Wednesday, August 27, 2025

August 2025 NJNA Newsletter

ANG's New Jersey Needle Artist chapter has posted their regular newsletter.  It's full of ANG local and national news with the ANG Seminar coming up very soon.  The most important thing is a quick update on Tony Minieri's health, but there are new designs showcased, a look at Sudbury's little octagonal box which is self-finishing, new totes from Rittenhouse, thread news (Silk Straw is getting hard to find), and a needlepoint "Advent" calendar of sorts, plus a retreat and a good thread tip.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 10, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Mystery for Fall 2025--"My New Skull"

Ruth Schmuff has announced the Fall 2025 mystery class at Bedecked and Beadazzled--Sharon Hendy-Moman's "My New Skull."

The first class of the three that Ruth's planned is September 7.  I'll update this article as Ruth posts progress photos of the fun.

First lesson Ruth started with the face, the leaves in the background and did an interesting twist on the background itself.

The second lesson is all about the buildings in the background.  Great ideas for other canvases with buildings here!

And she's finished by the third lesson, which dresses her in jewelry, a gown and flowers in her hair.  The skull is fancied up, too!

Here is Renee's version, finished and beautifully framed.

Here is Ruth's version, also lovely in her frame.

Ruth has posted a video that shows a closeup of "My New Skull" and gives you a good idea of what is in the kit.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
 
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 2, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Monday, August 25, 2025

French Knot Versus Colonial Knot

Ever wonder what the difference is between French knots and Colonial knots?  Or maybe you loathe making French knots and want an alternative?  Melita explains all here--

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 23, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Sunday, August 24, 2025

Great Stitches for Clothing, Hearts, Backgrounds, Circles and Flower Petals (plus a Star and a Brick)

Quail Run has posted a neat stitch and stitch diagram for the one they used for a hatband and collar on their Pilgrim turkey.  Since they are starting to post stitch diagrams for all sorts of things, I thought I'd gather them in one place.

It's a double brick stitch variation, and not too difficult to do when stitching black on black like the hatband Mr. Turkey wears.  Gives his starched collar a nice look, too.

Quail Run has also posted a diagram for Ribbing Stitch, which is perfect for a knitted item.

Next, the shop has posted two lovely heart stitches.

This simple background stitch will go fast.  It is an open stitch but you can add a tiny upright stitch over the empty canvas thread to take care of that.

Here are stitch ideas for round spaces.

Flower petals are next.

And here is a star diagram, easily made larger if needed.

Bricks are great made from Mosaic Stitch.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 22, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Saturday, August 23, 2025

Ribbon Loops for Lupines: The Movie

Fire and Iris has made two quick tutorials for their Instagram account to demonstrate how to make little loops with silk ribbons for flowers.  The first video is optional, but it shows how to lock slippery silk ribbon into your needle and how to secure it on your canvas before stitching.  Useful stuff!  (Note:  the silk ribbon used is from River Silks.  You can sew right through it without damaging the ribbon.  It's my favorite silk ribbon for many reasons, but durability is #1.)

The second tutorial shows step by step how to make loops in your ribbon that create a beautiful lupine. Click on the right side arrow to move through the steps.  

Are you a visual learner?  Not to worry, Fire and Iris made a video showing all the steps if you'd rather watch than read what to do.  Once you make one loop, move up or down or to the side to make another, depending on how wide your lupine is painted.  Use your laying tool to move a previously done loop out of the way if necessary to see where to put your next loop.  Don't rush, just relax.  Silk ribbon embroidery is different than normal needlepoint stitches as you don't pull the ribbon tight in most cases.  

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
 
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 21, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.