Threadaholic Alert: El Molino Rayon Thread

If you love threads, particularly rayon threads, you'll want to read what Jan has to say about Presencia's rayon thread called El Molino.  Like Jan, I adore Michelle at Come to the Point who carries the thread.  If you want to explore some of the threads she carries, the shop website is the second link below.
http://threadmedley.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/do-you-use-rayon-thread/

http://www.cometothepoint.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 8, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Backside of Miniature Rugs

Natalia posted an interesting article about why she uses tent stitches (mostly continental, but never basketweave) when she stitches a miniature rug. She feels the tent stitch makes for a neater background when working on such a small scale.
http://scarletsailsminiatures.blogspot.com/2014/09/needletherapy-tutorial-how-to-make-neat.html

Her current rug commission (below) is on 40 count silk gauze and includes a very intricate pattern, probably not suitable for basketweave anyway.  I always expected some differences between stitching on needlepoint canvas, congress cloth and silk gauze but I never expected that using tent stitches would neaten up the background!  Still, Natalie points out this works for her and won't necessarily work for other stitchers.
http://scarletsailsminiatures.blogspot.com/2014/08/french-savonnerie-rug-in-112th-scale.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 1, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tiny Little Stitched Houses

Stephanie has just posted lots and lots of photos of some of Squiggee's tiny 3-d houses. Her SWAN stitching group has been working a lot of these lately.  They are charmers! 
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2014/09/squiggee-consolidated.html

Squiggee isn't the only needlepoint company to do these 3-D houses.  Susan Roberts has some wonderful buildings.
http://www.susanrobertsneedlepoint.com/designs-by-category/category/mini-house.html

So does dede Odgen, although I think hers are larger.  They certainly are very detailed!
http://www.dedesneedleworks.com/special.html

Know of another designer who does 3-D buildings?  Add their name in Comments below or send me a quick email at chillyhollowathotmaildotcom and I'll update this list for you.  After all, the architect in us needs to build a house with needle and thread!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 3, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Nothing Screams Easter Like Sugar Eggs

Nothing says Easter to me more than sugar eggs.  We had these as children, covered in colored sugar and icing and edible if you didn't mind they'd been sitting out for a month.  Later on chocolate eggs became popular, which is understandable as they taste so much better.  Still, nothing beats a sugar egg for display!
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2014/08/sugar-egg-jane-stitched-by-this.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 30, 014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Colorful Orna

Orna Willis is back from teaching at the ANG Seminar.  Check out the wonderful photographs of her classes and students!   She is a master of color and it looks to me she has taught her students a lot.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2014/09/im-back.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 2, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.