Chocolate, Samplers and Me

I've always known that a certain percentage of needlepointers only work needlepoint designs in all tent stitches.  But until the needlepoint group on Facebook came into being, I didn't interact much with this subset of stitchers.  After all, my main focus has been embellishment and light coverage stitching, which certainly isn't what traditional needlepoint has been.  Traditional needlepoint is full coverage, often in wools, and mostly used for utilitarian objects like upholstery, rugs and pillows.  These things need to wear like iron and stand up to use.  They are not like the framed pictures and designer models that I mostly stitch these days.

Hanging out at Needlepoint Nation on Facebook, I have made many classic NP friends and suddenly realized that not only were there many more stitchers than I realized who are into classic needlepoint, they are a bit ashamed that that's what they like best.  Some are puzzled by what I do, some are repelled by it.  Most also wonder if they are like the reproduction sampler stitchers--a bit behind the times.

You guys should always remember that the repo sampler people are actually time travelers!  They are stitching like 17-19th Century stitchers to better understand them and their time period.

Thanks to Two Nerdy History Girls (yes, that's the name of their blog--it's great fun!) I have a video that encapsulates this view of historical stitching.  The video itself is about recreating a chocolate kitchen in Hampton Court but that's just the subject matter--the real theme is honoring the craftsmen who came before us and understanding them by making the things they did in the way they did.
http://twonerdyhistorygirls.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-kings-chocolate-kitchen.html

So here is to traditional stitchers, whoever you are.  You are walking in the footsteps of our needlepoint ancestors, practicing their craft as a way of understanding them, and keeping it alive for our stitching descendants to admire, practice and enjoy!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 19, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The View From Behind the Counter

Donna works part time in one of my two "local" shops and has written a short article about the things she's learned from being on the sales side of the shop counter.  I hope she writes more about her job when she gets back from vacation.  This was very interesting!
http://majtravaux.blogspot.com/2015/02/confessions-of-shop-girl-part-i.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 18, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

BREAKING NEWS: Melissa Shirley is Discontinuing Some Designs

In the past one could always order an older canvas from Melissa Shirley Designs even if it wasn't on their website or in their latest catalogue. But due to space constants, this policy is ending. Melissa has already told the shops and posted a bit about her new policy on Facebook for stitchers to read.
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10153133137029252&id=370199729251&ref=notif&notif_t=notify_me

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 25, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Chinese New Year Revisited

Anna Pearson posted lots of designs inspired by China on her blog in honor of Chinese New Year. The designs are classics, as are all Anna's creations.  I missed Chinese New Year this year--too much else going on in terms of shoveling snow and ice!--but these designs are lovely and I thought you'd enjoy seeing them, even though it is no longer Feb. 19.
http://anna-pearson-needlepoint.blogspot.com/2015/02/kung-hei-fat-choi-may-prosperity-be.html

Happy New Year, everybody!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 20, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

"Traumatize Your Children For Life"

This 2011 posting from a French shop blog about repurposing needlepoint is hilarious and interesting.
https://translate.google.com/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fsoyons-suave.blogspot.be%2F2011%2F02%2Fque-faire-de-suave-avec-un-canevas-deja.html&edit-text=

In case the Google Translate version doesn't work, here is the original.
http://soyons-suave.blogspot.be/2011/02/que-faire-de-suave-avec-un-canevas-deja.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 17, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.