What's the Point?

It's that time of year again--the time when the clueless wonder why you made a needlepoint stocking when you could buy one of these for so much less. 
http://www.landsend.com/products/needlepoint-christmas-stocking/id_259386

I generally just ask folks if they would prefer a dress from Walmart or one from Chanel?  Then I show them this stocking and explain it's the same thing.
http://www.needlepoint.org/WhatIs/2000/Santa's%20Reindeer.php

But this article points out how much more is involved than just quality.
 http://makezine.com/2015/11/18/whats-the-point-of-making-something-you-could-buy/?utm_content=buffer09a0c&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer


Merry Handmade Christmas!

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

Birth of an Artist

This profile of the needlepoint designer Lee Ann Estep explains how she took the step from a needlepointer into the creator of original works of art.  Use the arrows to see the slide show at the top of the article. Then click on the photo of Lee Ann to watch her video explaining a bit about her stitching history.
http://www.yakimaherald.com/lifestyle/home_and_garden/yakima-woman-an-artist-in-needlepoint/article_33de8974-7f84-11e5-8b61-c7ab71c87b5e.html

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

What's Your Best Strategy for Combating Stitching Boredom?

As a long term shop owner, Mary Agnes has seen it all and has strategies to cope with most of the problems of running a small business.  She does some model stitching and also stitches items for customers, so she runs into the problem of Stitching Boredom often.  Here is how she copes.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2015/11/shop-stitching-rush-job-10.html

Personally, I make myself stitch every night after supper without fail.  This doesn't always work--sometimes I am so tired by my Real Life chores that I don't dare stitch.  Ripping out a night's work the next night means it isn't worth working when exhausted!  But it works for me.

What's your strategy to get yourself through the boredom of a project you've worked on too long?

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

Frayed Ends: Why and How to Counteract Them

Dena of Kreinik has written an interesting article for Mr. X Stitch about why threads fray at the ends and how to counteract this tendency.
http://www.mrxstitch.com/kreinik-calling-thread-technics/

Unless of course you want a frayed end!

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

NAN Exemplary Winners Online

The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) has updated their website to showcase the ribbon winners for their 2014 and 1015 annual Examplary exhibit.
http://needleart.org/2015-exemplary-ribbon-winners/

Not everything is needlepoint, but much is and there is a lot to see and admire.  Choose "Galleries" to explore their Lifetime Achievement award winners and their stitching or look at their Permanent Collection of outstanding needlework.

Thanks, NAN!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 9, 2015 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.