Petitpoint in Vienna

Somewhere on the World Wide Web yesterday I ran across a mention of this Viennese shop that sells petitpoint pieces. I didn't make note of who mentioned it as I was sure I would remember. Oops!

Thanks, whoever you are.

The items for sale are traditional petitipoint, worked in the Berlin woolwork style.

Enjoy browsing the goods. I can't get any of the photos to enlarge but maybe your machine will work better with the site.  I was eager to see the hand mirrors better since my Day of the Dead lady has one in her bony hand but alas, the site doesn't like my Mac.
http://www.petitpoint.eu/english/aboutus.html

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

Stars (and Snow) in the Sky

Petei Angel's Blue Sky Framework with Stars

During the madness that is Christmas prep I have managed to work on my little Petei angel's background. I decided to make the ornament a rectangle (easy to finish) and give her a sky to fly in.  I wanted stars in the sky as well, so I used a variation of a stitch that Sheena has posted on her blog.  She calls it Double Flower Variation.  I used Smyrna crosses inside the diamonds, which I've made smaller, and am omitting the + sign between the diamond outlines.
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/good-luck-christmas-eve/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+SheenasStitches+%28Sheena%27s+Stitches%29

The framework is two plies of a medium blue Mandarin Floss.  I added Smyrna Crosses in a darker blue Petite Treasure Braid here and there to simulate a starry sky.  Love both those threads!

The Sky Gets Bluer

The next step is to work more Smyrna crosses, this time in a lighter blue color using Petite Silk Lame Braid.  Love that thread, too!  I'm sorry that the metallic sparkle doesn't show up here.  In person it is lovely, just what I wanted.  This is as far as I've gotten, although I've worked on her each night for a week.  This is not a quick background stitch and is a lot of work for a small ornament but I think the time invested is worth it.  It is just what I envisioned for my angel.

I am debating whether to experiment with split stitch for her face or to play around with Flair for her fingers.  I might just work on her stockings while I think that one over....

Watson Awaiting Santa

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

My Wish for 2013--Stitch Healthy

Now that we have (mostly) made it through the holiday season, it is time to think about our New Year's Resolutions. How about stitching in a more healthy manner?  Kathy has some wonderful tips about what helped her hand pain.
http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2012/11/21/healthy-stitching/

http://www.theunbrokenthread.com/blog/2012/11/28/healthy-stitching-2/

I've kept links to Barbara Bergsten's website in the right hand column of Blog for a year now.  They are just under the koi pond.  Please refer to them often.  I am going to add Kathy's information as well.  There's nothing more important that good health.  Don't let your stitching habits cause you pain!

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

Ornament Exchanges

I am not a big fan of ornament exchanges, or gift exchanges of any kind. They often go wrong, leaving nothing but hurt feelings. But when they go well, they are glorious!  Proof below in the Pocket Full of Stitches shop ornament exchange and then Stephanie's ornament gifts from her SWAN group.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2012/12/annual-ornament-exchange.html

http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2012/12/swan-ornaments.html

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

Where Did I Put My Glasses?

When I first taught myself to needlepoint, I made a lot of glasses cases since most of my friends and family wore them then. It's a quick stitch and a fun way to create your own designs, too. Rittenhouse brought this all back to me with their posting about glasses cases for gifts.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/12/eyeglass-cases.html

Don't know anyone who wears glasses?  These little canvases make great scissors holders or pillows or framed artwork for your busy desk!

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