Road Trip! Kreinik Visits Homestead Needle Arts

If you rarely leave home but still like to learn about new shops, you'll love the Kreinik interview with Theresa of Homestead Needle Arts.
http://kreinikthread.blogspot.com/2019/05/visit-homestead-needle-arts-shop.html

You can follow the links to shop online, by the way!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 14, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stitching a Belt Tighter

I noticed when putting my belt canvas on roller bars that I couldn't get the needlepoint canvas as tight as I'd like. Apparently this is a common problem. K's Creations has come up with an unique tool called tension collars that help tighten the canvas more than you can get manually.

Here's how they work, courtesy of Needle in A Haystack.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nc0mwYmCY5s

The shop sells these singly or as a pair.
http://www.needlestack.com/WebStore/Accessories/Frames.html

I haven't used these so I can't say if they help with a belt canvas.  Hopefully someone who has can tell us how well they work in general, and specifically for a belt canvas.

Speaking of which, I'm working away on the belt.  It's relaxing and fun.  Here's what I have accomplished to date.

A Chinese Lantern Motif from The Belt

I will post updates as I work this in the right hand column.  Belts are essentially basketweave, so there isn't much to talk about, but I thought you might like to see progress, especially as I am making this up as I go along.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 24, 2019 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Oasis Needlepoint Has a New Artist

If you are looking for something a little different for your next piece and you like animals, you will be charmed by the animal designs that Madeleine-Elizabeth Harwell is doing for Oasis Needlepoint.
https://www.oasisneedlepoint.com/madeleine-elizabeth

Madeleine-Elizabeth is a new, young artist whose elephant and peacock designs are definitely winners in my eyes.
https://www.oasisneedlepoint.com/copy-of-cases-inserts

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.

How to Stitch Circles

Needlepoint.com has written a nice article with ideas for stitching circles.  Of course they are promoting their classes that include some of the tips they mention but it's still a good read.  After all, circles are hard to do well on the grid of needlepoint canvas.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/tips-and-ideas-for-stitching-round-objects-in-needlepoint?goal=0_6eed0b10d5-9847a637f4-579725333&mc_cid=9847a637f4&mc_eid=3a360cb48b

Other ideas:

Couch a spiral of thread working from the center out
Use any stitch you want and then cover the jagged edge with an outline of stem stitch
Cut out a fabric circle (Ultrasuede or felt work well) and stitch it to the canvas with tiny stitches in a matching color.
Cover the circles with round sequins or paillettes or spangles

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.

Tina Francis Interviewed

Stitchery Stories interviews Tina Francis of Tina Francis Tapestry in their weekly series.
https://www.stitcherystories.com/tinafrancis/

Because Tina operates out of Birmingham, England, you may not be familiar with her designs.  She does tapestry kits using Appleton and Anchor wool on printed canvas or charts (your choice), among other things.  She's very fond of Bargello, too.  She also sells charts for a Use Your Stash series to encourage folks to use up bits of leftover threads from other projects.
http://www.tina-francis-tapestry.co.uk/shop/

https://www.etsy.com/shop/TinaFrancisTapestry

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