Melissa's and Megan's Journey

I imagine a lot of folks are like me on Halloween, without any little kids coming to my door for candy, so let's do something totally different and listen to the two Pointing It Out podcasts where the hosts, Melissa MacLeod of The Wool and The Floss, and Megan Holmes of the Needlepoint Clubhouse, interview each other.  

The first video is all about Melissa.  You can learn a bit about her career before needlepoint, how she became a shop owner, the impact of Covid on needlepoint, the re-branding Melissa has done, and the fact that despite her business background, she goes to Market without a budget.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rANCbnxAhUM

You can even tour Melissa's stitching room via this Instagram video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-k0vToRDji/

The second video is all about Megan.  You can get to know her, learn a bit about her shop and discover how she's gone from shop owner to canvas distributor to new owner of Susan Roberts.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBALTmmV_30

The websites for The Wool and The Floss and the Needlepoint Clubhouse are here--

https://woolfloss.com/

https://www.needlepointclubhouse.com/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Easy Finishing Tip for Irregular Shapes: The Movie

The Nashville Needlepointer shows an easy way to outline an irregular shape on your mat board or foam core for finishing.  Hint:  Use a pin, then connect the dots and cut.

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-S9V8mP7Hw/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Bead Stacks: The Movie

The Needlepointer demonstrates stacking two sizes of beads for a special touch on your canvas. 

https://www.instagram.com/p/C-Q_rQ3smUw/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Sampler Archives

Tricia Nguyễn of Thistle Threads interviews Lynne Andrew of the Sampler Archives project in this YouTube video.  You'll learn of Lynne's work to build an online, searchable database of American samplers with descriptions and good quality photos.  (Note that there is a transcript of the video below the video and blurb if you want to read along.)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcqn3oqdTAY

When this video was filmed, there were approximately five thousand images available to the public with more being added all the time as museums and historical societies contribute their information and pictures.  Here's the Sampler Archives' website.

http://samplerarchive.org/

Now individuals can add information about samplers in their area to a list so that volunteers can reach out to the samplers' owners to get photos and whatever information is available.  (This is also listed on the Sampler Archives' website under "Sampler Search.")

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdoY6Fnx9Gq_58jaYKN-6RVVoYhV0EvuJSmNgYRpN40N1fVNg/viewform?pli=1

I know not all needlepointers are interested in samplers, but this is the history of both women and their needlework in America.  As Tricia says, sometimes "this is the only evidence the woman ever existed."  So donate money, contribute sampler information, and/or go to the Sampler ID Day in your area if you can.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 6, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Neon Rays and Neon Rays Plus: The Movie

Needlepoint.com's latest video talks about two Rainbow Gallery threads--Neon Rays and Neon Rays Plus.

https://needlepoint.com/blogs/needlepoint-know-how/thread-talks-all-about-neon-rays-neon-rays-plus

The video explains the difference in the two threads and offers some tips for stitching with them.  If you are tempted to buy a card or two, just to see, KC Needlepoint has photos of many of the colors of both threads on their website.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/search?type=product,article,page&q=neon%20rays*

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/collections/neon-rays-1

If you don't have a favorite shop you support, shop around as prices vary a little.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright June 15, 2024 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.