Brave AND Bad

I stumbled across an interesting essay this morning written by Elizabeth Braun, whose wonderful embroidery blog I enjoy reading periodically.  It's all about the courage to be bad, and how that fits into the Art Every Day project.
http://sew-in-love.blogspot.com/2013/10/the-courage-to-be-bad-introducing-art.html#.UpSqhJHnnHg

Since I needlepoint every day anyhow, I won't be participating in the project but Elizabeth's comment about "the courage to be bad" sparked a brief essay from me today.  I know a lot of folks think I am just wildly talented and that they could never do what I do.  WRONG.

The difference between me and a run of the mill stitcher?  I am never afraid.

I am never afraid of ripping something out.  One of the finest stitchers I know once told me that the more I ripped out, the better a stitcher I would be.  I think she was right.  If you rip out, you are saying that you are experienced enough to know that something is wrong and you are clever enough to make it better.   Ripping out proves you are learning and getting better.

I am never afraid of trying something new. At the worst I'll know I don't enjoy something and can take another path in my stitching next time.  At best, I'll learn something really neat that will make my next project even more interesting.  

If you are like me, you are not afraid to fail.  So what?  If it doesn't work, it still taught me something and if I am lucky, my dud will be useful to post on Blog to show what not to do.  I I am REALLY lucky, I will figure a way around the problem that raises my stitching above the normal to extraordinary.  I can always rip it out and try again anyway.

So promise me you will be brave, just for today.  After all, good girls (and boys) go to heaven and bad girls (and boys) go everywhere....

See you Everywhere!
Hugs from CH,
me

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.

Playing With Color

DebBee's Designs are all created in black and white--I didn't know that. Then Debbie runs riot choosing colors.   You can see some of the variations she has done at her blog.  Don't miss the Stitchers Gallery section to see more.
http://debbeesdesigns.com/DDWrdPrs/2013/11/13/thinking-colorful-thoughts/

Counted canvas work folks are so brave with color!  I am envious.
http://debbeesdesigns.com/DDWrdPrs/stitchers-gallery/

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.

Pocket Full of Stitches Does Twelve Days UPDATED EACH DAY

Pocket Full of Stitches is starting its Stitcher's Twelve Days of Christmas gift promotion today. Ordinarily I would put this in the Sales and Trunk Shows section only but there are so many cute things that you'll see each day, I thought I'd alert everyone to watch the PFOS blog for the next twelve days.   Each day will show off a special item at a special price. 

Day One--Bags
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-1_1.html

Day Two--Holders for Tools and Threads (snap trays, etc.)
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-2.html

Day Three--Scissors
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-3.html

Day Four--Small Lights, Needle Cases and Tools
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-4.html

Day Five--Thread color assortments
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-5.html

Day Six--Magnets, any size, shape, color, price!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-6.html

Day Seven--Books and DVDs
http://astheneedleturns.com/melissa-prince-trunk-show-boxes-and-inserts/

Day Eight--Scissor Fobs
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-8.html

Day Nine--Beading Tools and Accessories
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-day-of-christmas-day-9.html

Day Ten--Display Boxes and Trays
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-10.html

Day Eleven--Buttons!
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-11.html

Day Twelve--New Items
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2013/12/stitchers-12-days-of-christmas-day-12.html

I'll update this article each day with the latest so you can come back.  Or bookmark the PFOS blog and follow along 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.

Cat Dreams

Erin at Needlepoint Land loves playing with animation and since she's also a needlepoint shop owner, many of the stars of her mini films are needlepoint canvases. Today's star is a Maggie cat, dreaming in color. Enjoy! 
http://needlepointland.com/2013/11/25/even-cats-dream-in-technicolor/#comment-1926

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.

"Limitations Can Be Incredibly Stimulating"

Here is another wonderful video of Kaffe Fsssett taking about color and design from Ehrman.  Is anyone else fascinated by the painting of Chinese men in the background behind him?
http://www.ehrmantapestry.com/videos/story/Kaffe-Fassett--Colour-and-his-home.aspx?page=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.