The South African Bead Junkie Speaks

Was I surprised to find the South African embroiderer Hazel Blomkamp loves beads enough to stock beads in her online store? Nope. What stitcher does not love beads?!  (Some of us don't like them on our stitching, true, but we love to look regardless!)  Hazel's announcement about now carrying beads is worth reading even though we here in the States have easier access to beads than Hazel does.  She has lots of photos in each section that demonstrate wonderful ways to use that bead shape in embroidery.  This is a good series of articles to bookmark for inspiration later.  Hazel is wildly inventive in every way and that shows in how she uses beads.
http://therebelliousneedlewoman.blogspot.com/2013/11/a-range-of-beautiful-beads-for.html

If you want to see good pictures of the various types of beads Hazel is talking about, visit her website.  The photos of loose beads are good enough that you can see the shapes and the finishes, although you'll have to click on thumbnail photos to get a good look.
http://www.hazelblomkamp.co.za/component/virtuemart/03-supplies/02-beads-and-crystals/08-japanese-beads

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

A Book Review: Bead Embroidery

Mary Corbet takes a careful look at the Royal School's newest book, The RSN Essential Stitch Guide--Bead Embroidery.   It looks like an interesting book with a lot of information that can apply to finishing and to canvas work.  Anyone seen a copy?  Can you tell us just how useful you think it will be for a needlepointed who wants to add beading to their skill set?
http://www.needlenthread.com/2013/12/bead-embroidery-rsn-essential-stitch-guide-review.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Petei Contest

Stephanie has thrown down the gauntlet--whoever has the most Petei Santas wins!
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/11/whoever-has-most-petei-santas-wins.html

I'm not even in the bottom ten as my few Petei canvases don't include any of the iconic Santa designs.  What about you?

I guess now that Painted Pony has picked up the Petei line we can start to assemble a collection, though.  Let's see, do I want Cleopatra or the Astronaut most...?

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Friday Finishing: The Mustang Pillow

Mary Agnes, who is always original, stitched her first car in this vintage Mustang design, then made it into a shaped pillow.  How clever is that?!
http://needlenicely.blogspot.com/2013/11/mustang-needlepoint-pillow.html

I write Blog articles as far ahead as possible since Real Life has a way of getting in the way of my blogging schedule, so I have a lot of Christmas pieces to show you still.  Here are some wonderful holiday pieces that arrived at Enriched Stitch before Thanksgiving.   I think they are great!
http://astheneedleturns.com/more-finishing/

http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/12/blog-post_3.html

http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2013/12/ornaments-from-christmas-past.html

http://cityneedlework.blogspot.com/2012/06/twelve-days-of-christmas.html

This artistic and charming piece is a favorite of Erin's.  I can see why!
http://needlepointland.com/2013/12/19/patricks-stocking/

But we aren't all Christians. Aren't these Hanukkah pieces gorgeous?
http://ridgewoodneedlepoint.blogspot.com/2013/12/hollys-beautiful-hanukkah-decorations.html

This may be the last of the holiday finishing!  That train has left the station.  LOL
http://splittheneedles.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-christmas-train-leaves-station.html


Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Needlepoint Now Newsletter

The Christmas edition of Needlepoint Now magazine's newsletter is up on their site, full of holiday cheer (and poetry).
http://www.needlepointnow.com/wp-content/uploads/NN_NWSLTR_Dec13.pdf

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
@ Copyright 2013 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.