Sunday, July 7, 2024

Hoopla (and More)

I just heard from a stitching buddy who likes listening to things while stitching but who finds watching tv while stitching a bit distracting.  He's just discovered Hoopla, which is a digital library service that his local library offers.  It doesn't cost anything and he doesn't need to go to the library, he just gets online and looks in Hoopla to see if the audio book he wants to listen to is available.  If it is, he checks it out!  Genius!

To sign up go to the above link.  You'll need your library card number and your library card PIN.  Look for your local library on the list of Hoopla libraries, choose it, and then add your library card number and PIN*.  You will need an email address and will create a password to set up a Hoopla account.  It took me about five minutes to sign myself up but I had to fetch my wallet, find my library card and then find my reading glasses before I could set up my account.  It's easy, in other words.  I did discover you can only check out six books a month from Hoopla.  

If you prefer to use a phone or tablet for your digital books, search for the Hoopla Digital app on either the Google Play Store or the Apple Store.  Download it and sign in with the account you've already created or set up the account there.  It looks like you can check out up to six items at a time.  Hoopla also has music, movies, comics and ebooks.  

I already have an account with Libby (formerly called Overdrive) which works exactly the same way.  If you have a library card, it's time to see if you can use it to access online libraries.  Libby doesn't have a limit as to how many items you can check out in a month but you can only check out six at a time.  

Many thanks to Kent who pointed this out to us.  Happy reading while stitching, all!

*If your local library isn't on Hoopla's list, try seeing if your local library subscribes to Libby (which may still be called Overdrive by your library).  It works just the same way as Hoopla.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 10, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, July 6, 2024

Mermaid Curls: The Movie

The latest how to video from Ruth at Bedecked and Beadazzled is how to make fat sausage curls for a mermaid.

Here's how it looks mostly finished.  This is a David Galchutt canvas called "The Sirens," available only at Ruth's shop.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 10, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday, July 5, 2024

Spool Savers

These great little wrap arounds are perfect for spools that don't have a little slot to put your thread in.  (I'm looking at you, balls of perle cotton!)

They are called spool savers or spool huggers.  Made by Peels, they are sold in pairs by Thistle Needleworks in Connecticut but many online sewing stores sell them in much larger quantities.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 9, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Thursday, July 4, 2024

How to Stitch the Target Totes

Love MHB Studio has posted instructions on how to stitch on rattan-type patterns, such as the Target tote.

She's also done free charts for patterns you might use.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 8, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wednesday, July 3, 2024

Comparing Basketweave and Continental Stitch: The Movie

Needlepoint.com continues their "How to Needlepoint" series of videos with a comparison of continental stitch with basketweave.  They diagram the stitches for you as well (including a diagram for left-handed folks).  The first video covers basketweave, the second continental.

Note that basketweave stitch uses a lot more thread than continental stitch, but it doesn't distort the canvas as much as continental does.  You might need to block a canvas if you use a lot of continental stitch on it.  However, if you are starting to run out of thread, continental makes sense.  Just don't mix continental and basketweave in a solid background as you probably will see a difference on the front.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 7, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.