Ideas for Wings

Stephanie has posted photos of finished angels showcasing the stitches used for their wings. Some of these will look great on bird wings, too! Thanks, Steph.
http://stephsstitching.blogspot.com/2014/06/wing-stitches.html

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 10, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Russian Santas: Mistletoe Green

Carolyn Taggart's Merry Mistletoe Santa

Carolyn Taggart has finished another wonderful Russian Santa. This one (above) is Leigh Designs' "Merry Mistletoe Santa."   I think this one's my favorite so far. I just love the background stitch, the bottom border and the fur trim of his hood. His wrapped sash is wonderful as well.  The stitch guide is now available from Carolyn, too!  You can contact her via her Facebook page.

Carolyn is starting work on the Holly Hills Santa next.  Stay tuned!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 29, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Dede's Cat Topiary Garden Canvas

My Cat Topiary Garden Canvas

Do you remember when I stitch dede Odgen's Cat Topiary Garden (above)? 

This is a discontinued canvas and although some folks managed to find one, not everyone did.  But there's good news!  I spotted one at Enriched Stitch!  If you are a fan, hurry over and pick it up while it is on sale.
http://astheneedleturns.com/blow-out-sale/

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

Musicians Stitch UPDATED

Thanks to Tara, I discovered a new convert to needlepoint-- Macklemore.
http://instagram.com/p/o2f3BawK5a/

A great many actors are converts, since nothing deals with mind-numbing boredom of waiting for the cameras to roll better than stitching, but it looks like musicians are also using needlepoint to be creative when their hands are otherwise idle.  How about this music video created through machine embroidery? (Score by Throne)
http://www.dazeddigital.com/artsandculture/article/20066/1/how-to-stitch-tharsis-sleeps-music-video

Taylor Swift does embroidery, by the way.  (It doesn't appear to be needlepoint OR cross stitch to me but most folks in their 20-30s have never seen any type of handwork, so naturally they can't identify it.)
http://www.mtv.com/news/1840605/taylor-swift-ed-sheeran-started-from-the-bottom-needlepoint/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/reggieugwu/taylor-two-eagles

UPDATE:
http://www.fashionnstyle.com/articles/31018/20141113/taylor-swift-cross-stitches-blank-space-singer-claims-ironic-rap.htm

"Doesn't everyone?"
https://gma.yahoo.com/video/taylor-swifts-hipster-needlepoint-gift-184313200.html

I am happy to see the need to make things with our hands using a needle of some sort isn't confined to  middle-aged or older people who have more free time than younger folk.

UPDATE:  Looks like the younger generation likes gardening, too.
http://online.wsj.com/articles/for-taylor-swift-the-future-of-music-is-a-love-story-1404763219

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 8, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Painting Peeps

One of Squiggee's most popular canvases these days is this little box of Peeps, the traditional Easter chewy marshmallow style of candy available here in the United States in the spring.   I thought it quite interesting that folks like the yellow version best.  If I remember correctly, only yellow and pink peeps were available when I was small and eagerly eating candy from my Easter basket.
http://squiggeedesigns.blogspot.com/2014/05/who-knew.html

It looks like these are painted in roughly four steps.  If you study the photo carefully you will see the sort of pea pod shape, that then has a rectangle and logo added to surround it, then the details such as the polk dots on the box label and the faces of each Peep are added.  Simple to do and simple to stitch but full of spring happiness!

Here is how the real Peeps are made.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/video/peeps-factory-chicks-born-16090710

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright May 29, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.