Landscape Stitches on the iPad

A lot of folks are hooked on eBook Readers, whether they are varieties of Kindles or Nooks, the iPad series from Apple, or smart phones like the iPhone or Android phones.  Melita has done us all a service by showing off the screen of her iPad with the stitch she is using for the sky for her current piece.  The eBook she is using is Landscape Stitches from the Little Shoppe folks.  Of course this is available as a physical book as well.
http://bristlythistle.blogspot.com/2011/05/landscape-stitches-book.html


This book is optimized for the iPod Touch or iPhone, not the iPad, but you can use the controls to increase the size of the diagram and that is what Melita shows us here--the difference between the 1X and 2X settings on her iPad.  She tells us a little about the eBook in her article, too.
http://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2012/02/11/night-sky-on-christmas-trees/

All this is useful information if you are thinking about splurging on an eBook and want to know if it looks better on an iPhone than an iPad.  We all have different sorts of eyes and what works for me might not work for you and vice versa.


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

Orna's New Designs and Classes

If you are a fan of the cheerful and intricate designs of Orna Willis, you'll want to visit her blog to see two new designs, new class information and an announcement of a permanent addition to her online store.
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-designs-and-new-threads.html


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

Counted Canvaswork International (and Otherwise)

Someone on the ANG email list mentioned a commemorative design for Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee in needlepoint, so I obediently trotted over to the website to see it. When I arrived, I browsed a bit and realized that there are all kinds of counted thread pieces here that U.S. stitchers might like to stitch.  So this is for you guys--enjoy!
http://needle-point.co.uk/index.htm

They also sell painted canvases from Ann Pearson, so painted canvas folks can have a nice browse as well.

Ro Pace is getting ready to teach cyber classes and Seminar classes.
http://designsbyro.blogspot.com/2012/02/still-alive.html

Liz Morrow has finished a new design.  The chart isn't available yet, but soon.
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/bitter-springs-finished.html

Turning to Texas, Kimberly has a new design created for a class at Needle Works in Austin.  I hope this is released as a chart one day as I love the irregular edges and the texture of the stitches. Bet it is gorgeous in person.
http://akimberlydesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/step-one.html

How about a study of the variations possible using just one stitch?
http://stitchything.blogspot.com/2012/02/debbie-rowleys-rollicking-rhodes-study.html

Needle Delights is showing off her new designs on her blog.
http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2012/02/countdown-to-nashville.html

http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2012/02/rio.html


http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2012/02/new-jewel-gemstone-design.html

http://needledelightsoriginals.blogspot.com/2012/02/brilliant-color.html

Our final stop is back at Orna Willis' blog where she shows off a new design in three different sets of colors. It's not ready for her shop yet, but soon!
http://ornadesign.blogspot.com/2012/02/congrats.html

Anyone who thinks counted canvaswork is in decline just has to look at the above to discover how wrong they are.


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

Another Dog Find

Lewmew's question about blogs that feature dogs and dog canvases, led me to the A Dragon's Tale website where I found a page all about famous pets from the needlepoint world.
http://adragonstaleneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search/label/Needle%20Pets%20by%20Darcie

I'd totally forgotten their Spoiled Brats canvases, but....
http://adragonstaleneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search/label/Animals%3A%20Spoiled%20Brats

...their Victorian Pets series was new to me.
http://adragonstaleneedlepoint.blogspot.com/search/label/Victorian%20Pets

They do cats pretty well, too.  Check out the Canvas of the Day for a very bored cat and his/her glamorous owner!

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

Face and Hair Stitches

Sue has written a great article about stitching faces with tent stitches on her Sudukc blog.  She uses color to give her faces personality.  Make sure you click on the tiny thumbnail photos of each face.  Those marks you see are actually numbers so you can see exactly the examples she mentions in each section and understand what she did where and perhaps use these ideas on your own faces. The eye treatment of the geisha is particularly clever, but each face shows how you can mix tent stitches with the right color to get a wonderfully expressive face whether your face is realistic or more cartoonish.
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/02/13/torin-ailfred-opatrick-and-faces/

If you find Toppy irresistible, here are more postings as he grows.
http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/02/17/with-a-sparkle-in-my-eye-and-a-smile-on-my-face/

http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/03/05/too-many-irons-and-toppy-too/

http://sudukc.wordpress.com/2012/03/29/my-plate-broke-but-i-am-back-toppy-too/

By coincidence, Janet Perry has a short article up about three ways to stitch hair. None is particularly difficult but they all give realistic hair effects.
http://www.nuts-about-needlepoint.com/ideas-for-stitching-hair

Many thanks to both ladies for showing how simple stitches can breath life into a needlepoint face!


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