Does It Hurt?

If it hurts when you stitch, you are doing something wrong, right?  I know all too well how a block of time all to yourself can tempt a stitcher to hurt themselves by not taking proper precautions.  Ruth's guild just had a program about ergonomics and posted a link to a summary of the program.  There are plenty of great tips included, so please read this carefully.  I will add a link directly to the right hand side of Blog where there are other ergonomic articles saved.  They are located just under the koi pond.  Read them periodically and use these tips to keep yourself pain free, please!
http://ruthsneedlework.blogspot.com/2013/05/avoiding-injuries-while-stitching.html

http://baldyviewega.blogspot.com/2013/05/may-meeting_31.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 Light, New Thread UPDATED

There are lots of new products that probably won't be at the Columbus trade show so I thought I'd dedicate a posting to new things I've heard of that some from the world of quilting or machine embroidery.  The first is a brand new thread from Sulky.  Sulky creates threads on spools for sewing machines but many of their threads work quite well on needlepoint canvas.  I always browse the limited selection of Sulky threads carried at my local JoAnn's Fabrics, looking for an elusive color that I don't have at home.  Needlework Retailer says Sulky has a new cotton thread that is the same diameter of two plies of cotton floss.  It's marketed as a way to stitch without stripping floss.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2013/05/hate-to-separate-floss.html

In this larger photo it looks like a lightly twisted perle cotton.  It's not something I'd spend a lot of money on but it might be just the thing for a specialty project.  If your local shops carry machine embroidery thread, this might be worth looking for.
http://www.sulky.com/thread/thread_petites.php

The other new product I have today is a three way LED lamp from Stella Lighting.  It comes in a floor or table version and the thing about it is that you can switch among three different types of light, each suitable for a different task.  Here are the details in case this is just up your alley.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2013/05/stella-sky-coming-to-niah.html

http://stellalighting.com/the-stella/features/

UPDATE:  NIAH has posted a review of this new lamp.
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2013/06/review-of-stella-sky.html

So has Mary Corbet.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/08/lighting-for-embroidery-stella-lamp-review.html

UPDATE #2:  Needle Nook of La Jolla is introducing the lamps and has a video of all three styles (table, floor and clamp on).
http://store.needlenook.com/Stella-Lighting-p36975.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.

Aristeia's Newsletter

The Aristeia June newsletter is online now, full of classes and retreat information plus tips on working with flosses.
http://campaign.r20.constantcontact.com/render?llr=gunmremab&v=001qTUVg_-IEA5uuACBBPoFz0Ge5xwUqEu4ebES08aYmVe80c-syVxjqgm-wibd-GlTn31dBriaXLry-jbF57wWzDoY6Fy-4rP4CM1rAMjEcpn-q-QFvU03iw%3D%3D

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.

Shapes of Needlepoint No. Four (Diagonals, Horizontals, Verticals)

The next book in Sandy Arthur;s Shapes of Needlepoint series will be out in the middle of next August according to Amy Bunger.   The next one will cover stitches that are diagonal, horizontal or vertical in shape.
http://www.amybunger.com/catalog/item/8464002/9855144.htm

Here are the first three books, all of which are now available:
Shapes of Needlepoint One--Circles, Squares, Triangles and Rectangles
Shapes of Needlepoint Two--Diamonds, Hearts, Octagons and Stars
Shapes of Needlepoint Three--Hexagons, Ovals and Paralellograms

They can be purchased from Sandy herself, from your local shop, and there are also iPhone and iPad electronic versions available for Shapes One and Two.
http://duodesignsinc.com/wpsite/

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.

White Elephants

It's turning to summer here in Chilly Hollow (summer here equals heat, humidity, mosquitoes and drunken tourists) so as an antidote to this--plus an excuse to stay inside and stitch--I present Needle Paint's White Elephant belt.  Doesn't this just make you smile?
http://blog.needlepaint.com/2013/05/22/white-elephant-needlepoint-belt/

Needle Paint does custom pieces as well as lots of belt and wedding designs.  Click on kits to see the range of their offerings.  I've not used their services myself but I've heard from people who were very happy to have the belt or dog portrait they've wanted for years.
http://www.needlepaint.com

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.