New Dr. Who

Thanks to Sheena's sharp eyes I can announce that Rogue Needlepoint has added Dalek canvases to their line of Dr. Who canvases. Apparently you can order several colors and stances, plus they have ornament-sized designs and a larger pillow-sized one. 
http://www.rogueneedlepoint.com/who.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.

Robin Goes Buggy

Robin King has just gotten home from a visit to one of my favorite cities--Montgomery, Alabama.  She taught several classes for The Needle Bug, got to visit with Marie-Therese Baker of the Callaway School of Needle Arts (Callaway Gardens is only 2-3 hours to the east of Montgomery), and ate some great food.   Don't you wish we'd all been there?
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2013/07/the-needle-bug-wrap-up-2013.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.

What Does Sandy Arthur Teach?

What does Sandy Arthur teach when she visits your shop for a class?  Let's see...
needle felting
reverse needle felting
using Sparkles to make fish
beading
building bead domes
weaving ribbons
ruching
needle weaving
stretched Flair

How did she manage to squeeze all that into ONE class?!
http://sandyarthur.blogspot.com/2013/07/designers-desk-is-hostess-with-mostest.html

By the way, I want to move into Designers Desk and live there.

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 Grapes Are Ripening

Maybe it's just me but fall seems to be in the air here in Chilly Hollow.   The lighting bugs are disappearing and there are cicadas singing in the trees.  It hasn't been as hot and humid as it normally is this time of year, the county fair starts next Sunday, and the stores are full of women buying school supplies, bored kids in tow.  And Laura Perin is going to offer her "Harvest Time" cyberclass again!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-touch-of-fall.html

If you are interested, here's the direct link to class information on Laura's website.
http://www.laurajperindesigns.net/ljp-cyber-classes.html

If you aren't planning on taking a class right now, here are links to two of my favorite canvases with grapes as the major motif.  Do you have a grapes canvas on your Someday list?
http://www.lanisneedlepoint.com/992winecountrycollage.aspx

http://www.stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=21248&title=Grapes&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

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.

Choosing a Background (Ruth Sees Polka Dots) UPDATED AGAIN

Ruth Schmuff just posted the latest lesson for her current mystery class (Zecca's Blue Moon with Owl).
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/08/compensation-way-of-life.html

Her background choice was picked because of all the polka dots and round shapes in this canvas.  I've been thinking about background stitches a lot lately as I contemplate a backgrounds book so I was pleased to see Ruth does what I do--choose a background stitch that repeats design elements.  However, I saw leaves and feathers when I looked at the canvas instead of round shapes.  Isn't it funny what different folks notice when they look at the same design?  Bonus points to Ruth for picking a round stitch that broken up into its component parts looks like leaves and feathers!

Ruth violates another of my usual rules, though--she picked a stitch that needs much compensation.  I try not to choose such a stitch if I can help it but I have to say I would have found it hard to come up with a better choice than hers.  Still, it appears she has taken pity on her students and offers them several round stitches to choose from so they can customize their canvas to their liking and the skill at compensation they possess.

If I was working this canvas, I would certainly do the background first and use a contrasting color of thread to continue the stitch on top of the leaves, branches and dots to make sure everything lined up properly.  Then I would pull out the colorful thread and have perfect background compensation!  It's a lot of work to stitch and then rip the parts you won't use but if you have the right stitch for leaves and tree and polka dots, you might be able to leave the colorful thread's background stitches on top of a leaf and cover it with something else.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2010/09/pirate-cat-background.html

Just something else to think about if you have a background that is broken up the way the Owl's is....

UPDATE:  Ruth is continuing the owl, adding wings and fun background swirls and rounds for the dots.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2013/09/i-just-couldnt-stop-myself.html

LAST UPDATE:  It is framed!
http://theyoungneedlepointer.blogspot.com/2013/12/bama-girl-finish.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.