Photo Composition Tips Video

This video explains how Steve McCurry sets up the composition of his famous photographs. Betty found it online and mentioned it on Facebook which I am grateful for.  The design tips are interesting and helpful, particularly for those trying to create their own needlepoint or figure out what to emphasize in a painted design with possible multiple focal points.  
https://www.facebook.com/artFido/videos/vb.128082840616619/823621317729431/?type=2&theater

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Profiling Pat Mazu

This morning I wanted to share a profile of the counted canvaswork designer Pat Mazu I stumbled across when updating the Counted Canvaswork Designer tab.
http://www.bloombakecreate.com/2011/06/counted-canvas-with-pat/

You may have seen Pat's wonderful free designs in Needlepoint Now or Needle Pointers.
https://www.needlepointnow.com/project-information/project-index/

There is also a free project from Pat on the ANG website.
http://www.needlepoint.org/NeedlePointers/13-11/Nov2013MazuStarMdowStockingNPExtra.pdf

Pat's charts and her book on basic finishing are available from Stitches From The Heart.  I haven't seen the finishing book myself but it gets very good reviews.
http://stitches-heart.com/needlepoint/pat-mazu-designs/

I hope you enjoyed reading about this very talented lady and working some of her terrific stockings.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 13, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Luxury Leather Needlepoint (Lee Tougas and IC Images)

It's about time! Lee Tougas has set up a website to showcase his custom leather belts, guitar straps and camera straps!  Lee creates custom designs and then stitches them for his customers, finishing up with luxury leather touches from Chuck Pinnell's Pinnell Custom Leather.
http://www.ic-images.com

It doesn't get any better than this when it comes to a custom piece.  Cross your fingers Lee adds to the website soon.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 1, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

More 2015 NAN Award Winners

The National Academy of Needlearts has posted more award winners on Facebook in the "Professional Non-Original Without Instruction" category.  The names of the winners are in the comments section for each photograph.  DO NOT MISS Shay Pendray's "Oriental Rug."
https://www.facebook.com/118153386709/photos/pcb.10152681700131710/10152681697261710/?type=1&theater

By the way, the NAN website has the 2016 class descriptions up on their website. Have fun here--Ann Strite-Kurz's "Elfie Selfie" is my favorite but you'll want to see them all.
http://www.needleart.org/Assembly/Assembly-2016-Class-Descriptions-and-Teacher-Biographies.pdf  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 12, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

1950s-60s Vintage Needlepoint Handbags

While looking for something else I found a vintage handbag website with a little information about 1950-1960 era needlepoint purses. They don't actually have needlepoint handbags in stock but it's still fun to read about them.
http://www.vintagebag.com/1950s-1960s-needlepoint-handbags/

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