I'm a Sucker

I'm a sucker for a good Nativity set, so I was thrilled to see Diane's Nativity progress on her Carol Dupree Creche set.  She's only got the angel to go, so pretty soon I hope we will have photos of the finished set made up into figures.
http://www.dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.com/2014/03/my-nativity-is-almost-finished.html

Here's the link to the set offered by The French Knot in Fort Worth, which has sponsored this monthly club.
http://thefrenchknot.com/current-series.htm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Russian Santas--Forever Green

Carolyn Taggart's Latest Russian Santa Finish

Carolyn Taggart ---who must never sleep!--- has finished another Russian Santa from the Leigh Designs series that came out last December. Here is Forever Green Santa!   Isn't he lovely?  I find the fur especially gorgeous. Carolyn says the fur on the cuffs and the edge of Santa's robe was made from 2 strands of Wisper mixed with one strand of silk for strength, worked in stem and outline stitches and then brushed to make it fuzzier.  The hat is five strands of silk worked in Jump Thru the Loop Turkey Work, then cut and trimmed and brushed.

How do you work Jump Thru The Loop Turkey Work, you ask?   Sheena James has very kindly allowed me to share her diagram of this stitch.  Make a long stitch up and down in the same hole, then a small anchoring stitch goes down in the same hole as the first long stitch.

Sheena's Diagram for Jump Through the Loop Turkey Work

Susan Flippin McPherson has finished her Blue Russian!  Here's what he looks like.

Susan's Northern Light Santa Finished

Don't you just love his expression?  Susan used Brian's Steppe Stitch to create snow around her Russian Santa's feet.  That is diagrammed here in case you've forgotten.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2014/03/blue-russian-final-glimpse.html

Great stitching, Carolyn and Susan!  Many thanks to you both and to Sheena for sharing your stitching and diagramming for our viewing pleasure.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 31, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Help Stitching that Bunny

Sue just wrote a very interesting message about stitching a rabbit canvas. She has stitch tips, thread ideas, and more that any bunny lover will enjoy. (Click on the stitch diagrams to see them well.)
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2014/03/12/mom-and-me-bunny-stitching/

Thanks for sharing, Sue!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 14, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Bead in a Berry

Anna Scott has posted a great tutorial on how to create berries by wrapping large beads with threads.  The real trick here is to use a very thin needle.
http://annascottembroidery.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/wrapped-bead-berry.html

Milliner's needles are perfect but threading that eye is not going to be easy.  This is the kind and size of needle Anna used.  Look at the eye and you'll see why threading up is a challenge.
http://www.amazon.com/Goldn-Glide-Milliners-Needles-Size/dp/B004KYW744

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 11, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tools in Action

Danielle shows off her new folding ort container, new magnet set and her Bead Buddy. Seeing how she uses these may help you decide if you need such tools in your stitching tool kit or not.
http://stitcherista.blogspot.com/2014/03/bead-buddy.html 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 19, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.