Horse Hair for Whiskers

Heather just noticed this great idea on Etsy--use horse hair for whiskers! Don't have a horse handy? Not to worry--the Etsy store sells little packets of it.  There's enough for you and your entire stitching circle to do whiskers on their dog and cat ornaments.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/205553220/light-or-dark-horse-hair-for-whiskers?ref=favs_view_1

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

Dag Nab It

I meant to title this "Snag Nab It" as that's the tool I wanted to mention today but I flubbed the title and it's so funny, I left it.  The Snag Nab It is a needle with a spiral at the point end that carries loose threads from the front of a knitted fabric to the back.  The original use was to fix snags but we stitchers use it to carry loose thread ends to the back side.  The first section shows the needle in close up and how it is used on clothing.  Shop around as the prices vary.
http://thriftylittlemom.com/2014/01/10/diy-fashion-repair-secrets-from-retailors/

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright November 23, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Berdorf's Needlepoint Window for Christmas 2014

Lisa HK just posted photographs on Facebook she took of one of Bergdorf's Christmas windows in New York City.   She says that the window has both stitched and unstitched canvases that are portraits of literary figures.  The window also uses felting and macramé.
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10203021343039994&set=a.10203021342879990.1073741837.1397401143&type=1&theater

Here are more photographs. The red Literature window photos are the ones with needlepoint portraits.
http://ny.racked.com/archives/2014/11/24/bergdorf_goodman_holiday_windows_2014.php

Needlepoint For Fun helped create the designs.  Yeah!
https://www.facebook.com/125313707511380/photos/a.157371940972223.28096.125313707511380/824666614242749/?type=1&theater

Here is more about the inspiration behind the window series.  There are some photos of the computer stitched portraits and the felted bust but nothing else.
http://blogs.wsj.com/photojournal/2014/11/17/behind-the-scenes-bergdorf-goodmans-holiday-window-display/

If you want Needlepoint For Fun to create something custom for you, here is their website.  Sign up for their terrific newsletter, by the way.  You won't be sorry.
http://www.needlepoint-for-fun.com

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 7, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.

Tropical Jazz Revisited

Terry Dryden is having to scramble to pick up threads for her older Tropical Jazz kits now.  This is something that happens a lot to us stitchers as the small businesses that create our threads and other supplies run out of stock and can't afford to make more or can't get the necessary elements to make more.  Terry looks on this as Revisiting a design, and I think that's a good way to think of it.
http://www.terrydryden.com/-blog/2014/11/30/embellishment-threads.html

So the next time you pick up a stitch guide and can't get some of the threads listed,
revisit the design and customize it to your own liking with something you can get your hands on.  After all, this makes it uniquely yours.

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

The Festival of Lights

The Nimble Needle in New Jersey is celebrating the start of Hanukkah with this posting about the Festival of Lights canvases and other related items they stock.
http://thenimbleneedle.blogspot.com/2014/12/more-winter-holiday-stitching-chanukah.html

To all my friends and family who are Jewish--Happy Hannukkah!

Written by Jane/Chilly Hollow
Blogging at http://chillyhollownp.blogspot.com
and at http://chstitchguides.blogspot.com
© Copyright December 15, 2014 Jane M. Wood. All rights reserved.