Needlepoint A to Z

Do you like puzzles?  If so, you'll want to get this puzzle which is called Needlepoint A to Z.
https://www.bookdepository.com/Needlepoint-Z-1000-Piece-Panoramic-Puzzle-Galison/9780735365308

Many thanks to Susan who was gifted one of these puzzles and let Needlepoint Nation know about it.

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

The Gold Work Guild

I just stumbled across mention of The Gold Work Guild.  Based in England, they have workshops, lots of information about goldwork techniques on their website, and they list exhibitions and events of interest to the student of this technique.  I don't see cyberclasses but you might convince them in this time of pandemic to try one. 
http://www.thegoldworkguild.com

Have fun exploring.  Their Gallery section is full of inspiring examples of goldwork, even if you aren't interested in learning to do this yourself.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 5, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tracy Franklin Demonstrates Long and Short Stitch

Needlepointers love the shading you can achieve on leaves and flower petals with long and short stitch, but it seems daunting.  Luckily Tracy Franklin has posted a tutorial that shows how it is done step by step.
http://tracyafranklin.blogspot.com/2020/08/a-basic-silk-shading-tutorial.html

Note that Tracy is stitching with what appears to be crewel wool on linen.  If you work on needlepoint canvas, you'll need a sharp needle instead of a tapestry needle so you can angle the stitches exactly where you want them.  You can't skip steps.   Tracy outlined the leaf shape with split stitch first and that always has to be done.  Then she worked the first half of her leaf in three rows.  You can't rush this by attempting only two rows and if you omit the split stitch edge, the leaf stitches won't lay well.  Patience is key here.

Read through Tracy's blog for more tips on shading and some fascinating interviews.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 5, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The ANG Auction Starts August 23, 2020

The ANG Online Auction starts tomorrow, August 23.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/NeedlepointNation/permalink/3201561619920974/

The auction runs from August 23 until the 30th.  You'll need to register before you can bid.
https://ang.afrogs.org/?fbclid=IwAR3-q0RWql2AadEluq-qese0o8VPEZKv94rXA5_4tOfTG73Pjt2CA_LdYsE#/index

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

Pharaoh Ramses II is Finished

My Leigh Designs Pharaoh is done!  Here is what he looks like.  Click on the photo to see a larger view.

I used two of the larger Gemstone beads from Sundance and a mix of olive-tan, red and gunmetal colors from Sundance's Color Inspiration Collections: Shells for the rest of the beaded area.  The beads are still wiggly and easily move out of position.  I've gone through them all 3-4 times to try and keep them in position but they are contrary things.  I may add a dab of glue on a toothpick to keep the worst offenders in place later.  (I use Eileen's Tacky Glue which dries clear.)  But I will wait until I decide how I am going to finish this before I actually use glue.

Here's a tilted photo to give you a better idea of the dimension I have.  By the way, I've always planned to not stitch the little hanger at the top of the ornament, so this section of the canvas has been ignored.  I didn't forget it—promise!

So what do you think?  Did I meet my goal of conveying a granite statue that wasn't overshadowed by a fancy feather fan?  Did my change of the gold and white striped background to a zigzag one work out well?  Would you stitch this?  

I hope to add more of the series to my stash and probably will do others from the Egyptian Dynasty collection over time.  Until then, time to move on to another project!

By the way, I have listed all the postings about this design on the Chilly Hollow Stitch Guides blog so you can easily follow along as I blog stitch this.
https://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/2020/08/pharoahs-fan-finished.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright July 15, 2020 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.