Puzzle

As a treat for my stitching friends who love Jean Hilton's designs, here is a photo of Puzzle done in cheerful purples and greens.
http://stitches-heart.com/jean-hiltons-puzzle/

This is much different than Jean's original reddish hues and very different from the ecrus in Puzzle Purse but it is all very lovely.  By the way, I've seen Puzzle Purse stitched in the original colors and found it magnificent in person.
http://www.stitchers-paradise.com/Canvas_Embroidery/JHI/JeanHiltonBooks.html

http://www.bonanza.com/listings/Puzzle-Purse-by-Jean-Hilton-Needlepoint-Pattern-book/25510337

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.

Gossip Central

The latest gossip that little birds whispered to me--Jo Iooplito Christensen is planning to release the third edition of The Needlepoint Book in October August 2014.   It is revised and updated with fresh and interesting new photographs.  I can't wait!

(Thanks for the update!)

I've also heard that next year sometime a famous teacher is going to publish a "how to write your own stitch guide" article in Needlepoint Now.  I can't wait again!

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.

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.