Ada Goes to Texas

Ada went to Cleburne, Texas for a stitching retreat and (naturally!) a trip to Fancy Stitches. 
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2015/03/what-week.html

If you aren't up for a quick jaunt to Fancy Stitches yourself, here is their website.  It wouldn't load when I wrote this but might have been down for maintenance.  Hope you can see the site.  The shop has a great reputation and some wonderful finishing to admire.
http://www.fancystitches.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 22, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Mark Likes Easter Eggs (And So Does Laura)

Mark at Labors of Love has collaborated with JP to stitch some of the Labors of Love Easter eggs that are available from their company.  Well done, Mark!  I love what you are doing with these little guys.
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/blog

You can see their three Easter eggs and all the other Easter-themed designs on the company's website.
http://www.laborsofloveneedlepoint.com/easter.html

By the way, Laura Perin likes eggs, too.  She's into Faberge eggs, and does counted designs for those who like their canvas unpainted.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2015/03/an-elegant-egg.html

Makes me want to go eat a chocolate egg.  (But what doesn't?!)

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 16, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Whiskers for the Easter Bunny

Linda's finished stitching her Japanese Bunny. Look at those whiskers! Who knew one ply of floss would be perfect? 
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2015/03/japanese-bunny.html

I'm sorry, I don't know the designer but Linda stitches great rabbits.  Here's another.
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2014/12/spring-is-right-around-corner.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 15,  2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Professional Finisher at Work

The Nimble Needle up in Jersey just got a box of customer pillows back from their finisher. They are fabulous!  The finisher even dyed fibers to make the rooster's fluffy trim.  Who knew a finisher would go that far?!
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/latest-finishing/

Bedecked and Beaddazzled has a Kimberly Santa pillow back.  Look what their finisher did in the fabric edges!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2015/03/santa-up-close.html

Each piece is wonderful in a different way.  What a difference a good finisher makes!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 15, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Professional Restorer at Work

Melissa talks about several needlepoint restoration projects on her website. The first is a family crest.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=759

The second is a folk art pillow from the 1930s.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=821

The third is a pillow chewed by a pet.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=789

The fourth is a picture that had to be reblocked and reframed.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=412

The process (and the projects!) is fascinating.  But after all this, you may wonder why folks bother. This is Melissa's answer.
http://www.collector-repair-services.com/?p=334

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.