Comparing the Lowery to the System Four

Floor stands cost as much as one of those big, expensive needlepoint canvases (before you add in the cost of the threads) so folks are always asking which is best. Sadly, the answer is It Depends. It depends on whether you travel, the place you prefer stitching in, what size project you stitch most, things like that. Personal things!   But Kelly does take some of the mystery out of choosing between the Lowery and the System Four stand by showing both on her blog.  Put yourself mentally in her stitching chairs and you'll know better which will suit your stitching style and location.
http://sweetneedleofmine.blogspot.com/2013/03/the-lowery-stand-vs-system-4.html

It's still better to borrow one of these and try it out but many of us don't have a stitching friend we can borrow from, so I really appreciate Kelly's help.

I have a K's metal stand, by the way, and I love it!

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.

There is Hope

As you know, my favorite online counted thread shop, Scarlet Thread, has closed. I miss it. I don't stitch much counted thread work but Sara Leigh had the knack of making all the patterns look like something I might do if I ever learned to count and managed not to sleep at night.  But the life of a small business owner is full of challenges and sometimes you just have to let go.  Still, there is hope that SL will continue to publish Jeff Kulick designs and keep us up-to-date on new designs in the counted canvaswork world.
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2013/04/what-have-i-been-up-to.html

Speaking of which, I looked up Kurdy Bigg's newest piece, just to see what magic she'd come up with this time.  Here it is--
http://www.threedles.com/06012011/2013/2013Designs.html

Counted canvaswork:  I don't do it but I appreciate it greatly!  Stay tuned.  I expect Scarlet Thread has a  new incarnation for us to enjoy.

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.

Matching Color Variations to Solid DMC Colors

DMC has posted a very helpful article on their blog to assist those using their Color Variations (overdyed cotton floss) with the solid DMC colors that are used in the overdyes.  So you can use a skein of overdyed floss and coordinate it with solid colors elsewhere in the piece.
http://dmc-threads.com/emmas-helpful-hints/

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.

Stitching Jimmy

I like using needle painting for animals but I have to admit you need to use close observation to figure out just now the "fur" lies.  Fortunately, Tanja Berlin takes the guesswork out of this with her needle painting kits. Tanja uses one ply of DMC cotton floss to create the most realistic birds and mammals imaginable!  Check out Jimmy, her sister's hamster.  If that amazes and interests you as much as it does me, click on any of the Past Projects listed at the top of the page to see more.  Some of these pieces are commissions and some end up as needle painting kits you can buy.
http://theneedlepointer.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=80&products_id=13825

All the current needle painting kits available are listed here.  I own the Field Mouse kit and pull it out and read through the instructions any time I am about to needle paint an animal on needlepoint canvas.
http://www.berlinembroidery.com/needlepainting.htm

Want to see an amazing needlepoint cat portrait?  Check out Anne Marie's Snowball, a custom portrait from Diane Dirks.
http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/snowball-framed?context=latest

http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/snowball-close-up?context=latest

Diane does a lot of custom pet portraits.  You can see a display of them on her website, including a photo of Snowball before the canvas was stitched.
http://www.dirksdesigns.com/ddc/dkd/design/des_pets.htm

Diane Dirks' work is distributed by Ruth Schmuff.   You can see several non-custom animal portraits on Ruth's website.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/needlepoint/--b-1.asp?category=243

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.

Finishing The Old and New

I love seeing how various pieces of needlepoint have been finished.  Stephanie shows off some of the new pieces stitched by her SWAN group.  Don't you just love the backing fabrics?
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/03/tons-of-great-finishing.html

Horse Country Chic shows off a pair of needlepoint lampshades, which seem to be an old piece of needlepoint repurposed for just the right study.
http://horsecountrychic.blogspot.com/2013/03/old-and-new-equestrian-from-etsy.html

Seen any great finishing lately?

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.