Destination Dallas!

The shops and designers and tool makers and thread manufacturers and needlepoint writers and everyone else you can think of is on their way to Destination Dallas. Amy Bunger's carryall is ready. Are you?
https://www.facebook.com/189965167681135/photos/a.676354722375508.1073741830.189965167681135/852821614728817/?type=1&theater

Remember to check the Destination Dallas tab for the latest news.
http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com/p/destination-dallas.html

Stitch guide news is at the CH Stitch Guides blog.  There is a dedicated tab for information there as well.
http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com/p/latest-stitch-guide-news-from-spring.html

The show is Sunday-Monday with classes Saturday so there will be new things showing up all weekend until Tuesday or Wednesday.

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

Finishing Friday: In Honor of Autumn

In honor of Autumn, cooler days and crisper nights, not to mention Halloween, today's Finishing Friday shows off Eye Candy's Crazy Patch Boo-nanza series from last year.
http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/08/crazy-patch-boo-nanza-retrospective.html

http://eyecandyneedleart.blogspot.com/2014/08/halloween-already.html

The designs are still available and each comes with a stitch guide.  You can buy one, two or all of them.  So if pumpkins and candy corn are your fall favs, visit Bedecked and Beaddazzled to pick up your favorites.
http://www.bedeckedandbeadazzled.com/Clubs/

Louise's has just reminded us of Associated Talent's free stitch guides, available for download from their website, and that cross stitch designs can be translated into needlepoint with spooky results!
http://louisesneedlwork.blogspot.com/2014/08/linda-finished-stitching-associated.html

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

New Designs from Ann Strite-Kurz

This is a very good day for fans of counted thread and blackwork patterns--Ann Strite-Kurz has four new patterns available!   The first is a cute Halloween standup covered in Ann's signature complex patterns.  This was a class piece that is no longer being taught so it is available to anyone.  
http://www.needleartworks.com/dsgnr/ask/ASK48.htm

The second discontinued class piece is a stunning piece of blackwork called "Pappagallo Slipper."
http://www.needleartworks.com/dsgnr/ask/ASK49.htm

The two brand new pieces are both Southwestern in theme.  The first is "Desert Silhouette," based on the traditional Mexican star quilt pattern with a twist.
http://www.needleartworks.com/dsgnr/ask/ASK51.htm

The second is an adaptation of Eleanor Grosch's "Coyote Concert."  If you subscribe to Needlepoint Now, you've seen this in Ann's column for the magazine.
http://www.needleartworks.com/dsgnr/ask/ASK50.htm

Ann's designs are available either as kits or just the booklet of instructions from the Needle Artworks website.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright September 2, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Storing Rolled Canvases

Ann mentioned using arrow cases on Facebook for rolled canvas storage.   You can buy these at sporting goods stores and Amazon.com.  They are slightly adjustable for length and cost roughly $20 USD.  I don't know how many canvases you can roll and stuff inside, though.  Thanks for the tip, Ann!
http://www.basspro.com/Easton-Arrow-Tote/product/10202510/

The post office has triangular mailing tubes, which are cardboard and not acid-free, but for temporary storage, these are fine.
https://store.usps.com/store/browse/uspsProductDetailMultiSkuDropDown.jsp?productId=P_O_1098M&categoryId=priority-mail

Folks also use wrapping paper organizers like this one.  They vary in size and price.
http://www.containerstore.com/shop/giftPackaging/organizers?productId=10011134

If you have any other great ideas for storing rolls of needlepoint canvas, please comment below or email me at chilly hollowathotmail dot com in case the comments section hates you today.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright August 24, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

REPOST of Ann Spiess Mills Exhibit Starting Tomorrow

Rose Angel

BREAKING NEWS:  The organizers of the Ann Spiess Mills exhibit in Las Vegas, New Mexico say that because of the demand to see the exhibit, it has been extended another week or two.  If you are in the area and missed out during August, time to go visit now.

Are you a fan of Ann Spiess Mill's needlepoint?  I am.  Ann was an artist and needlepointer working in New Mexico to create unique canvases into the early 1990s.  Her cross stitch charts with her signature faces are almost always available on eBay, but her needlepoint canvases are all originals.  Ann did not create multiples of each canvas.  Each piece was done only once, although you will see themes and Ann's unique symbolism over and over again.

Seven Children in Pueblo

Two collectors of Ann's work have organized a exhibit in Las Vegas, New Mexico for next August. I hope Ann's friends and admirers will be able to see it. Ann's son and daughter Cliff and Rees are seen in the photo below along with Linda and Sharon, the organizers of the exhibit, in the center in a photograph taken at the Historical Society of New Mexico's annual meeting and conference this spring. The stand ups you see are Ann's work. The colcha (traditional New Mexican embroidery normally seen on bed linens) on the table is Ann's old family 1740s colcha made by her great, great, great, great grandmother.  Below is a bit about the exhibit in August, courtesy of Linda and Sharon.

Ann's Family and Friends With Her Work

The colorful creative embroidery of New Mexico folk artist Ann Spiess Mills will be featured with a month long exhibition in Las Vegas, New Mexico, accompanied by an opening day of multimedia programs. Open free to the general public, the Ann Spiess Mills programs will explore her fascinating life and work as well as historical tales of family history in New Mexico. She was completely self taught and joyfully celebrated her freedom from rules. A highly collected artist, she became a very popular teacher as well. Independent researchers, Sharon Stephan, from Hollis, New Hampshire and Linda Anderle of Las Vegas, New Mexico will facilitate this program.

Madonna and Child

EXHIBITION - AUGUST 2 - 30, 2014

Saturday, August 2, 2014
Ann Spiess Mills, New Mexico Folk Artist
Exhibition Opening

Sunday, August 3, 2014
Programs
1:30 pm - The Spiess Family History And their Contributions to New Mexico
2:30 pm - Fibers, Fantasy & Folk Art - Ann Spiess Mills
3:30 pm - Hands-On Workshop in the Manner of Ann Spiess Mills
Materials Fee

Las Vegas, New Mexico
Exhibition, Programs and Workshop - Citizen’s Committee for Historic Preservation
116 Bridge Street
Self-Guided Tour - CCHP 9 Historical Districts Walking/Driving Guide
including Spiess Homes and Grave Sites

Monk in the Kitchen

All the photographs of Ann's canvases are taken from eBay sales over the last five years.  I started collecting them as a way of keeping Ann's work alive.  Fortunately, Sharon and Linda are doing a much better job of that than I am!

Hope you all get to see the exhibit in August.  Mark your calendars and make your travel plans NOW.

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com and
at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright June 22, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.