First Night

No matter how you spell "Hannukah" it is a special time of year for Jews starting today. Vicky talks about the religious tradition on her blog, reminding me that us Christians aren't the only one with special holidays in December.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/first-night-of-hannukah/

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

The Alligator Decorates for Christmas

The Christmas Alligator's Tail Being Stitched

I've made some progress on the Jude Designs alligator, having beaded his blue Christmas ornament and put in his sunglasses' lenses.  Currently I am working his body in Dotted Swiss stitch, doing tiny cross stitches every other canvas thread with Kreinik's 070, which is cleverly called "Mardi Gras."  Since the metallic is gold, purple and green (Mardi Gras colors) the name is a great description of the thread.  The skipped stitches will be a dark green Felicity's Garden (a silk-wool blend) to tone down the sparkle a little.  Santa's fur, claws, nose holes, and the frames of his glasses are undone and I will need to do some outlining of his head and the ornament to tidy up the design before finishing, but he's coming along well.  He's been a fun distraction at night after a full day of Christmas prep plus all the other chores that come with living in Chilly Hollow.

Thanks, Jude Designs!

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

Finished and Gorgeous

Today I have a wide range of finished projects for you to admire.   The Needleart Nut has been hanging out in the bars with Sloe Gin Sadie (Leigh Designs).  I don't know what I like best, the hat, her dress, her jewelry, her hair...?!
http://needleartnut.blogspot.com/2012/11/the-final-touches.html

Here is Nine Lives for your viewing pleasure.  This is a hilarious canvas! The designer is Stephanie Stouffok of Ruth Levinson Design.  Their website is the second link, if you'd like to browse.
http://sonorandesertstitching.blogspot.com/2012/11/nine-lives.html

http://levisondesign.com

Liz has finished her Charley Harper of thieving raccoons making off with the Christmas decorations.  That "popcorn" looks real!
http://lizartblog.blogspot.com/2012/11/christmas-caper-finished.html

Mary Agnes shows off a fabulous director's chair. Bet it is a hit when it goes on display at her shop.
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2012/11/flower-basket-directors-chair.html

Nimble Needle has all sorts of goodies to show off.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2012/12/customers-gallery.html

Vicky DeAngelis has picked up Cats' Night Out (SharonG) from the framers.  It is magnificent!
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/a-purrfectly-stitchy-day/

Ada's been busy creating new spring designs for Eye Candy.  Check out the hot spring colors of this biscornu.  It's in the new (December 2012) Needlepoint Now as well.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/11/skipping-ahead-season.html

Barbara Bergsten has her newest models back from the finisher.  Aren't those Santa Stitches darling?!  Each one is designed to teach a different stitch on their bodies, so these are great beginner projects.
http://createneedlepoint.typepad.com/create_needlepoint/2012/12/more-finished-needlepoint.html

What have you finished lately?  Send me photos at chillyhollowathotmaildotcom and I'll post them here.

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

Decorating the Tree

Diane is decorating for Christmas with her needlepoint and it is lovely! Puts me to shame, she does.
http://dianestakingtimeouttoneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2012/12/its-beginning-to-look-lot-like-christmas.html

I have had Patchwork Santa out overlooking the dining room for several weeks but there is still no tree up here.  Sigh.

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

Outside the Box

Yesterday we talked about the individuality and creativity of Marnie Ritter. Today we are going to look at the same traits in Cara Sue Richard.  She loves to cut threads, add threads, add colors, textures, add everything to painted canvases.  Often she totally transforms the subject matter.  Wait'll you see what she did with the HP Designs Deco Cat canvas that Ruth taught as a mystery class a few years back.
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2012/11/think-outside-box.html

Here are more of Cara Sue's works of art.  I'm sorry I don't have a finished portrait of the tulips to show you.
http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/pink-tulip-2liz-darkness-added/prev?context=user

This is another Lani canvas of a tulip.
http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/tulip-pink/prev?context=user

I think this horse is from Leigh Designs.  Cara Sue's an original, isn't she?
http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/more-022/prev?context=user

Check out the flowers carefully to see where she has cut away the NP canvas threads.  This is a Shorebird Studio piece.
http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/yin-and-yang-cut-canvas?context=user

Finally, here is her Tree of Life.  Amazing!
http://stitcherie.ning.com/photo/tree-of-life-1/prev?context=user

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