All About the System Four Floor Frame UPDATED

If you are in the market for a floor frame and can't try one out before you buy, Needle in a Haystack's thorough review is going to be a Must Read. 
http://needlestack.typepad.com/whats_new/2014/05/needlework-system-4-stands-review.html

The most important thing in shopping for a floor frame is to analyze how and where you stitch, then see if the particular features of the floor stand you are considering will work in that location and with your stitching style.  Doesn't matter how great a frame is, if you can't lay in bed and stitch with it if that is how you prefer to work, it is not the frame for you.

UPDATE:  Donna says she uses this stand from the side but as the comment section at the NIAH site was closed, she asked me to mention it here, just in case you need your floor frame off to one side instead of in front of you.  It's versatile and will work either way.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 3, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

The Literary Painted Canvas

If you love canvases with themes based on books, you'll love Ruth Schmuff's new Alice in Wonderland and Edger Allan Poe designs. These are from Sandra Vargas
http://www.notyourgrandmothersneedlepoint.com/2014/05/alice-in-wonderland-as-only-sandra.html

http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/Products/?category=254

Rebecca Wood has several fun new canvases based on fairy tales in two different sizes...
http://www.rebeccawooddesigns.com/new-designs/new-2014

and so does Melissa Shirley who has the Three Bears, Three Little Pigs, Mother Goose, and Little Red Riding Hood designs...
http://melissashirleydesigns.com/galsearch/?searchstring=fairy+tales&searchlist=&Search=Search&dosearch=

...and so does Eye Candy with Ada's fun Cinderella, Rapunzel, and Snow White pieces...
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2012/06/to-market-to-market.html

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2013/10/new-designs-for-fall-and-winter-2013.html

...as does Ruth who has quite a few larger pieces.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/Products/?category=17

The ultimate fairy tale canvases are from Edie and Ginger, though.
http://rittenhouseneedlepoint.com/catalogsearch/result/index/?limit=200&q=edie&x=-1290&y=-125

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 25, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Brass Stiletto

Tanja Berlin's e-newsletter has a new product listed I've not seen before--a brass stiletto that can be used as a laying tool or awl.  It's  a pretty thing (although in CH brass tarnishes badly if not lacquered) and can also be used as a laying tool.  If you are interested, hurry.  Tanja will be away most of the month of June starting on the 5th.
http://www.berlinembroidery.com/whatsnew.htm#brass

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 1, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Amy Talks Books, Guides and More

Amy Bunger's shop newsletter for June and July 2014 is now up on her website.
http://www.amybunger.com/f/0614.pdf

Amy's gone nuts for three ring binders.  When you read her mini book reviews, you'll see why.  She also reveals that Sparky (the semi-metallic version of Silken Straw) will be available at the January 2015 trade show.  Silken Straw is a repackaged knitting yarn and so is the new Sparky.  If you have a big project and a very good knitting shop nearly (or a LOT of stitching friends you can share with), see if you can find Alchemy's yarns before Sparky debuts.

The newsletter also contains the whimsical backstory for several new Annie Lane canvases, courtesy of Cindy McKown, and a new stitch diagram, created by Amy just for us.  The newsletter has new stitch guides, too.

All in all, a fun way to spend Monday morning!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 1, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Russian Santas: Stitch Guide News!

Carolyn Taggart's Little Angel Santa

Fans of the Leigh Designs series of Russian Santas will be thrilled to hear more new stitch guides are available for these Christmasy Ivans.  Sandy Arthur's website now lists all the guides you can get directly from her:  The Birdland, Forever Green, Holly Hills, and Merry Mistletoe Santas.  Her website has some great photos of the finished models!
http://duodesignsinc.com/wpsite/stitch-guides-only

Vicky DeAngelis is working on her Holly Hills Santa.  She's been wrestling with just the right thread, but she's making progress despite being the busiest stitcher on the planet.
http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/what-i-learned-on-the-way-to-pull-threads/

http://mostlyneedlepoint.com/threads-threads-and-more-threads-2/

Carolyn Taggart has also been busy.  She just finished her version of the Little Angel Santa (seen above).  You can connect with Carolyn via her Facebook page to order.  If you aren't on Facebook, just send me an email at chilly hollow at hotmaildotcom and I'll pass your message along to Carolyn.

There's a Russian Santa for everyone, and guides for many of them.  Have fun choosing!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 28, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.