Curing the Slump with Color Dreams Floche

I have a prescription for those after holiday blahs--a thread you haven't tried before!

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/2025/11/meet-your-new-thread-crush/

There are currently 47 colors, which you can browse here.

https://bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/threads/color-dreams/floche-color-dreams/

If you haven't used floche before, think a smooth perle cotton that glides through your canvas.  As Ruth says, it is perfect for backgrounds and blackwork patterns but it also makes for a wonderful flower or animal, given the (usually) subtle color changes.

Then there are Ruth's "Wild" and her "Wacky."  Got any clowns or witches that need hair on your canvas?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 4, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Floral Fantasy Finishing Tips

Melita has stitched a nice little piece called "Floral Fantasy" and made it up into the front of a box of tissue.  Sadly, she doesn't know the designer but she has some interesting finishing tips in case you'd like to try the same sort of finishing.

https://melitastitches4fun.com/2025/10/19/floral-fantasy-tissue-box/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright November 3, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Stripes are Slimming

We all have heard that stripes are slimming, but they are also great for needlepoint backgrounds.  Poppy Monk has an article about six different stitches for striped backgrounds, plus a tip for making the stripes dynamic if that's what you want for your background.

https://poppymonkneedlepointkits.com/blogs/the-5-minute-needlepoint-blog/needlepoint-stitches-perfect-for-stripes

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright October 26, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

News from the Bead Industry

Susan Johnson of SJ Designs has published a new e-newsletter that talks about the changes in the bead industry.  To sum up, Swarovski has stopped selling their crystals and beads to the craft industry and now Precosia is no longer making most pearl colors and styles.  So Susan is looking for replacements in Europe.

https://mailchi.mp/149bfd86c3cb/aug-20-2025?fbclid=IwY2xjawMVUVtleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF6dlJFeEc2dU05OEo5QWZqAR7SOu2xGGNM1jjBPoWXK7ba4Mx26G6QB-mHmrVmUjG6brM35f-LGuYQWL1wBg_aem_oCLJ7VuaW0m85Y4FWy-t7A

SJ Designs is one of my Go To places to shop for beads, pearls and metal findings.  If you'd like to browse, here is her website.

https://sj-designs.net/shop/beads-pearls-sew-ons/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 22, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Dome Magnifiers and Missed Stitches

KC Needlepoint has a short article about magnifier domes, which are used to check for missed stitches.  The shop carries two sizes.  Over the years I've seen a lot of these in various configurations.  Check with your favorite shop to see what they carry.

https://www.kcneedlepoint.com/blogs/news/missed-a-stitch-weve-got-you-covered?omnisendContactID=65edaf5fa958c70f5bc79ac7&utm_campaign=campaign%3A+Domes+%2868842f0ee966661261b4484f%29&utm_medium=email&utm_source=omnisend

Lori at Waste Knot demonstrates how to use the magnifier domes, with tips on other ways to find missed stitches in this Instagram video.

https://www.instagram.com/p/DNV8qXWtCdd/

If you don't want to invest in a new tool, try taking a photo or a scan of your piece.  The camera will sometimes reveal things you don't see using your eyes only.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow

Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com

and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

© Copyright August 15, 2025 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.