The Helen Ashland House Challenge

ANG's cyber chapter is mostly focused on charted or counted work, which is natural given that their members meet online only. It's a bit hard to do painted canvases together, and of course painted canvases are more expensive than chart packages.  It's still fun to hear about what they get up to.  I think you'll enjoy seeing the house challenge that Melita finished and describes on her blog.
http://melitastitches4fun.wordpress.com/2012/11/01/the-helen-ashland-house-an-ang-cyberpointers-project/

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

Two Fun Christmas Projects

Suzanne has posted two fun Christmas pieces on her blog that I thought were perfect for Black Friday, the day when we start to realize just how close Christmas is.  Her point about giving away our precious stitching is important, too.
http://suzannehicks.blogspot.com/2012/11/mischievous-rudolph.html

Enjoy your Thanksgiving, ok?  At least all we have to do is eat!

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

Finishing Tips

Summer Louise has an important finishing tip for those who plan to bead a piece that will be blocked later.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2012/10/catherine-coleman-january-ornament.html

She also tells you a great place to find cording fibers if you make your own twisted cord.
http://summerlouise.blogspot.com/2012/11/believe-by-madeline-lake-santa-ornament.html

But the best tip comes from Needle Nicely who has great advice for stitchers who are contemplating buying a piece that they won't finish themselves--talk to your shop in detail before you buy!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/11/finishing-from-customers-viewpoint.html

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

A Mirror to My Art Contest

Sampler fans and those who enjoy reproduction embroidery will enjoy looking at the twenty finalists in Needleprints' "A Mirror to My Art" contest. Stitchers were challenged to design a cover for a hand mirror.  Start with the 15 September entry and scroll back in time using the Older Posts link to see the finalists.  The winner is announced in the second link below. I would have found it very hard to decide among them myself!
http://needleprintmirrortomyart.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/finalist-1.html

http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-mirror-to-my-art-competition-winners.html

Good closeups of each winner have been posted, so here they are in the order they were put online.
http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/11/mirror-images-silvia-from-italy.html

http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/11/margreeths-mirror.html

http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/11/mirror-images-dianne-from-australia.html

http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/11/roses-mirror-to-her-art.html

http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/11/francescas-artful-pomegranate-mirror.html

http://needleprint.blogspot.com/2012/11/amys-bewitching-mermaid-mirror.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

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

Seasonal News

The crazy holiday season is upon us.  Kelly Clark has been working hard on getting her catalogue ready for the TNNA show after the holidays.  The photographs of finished designs are wonderful!
http://kellyclarkneedlepointhandbook.blogspot.com/2012/11/a-glimpse-of-autumn.html

Ruth Schmuff has finished her latest mystery class, one with a Halloween theme.  To see what she changed, check out the original design in the second link below.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/11/big-dramatic-finish.html

http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/05/broom-parking.html

By the way, here is the canvas Ruth will use in her next mystery class--a Zecca snowman!
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/11/are-you-ready-for-snow.html

Michele has finished her latest Christmas stocking and shares the ideas she used to make sure this small stocking lasts and lasts until its owner is grown, and to make the details special.
http://bristlythistle.blogspot.com/2012/10/not-all-stockings-should-be-huge-and.html

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