The Bowdoin Belt Boys UPDATED

Thanks to Palma, I have an interesting profile of Smathers and Branson's needlepoint belt business for you to enjoy.  I had no idea of their connection to The Point of It All in D.C., or that this was a company based in Maryland.
http://www.bethesdamagazine.com/Bethesda-Magazine/July-August-2015/Smathers-Branson/index.php?cparticle=1&siarticle=0#artanc

There's an interview with the founders on Bloomberg at the end of this profile of three preppy companies.
http://video.tampabay.com/Preppy-Handbook-Inside-the-Three-Preppiest-Labels-25484962

In case you aren't familiar with Smathers and Branson's pre stitched belts, fobs, and more, here is their website.
http://smathersandbranson.com

UPDATE:  They are in the Washington Post now. By the way, it'll cost around $300 (painted canvas, threads, finishing) to stitch a belt yourself and have it finished.  This doesn't take into account your stitching time, of course.  People on Facebook say the Smathers and Branson belts are thin and not done in basketweave so they won't last the way a needlepointed belt made from scratch by a stitcher will.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/guys-arent-usually-into-needlepoint-but-this-company-sells-them-on-it/2015/12/17/e41e8c6a-a42f-11e5-b53d-972e2751f433_story.html

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

BREAKING NEWS: Lynn Insko Dies UPDATED

I just spotted this obituary on Facebook for Mr. Lynn Insko,  well known as a superb needlepoint belt finisher.  I thought he was the founder of Hill Top Leather which carries own under the leadership of Glynn Broner but I was wrong.  Mr. Insko had his own business which Hill Top Leather took over.  See Glynn's comment below.  Sorry for the misunderstanding!
http://www.hilltopleather.com

UPDATE:  Just to clarify, the founder of Hill Top Leather Shop is not deceased. The owner and founder of Hill Top Leather Shop is Glynn Broner. Mr. Lynn Insko is the deceased and had his own business finishing needlepoint belts for 30+ years. Mr. Insko contacted Glynn in the spring of 2014 about taking over his needlepoint business as he wished to retire. Mr. Insko was a great mentor, teacher, and friend of Glynn and Hill Top Leather Shop took over Mr. Insko's business completely in June of 2014. Mr. Insko was a wonderful gentleman and a fine teacher. We will be forever grateful for his generosity in allowing us to continue his work and for the opportunity to know him for the brief period of time that we were given.

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

Mrs. Mellon's Pillow

The Point of It All talks about Bunny Mellon's estate sale and the pillow that was a big hit on their blog.
http://thepointofitallonline.com/needlepoint-sayings/

You can get a better glimpse of Bunny's pillow here, plus an idea of her personal style.
http://femmeetfleur.blogspot.com/2014/11/bunny-mellon-sale-at-sothebys.html

She and Mr. Mellon were very very popular in this area. Oak Spring Farm is perhaps an hour's drive over the mountain from Chilly Hollow, so many of the folks who did work for them live in this area. They all loved the Mellons who were very good to their employees, something of a rarity among the very rich in that area. Judged according to the pillow's rule, they were Somebody Indeed. 

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 3, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Custom Needlepoint

Nimble Needle shows off the custom painted needlepoint canvases they've arranged recently for customers.
http://www.nimbleneedlenj.com/custom-pieces/

Besides Leigh Designs' church on a swan pond, I think the Peeps box is from Gail Hendrix/Squiggee.  You can see more of their custom work on their respective websites.
http://www.leighdesigns.com/ImgIdx03.html

http://www.squiggeedesigns.com/MORESQUIGGEECUSTOM.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 2,  2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Happy Stitching Song

Thanks to Inspired Needle Ltd. posting the link on Facebook, I have a song for you based on Disney's "Happy Working Song" from Enchanted.   It's a fun way to start the week!  
https://www.youtube.com/watch?t=127&v=B6GYW13Be-M

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 11, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.