New Pat Mazu Designs

Fans of counted canvaswork and subscribers to the needlepoint magazines have seen lots of Pat Mazu's wonderful little stocking designs. Occasionally Pat does something that isn't a stocking and they are terrific, too. I am thrilled to see that Stitches from the Heart has new charts of her work available.
http://stitches-heart.com/4-new-pat-mazu-designs/

The stars at the top of Kim's Stars I've just seen Tony Minieri use in a fabulous background.  The gold and white stockings are the most elegant little stockings imaginable, while the Spindrift stocking is perfect for the ocean lover or sailor in your life.  I think the three little Glittering stocking patterns have been in Needle Pointers.  Great stuff, all four charts!  It is a good time to be a counted thread sort of needepointer, isn't it?

Pat has a finishing book available as well.  I've not seen it in person but friends say it is a great finishing book.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

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

Icy, But in a Good Way

Ruth has finished up her latest mystery class for Bedecked and Beadazzled. It's a snowman from Zecca.  Think snowflakes and beads and sequins and FUN in all capital letters!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/01/the-snow-is-falling-chill-is-in-air.html

The Tapestry Fair Egyptian Cat Bastet is the next mystery class.  From snow and ice to desert sand, what will Ruth do next?
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/--a-24.asp

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

Designing A Cabinet of Curiosities

The Cabinet of Curiosities class that Tricia Nguyen is doing fascinates me. I am not really into reproduction stitching personally, but once I realized that reproduction samplers were time machines, I started paying more attention to reproduction stitching in general.  You may not see the charm yourself, but once you read these, I guarantee you will find Cabinet of Curiosities interesting, too!
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2013/01/cabinet-of-curiosities-design/

http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2013/01/dianes-imaginative-casket/

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

Easter Crackers

Easter Crackers, Courtesy of Marilyn Owen

I've noticed that the rage for Christmas cracker shaped ornaments has taken hold here in the World of Needlepoint. It used to be just a counted thread thing, with dozens of designs available from most cross stitch and counted thread designers. But it was not a NP interest until recently when Melissa Shirley started designing small rectangular shapes to be made up into crackers.  Melissa has designed crackers for Christmas, Halloween, Valentine's Day and Easter.  (And Palma reminded me that there are a few for the 4th of July as well!)
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/?searchstring=crackers&searchlist=&Search=Search&dosearch=

Then Melissa tempted great stitchers to do stitch guides for them.  Laurie Walden and Cynthia Thomas have done guides for the Christmas crackers.  Palma Seijan's finishing up guides for the new Easter and Valentine's sets that are premiering this month at TNNA.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/index.cgi?index=1161107729_31742&col=

http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/index.cgi?index=1330034925_31843&col=

Now Marilyn Owen of Moore Than Needlepoint in North Carolina has joined in with a wonderful set of Easter crackers that are counted canvas work, not painted canvas.  Hurrah!  You can see them in detail in the link below  There is also an ad in the January 2013 issue of Needlepoint Now if you are a subscriber.  Several of the crackers will work for other times of the year if you aren't an Easter decorator.  For example, change the kite cracker's colors to a red, white and blue color scheme and you have a July cracker!  By the way, the instructions for each cracker (sold separately) include finishing instructions in case you want to try your hand at your own finishing for one of these, or use the instructions on other crackers in your collection.
http://www.moorethanneedlepoint.com/Crackers.html

If Marilyn's name seems familiar, she is the designer of the Folding Ort Box, Halloween Treat, and Ornament Quartet in the ANG Chapter Project Book, and created the design Sudoku Serendipity for Needle Pointers.  She also is part owner of Moore Than Needlepoint.  Upon exploring the shops website, I also discovered a wonderful limited edition Christmas ornament that would be quick to stitch up as a present for a golfing buddy or a friend who lives in the Pinehurst area.  Nobody in Pinehurst?  Substitute your own location or just your house number or even leave the lettering off.  

I think this is a shop and designer to keep an eye on....

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

Fashion Embroidery

Several months back someone posted a link to the first of two articles on fashion embroidery on the ANG email list. Part two is finally available, so here are both articles for those who are interested in fashion embellishment.
http://www.torontofashionblog.ca/history-of-embroidery-before-1900/

http://www.torontofashionblog.ca/embroidery-before-1900-part-2/

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