FYI-Ghost Stitchers is No More UPDATED

For those who might be contemplating using their stitching services, a friend in the area where the business is located says she has learned they are effectively out of business. So don't send anything to them, ok?   My friend's sources are very reliable or I wouldn't be printing this rumor.  Their website is still there but apparently they are no longer operating.
http://ghoststitchers.com

UPDATE:  Cindy tells me that she has been told Ghost Stitchers was run by a husband and wife with stitchers to do the work.  He died suddenly and the wife hasn't the heart to carry on alone as he was the driving force of the business.  It is very sad.

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.

Need Paterna Information

This week I got a note from the Etsy seller KnitStitchPurl who has a large stock of Paterna two ply crewel wool for sale, asking about this wool. She wanted to know if it was the same wool as the three ply Paternayan we are all familiar with. I don't know, never having seen or used this myself. It seems to date from the 1980s and be 100 percent wool.  Here are the best photos of this stuff which she has in both small 16 yard skeins and 1/4 pound hanks.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/163870779/paterna-833-russet-brown-crewel-yarnlot

http://www.etsy.com/listing/165066926/paternayan-violet-purple-crewel-tapestry?ref=shop_home_active

It certainly was manufactured by the Paternayan Brothers and probably intended to be plied (or not) depending on the size of fabric it was stitched on.  Anyone know anything about Paterna?  Have you used it?  Is it really just like Paternayan except it is two plies instead of three?  What size needlepoint canvas would you use one or both plies on?  Any help is appreciated!

Here is KnitStitchPurl's Etsy store main page if you prefer to talk to her about this instead of commenting below (or emailing me directly at chillyhollow at hot maildotcom if Comments don't work for you).
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KnitStitchPurl?ref=l2-shopheader-name

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.

Alex Beattie's Creation Series

Ehrman has added a new video to their website: an interview with Alex Beattie, talking about his Creation series and a few other designs.  His discussion of the limitations of the format of needlepoint canvas is fascinating to me.
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/videos/story/Alex-Beatties-Creation-Series.aspx

Here is a brief bio on the Erhman site.  Click on "View Products" at the bottom to see the designs he's done for the British firm's line of needlepoint kits.
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/alexbeattie.aspx

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 Friday (Halloween Edition)

With Halloween getting closer, I thought this week's Finishing Friday should be all about Halloween. Want to see all the wonderful finished pieces in Pocket Full of Stitches' shop and window displays?  (And there's a bit of Christmas included for those who aren't into spooks and candy and trick or treating.)
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/09/halloween-window-and-tree-of-tags.html

More Christmas and Halloween finishing, this time courtesy of the Stitching Sisters.
http://nystitchingsisters.blogspot.com/2013/10/halloween-and-christmas-finishing.html

Do you love trains and Halloween?  This beautifully finished Raymond Crawford train is heading towards your station courtesy of The Needlepointer.
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=2b1a4dafdf1ba6e29e773aa79&id=f7c9f883c6&e=73961ee0ea

Diane is decorating for Halloween.  The finishing is wonderful!
http://www.dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.com/2013/09/halloween-time-is-here.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.

Needlepoint is All About Emotion

SharonG says that needlepoint design is all about expressing emotion. We put ourselves into our stitching.  Our color choices show our personality, our stitch choices show our design sense, and our choices of design show our hopes and dreams.  In that spirit I have two links for you to read this morning.  I also hope when you stitch over the weekend, you will be more aware of just how much of yourself you are adding to a design through your needle.
http://debbeesdesigns.com/DDWrdPrs/2013/09/24/passing-it-on/

http://www.dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.com/2013/09/why-dont-i-feel-like-stitching.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.