Clubs for the Fireside

This morning's messages included one from Fireside Stitchery announcing their 2011 clubs.  There are candy canes, carolers and a cow--plus an acorn and corncob club to celebrate Autumn.  You can see the canvases and read more about each club on Fireside's website.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/clubs/index.cfm?fuseaction=getClubList&CategoryId=3&clubState=future

Fireside's email also mentioned their eBay sales program.  Got excess stash?  They will sell it for you and reimburse you via a shop credit or in cash.  Again, check their website for details.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/ebay/index.cfm

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

The New Year Approaches

January 2011 is almost here.  For us stitchers, that means the TNNA trade show in less than two weeks is going to tempt our favorite shop owners with the latest things available.  A great many painted canvas designers are starting to post hints about their new designs.  Were you a fan of the Kelly Clark pear series last year?  It looks like this year she is doing a set of candy canes.
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2010/12/national-candy-cane-day-december-26th.html

Teachers are showing off new things, too.  Terry Dryden is showing off her latest design which is called Sahara.  She does lovely abstracts full of color and pattern which are a delight when they are finished. She's going to post progress reports as she stitches the original, too.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2010/12/26/finally-moved-and-sahara.html

Anne Stradal is continuing to design and then stitch her Nutcracker ornament series.  The next one has three little ballerinas in the Dance of the Flowers.  Even if you aren't interested in the ballet, you'll want to get this for the tiny dancer in your life, or just watch to see how Anne fixes the problem of making a pink background and pink skin look different.
http://thecapestitcher.blogspot.com/2010/12/waltzing-flowers.html

Squiggee is bringing flamingos to Market!  If you are curious, there's a link to a slideshow of all the new items here.
http://squiggeedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/squiggee-is-busting-out-all-over.html

Patt and Lee Designs are new to Market and are explaining all the things they have to do to get ready to go and sell themselves to the shops.  It's fascinating reading for anyone interested in the business of needlepoint.
http://pattandleedesigns.blogspot.com/

There are other new products available.  Kreinik now has gold and silver paillettes.  Sequin lovers unite!
http://yarntree.typepad.com/needlework_news/2010/12/kreinik-gold-and-silver-paillettes.html

LilyStitch has new miniature travel scissors of a kind I've never seen before.  Your mom rocks.
http://lilystitch.blogspot.com/2010/12/giving-thanks-to-my-mom.html

Finally, Janet Perry has a review of the newest Carolyn Hedge Baird book.  If you are on the fence about this one, read the review and decide whether to ask your shop owner to pick up a copy for you.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/needlepointing-in-your-nest-book-review

On another topic entirely, I think you'll enjoy Plays With Needle's photo essay.  Good job capturing the moment, Susan.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2010/12/littlest-angel.html

Now Watson and I are going out to play in the snow....

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

The Morning After

It's the day after Christmas and I'm sure we all ate too much.  So before we all take yet another nap, here are some fun holiday things to dance through your needlepoint dreams.  Robin has been decorating with stockings and with nutcrackers. How festive!
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2010/12/stockings-galore.html

http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2010/12/nutcrackers-and-smokers.html

Lilystitch has wonderful Santas for us to delight in.
http://lilystitch.blogspot.com/2010/12/santa-claus-is-comn-to-town.html

Nimble Needle's finished Kelly Clark pears are gorgeous.  Thank you for the beautiful items, ladies.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2010/12/trio-of-pears.html

Peggi has a great idea for finishing next year's Christmas ornaments!  I bet you can pick up some holiday wine bags right now at a good price, too.
http://phoenixneedlepointnews.blogspot.com/2010/12/another-christmas-needlepoint-idea.html

If you can't face another Christmas ornament right now but you do want something small to stitch, Squiggee has hats, sweaters and mittens that would make delightful ornaments.
http://squiggeedesigns.blogspot.com/2010/12/very-seasonal.html

And Barbara Bergsten has an idea how to avoid all the Christmas madness next year.  LOL
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2010/12/needlepoint-holiday-saying.html

Laura Perin is creating new designs that are just perfect for the new colored canvases from Nature's Palette.
http://two-handedstitcher.blogspot.com/2010/12/silver-stars.html

Finally, I have a wonderful story of a pair of rescued Christmas ornaments and a miracle for Christmas.
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2010/12/23/rescued/

http://www.gayannrogers.com/site_2/Christmas_Story.html

Watson says Merry Christmas to all.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

By the Way

I'm not stitching a lot at Christmas since I'm going to be cooking while keeping track of the newest member of the Chilly Hollow family.

This is Watson....

He likes the fact that it is snowing outside.  We've been out to play in it four times since 6 a.m.

He is taking a nap.  I think I will, too.  Merry Christmas everybody!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow

Christmas Morning

It's Christmas morning in Chilly Hollow, the magical time when presents used to appear under our tree when I was a child.  Now that I am an adult, I can see behind the magic to all the work that creates the illusion of Santa, and to the real magic that is the birth of Christ.

Stitchers come in all sizes, shapes, nationalities and religions. The one thing that joins us is our love of handwork on needlepoint canvas.  To honor that link between us on this magical morning, I have many lovely needlepoint things to show you.  Let's start by visiting the slide show of  Needlepoint.com customers' stitching.
http://www.needlepoint.com/

Is your fireplace looking like Robin's?
http://needlepointstudyhall.blogspot.com/2010/12/stocking-was-hung.html

Are there no packages under your tree?
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2010/12/needlepoint-packages.html

Are you missing the company of other stitchers?  Perhaps you will enjoy reading about the Christmas Tea the Sampler Guild of the Rockies threw.  We can enjoy this vicariously without having to do all the work to throw such a party.
http://acoloradostitcher.blogspot.com/2010/12/sampler-guild-of-rockies-christmas-tea.html

http://acoloradostitcher.blogspot.com/2010/12/sampler-guild-of-rockies-christmas-tea_16.html

The Colorado Stitcher also made a tiny gingerbread house ornament that you'll enjoy.  It's on plastic canvas and she kindly posted a link to the instructions she used.  You know, this looks like fun!
http://acoloradostitcher.blogspot.com/2010/12/stitched-mini-gingerbread-house.html

How about adding Peace, Joy and a bit of Noel to your heart?
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2010/12/joy-noel-peace.html

If you are tired of looking at painted canvases you haven't a clue how to stitch, PFOS has a display of finished ornaments from their ornament exchange to enjoy.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2010/12/deck-halls-with-needlepoint-ornaments.html

Do you just need a little time with Santa?  Marcy's newly finished Santa is a bit different but also traditional and he's ready to give you a big hug.
http://stitchingplus.blogspot.com/2010/12/ta-da.html

If you are a counted canvaswork person, this Santa is for you.
http://dmc-threads.com/stitch-world-santa-stocking/

Do traditional Christmas themes set your teeth on edge?  Then this purse of Christmas fruits might be right up your alley.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2010/12/holiday-fruits.html

Or you might be interested in NP slippers, backgammon sets or belts and dog themed needlepoint.  These items are already made up.
http://needlepoint.about.com/b/2010/12/14/gifts-for-needlepoint-fanatics.htm

Whatever caught your eye, I hope you enjoyed the magic of Christmas morning here with me in Chilly Hollow.  I'm going to finish with a slide show of the Christmas items I've stitched over the years along with the Hospitality stocking Judie stitched for me and the little handmade Christmas card Beth sent.

I hope you enjoy it and that we all have a Happy New Year!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com Archived Yahoo 360 postings at http://profiles.yahoo.com/chillyhollow