The Smart Cookie Award for April goes to….

The Smart Cookie Award for April goes to Patrick, who turned a cigarette case into a needle and scissor case.  It's gorgeous!  Use the right side arrow to see what's inside.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=628351451079475&set=pcb.2890767204333752&type=3&theater&ifg=1

Well done and stylish!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 9, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Brief Interview with Rachel Donley

Needlepoint.com is using a Rachel Donley exclusive canvas for one of their kit by mail classes and took the opportunity to post a short interview with Rachel on their blog.
https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/meet-the-artist-rachel-donley

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 7, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Anasazi Song: The Movie

Gary Parr of Fiber Talk just finished stitching Carole Lake's "Anasazi Song."  Then he filmed it and described how it is done.  Impressive!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBegtdKeyPs&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR3j_RyLXokcCaCM7k4ZwNpFnGp6VzzYLNX2SshsPPwT7SzmbbdGvxtkb-I

If you fall in love, the charts for Anasazi Song and the other two in the series are still available.
https://stitchplay.com/carole-lake-designs/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 6, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

My Favorites from Spring 2020

With the disruption the Coronavirus has brought us during the spring of 2020, we didn't have a spring trade show in Orlando but that doesn't mean our designers haven't been busy creating temptations for us!  Here are my favorites from the late winter-early spring.

Gayla Elliott's Cleopatra

I always like Gayla Elliott's little portraits of woman.  This is Cleopatra.  She would be a delight to stitch!
https://needlepoint.com/products/aasgep255

Maggie's Cleo Cat, Complete with Attitude

Continuing the theme of Egypt (A personal favorite but hey!  This is MY favorites list!) is this fun Egyptian cat from Maggie.  Abstract designs don't usually grab me but I really like this one.  Snooty cats are always fun, right?

Heidi Stanley's Lucky Cat

Heidi Stanley has a great Lucky Cat design that would be really fun to do as well.

Green Tiger from Hello Tess

I also like Hello Tess' Green Tiger.  Are you seeing a feline theme here?  LOL
https://hellotessdesigns.com/collections/new

Labors of Love's Wicked Queen

Want more of a challenge?  Look at this Labors of Love canvas of the evil stepmother queen from Snow White that Amy Bunger will use as a Home Study starting probably next fall.  It'll be a real challenge but Amy Bunger is up to it.

Tapestry Fair's Spirit Animal Coyote

Tapestry Fair has a series of Spirit Animals from Timothy Chapman's artwork that are spectacular.  I like the Coyote.
https://bestitchedneedlepointshop.com/collections/spring-2020-digital-market/products/spirit-animal-coyote

Blue Heron from Julie Mar is lovely.
http://www.juliemardesigns.com/pc/CN-1524/market-preview/Blue+Heron

Abigail Cecile's Brown Bear from the Folk Art Animals Series

If you want less of a challenge, how about the really darling series of folk art wild animals from Abigail Cecile?  Brown Bear is my favorite but they are all very cute and would be fun to work up for winter display.
https://kirkandbradley.com/collections/new-designs-abigail-cecile

Ugly Christmas Sweater from Ryan Conners of Purple Palm

Want something with personality?  How about Ryan's animal glasses series?  These are distributed by Purple Palm.  I love the cat in green glasses myself but there are dogs that are just as cute.
https://purplepalmdesigns.com/?product_cat=ryans-designs

Melissa Prince's Winter Hummingbird

If you like birds (and who doesn't?) you might like Melissa Prince's new birds, too.  My favorite is the Winter Hummingbird.  I like the realism here.  The humming bird has personality.
https://stitchtherapyneedlepoint.com/feature.php?id=64696&title=Winter%20Hummingbird&itemtype=hand%20painted%20canvases

Lady in Hat from Leigh Designs

My final pick is a classic.  Leigh Designs has a series of ladies in hats.  This is the newest and a favorite of mine due to the soft pastel colors and her sawn neck and lovely hair.
https://www.facebook.com/FleurDeParis/photos/a.364859333567690/2895536467166618/?type=3&theater

So there you have it!  I like people and animal canvases, mostly realistic designs.  So what's your favorite theme and which new designs do you like?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 4, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Online Niki McDonald Exhibit

Sadly, one cannot go to see Niki McDonald's needlepoint exhibit but there's an online catalogue of her work here—
http://www.trafficjamgalleries.com/images/current-exhibition/Niki%20McDonald%20-%20Untitled.%202020%20Exhibition%20Catalogue.pdf?fbclid=IwAR2DVbLveT3KsMM1lUVWxAR3qUqaL8i72hFQWQqzPotzJRQXiHtpCzL4clI

Her original pieces are so clever!  You can see more of Niki's work at her Tapestry Girl website.
https://tapestrygirl.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright April 4, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.