Wednesday, May 22, 2019

Do You Need A Designer for Church Kneelers?

Recently someone on Facebook needed a designer for cushions for their church. Folks helped with lots of names so I thought I'd capture them all here. They are listed in alphabetical order with contact information.  Note that I've only listed people who specialize in ecclesiastical designs as that is very different from someone who just puts your design on canvas.  These folks understand everything about organizing and financing your church project to the special imagery you will want to include.

Alice Twiggs Vantrease
https://www.facebook.com/alicevantrease

Joan Eidman (the designer behind Fiori)
http://www.dreamhouseventures.com/shop/designers-showcase/fiori.htm

Lauren Tucker
https://www.facebook.com/lauren.tucker.3745

Nancy Keating
https://fancyworkfinishing.com

Nancy Lukoskie - Please note Nancy has retired now.

JP Sligh at Labors of Love
Contact him through the Labors of Love shop


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, May 21, 2019

Shaker Boxes and Coasters for Needlepoint

Alex Paras Needle Arts has a series of various Shaker style coasters and a box with place for your needlepoint design.  These are made by Macintosh and Son.  I've not seen them offered any place else.  Apparently the coasters will take a four inch round design and the boxes are available in other sizes but you'll need to inquire about what is available and possible.
https://store.apneedlearts.com/shstcomo.html

If the more modern sleek style of coaster doesn't suit your style, perhaps these will give you the look you desire.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 10, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, May 20, 2019

An Interview with Brooke of Thorn Alexander

Shannan at the Bobbin and Fred blog has been interviewing younger designers like herself, particularly needlepoint ones. Today's interview is a fun one with Brooke Thorn or Thorne Alexander.
https://www.sewingwithbobbinandfred.co.uk/2019/03/lets-meet-brooke-of-thorn-alexander.html

You can see the Thorn Alexander line on their website.
https://thornalexander.com

You can see Vogue's 73 Questions with Amy Adams here.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeKBv6nR3AY

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright March 4, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, May 19, 2019

The Bayeux Tapestry on Needlepoint Inspires Novel

Needlepoint Now as alerted us to this fascinating story of how a reproduction of the Bayeux Tapestry on needlepoint canvas has inspired a novel.
https://www.stltoday.com/entertainment/books-and-literature/mother-s-masterpiece-tapestry-inspires-deborah-gaal-s-first-book/article_4e5a4c3a-ec9d-580f-887f-4000d9e07b41.html?fbclid=IwAR05M9WkmRhhsTlIfhJJI_A0ExsisQtTz1xHxvnUbWR14I4pu56PLQsm_kg

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 9, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, May 18, 2019

Woodstock for Christmas Santa Hat

Background Done!


I finished the background for my Woodstock Christmas ornament! Hurrah! I like how it looks in the dark Christmas green.  Of course I may have to adjust the shade of brown I choose for the guitar but we'll cross that bridge when we get to it, right?

Speaking of getting to it, now that the background is finished, I need to decide what to do next.  I'm pretty sure I want to bead the ornament hanging from the guitar, so that needs to be last.  I find it easier to wait until everything else is done to add beads because threads catch on them.  Since that's going to be last, I think it makes sense to work the remaining parts of the ornament from the top down.  That will keep my hands off areas I've stitched.  Well, except for the background, of course.  I will be careful, however.

That means I will do the Santa's cap next.  I think it makes sense to do the fur on the cap first, then the red part of the Santa hat.  With that decided, I turned the canvas upside down to reach the area easily and worked the white fur with Planet Earth Wool in French knots.  I'd not used this wool before and it is quite nice.  It's a soft thread that is 90% merino wool mixed with 10% nylon, with a light twist, making it a bit thicker than Caron's Impressions.  Once I'd finished the trim around the face and the ball on the end of the cap, I used regular red Very Velvet and a size 18 needle to do long slanting stitches \ \ \ to create the rest of the headgear.


The Bird has A Cap!

The next area I'll work will be the bird itself as I work my way down toward the bottom of the canvas.  Stay tuned!

I am adding each week's progress report to a tab on the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog.  If you want to catch up on what you missed or just re-read everything, it's all there.  Click on the Magic Carpet photo on the right side of this blog and you'll go straight there.  Click on the Magic Carpet photo there to return to Blog's home page.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 11, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.