It's Christmas in July~

It is Christmas in July and Ada is celebrating by gifting us a charted Christmas tree on her Eye Candy website.

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2021/06/new-free-chart-design-sparkle-tree.html

Merry Christmas in July to all!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 18, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

New Silver Needle Minders from Michelle Ink

Michelle Ink does some lovely silver needle minders, including these brand new ocean-themed ones.

http://www.stitchingpretty.com/michelle-ink.aspx

Mermaids and shells and palm trees not your thing?  Check out her new Whimsical Animals and her Holiday Characters designs.  Click on the thumbnails, a larger photo in the middle of the page will appear.

You can't buy directly from Michelle Ink but her needle minders and other things are available online from various shops.

https://www.littlecreekneedleworks.com/store/p2707/Sea_Shell_Needle_Minder_by_Michelle_Ink_Designs.html#/

https://hobbyhouseneedleworks.com/search?q=Michelle+ink

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 11, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Dreaming of Texas

If you are dreaming of Texas, then you'll enjoy browsing the eleven Texas-themed canvases from Patt Large.  Just use the side arrows to see them all.  I think most are from her Pajamas and Chocolate line of painted canvases.  Fun, aren't they?

https://www.facebook.com/photo?fbid=4142703782478030&set=pcb.4142708855810856

If you fall in love, have your favorite shop order from Chris Lewis Distributing.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 14, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

How to Find Needlepoint Shops When You Travel

Now that people are starting to go places again, I've been reminded that NeedleTravel.com has a website and an app to use to find needlework shops of all types when you are on the road.  The app is currently available both in the Apple and Google Play stores.

https://www.needletravel.com

You can choose the type of shop you are interested in (such as quilt, embroidery, cross stitch, knitting, needlepoint, etc.) and then ask for all the shops they know about in a state or zip code you are about to visit.  Remember to check with the shop before you go to find the current hours, Covid restrictions, etc.  The information may not be accurate, after all.  For example, a needlepoint shop is listed in my town but it is actually knitting only and it's not very big and has quite limited hours.  I also see a Virginia shop listed that is about to close this summer.  Always call first.

NeedleTravel.com also has a handy book but it goes out of date much faster than their website or app.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 13, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Professor Pincushion Teaches Silk Ribbon Roses and Leaves

Professor Pincushion has two great videos on making ribbon roses and leaves of various sizes.  You can learn to make three sizes of ribbon roses in three different techniques here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ruz4GU-nFYs

The leaves tutorial is here.  The first stitch she demonstrates is known as Japanese Ribbon stitch.  It's perfect for daisy petals, leaves, a variety of things.  Note that pulling too hard on your ribbon ruins the stitches which should be a little puffy and loose.  Tension is much different in silk ribbon embroidery than regular needlepoint stitches, which is something you have to get used to.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Y2HMLyjjGQ

She is working on cotton fabric, not needlepoint canvas, so you may not want to knot the ribbon in the needle's eye to start.  You are likely going through the needlepoint canvas and perhaps a layer of stitching, after all.  A knot in the needle's eye is going to be harder to get through those layers.

The keys to nice silk ribbon embroidery flowers are to use a chenille needle, a good brand of silk ribbon that's either 4 or 7 mm wide for most flowers (I LOVE River Silk's ribbons!), and to watch your tension carefully.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 12, 2021 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.