Melissa and The Paper Whites

Some designers (SharonG and Leigh Designs come to mind) do needlepoint their own canvases but few do it better than Melisasa Shirley.  Melissa Shirley Designs just showed off a new design of a small gray Cardinal female and flowers (mostly paper whites with a yellow Christmas cactus in bloom) in a vase on a table with a pine cone on their official FB page. Melissa herself is stitching it for the January trade show. The second link shows the paper whites (beads over felt padding) and the cardinal. Use the arrows to see more.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152061437084252&set=a.10150103192084252.304722.370199729251&type=1&theater

I think it is going to be lovely.  If you have a Facebook account, "like" Melissa Shirley Designs to watch this grow.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10152066552844252&set=a.10152066551874252.1073741867.370199729251&type=1&theater

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.

Free Needlework Nibble

The latest Needlework Nibble from Thistle Threads is a free Do It Yourself paper casket to hold orts, in honor of the company's 17th Century reproduction casket and history classes.  The little box's instructions are in PDF files and show one of nine styles of embroidered caskets that the casket classes are studying.  Click on the thumbnail photos to download the pattern and instructions.  These make fun projects for the kids who are home during the holidays and make nice party favors.  They are unique, just like us stitchers!
http://thistle-threads.com/teaching/projects/webprojects/nwn_112013_minicasket.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.

Another Profile of Krienik

Thanks to Sare Leigh, I learned of this newspaper article profiling the Kreinik Company and all their products.  Who knew that Kreinik metallics stand up to both salt water and chlorine?!
http://www.statejournal.com/story/23851341/parkersburg-thread-company-has-success-sewn-up

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.

Off To See the Wizard

Vicky has been dog sitting for the editor of Needlepoint Now, so she was able to make a few side trips while she was visiting the poodles who "own" the magazine. Naturally, she went straight to Mindy's Needlepoint Factory. Yes, that Mindy! She owns a shop as well as being a painted canvas designer. I have no idea how she does it.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/a-little-diversion/

http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/just-stuff/

If you'd like to visit Mindy Patterson's shop but can't make the trip, here's the link to a video.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7W4iD88VDc

You can no longer see a small selection of the trims Mindy sells online, but a call to the shop should help you find a wonderful button or ribbon or lace to finish one of your canvases.  Here are some photos of the interior, just to whet your appetite.  Click on various categories on the left side of the page to see Mindy's hand painted canvases.
http://www.mindysneedlepoint.com/Mindys_Needlepoint_Factory.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.

Matchbooks and Pickles--Christmas Stitching

A lot of folks stitch decorations for the holidays but today I have something totally different in holiday needlework. First, Diane talks about stitching pickle ornaments and their meaning.  Even though pickles only appear as appetizers on my holiday table, it was a fun read.
http://www.dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.com/2013/11/theres-pickle-in-my-christmas-tree.html

Then Renee talks about matchbook covers for Hanukkah, which of course has nine candles in the menorah to light.  I think it is a clever way of decorating a useful and important object used in the celebration.
http://needlepointofview.com/2013/10/31/handmade-holiday-gift-ideas/

UPDATE:  Unchiffonfonfon does matchbook finishing, just in case you need some.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C94xjW6Ruav/?g=5&img_index=1

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.