Dallas Show

The Dallas "cash and carry" show is going on this weekend in case you wonder where your favorite shop owner has disappeared to.  Squiggee posted her flyer for shop owners who wanted a preview last week.
http://squiggeedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/03/dallas-flyer.html

Vicky DeAngelis is reporting on the show from Dallas.  Looks like this is going to be fun!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/04/02/destination-dallas/

Colleen at Needle Works has promised to post the goodies she buys on her blog Monday.  Stay tuned!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

The Dog Report

The sun's too bright!

It's been a while since I mentioned the new puppy and folks are asking about him.  Let's just say at almost 64 pounds and with five left feet, Watson's a bit of a handful these days!  He is a sweetheart, though, and fun to work with to make him a pleasant and well-behaved companion.  The squirrels are starting to worry about raiding the bird feeder with Watson on patrol, too, which is really why we wanted a Great Pyrenees.  They keep varmints away from the immediate vicinity.  Living as we do in a mature oak forest with deer, mice, woodpeckers, snakes, raccoons, foxes, ground hogs and the occasional bear and wild cat, this is a good thing.

Patt and Lee's Puppy Love

Speaking of dogs, check out this hilarious but poignant new dog piece from Patt and Lee Designs.  Don't you love the shading of the fancy stitches on the poodle and that gorgeous background?  The mutt is much subtler but he has fancy stitches, too. They are just in a smaller scale so one doesn't notice them at first.  Which is the point!
http://pattandleedesigns.blogspot.com/2011/03/something-different.html

Patt is writing the stitch guide now so I expect your shop will be able to order this for you in the next month or so.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Designer of the Day

Pocket Full of Stitches has started a new Designer of the Day sale.  Today's the second day and the designers for today are Mindy and A Collection of Designs.  For today only, anything in stock at their shop by these two designers is 25% off and anything you ask them to special order for you from these two folks is 20% off.
http://pocketfullofstitches.blogspot.com/2011/04/acod-and-mindy.html

Sorry to overwhelm you with postings today but this is a good deal. You can see some of the in stock items on the PFOS blog (link above).  Whether you like small Asian abstract patterns or Christmas themes, or tiny colorful hearts or that darling dog "cookie" or even the ballerina outfit ornament, there is something wonderful here to enjoy--and perhaps buy at a good price.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Trubey Trunk Show

Trubey, a designer who always produces classic and beautiful painted canvases, is having a trunk show at The Needlepointer.  This is a good chance to see a range of designs that often are not available online and to browse wonderful complex animal and decorative patterns like the art vases or whimsical Cat Fancier.
http://np.theneedlepointer.com/store/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=76

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com

Gay Ann Answers Beginner Questions

Gay Ann Rogers is celebrating her imminent retirement from traveling to teach by posting beginner needlepointer's questions on her website.  Whether you mostly do counted canvaswork like Gay Ann's students do, or whether you are a painted canvas fan (or even an embroiderer), you will find her answers very enlightening.
http://www.gayannrogers.com/site_2/For_Beginners__answering_the_questions.html

Pay special heed to the answer to Question 21: "If no stitch guide is available, how do you decide which stitches to use?"
http://www.gayannrogers.com/site_2/Question_21.html

This is a question I have trouble formulating a good answer to but I am about to try.

UPDATE:  Gay Ann's website no longer has the above on display but you may be able to find it by Googling "Gay Ann Rogers choose stitches" and then clicking on the Cached link under the results.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com