With Cunning Needle

Winterthur's two-day symposium in historical needlework is happening right now. (Actually it was happening when I wrote this but is over now.)  Luckily for those of us who can't visit Hope The Famous Reproduction Jacket or attend the events, folks are talking about it as they attend. I am very appreciative of their efforts and I know you'll enjoy seeing what they saw.  Here's a lovely summary and background of the event.
http://stitchingfoolishness.blogspot.com/2011/10/winterthur-prequel.html

http://stitchingfoolishness.blogspot.com/2011/10/winterthur-day-one.html

http://stitchingfoolishness.blogspot.com/2011/10/winterthur-day-two.html

Susan is taking us along, step by step.  Love those photographs!
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/10/with-cunning-needle-red-carpet-event.html

http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/10/inspiration-on-exhibit-at-winterthur.html


I hope this is only the first step in exploring our stitching heritage better.  It's not just quilts and samplers, you know.


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

The Needle Book

Mary Corbet just did a review of a book I've heard of but never seen--The Needle Index by the Quail Valley Chapter of EGA.  It is all about needles and looks like a great book for those who want help picking just the right needle for a project.  Mary even links to information about getting a copy for yourself.  I have a little tool box for my scissors and magnets and laying tools that has a needle sizer in the lid but if you aren't lucky like me, this little book will help you figure out needles in the most clever way imaginable.
http://www.needlenthread.com/2011/10/which-needle.html


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

The Casketeers Are Coming to a Neighborhood Near You

Tricia Nguyen has just announced her next reproduction stitching class, The Cabinet of Curiosities, which will start in the Spring of 2012.  Apparently there will be a second class because already interest is so high.
http://www.thistle-threads.com/teaching/projects/onlineclasses/casket/casket_registration.html


Lovers of reproduction stitching and historic needlework are going wild!
http://stitchingfoolishness.blogspot.com/2011/11/carolina-casket-stitchers.html


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

Let There Be Light

This is a fascinating article about lighting.  Since I just spent the weekend in the dark, I found it particularly interesting but there are hints here that will help all stitchers.  By the way, the link to Trish's info about lamps mentions lamps Trish can get in South Africa.  We have other choices you might want to consider.
http://plays-with-needles.blogspot.com/2011/11/tips-for-stitching-in-low-light.html


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

Daphne Goodyear and Friends UPDATED

I've mentioned Daphne Goodyear's website before but she's updated it with stitching from her friends.  Friends like Lee Cox and Sonia who are wildly talented.  Give it a minute for each page to load.  Many have slide shows that take a bit to get downloaded and start playing.
http://needleartartistry.org/home.html

Daphne herself does absolutely incredible Melissa Shirley Wild Women portraits.  They are worth visiting again and again if you are stitching people, just for the ideas and creativity Daphne puts into her work.

This is a site to bookmark and visit on days when you want inspiration with your morning beverage.  It's terrific that Daphne and her friends allow us to gawk at their work.  And gawk I do--it is a wonderful "feast for the eyes."

UPDATE:  Sudu took my suggestion to visit Daphne's website and ran with it.  She turned up a book by Daphne and so much more!  Clever Sue....
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2011/11/07/daphne’s-needlepoint/


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