MaryMac Has a New Website

MaryMac, well known for their belt finishing with ribbons, has a new owner, website and Facebook page.  The service specializes in ribbon backed or leather backed belts and can even redo an old leather/needlepoint belt to freshen it up for you to wear again.   They also can make headbands or handbag straps for a purse.  Look at "Ordering" on their website for what you need to know before you send your belt canvas to them to be made up.
http://www.marymac.biz

You can see more examples of their work on their Facebook…
https://www.facebook.com/MaryMacBelts

…or Instagram pages.
https://www.instagram.com/Marymac_Needlepoint_Belts/

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

Beads, Beautiful Beads

Don Lynch of Associated Talents posted three photos on Facebook showing how he uses Sundance's 3mm bugle beads on one of AT's Halloween ball ornaments.   Don is very clever with beads--he's the inventor of the basketweave beading technique--and this looks even easier.  He says these 3mm bugle beads fit perfectly on 13-14 count canvases.  Thanks for sharing, Don!
https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1059944844037879&id=113124148719958

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 14, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Every Snowflake Is Unique

Susan Elliott's blog is terrific inspiration, even though in today's posting she is describing a crazy quilt block she created for a friend's calendar.  Those with snowflakes on their needlepoint will be thrilled to see Susan's snowflakes, each of which is beautiful and different and made from simple stitches combined with sequins and beads and crystals.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2015/10/winter-wonderbird.html

Those who admire Scott Church's designs for CBK should look at this and then decide how to incorporate Susan's ideas into embellishing this wonderful piece.
http://www.stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=24388&title=Chickadee's%20Snowman&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright October 8, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Pepperpot Skin

Pepperpot Silks in Skin Tones

I have a new batch of thread that I'm looking forward to using--Pepperpot Silk's new skin tones!  There are six shades which you can tell from the photograph.  I included a photograph of Melissa Shirley's new "Angel with Tree"so you can see how the colors coordinate with painted canvas faces.
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/gallery/?index=7865&cat=70

This design is on 18 count, by the way.  Pepperpot Silk generally does good tent stitch coverage on 18 count but I like to split each strand into three as my stitch tension is fairly loose.  As long as I am careful to cut out the thick or thin spots in the plies, it works nicely for me.    If your stitching tension is tighter than mine, you'll find a strand of Pepperpot Silk as it comes off the skein perfect for 18 count tent stitches.

The colors are (left to right) --
Baked Alaska 192
Fondant 190
Fresh 191
Powder Puff 193
Shell 195
Tippy Toes 194

I will probably use 195 and 192 for the rosy cheeks and 194 or 190 for the rest of her skin.  If you want to see larger photos, try these at the Planet Earth Fiber website.  Each skein has 30 yards of thread, by the way.
http://www.planetearthfiber.com/index.php/needlepoint-fiber/pepper-pot-silk

I've seen a lot of shops announcing they have these new colors in stock, so ask at your favorite local shop to pick up a set if you like stitching folks a lot like I do and you enjoy using Pepperpot Silk.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 6, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Highlights from the 2015 Stitch in Alaska Retreat

Jen of Funk and Weber Designs has posted photographs of all the fun in her first Stitch in Alaska Retreat. Is there a more beautiful place on earth to explore and stitch?
http://www.funkandweber.com/recap-stitch-in-alaska-2015/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 28, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.