biz/lindalahm.cfm

Anne has a very clever (and easy to compensate) stitch for the background behind her penguin.  I especially love that she used a white metallic to simulate sparkling snow!
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-background-for-pete.html

The penguin is one of Anne's designs.  The others from the Penguins on Parade series are on her website.
http://www.absdesignsonline.com/penguins.htm

Needle Nicely just repurposed a Christmas stocking by removing the name at the top and refinishing it so that it would work as a fundraiser.  Anyone who needs to remove a name on their stocking, take note that many finishers say this is a tricky business.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/11/festival-of-trees-2012-donations.html

Want to see amazing chickens?  Or a great stocking top?  Needle Works is the place.
http://www.stitchinginthetexashillcountry.com/the_needle_works/2012/11/girl-scouts-visit-the-needle-works.html

How about a Velvet Stitch beard?  Classic!
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2012/11/velvet-stitch.html

Check out the clever open stitch on Santa's bag and the beautiful open gold metallic pattern on the striped border, all courtesy of Julia Snyder's class at Bedecked and Beadazzled!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/11/can-we-bottle-her.html

There are enough great ideas here to keep us all stitching for a solid month!

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

The Helen Ashland House Challenge

ANG's cyber chapter is mostly focused on charted or counted work, which is natural given that their members meet online only. It's a bit hard to do painted canvases together, and of course painted canvases are more expensive than chart packages.  It's still fun to hear about what they get up to.  I think you'll enjoy seeing the house challenge that Melita finished and describes on her blog.
http://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/the-helen-ashland-house-an-ang-cyberpointers-project/

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

Two Fun Christmas Projects

Suzanne has posted two fun Christmas pieces on her blog that I thought were perfect for Black Friday, the day when we start to realize just how close Christmas is.  Her point about giving away our precious stitching is important, too.
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2012/11/mischievous-rudolph.html

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, ok?  At least all we have to do is eat!

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

Finishing Tips

Summer Louise has an important finishing tip for those who plan to bead a piece that will be blocked later.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2012/10/catherine-coleman-january-ornament.html

She also tells you a great place to find cording fibers if you make your own twisted cord.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2012/11/believe-by-madeline-lake-santa-ornament.html

But the best tip comes from Needle Nicely who has great advice for stitchers who are contemplating buying a piece that they won't finish themselves--talk to your shop in detail before you buy!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/11/finishing-from-customers-viewpoint.html

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