Needed: The Perfect Tree UPDATED

Diane's looking for the perfect artificial tree to display her ornaments. Got any ideas?  What do you use?
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/03/finding-perfect-ornament-tree.html

UPDATE:  More trees for ornaments are in this wonderful Easter posting by Carolyn Hedge Baird.
http://www.livingwithneedlepoint.com/2013/03/27/easter-needlepoint-easter-trees-and-easter-ornaments/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Brief Book Reviews

If you are a book collector or just want to read brief descriptions of the newest (and a few older) needlepoint books, visit Quail Run's blog for cover photos and a bit about the books they have in stock.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2013/03/sunday-sampler-of-needlepoint-books.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Kits from Needlepoint.com

Needlepoint.com has updated their website page for the kits they offer.  The shop is in Raleigh, NC which is only 4-5 hours from the North Carolina beaches, so there are lots of wonderful summery designs available.  Lots of their kits are on larger 10 or 12 count and come with wool.  These are meant to be tent stitched.  However, not everything is a throwback design.  They also offer canvases with stitch guides and plenty of fancy threads and stitches.  Your choice!
http://www.needlepoint.com/kits/needlepoint-university.html

The above link has changed.  Thanks for letting me know, Jen!
http://www.needlepoint.com/kits/needlepoint-kits.html

Pick whatever seems perfect for your summer vacation and everything will arrive, ready to start stitching without delay.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Save the Walker Bags from a Horrible Fate!

Tisha at NP Tool Time made me laugh this morning since her new order of Ashland Sky bags has arrived and is forcing the Walker bags into a box.  She hopes you'll pick up some of these great project bags so she has a little more inventory room soon.  By the way, she's right about how great the Ashland Sky bags are.  I have a red set that Leigh Designs sent me (they are the distributors of the Ashland Sky bags) that I use all the time.  The big one is where Belleza slept during Christmas when she had to be put up while I had house guests.  The medium size is where I keep my current project threads while the small one is where I keep the beads, sequins and special items like ribbons and Hot Wire for my current project.  Everyone will organize differently but these sturdy bags are wonderful protection and with very sturdy zippers, I think they will last far longer than the two years I've used mine.  Thanks, Leigh!

Good luck with keeping the inventory corralled, Tisha!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Swans Are At It Again (Spring Edition)

Stephanie's SWAN group in Texas has been meeting again. Stephanie posted photos of their current projects on her blog for our enjoyment.  For me the star of the show is the newly made up Melissa Shirley double-sided Easter rabbit stand up.  Wait'll you see her!
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/02/beautiful-bunnies-and-other-cute.html

But there are other darling pieces that are stitched or underway.  Want to see one of those fabulous but now unavailable MCM rabbits?  Want to drool over a nutcracker Boy Scout in uniform?  Or see the cutest 3-D Easter house in Texas?  All of this is above, thanks to Steph's quick camera.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.