Let's Go Somewhere

Fall is always the retreat season, isn't it?  Lots of folks have been going places with their stitching to do more stitching in a classroom setting when they arrive.  Tisha went on a Margaret Bendig retreat.
http://stitchplaywithneedlepointtooltime.blogspot.com/2012/11/needlepoint-retreat.html

Margaret is famous for her kimono patterns.  
http://www.sang-ega.org/margaret%20bendig%20workshop.html

But that isn't everything Margaret designs.  How about this charming patriotic heart?
http://stitchlady.wordpress.com/2008/09/04/stars-abound/

Or this Southwestern sampler from Needlepoint Now magazine?  It might take some hunting to find Margaret's designs as many as class projects only but you won't be sorry you spent time looking.
http://lets-stitch-away.blogspot.com/2008/01/southwest-sampler-by-margaret-bending.html

Teachers travel to these retreats as well.  Hazel Blomkamp went from her native South Africa to Russia.  You will find her report a fascinating window into a place that is home to a great many stitchers.  (Did you know the second largest number of visitors to the Loretta Spears blog I maintain log in from Russia and the Ukraine?  There are a LOT of counted thread canvasworkers there.)
http://therebelliousneedlewoman.blogspot.com/2012/11/hazel-and-di-inrussia-and-ukraine.html 

Barbara Elmore just got back from the Santa Fe Enchantment EGA Seminar.   She taught two classes.  In one they stitched a white cactus plant, in the other a white moth.  Boring?  Now quite.  Barbara has you paint the canvas after stitching it, stencil it, use markers on it, add beads and sequins and metallics and ribbons and lots more to it.  You'll love the photographs of the white moths' rebirth into something totally unique to each stitcher.  My only quibble is that Barbara forgot to take photographs of the cactus canvases blooming!
http://stitchpography.blogspot.com/2012/11/santa-fe-enchantment.html

If you are like me and go three places:  the post office, bank and grocery store, these reports are priceless.  Many thanks to everyone for sharing the flavor of their retreats with us.

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

Nino's Harlequin Laying Tools

Fireside has updated their website to show off Nino's hand made Harlequin laying tools. Colorful!

Start by clicking on the Harlequin laying tools section, then go back and browse the other hand made tools.
http://www.firesidestitchery.com/fs/accessories/index.cfm?fuseaction=getAccessoriesList&CategoryId=25


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

A New Stars Class

Ridgewood Needlepoint is getting ready to have a Stars for the New Millennium class. I thought you would enjoy seeing all the various colorways in Tony's book.
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/11/here-is-pricing-for-tony-minieris-stars.html

Glenis, I have NOT forgotten my Stars, I just don't have much free time. I am trying to finish two projects and start a third for Christmas so I can get back to it. Someday....

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

Perle Cotton Explained

Colonial Needle's blog is all about perle cotton (also known as pearl cotton) today.  There is a about about the name and the various sizes and what they are used for.  Colonial distributes the Presencia brand of perle cotton which I have tried. It's great stuff!
http://needlemenow.blogspot.com/2012/10/perles-of-wisdom.html

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

Beautiful Handmade Needlepoint Frames

Someone on Facebook's Needlepoint Group mentioned watching a 1940s movie that had as props needlepoint being stitched in an elaborate wooden floor stand. That got me searching to see who makes needlepoint frames these days and I stumbled across this website.
http://needlepointstands.com

I know nothing about the quality of the stands or the customer service of the site owners but they sure are lovely!

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