Starting the Needlepoint Adventure

Needlepoint.com has a nice blog article up for beginners with some basic stitch diagrams and information about the tools you might need.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/starting-your-needlepoint-journey-a-beginners-guide

Really all you need is a canvas, threads, needle and scissors, but the other things make stitching a bit easier.  You can always pick them up as you work on your second (or third) project once you get hooked, though.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 23, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

2024 National Academy of Needlearts Winners

The National Academy of Needlearts (NAN) has announced their 2024 award winners.  If you click on each thumbnail photo, you'll see a closeup and be able to read about the piece.  If there are more than one ribbon winner in a category you can click on the right side arrow to see them all.  Click on the X at the top right hand corner to return to the summary page.

https://needleart.org/2024-exemplary-ribbon-winners/

UPDATE:  Celeste Chalasani has completed the Teacher Cum Laude program to much acclaim.

https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=943909474442570&set=a.562869925879862

https://needleart.org/teacher-cum-laude/celeste-chalasani/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright July 22, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Meet Kayla of Fire and Iris

It's always fun to meet the people behind the designs!  This is Kayla of Fire and Iris Designs.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7PdjcOvG6f/

She does those cute tarot card ornaments, the outdoorsy designs and some very pretty simple patterns that can be worked from charts -- and then there's her unique "Half Painted Series," which is half painted and half not so you can buy a cheaper design and go crazy adding your own touches.  Here is Kayla's website, so go have fun browsing!

https://fireandirisdesigns.com/collections

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright May 21, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Wooden Coffins for Needlework

I just stumbled across these wooden DIY Halloween coffins for needlework on Etsy.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1565180233/cross-stitch-kit-halloween-coffins?click_key=57f614507087cff0067b1f6f080d336b9ae11c16%3A1565180233&click_sum=4733122a&ga_search_query=coffin&ref=shop_items_search_1&pro=1

It looks like these have to be assembled.  If it were me, I'd stain or paint them before adding needlework, too.  There's no guarantee that thicker needlepoint designs will fit in the opening, either.  I wasn't able to find out the opening size.  These are really made to be used with her cross stitch patterns I think, but it's still worth an experiment if you are in Mad Scientist Mode!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 17, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint-themed Charm Bracelets UPDATED

Stitches and Style shows off her needlepoint-themed charm bracelet.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7rXvqWsbzw/

https://www.instagram.com/p/C7sLF3ZPoGF/

She bought her charms all over but you might check Lynette Palm Beach as they apparently stock them.  You can also browse Etsy and eBay.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1628037344/handmade-bobbin-silver-pendant-for?click_key=406071487c1c4d068b87350929c3a89960ae1707%3A1628037344&click_sum=72061b0f&ref=search2_top_narrowing_intent_modules_etsys_pick-1&frs=1&sts=1

If you don't need sterling silver or gold charms, lots of Etsy sellers have sets of themed charms.  You can combine them with beads and alphabet letters to make fun bracelets that spell out things like ANG or stitch or anything that means something to you and your stitching buddies.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/1652593220/stitch-markersstitchers-paradise-stitch?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=needlepoint+stitch+charms&ref=sr_gallery-1-28&pro=1&sca=1&content_source=96bbafcdd7979e71727d95352a4907f3a6771297%253A1652593220&organic_search_click=1

Also ask your favorite shop.  About a dozen years ago my local stocked nice sterling silver charms that diagrammed stitches.  

UPDATE:  Alex Paras has charms of stitches, many of which are sterling silver.

https://www.apneedlearts.com/stitchescharms.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 1, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.