My Renaissance Rat

I've been stitching my Renaissance Rat for a while now, but not talking about her since you've already seen Joanne's fabulous Bernice. My rat is ecru, reds and gold and I think she is lovely. Unfortunately she has no head but I'll fix that eventually. I just need the right shade of brown for her fur.

I want to draw your attention to two things--the red in the bodice versus the red in the skirt bottom. The skirt has red Trebizond silk (it's a perle type thread, very pretty and easy to work with although it can be thick for 18 count, depending on the stitch you've chosen) and the bodice has red Patina nylon perle (not so easy to work with but very shiny and pretty). The two threads are exactly the same color if you compare strands, so when I ran out of the Trebizond, I thought I'd use the Patina on the bodice. Now the bodice is a lighter shade of red-color magic! This does happen, although I think the reason is the nylon thread is shinier than the silk perle.

The second thing I wanted to mention is that I used Kreinik's red and gold mix #203 for French knots on the bodice. I really like the effect although this is a very ugly thread on the spool!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Odette's Rabbit Angel

I got a note and a photo from Odette this weekend. She's working away on her household pet guardian angel, the Georgian Rabbit. I thought (with Odette's permission) you would like to see how it is coming along. This is what Odette told me:

"Thought you would like to see that I have progressed. I was hoping to finish bunny angel this weekend and only have the background to complete but that did not happen.

You can't see the shimmer on the wings - I put a green pearlessence DMC threads over the stitching. I used the same green rayon thread that is in the border for the centre of the 'feathers'. I thought her face turned out quite well. It shows up a bit fluffy."

The face looks great! I think Odette told me it is a knitting wool. As she is in South Africa, the threads she has available are a bit different than what I can buy in the United States, which makes this a very special international angel!

Nice job, Odette. I especially love the contrast of her dark gray furry face with the lavender and spring colors of her clothing.

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

March Stitch of the Month - Glittering Kimono

The March stitch for Tony Minieri's Glittering Kimono project is up. The stitch is called Kimi Stitch. It's done in two parts. First you lay down a diagonal line of cashmere stitches, then you fill in the gaps between rows with a tent stitch, then a backwards leaning long stitch.
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2009/mar.php

But before you start, MAKE SURE that you look at the road map diagram that shows where March/Stitch 2 belongs. I think Tony is tinkering with the placement of stitches because the first road map I printed out has this stitch as the wide ribbon that runs down from the right hand side shoulder. You'll find the road map at the bottom of this page. Click on the link and a PDF page will open. Make sure you understand where to put the March stitch before you start, especially if you printed this out early on.
http://www.needlepoint.org/StitchOfTheMonth/2009/jan.php

In the photo above I've done my offset cashmere stitches using 2 plies of Gloriana silk # Jewel Blue on both sides, being very careful to leave 12 threads between each section for the edging trim. I also was careful to make sure my collar is 6 stitches high. It is a little difficult to make the curve of the collar but I probably can hide the rough area where the collar and edge trim meet the Kimi Stitch.

On the upper right side I've started filling in the empty spaces between the cashmere stitches with Kreinik #8 braid in 329. Note that Tony uses more plies and a larger metallic thread but I only had the right color of canvas in congress cloth so I am forced to go lighter weight and fewer plies to make this work. Not much of this step is done but the stitch diagram just appeared on the ANG website and insomnia only allows so much stitching time before you fall face down on the sofa!

It is a very pretty stitch and looks quite delicate. Makes you wonder who Kimi is and how she came to have a stitch named after her....

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Today's Thread Day

When I discovered the hibiscus had buds on it last week and one bloomed, well, I thought spring was here! I took the snow scraper out of my car, put the snow shovel and snow broom in the corner and started haunting the rose bed looking for signs of leaves. Sadly, this morning I am watching it snow hard here in Chilly Hollow. Sigh.

Oh, well, let's declare this thread day! Threads always cheer me up. With the TNNA trade show in January, there are always new thread colors coming out. Needle in a Haystack has a list of the new colors they've just gotten in and links to their online thread catalog where they have added pictures.

http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2009/02/more-new-thread-colors.html

Elmsley Rose has posted photos of several threads she is excited about on her blog. She does 17th Century reproduction embroidery so was excited to find several silk dyers selling their threads on eBay. One of them pointed her to Aurora Silk, my favorite silk perle line. The Aurora colors are gently faded as they are naturally dyed and the silk perle very easy to work with. The LNS that up and moved to PA (sob!) carried their threads so I stocked up before they left town. Lovely thread! Click on Needlework Silk to explore what they offer. Before I move on, check the photos Rose has posted of a Gilt Sylke piece. I've been very curious about this historical reproduction thread that mixes metal thread with silk into a perle twist since the Plimouth Plantation historical reproduction of an embroidered jacket started and they managed to have this made to their specifications. It looks like any project done with this very special and expensive thread will be special indeed!
http://elmsleyrose.blogspot.com/2009/02/historical-sampler-special-threads.html

Barbara Bergsten has shared tips on working with specialty threads she learned at a class at her local shop on her blog. It's an interesting read, and may help you figure out why you hate that thread everyone raves about.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2009/02/specialty-thread-tips.html

Michele Herron has been in class, too. She took a class at the TNNA show from Amy Bunger. (I am green with envy, Michele!) Read about her experience with new threads (and hot fix crystals) on her shop blog. By the way, I disagree with her on Princess Perle. I have to use short lengths but it doesn't misbehave with me. Obviously I am a much meaner stitcher! LOL
http://bristlythistle.blogspot.com/2009/02/needlepoint-peasant-dress.html

Before I close, I want to return to Barbara Bergsten's blog. Barbara is starting a new project, a butterfly canvas, to illustrate how you use a variety of threads and stitches on painted canvases. The real theme of this is compensation. If you are interested in learning from Barbara, here is the first posting of the Butterfly Stitch-along. Click on Main so see the first section of the butterfly.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2009/02/painted-stitches-butterfly-stitch-along-fixed.html

Now I need to go shovel off the porch!

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

The Evertite Trestle Set

Last week there was some discussion on the ANG email list about a new trestle table stand from the manufacturer of Evertite frames. Of course we all were curious about what it was like and with the help of Vicky of Needlenook of LaJolla and Evan Burroughs, the owner of Evertites, I've gathered photos of the stand into a slide show for you. Emails flew back and forth between Vicky, Evan and myself, and between us we gathered the following information:

First, this is what Evan wrote me about the stand.

"This particular project was displayed at TNNA to show what we can do in the way of custom work for the shop customer with special needs or requests. This one was ordered by a lady that does 18th century reinacting and her requirements were for something that could be period correct, i.e., little or no metal fasteners and it needed to knock down and set up easily (as an aside, the slate frame I made for her has no metal in it at all!). This trestle set knocks down into a 40 inch long by 8 inch wide and 8 inch high package in just a few minutes and assembles rapidly as well. Each trestle is held together with five tapered keys (wedges) and the height adjustable rail is held with two pins.

I have attached an additional photo for you. This one shows the rail 'floating' in the uprights with the pins sitting on the 'shelf' awaiting installation into the height adjustment holes.

Vicky would have a better idea on the retail price than me but I would say your expectation would be reasonable. The trestle set made of pine weighs about 35 pounds, if someone wants maple, oak, beech or some other 'furniture' type wood, the set would be somewhat heavier and a bit more costly as those woods are more expensive. The trestles are not stained or painted, thus allowing the stitcher option to do so if she chooses or not if she is concerned about possible contamination of her projects.

The overall height is 36 inches. The 'rail' can adjust from a low of 26 inches to a high of 36 inches. The slot in the 'rail' allows one end to be in the lowest hole in the upright and the other end in the highest hole or anywhere in between. The 'shelf' is 22 inches above the floor. The distance between the uprights, front to back, is 32 inches. The foot is 18 inches wide. Custom sizing would be available.

Each trestle is independant of the other, they can be placed with the feet touching (18 inches center of rail to center of rail) or as far apart as you need. The project just rests on the rails so it is easy to just pick it up and flip it over. This was designed to be used with slate frames in particular, but any large frame could be used with it. If the frame is too short to span the rails when the trestles are set at a width the stitcher finds comfortable with whatever chair they wish to use, a couple of cross bars can be provided that can be attached to the frame as 'extenders'. I would expect the trestles to be set rather far apart so the stitcher is not bumping into the uprights that are beside them. When I run my wheelchair in between I have them set about 36 inches apart (that is me in the photo with the wheelchair). I would expect, if the rail is sloped, the slate frame or stretcher bars to rest against the uprights at the lower end of the rails or some of that non skid shelf liner could be attached to the rails.

People that would like to purchase a trestle set may contact Vicky or their shop may contact me. Delivery time will depend on order volume as you noted.

Please let me know if you have any additional questions."

Then in discussion with Vicky we worked out additional details. This is a custom item, which means there aren't a pile of them in a warehouse waiting to be shipped to you. You will have to wait until yours can be built, which might be a while if a group of orders for them came in at the same time. Evan says roughly 3-4 weeks for one to be made, but if he has orders for six obviously folks will have to wait until he can build theirs to their specifications. The price will be in the $150-200 range, not including shipping which will add to the cost since these are heavy. Even writes he's thinking about adding a small tack hammer or mallet to the set which would add to the price. And if you want a more expensive, heavier wood than the pine used for the one you see in the photos, that adds to the cost as well. And if you want it stained, that is an additional fee, although I forgot to ask Evan if he'd be willing to stain a trestle table. So you see the price will depend on what you are asking for and how far this has to be shipped. This is truly custom, which means a price and delivery date isn't possible until your exact specifications are figured in.

Evan only sells wholesale, so this must be ordered through your shop. If you don't have a shop, you may email Vicky to get the ball rolling. She's agreed to order for folks who don't have a store they can use as middleman. You may email Evan to ask questions but he won't take orders directly. To protect their privacy I haven't posted their email addresses here but you can email me for them by writing chillyhollow at hot maildot com. I will gladly forward their email addresses to you.



UPDATE:  Here is the Evertite website with contact information.  You are still going to have to order through a shop.
http://www.evertitestitchery.com/stasbflier.htm

Jane/Chilly Hollow
Main blog at http://blog.360.yahoo.com/chillyhollow