Kreinik Looks to the Starry Skies

Kreinik has written a fun article about how to use their various threads to create stars for your needlework.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2013/09/how-to-stitch-twinkling-stars.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.

Match My Face

Do you need a set of colors that match the skin tones on that canvas you have hidden in a closet or under the bed? Kreinik has you covered with Silk Mori collections in four skin tones--African American, Asian, Caucasian and Hispanic.  The only set they lack are American Indian but you can probably combine some of the colors to get what you need for that ethnic group.  Scroll down to the middle of the page to find their skin collections.
http://www.kreinik.com/shops/Silk-Threads/

Access Commodities also has a collection of silks for skin tones.  Their range is a mix of silk types and covers African American, Mediterranean, Medium, Oriental and Porcelain.  Each collection still comes with an instruction page for mixing colors written by Tony Minieri.  To see the thumbnail photos, choose "Silk Thread Kits."  Clicking on each photo will show the threads in that set well.
http://www.accesscommodities.com/products

Rainbow Gallery also has put together a collection of Splendor colors for skin tones.  They offer Bronze Porcelain, Blush Porcelain and Santa's Rosy Cheeks for your stitching pleasure.  Click on each photo for a better look.
https://www.stitchingbitsandbobs.com/cgi-bin/Store/pageread.cgi?SDC

Many thanks to our beloved thread manufacturers for making choosing the right set of colors easier!  Now my only problem is that I want them ALL!

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 Lone Star Updated

Laura Perin occasionally reworks an older design to both update the chart with more advanced software, but to update the colors and threads to show off all the wonderful things we have available to stitch with these days.   This time her Lone Star pattern has had a makeover, turning it into New Lone Star.  Even if you aren't a fan of counted work, you will enjoy seeing how Laura turns one design into something very new but the same.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/08/a-favorite-star-returns.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.

Exclusive Nativity and Judiaca

Needlework Unlimited in Minnesota has two talented artists doing canvases exclusively for them.  First, here is Sally Brandi's Nativity set.
http://www.needleworkunlimited.com/nativity.aspx

Secondly, Katherine Parfet Designs offers classic pieces and Judiaca.
http://www.needleworkunlimited.com/katherineparfetdesigns-2.aspx

Sometimes you just want something no one else has!

(Many thanks to Kristin for mentioning her visit to the shop on Needlepoint Nation.)

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.

Laura Recommends

Laura Perin has been printing copies of her "Cut Glass Dishes" design.    It reminds her of those cut glass dishes in the cupboard  we all cherish.  At least I do as my grandmother collected Carnival Glass dishes and I inherited several of them as my mother started to downsize to move into her apartment.  Thinking about this as she printed, she decided to recommend a mystery series by Susan Wittig Albert called the Darling Dahlia series.  Ms. Albert is a stitcher like us, too!
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2013/09/cut-glass-dishes.html

Think you might be interested in these books?  Here's more--
http://www.darlingdahlias.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.