Sampler Alert: The Betty Ring Sampler Sale and Catalogue

I'm not a sampler fiend. Actually, it took me years to realize that those who like to stitch repo samplers are actually using them as a sort of time machine to visit our stitching ancestors and explore their world. If you are a sampler lover, you'll want to read about the sale of Betty Ring's collection and the catalogue that Sotheby's is going to print to go along with the sale. Mrs. Ring's collection is very important and has samplers that aren't in her books so anyone who enjoys her books will want to pick up a copy of the catalogue if possible.  Pre-ordering sounds like a very good idea to me.  It didn't take Betty's books long to become very very expensive.  The catalogues will likely go the same route so act now.
http://thistle-threads.com.mytempweb.com/blog/index.php/2011/10/betty-ring-collection-auction-catalog/

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

Halloween Monthly Clubs

Because it is that time of year (and because, this being my blog, I can) I have listed the Halloween-themed monthly clubs that you can join or sign up for next year.  First is the Needle Deeva Creeps set, with stitch guides by Robin King.  Here's the smug devil.  LOL
http://bristlythistle.blogspot.com/2011/10/creepy-devil.html

You can see the entire set here.  Sign up at any shop on the list of participants.  However, if you are interested in stitching Bones, this is an exclusive Creep at Ruth Schmuff's shop (second link).
http://www.needledeeva.com/creepy_characters.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2011/08/what-says-halloween-more-than-robin.html

Speaking of Ruth, she loves Halloween and has collaborated with Kelly Clark for the sweet Halloween treats club.  If you scroll down farther, you'll see the Halloween tree ornaments club that Ruth did 2-3 years ago.  Those are still available if you need something spooky for a tree in your haunted mansion.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/clubs.php

Chandail has done the Kelly Clark witch hats and also Associated Talents' candy corn ornaments.  They plan a Halloween club for next year using the poison bottles from Kirk and Hamilton.  Nothing is up on their website yet for the bottles but the other two series are on their website and still available.
http://www.chandailneedlework.com/

Needlenook of La Jolla offers the Kelly Clark bat ornaments as one of their monthly clubs.  The candy apples club from the same designer has a lot of Halloween-themed ornaments as well.
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/events/cod/index.html

Thread Garden has Boo Whooo?, the Cheryl Schaeffer Halloween pumpkin ornament club.  In a twist, you never know which pumpkin will arrive in the next installment.
http://thethreadgarden.com/Canvas_Shoppe/Pages/Boo_Whooo%21_Ornament_of_the_Month.html

Pocket Full of Stitches has done quite a few Halloween-themed clubs over the years.  You can do one of the Halloween Parties (either the monsters or the kids dressed up in costumes) and add the backdrop for each if you choose.  There's also the Raymond Crawford (I think) Haunted Windows that spell out Halloween, the Trick or Treat banner, and the Halloween letter ornaments with their pumpkin and scaredy cat.  Most of the designs are from A Collection of Designs I believe, although not all are credited on the PFOS website.
http://www.pfos.com/ChristmasClubs/clubs.htm

Fancy Stitches has the fun Kathy Schenkel Halloween stars.  Since they also offer her Christmas and Thanksgiving stars, you can stick to a star theme for all your holiday decorating.
http://www.fancystitches.com/page3.html

The final club I found for you Halloween decorators is the Halloween treat pail club from Needle Deeva at Beeth's Needlepoint.  If you have already done some Needle Deeva Halloween and need more, this is the club for you.
http://bethsneedlepoint.com/Dot_ClubsExec.asp?idClubCategory=6

See?  There's no excuse for not stitching Halloween to decorate a scary house for Halloween 2012!


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

It's Snowing UPDATED

Autumn (and winter) is here

The weather forecast calls for 4-8 inches of snow in Chilly Hollow today. Already the power is starting to flicker so I'm hurrying to make coffee, fill the dog water bowls, charge the iPod, get the house warmed up, etc. in case the power goes.  Since the leaves are still on the trees, the snow will weigh limbs down and trees will fall, knocking out the power lines.  The photo above was taken last Wednesday.

Not to worry, Blog has articles ready to publish whether I am able to get online tomorrow or not.  The only change you will see is the Canvas of the Day isn't updated if I am involuntarily off line.  So I chose Kirk and Hamilton's Ice Crown for the canvas today.  It seems appropriate!
http://www.needlenookoflajolla.com/storedir/proddetail.php?prod=kh345&cat=26

Now I am going to go listen to the furnace run and think about what I will stitch today.  I'm staying put!

UPDATE:  Our power went out Saturday at 8:45 a.m. and stayed off until Monday morning at 4:45 a.m.  The running furnace woke me so I got up, flushed the toilets, gave the dogs fresh water, made coffee in the coffee maker (Heaven!) and generally got things in order so that I could do laundry and wash dishes and take a shower later on before emptying the frig of spoiled food.  Luckily the freezer items are still frozen.  Later today we'll use the chain saw to cut up and remove the four huge limbs and one tree trunk that have blocked the driveway so we can get out.  It's no fun living without electricity, TV, Internet, running water, or heat but we coped, as always.


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

Having Fun with Fall

If you happen to be in New Jersey, you can "have fun with fall" at Ridgewood Needlepoint in Ridgewood (duh) on November 6 when they are having an all day event and stitch in.  Here are the details.
http://www.ridgewoodneedlepoint.com/events.htm


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

Second Lilly Pulitzer Event UPDATED

The Lilly Pulitzer Legacy Village had so much fun with their stitch in using Barbara Bergsten's pink and green design, they've decided to repeat the event, this time with an A-line shift dress ornament in the famous colors and Barbara's stitch painted patterns.  If you were kicking yourself for missing the first event, you have a second chance in early November.  Details here.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/10/lilly-lovers-needlepoint.html




UPDATE:  Here are photos from the second event and the date for the third.  Mark your calendars!
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2011/11/lilly-lovers-needlepoint.html


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