If you need a little inspiration this morning, how about watching the six minute movie showcasing all the scissor fobs made for an exchange that the Embroiders Association of Canada sponsored? There are all sorts of interesting ways to finish the fobs which were stitched in a variety of techniques. It shows just how much fun you can have with scraps of needlepoint canvas and leftover threads.
http://blog.eac.ca/2017/02/join-in-fob-fun.html
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 25, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
Monday, March 27, 2017
Sunday, March 26, 2017
"Is There A Needlepoint Shop in _______?"
Labels:
Needle Nicely,
shops,
TNNA
Needle Nicely talks about customers, how far they are willing to drive, and how to find out if there is a needlepoint shop in a town.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/02/is-there-needlepoint-shop-wherever.html
Here is TNNA's online directory. Not every needlepoint shop belongs to TNNA, but it's a good place to start a search. Choose "Needlepoint" from the Main Product or Service pull down menu and then select a location. Once you have results, click on the shop name for further information.
http://www.tnna.org/search/custom.asp?id=113
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 23, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2017/02/is-there-needlepoint-shop-wherever.html
Here is TNNA's online directory. Not every needlepoint shop belongs to TNNA, but it's a good place to start a search. Choose "Needlepoint" from the Main Product or Service pull down menu and then select a location. Once you have results, click on the shop name for further information.
http://www.tnna.org/search/custom.asp?id=113
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 23, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
Saturday, March 25, 2017
How to Attach Kid Leather
Labels:
Anna Scott,
goldwork,
kid leather,
tips
I have to admit I've never been tempted to attach kid leather to any of my needlepoint, but in case I ever have the urge (or you do), this article by Anna Scott about her current goldwork design will help me understand how to go about it. She makes it took easy, although it appears being careful and patient is very useful.
http://annascottembroidery.blogspot.com/2017/02/goldwork-wip-attaching-gold-kid-leather.html
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 20, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
http://annascottembroidery.blogspot.com/2017/02/goldwork-wip-attaching-gold-kid-leather.html
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 20, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
Friday, March 24, 2017
Travel Designs UPDATED
Labels:
countries,
destination,
foreign countries,
hearts,
states,
travel,
travel rounds,
travel stamps
Folks are always looking for a design to commemorate a trip or a favorite town, so I thought I'd make a list of the various designers who have lots of these destination canvases. They are listed in alphabetical order.
Denise DeRusha has quite a few small square travel location designs. She also has Christmas trees around the world ornaments (second link below)
https://denisederusha.com/postcards-us-states-national-parks-cities-and-world-countries
Denise DeRusha has quite a few small square travel location designs. She also has Christmas trees around the world ornaments (second link below)
https://denisederusha.com/postcards-us-states-national-parks-cities-and-world-countries
https://denisederusha.com/holidays-seasonal
https://pfos.com/products/russia-1
DJ Designs does several D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, and NYC travel designs, sized from stockings to pillows to oval ornaments.
http://www.annieandco.com/collections/dj-designs
DJ Designs does several D.C., San Francisco, Chicago, and NYC travel designs, sized from stockings to pillows to oval ornaments.
http://www.annieandco.com/collections/dj-designs
Doolitle Stitchery has a series of ski travel squares, ovals, rounds and ski pillows plus a few European destination travel ornaments, too.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/2565a1_75bdfe2e0c5d4ff5901cb9cfce3c9e36.pdf
Ewe and Eye has a really charming Lithuania ornament. I hope they have more along these lines!
https://needlepoint.com/lithuania-21335.html
In Good Company has an extensive line of printed mini sock canvases for cities, states and countries. Check their Out West squares for regional themed designs as well.
http://www.needlepointbyingoodcompany.com
Kathy Brandt does little stockings and round travel ornaments.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/KathyBrantArt/photos/?tab=album&album_id=381585001987545
Kathy Schenkel has an extensive line of travel rounds. Don't miss her Michigan Mittens series, either (second link below).
http://www.kathyschenkel.com/Gallery/Travel-Rounds-and-Other/26/Travel-Rounds/121.html
http://www.kathyschenkel.com/Gallery/Series/11/Michigan-Mittens/104.html
Kirk and Bradley has a whole series of travel ornaments as well as some regular-sized designs. They even have a few belts!
http://www.kirkandbradley.com/travel
Hopefully the travel design you want is among those listed above.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 16, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/2565a1_75bdfe2e0c5d4ff5901cb9cfce3c9e36.pdf
Ewe and Eye has a really charming Lithuania ornament. I hope they have more along these lines!
https://needlepoint.com/lithuania-21335.html
In Good Company has an extensive line of printed mini sock canvases for cities, states and countries. Check their Out West squares for regional themed designs as well.
http://www.needlepointbyingoodcompany.com
Kathy Brandt does little stockings and round travel ornaments.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/KathyBrantArt/photos/?tab=album&album_id=381585001987545
Kathy Schenkel has an extensive line of travel rounds. Don't miss her Michigan Mittens series, either (second link below).
http://www.kathyschenkel.com/Gallery/Travel-Rounds-and-Other/26/Travel-Rounds/121.html
http://www.kathyschenkel.com/Gallery/Series/11/Michigan-Mittens/104.html
Kirk and Bradley has a whole series of travel ornaments as well as some regular-sized designs. They even have a few belts!
http://www.kirkandbradley.com/travel
NeedlePaint has introduced travel rounds for Paris, London, Barcelona, Rome, Thailand, and Venice. Note that these are printed, not hand painted.
NeedlePaint has new designs for New York, Chicago, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and New Orleans. They also do custom destination ornaments.
https://www.needlepaint.com/blog/2021/02/11/us-needlepoint-travel-rounds-destination-ornament-collection/
Painted Pony Designs has travel angels in their popular series of little angel canvases.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/tangelwc.htm
Painted Pony also has round ornaments for various locations.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/trounds.htm
Ruth Schmuff has a line of map designs that might be of interest.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/?s=map&post_type=product&tags=1&limit=10&ixwps=1
Silver Needle has an extensive line of travel ornaments. You can see them starting on page 12 of the Colonial Needle catalogue. Also look at the brick covers.
http://www.colonialneedle.com/files-customer/catalog/SilverNeedle_Catalog.pdf
Silver Needle has a travel ornament for all 50 states now.
https://colonialneedle.com/collections/sn-city-state-ornaments?page=1
Trubey has several lovely large travel bell pull canvases for those who want to celebrate their favorite places in a larger format.
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Browse.asp?Category=Trubey%20Designs
Trubey also has a series of travel "inserts" which are 6x7 inch rectangles. The motifs from the inserts are repeated by Trubey in round ornaments.
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Browse.asp
Painted Pony Designs has travel angels in their popular series of little angel canvases.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/tangelwc.htm
Painted Pony also has round ornaments for various locations.
http://www.paintedponyneedlepoint.com/trounds.htm
Ruth Schmuff has a line of map designs that might be of interest.
https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/?s=map&post_type=product&tags=1&limit=10&ixwps=1
Silver Needle has an extensive line of travel ornaments. You can see them starting on page 12 of the Colonial Needle catalogue. Also look at the brick covers.
http://www.colonialneedle.com/files-customer/catalog/SilverNeedle_Catalog.pdf
Silver Needle has a travel ornament for all 50 states now.
https://colonialneedle.com/collections/sn-city-state-ornaments?page=1
Trubey has several lovely large travel bell pull canvases for those who want to celebrate their favorite places in a larger format.
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Browse.asp?Category=Trubey%20Designs
Trubey also has a series of travel "inserts" which are 6x7 inch rectangles. The motifs from the inserts are repeated by Trubey in round ornaments.
http://www.fleurdeparis.com/products/10Browse.asp
Poppy Monk Needlepoint has vintage designs that mix fashion with Paris, London and NYC.
Audry Wu's passport stamp designs are great and different. Currently available: Paris, NYC, Florence, Tokyo, London and North Pole.
https://audreywudesigns.com/collections/new-arrival
CH Designs (represented by Painted Pony) has added state and country candy canes to their line. An example of each is below.
CH Designs (represented by Painted Pony) has added state and country candy canes to their line. An example of each is below.
NeedlePaint has designed a series of national park ornaments that are printed, making them cheaper than a hand painted design.
KCN now has heart-shaped travel ornaments.
Louise's Needlework has a local painter who will do custom travel rounds.
Ann Kay Studio has island designs that are unique and perfect for your collection.
Garden Gate Needlepoint is partnering with Cheryl Schaeffer on these three California-themed travel rounds for Anaheim, Pasadena and Santa Monica.
Atlantic Blue Canvas has some cute small square travel canvases. Search on the designer name at Stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com if the link doesn't work.
Ash and Gin has a new series of national parks designs. Note: these are printed canvases.
Whipstitch has started designing state stamps that feature the state bird and flower, like this one for Virginia.
The Meredith Collection introduced a series of binoculars with travel destinations reflected in the lenses Fall 2023. New York, NYC, Paris, Italy, London and the beach are available to date.
Lucky Lotus Needlepoint has a colorful and fun take on US states and state flower rounds.
Princess and Me has something unique--travel glasses cases! Note that all Princess and Me designs come with a stitch guide.
Hopefully the travel design you want is among those listed above.
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright February 16, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
Thursday, March 23, 2017
Using DMC's Metallic Mesh on Needlepoint
At the end of last summer, I heard about DMC's new stitchable metallic mesh fabric.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2016/08/dmcs-stitchable-mesh-fabric.html
In December DMC sent me some to play with.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2017/01/dmcs-stitchable-metallic-mesh.html
My first task was to try and mount it somehow so I could stitch with it easier. I ended up using stretcher bars and thumbtacks.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2017/02/framing-up-dmc-stitchable-metallic-mesh.html
My plan was to stitch one of Threedles' counted Christmas ornaments using one of the charts in Needlepoint Now's December 2015 issue. Sadly, that didn't work out. I found it impossible to count out such a complicated project on the metallic mesh. I simply couldn't see the holes well enough.
I even had trouble doing a simple darning stitch. I tried one of Sheena's Halloween cat diagrams but even this wasn't easy to work. I found the holes being so small a real handicap for stitching. (I was using two plies of cotton floss, by the way.) You can see the cat in the upper left of the photo above, by they way.
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/halloween-scaredy-cats/
So I stopped and thought about what I was doing, then came up with A Plan. (I love a plan!) DMC says this metallic mesh is meant to be embroidered on and they provide a floral design outline to trace and then fill the outline with stitching. So why not sketch a shape on the mesh and then stitch inside the outline using needlepoint stitches? I decided I would draw the rough shape of my Computer Pixie's tote bag on the metallic mesh and see if I could stitch it, then cut out the shape and appliqué it to my needlepoint canvas. I used one of the blue quilting pens to draw the shape on the metallic mesh. These are the pens that are supposed to disappear over time or with the application of COLD water. (Hot water sets the lines, as does ironing, leaving your project in the car in the summer, etc.) It worked quite well. If you look at the Darning Cat photo above again, you'll see the blue outline of the tote bag on the right plus my blue quilting pen posing in front of its work.
By the way, in the photo above I've already stitched the tote bag on the needlepoint canvas by weaving it on the surface. I simply repeated the weave stitching on the metallic mesh. I used two plies of Mandarin Floss for each version of the tote, stitching long vertical lines and then weaving shorter horizontal lines by going over and under the vertical thread lines.
Then I cut away the top part of the metallic mesh—using paper scissors instead of my good embroidery scissors--turned under the top margin of the tote bag appliqué, and using buttonhole stitch, started securing the top. That's what you see above, the buttonhole stitch underway. Note on the left side near the buttonhole stitching that the metallic mesh is starting to fray. When I cut out the other three sides and turned them under, intending to attach them to the needlepoint canvas, leaving the buttonhole edge free so I could insert something into the tote bag, fraying became a problem. I still managed to attach three sides of the appliqué tote bag to the canvas, stitching through the turned under metallic mesh edges and the underlying canvas with a sharp needle, with one ply of the same Mandarin Floss I used to create the tote bag weaving. But fraying was a constant issue and it showed in places.
The fraying taught me that I should have used something to stabilize the edges of the tote bag shape before cutting it out. So I tried again, first outlining a rough square with my blue quilting pen, then going around outside the shape with a line of Arlene's Tacky Glue, which dries clear on needlepoint. (In the photo above the glue has not yet been spread as close to the blue line as it should be since I wanted you to see both the line and the glue.) I used a toothpick to place and spread my glue and let it dry 24 hours. Then I cut it out as close to the blue line as possible, using my paper scissors, not my good embroidery scissors.
This is the end result, seen from the silver side. (I always drew and stitched on the gold side, reasoning that the gold mesh, if visible through my green threads, would look better than the silver.) The top edge is turned under and I've been doing buttonhole on it. The spacing is odd because I was attempting a decorative buttonhole stitch. Note the fraying on the bottom of the piece of metallic mesh. I deliberately did not cut through the middle of the dried glue there. Instead I cut the mesh next to the dried edge of glue. It would be relatively easy to turn under the bottom and side edges to the blue line, then stitch right through the glue (using a sharp needle again) and also through the needlepoint canvas to appliqué this onto the canvas.
Glue solves the fraying issue nicely. By the way, when I was playing with this—I handled the glued sample quite a bit, trying to make it fray—I realized that the silver side, properly glued and cut to shape, would work beautifully as a window screen on a canvas of a house. The painted canvas underneath will show through the holes. The only drawback is that the holes are small so you'll have to attach the silver mesh side out to your canvas with floss. Those holes are pretty small!
But back to my Computer Pixie. I now had an appliqué tote bag but the frayed edges were showing slightly. What to do?!
Heck, just put stuff on top of and inside the bag. Easy peasy!
Many thanks to DMC for sending me the metallic mesh fabric to play with. I have most of the sheet still and will be playing around with it as time allows. Maybe I can come up with more uses.
And maybe I'll get the glue out of my hair, too.
Jane exits, laughing at herself
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 22, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2016/08/dmcs-stitchable-mesh-fabric.html
In December DMC sent me some to play with.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2017/01/dmcs-stitchable-metallic-mesh.html
My first task was to try and mount it somehow so I could stitch with it easier. I ended up using stretcher bars and thumbtacks.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2017/02/framing-up-dmc-stitchable-metallic-mesh.html
My plan was to stitch one of Threedles' counted Christmas ornaments using one of the charts in Needlepoint Now's December 2015 issue. Sadly, that didn't work out. I found it impossible to count out such a complicated project on the metallic mesh. I simply couldn't see the holes well enough.
 |
| My Darning Cat And More |
I even had trouble doing a simple darning stitch. I tried one of Sheena's Halloween cat diagrams but even this wasn't easy to work. I found the holes being so small a real handicap for stitching. (I was using two plies of cotton floss, by the way.) You can see the cat in the upper left of the photo above, by they way.
http://www.sheenasstitches.com/halloween-scaredy-cats/
So I stopped and thought about what I was doing, then came up with A Plan. (I love a plan!) DMC says this metallic mesh is meant to be embroidered on and they provide a floral design outline to trace and then fill the outline with stitching. So why not sketch a shape on the mesh and then stitch inside the outline using needlepoint stitches? I decided I would draw the rough shape of my Computer Pixie's tote bag on the metallic mesh and see if I could stitch it, then cut out the shape and appliqué it to my needlepoint canvas. I used one of the blue quilting pens to draw the shape on the metallic mesh. These are the pens that are supposed to disappear over time or with the application of COLD water. (Hot water sets the lines, as does ironing, leaving your project in the car in the summer, etc.) It worked quite well. If you look at the Darning Cat photo above again, you'll see the blue outline of the tote bag on the right plus my blue quilting pen posing in front of its work.
 |
| Tote Bag and Applique |
By the way, in the photo above I've already stitched the tote bag on the needlepoint canvas by weaving it on the surface. I simply repeated the weave stitching on the metallic mesh. I used two plies of Mandarin Floss for each version of the tote, stitching long vertical lines and then weaving shorter horizontal lines by going over and under the vertical thread lines.
 |
| Buttonhole Stitch Holds the Folded Down Top Edge |
Then I cut away the top part of the metallic mesh—using paper scissors instead of my good embroidery scissors--turned under the top margin of the tote bag appliqué, and using buttonhole stitch, started securing the top. That's what you see above, the buttonhole stitch underway. Note on the left side near the buttonhole stitching that the metallic mesh is starting to fray. When I cut out the other three sides and turned them under, intending to attach them to the needlepoint canvas, leaving the buttonhole edge free so I could insert something into the tote bag, fraying became a problem. I still managed to attach three sides of the appliqué tote bag to the canvas, stitching through the turned under metallic mesh edges and the underlying canvas with a sharp needle, with one ply of the same Mandarin Floss I used to create the tote bag weaving. But fraying was a constant issue and it showed in places.
 |
| Shape Outlined with Fabric Glue |
The fraying taught me that I should have used something to stabilize the edges of the tote bag shape before cutting it out. So I tried again, first outlining a rough square with my blue quilting pen, then going around outside the shape with a line of Arlene's Tacky Glue, which dries clear on needlepoint. (In the photo above the glue has not yet been spread as close to the blue line as it should be since I wanted you to see both the line and the glue.) I used a toothpick to place and spread my glue and let it dry 24 hours. Then I cut it out as close to the blue line as possible, using my paper scissors, not my good embroidery scissors.
 |
| Glued Metallic Mesh, Top Edge Buttonholed |
Glue solves the fraying issue nicely. By the way, when I was playing with this—I handled the glued sample quite a bit, trying to make it fray—I realized that the silver side, properly glued and cut to shape, would work beautifully as a window screen on a canvas of a house. The painted canvas underneath will show through the holes. The only drawback is that the holes are small so you'll have to attach the silver mesh side out to your canvas with floss. Those holes are pretty small!
 |
| Tote Applique Fraying on the Upper Right Corner and Left Side |
 |
| Computer Pixie, Done and Awaiting a Frame |
Heck, just put stuff on top of and inside the bag. Easy peasy!
Many thanks to DMC for sending me the metallic mesh fabric to play with. I have most of the sheet still and will be playing around with it as time allows. Maybe I can come up with more uses.
And maybe I'll get the glue out of my hair, too.
Jane exits, laughing at herself
Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 22, 2017 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)